High-end Audio Shows

I’ve been wondering whether many of us have too high of expectations for attendance at shows…

Think about other shows, which I have not attended, much like the vsat majority of the populace who have not gone to these shows either [whether high-end audio or not].

Take for example an auto show or pet show.

As a bystander, I think I might want to go to one of these shows sometime – but a few things hold me back:

1. Difficulty of finding parking (and the expense of parking)

2. Crowds. Too crowded to get to see and do what I might want to do there.

3. A lot of hype. A lot of people trying to convince me what it the best X, Y or Z.

4. Cost. Hidden costs of food and drink and costs at the gate.

5. Wondering if it is just going to be boring. Nothing really cool to see.

If I was marketting a show I would try and address each one of these issues – let people know ahead of time what to expect – though there is not much one can do about #2

So thoughts:

People like passive entertainment – so perhaps a large room could be set aside, large enough to hold 1000+ people, and demos could be wheeled in and out all day long – with a little shpeel before and after. And let people freely come and go.

A pictorial show directory – so people can look for things that LOOK cool and search them out….

But at the end of the day – most shows are going to have the industry and hardcore hobbiasts in attendance – and that goes for CEDIA, CES, HE, and most other shows I have attended. They usually have provisions for the public – often offering free tickets to the exhbitions – but I would estimate less than 1% are John and Mary Q. Public.