AXPONA Does an About-Face, Options to Keep Normal Show Schedule

AXPONA Does an About-Face, Options to Keep Normal Show Schedule ​

(October 1, 2018) Early last month, AXPONA (Audio Expo North America) announced a sweeping change to its future schedule, promising to move show dates from spring to late October beginning in 2020. The move was intended to distance AXPONA from the Munich High-End Show, which is typically held during May, while adding a separate day exclusively limited to attendance by trade professionals and members of the press. Additionally, a fall show date was reasoned to better align with Q4 product launches, thus providing an extra layer of intrigue to the massively popular audio event.

These announced changes held strong for nearly two weeks until AXPONA issued an abrupt retraction. According to a letter recently released by the event’s leadership team, the show’s new October 2020 date has been rolled back to April (17-19, to be exact).

“Much positive feedback was received in support of the date change. However, we also received negative feedback regarding the disruption of fall schedules and questions were raised as to the intentions behind the move. We certainly did not intend to cause harm to any other events,” explained the AXPONA communication. “Our goal has always been to serve the domestic and the international market, and the initial decision was made to accommodate that goal.”

In its explanation, AXPONA admits it may have rushed a decision to secure a fall 2020 date at its preferred venue (The Renaissance in Schaumburg, IL). And the event reaffirmed its commitment to serving the entire industry along with “attendees and friends in the audio community.”

AXPONA indicates that it remains open to exploring alternative dates for 2021 and beyond, strictly subject to broad approval from the audio community at large. The next show is currently set for April 12-14, 2019.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

That would have been a serious clash with RMAF... probably a VERY smart move to back off and keep it in the Spring. It has become a big event... no reason to have two big events so close to each other.

 

[Todd Anderson]

That was my first thought, too. They'd still have a regional audience distinction, but that's a quick turnaround for two major segment events in the same country!