Future Economy Barcelona 2012: 'As usual you are totally misinformed'

My post yesterday on the slashing of ticket prices for Future Economy Barcelona produced a swift tweet response from The Wine Academy – the Siamese twin of Chrand (aka Charade) Management. 'As usual you are totally misinformed. The difference between a serious journalist and a blogger.'

Mid-July's prices 'early bird': VIP 950€, Gold 750€, Silver 550€ ex vat

Revised prices end of July: Gold: 290€, VIP: 690€ ex VAT

Since all the information in the post came from Chrand Management and the Future Economy Barcelona 2012 site, I naturally asked 'what detail is inaccurate please?' Rather than answer the question, this produced a rather tetchy response:

'FEB2012 has nothing to do with wine. None of your business.'

Although it is clear that the conference prices have been substantially cut rather than the significant rise previously planned for 1st August, The Wine Academy may be right that FEB2012 now has 'nothing to with wine'. If so, this is another change. Certainly Miguel Torres was previously listed as a speaker: 'Miguel Torres, uno de los bodegueros españoles más respetados, explicará cómo han implementado el uso de energías renovables y el reciclaje de agua, así como a sus grandes inversiones en investigación y desarrollo' (eco-union 10.7.2012)

'The wine industry will be represented by Miguel Torres and Carlos Moro at Future Economy Barcelona 2012.' (22.6.2012)

'Topics to be covered: Sustainable agriculture and the wine industry' 27.7.12

However, neither Miguel Torres nor Carlos Moro are now listed as speakers. I did ask The Wine Academy whether they have dropped out. So far no response... However, it is now clear that Miguel Torres has withdrawn as a speaker – was it something the former Olympian said?  

Topics to be covered: 'Sustainable agriculture and the wine industry' now omitted: 28.7.2012

Agriculture and the wine industry are now (see above) not part of Future Economy Barcelona 2012. For Chrand Management luxury lifestyle would appear now to be more important than sustainable agriculture. 

Pancho Campo's Future Economy hit by current economic reality?

It looks like the grim reality of the current economic climate is impinging on Francisco 'Pancho' Campo's planned Future Economy Barcelona 2012 on 19th-20th October. Al Gore is the headlining act.

When ticket prices were announced in mid-June, the early bird offer ran up to the end of July. The nearly 1700 conference tickets available with split into three categories – Silver, Gold and VIP – and 'early bird' prices ranging from 550€ + vat (Silver) up to 950€ + vat (VIP). Prices would increase substantially from the first of August rising to 1200€ + vat (if I remember correctly) for the VIP. Spanish VAT is currently 18% but will rise by 3% on 1st September to 21%.  

July's prices 'early bird': VIP 950€, Gold 750€, Silver 550€ ex vat

From Facebook thread started by Robert Joseph

I assume that ticket sales were rather sluggish as the conference prices have fallen from their Olympian heights with a new special offer until 15th September. Gold has been renamed Silver and priced at 290€ + vat – down 260€ on the previous price. VIP tickets have also been cut by 260€. 

Future Economy Barcelona 2012 is being organised in collaboration with the Generalitat de Catalunya. Although there is as yet no main sponsor, the Platinum sponsors are Ecoembes (a non-profit waste management organisation), Grupo Matarromera, Torres and Francisco Campo's wine academy. The three media partners are essential marbella magazine, Informativos.net and Revista Rusa en España (for Russian visitors in Spain).      

    

Pancho Campo: the views of the former 'Olympian'

A tweet from Tuesday 10th July 2012

Francisco 'Pancho' Campo was the captain of the Chilean tennis team at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Campo was coach to the Chilean women’s team Paulina Sepúlveda (born 15th September 1968). Sepúlveda was beaten in first round 6-2, 6-3 by the Italian Anna-Maria ("Sandra") Cecchini. Campo marched in the Games' opening parade. See here – video posted by Campo on 13th July 2012.

Francisco Campo and his Chrand Management are organising a conference in Barcelona called Future Economy Barcelona 2012. It will be held on 19th and 20th October.