Without Apple participating, the Macworld trade show's soft underbelly is exposed to predators. Here comes CES, in for the kill. Today the CEA (the guys who operate the mega-trade-show CES) announced they're doubling the size of the 2010 CES show's "iLounge Pavilion" to 25,000 square feet. The pavilion will feature iPod, iPhone and Mac applications and accessories. They're also adding a special section for iPod/iPhone apps manufacturers.

CES, which is held every January, never had much Mac stuff before, but CEA saw an opportunity when Apple pulled out of the almost-simultaneous Macworld show in San Francisco. The iLounge Pavilion started at 4,000 square feet, the association says, but it keeps expanding because of demand. Accessories retailers committed to CES include Griffin Technology, Scosche, Incase Designs, iSkin, Incipio Technologies, Jaybird Gear, MusicSkins and AAMP of America.

IDG, the managers of Macworld Expo, have moved their show a little bit later in the winter, to Feb. 9-13. Macworld still has exclusive Mac-centric conference programs and seminars, Mac-centric speakers and a Mac-community focus that CES lacks. The question is, how much blood can CES suck away before Macworld Expo becomes a lifeless husk?