Om Malik & Arrington Blow Off BlogWorld-iJustine Fills In

The buzz around the show was that Om Mailk and Michael Arrington were skipping BlogWorld Expo even though both are confirmed speakers.? Right now Leo Laporte, after giving what I?ve heard was a kick-ass keynote, pulled iJustine in as a last minute panel member.? I think Justine is a great addition and before I dashed out to write this she told us that she did her first website in 6th grade (Tripod or Angelfire she said) because a boy kicked her and she wanted to get back at him.? Internet justice starts early

I will admit right now that I don?t know the story or reason why Arrington and Om chose not to attend the fantastic conference, however ? it just seems like a slap in the face to Rick, Dave, and the rest of us.

No, I didn?t come to see them, I came to speak, catch up with friends and blog.? You can check all three of those off, though I still have one more session to do.

So, what does it mean when speakers do this.? I?ll try to get some reaction from folks later.? BTW, Arrington had one more panel to be on with Brad Feld, Dan Rua and David Cohen.? Yeah probably will be a better better panel anyway.

Update From Allan Stern of CenterNetworks reported: “Leo Laporte said that Om is sick and Mike “forgot”. I was really looking forward to meeting Om. Hope you get better Om!”? I know that Om does have a really bad back.? Om, I also hope you feel better, and my apologies for suggesting anything different.