Last year people were surprised when eBay announced plans to cancel its 2009 eBay Live event.  At that time the company said smaller workshops would take place in various locations rather than one large event. EBay also said that the eBay Live event would return in 2010 in Orlando.

Not so, according to a statement recently made by Lorrie Norrington, president, eBay Marketplaces. EBay will continue to offer multiple smaller events that will replace the larger eBay Live conference.

From Live 2008 to On Location 2010

The last eBay Live event took place in Chicago in 2008, and attracted thousands of conference attendees, more than 700 eBay employees and hundreds of exhibitors.  While rumors of Live’s demise circulated in Chicago, the conference was considered a success—despite the fact that some attendees showed up in aluminum foil caps in silent protest of what they called eBay brainwashing tactics.

When the seven-year run of eBay Live events ended in Chicago, eBay said that it would not hold a 2009 event, but that the traditional gala would return in 2010 in Orlando, Florida. In place of the big event this year eBay plans to host multiple, smaller events nationwide.

Called “eBay: On Location,” the event will kick off in Orlando in February, replacing the previously announced August date for eBay Live.

In discussing the reasons behind changing up the event, Norrington said, "Many sellers and buyers have told us that although eBay Live is a terrific way to learn and network, they would enjoy more local events that don't require costly travel."

Some industry watchers cite economic hardship and the resulting lower attendance numbers as contributing factors to the demise of eBay Live. However, another reason for the dip in attendance may be that the eBay market—and community—has simply matured.  EBay members, who may have previously attended just to proudly show their eBay colors at the events, are now more concerned with turning profits and bottom lines then with spending money on airfare to attend Live.

In creating the new schedule, Norrington said that the goal would be to provide eBay: On Location events within a day's drive for as many sellers and buyers as possible. On Location events are expected to wrap up in August 2010 in eBay’s hometown of San Jose, Calif.—just in time to celebrate the company’s 15th anniversary.

Other dates and venues are still in the planning stages, and eBay sellers can sign up on the On Location Web site to be notified when dates and locations for the events are set.

Vangie Beal is a veteran online seller and frequent contributor to ECommerce-Guide.com. She is also managing editor of Webopedia.com. You can tweet with her online @AuroraGG.