[Sebb767]

> Or maybe it was some sort of ongoing agreement and canceling it was effectively "not renewing".

The announcement effectively calls it "no-notice cancellation" and overall it reads like they were already deep in the planning phase when it happened, which seems unlikely if a renewal was pending.

[bawolff]

Its odd though - i would assume a conference of this size would have penalties in the contract if the venue decides to pull out without cause or sufficient notice.

[Arrath]

To a point yeah but the venue also has the power not to sign the contract in the first place (ime the venue is the side typically negotiating from the position of power) if they think the penalties are too high on their end.

In all likelihood they ran the math and figured it was worth it to yank the rug out from under Defcon, penalties be damned.