The big problem for SNW beyond the current economy is it has competition now. With all the electronic media available -- Byte and Switch, blogging, OK, yes, even Twitter -- I'm not sure you need a show anymore. Even demos can be handled very well via WebEx or YouTube. Also more suppliers are getting into smaller regional events and seminars, essentially bringing the show to you so you don't have to travel.
The bigger challenge is from the specific manufacturer's user conferences, like EMC's EMC World or Compellent's CDRIVE. While the attendance is certainly smaller, the sessions are more relevant and, from what I have seen, far more educational because they focus specifically on how to get more out of the products you are already invested in. Interestingly, the complimentary supplier participation is brisk at these shows as well and, again, targeted on how you can use their technology to enhance the larger purchase.
While many of these user conferences can be replaced by Web presentations or virtual tradeshows, there is nothing like being there, seeing a live demo, getting hands-on with the product, and talking face-to-face with a speaker after they present or catching up with them at a lunch break.
I like SNW. I hope and expect that it will continue to be an important event within the industry. It is an excellent networking event for analysts and press, but for suppliers and end users you have to know what you want to get out of it.
That said, the show organizers have some work to do. SNW has really not changed much over the years. The format is still pretty much the same as when it began. For SNW to stay relevant it needs to adapt not only to the current economic situation but also to the way that users are asking for information to be disseminated.