Now in its eight edition, AXPONA (Audio Expo North America) is successfully promoted by JD Events and is growing exponentially, becoming one of the best high-end consumer audio shows in US. This three-day event features multiple hotel floors packed with listening rooms, exhibit floors, seminars and live musical performances. The Ear Gear Expo is entirely dedicated to headphones, while the Marketplace allows visitors to discover components, accessories, vinyl and more.
The 2016 edition welcomed 5,934 attendees and 400 exhibitors. Attendance was up 16% over 2015 with 137 students at the show as part of the new Student Day Program. In addition to a series of special events, live concerts and educational seminars, attendees had the opportunity to experience the very best in sound in 111 listening rooms by top manufacturers in the industry. In all, more than 400 leading manufacturers, retailers and brands gathered at AXPONA. AXPONA 2016 also unveiled The Manufacturers Showcase, which featured a museum-like display of the newest products and innovations from 18 manufacturers.
AXPONA 2017 will also feature pavilion areas, compelling lectures, and live concerts that continue to thrill and entice attendees. The ever-popular Ear Gear Expo, which features the latest headphones and associated equipment in the growing world of mobile and high end personal listening, sold out with exhibitors expanding into the hallway. Attendees will have the opportunity to plug in and test out headphones from top manufacturers. In the Marketplace area, visitors can find a vast array of turntables, vinyl, SACDS, musical instruments, cables, accessories, racks and stands, turntables, tonearms, and more. Manufacturer representatives will be available to answer questions and meet one-on-one.
AXPONA will offer compelling seminars and lectures from notable industry veterans that will cover a variety of topics to educate and inform audiophiles. Highlights include the Legends of High-End Audio presented by The Absolute Sound featuring top designers and company founders, a lively lecture and demo by AJ van den Hul, founder of Van Den Hul, the iconic cartridge designer who will be building a cartridge live, and the Reviewers View by AV Showrooms to give attendees a sneak peek into the most exciting developments from the more than 140 listening rooms. Seminars will tackle a wide range of topics and interests on personal audio, turntables, and reel-to-reel meant to educate and pique everyone’s interests.
Nearly 45 new manufacturers and dealers will be making their debut at the 2017 show, offering music lovers and audiophiles the very latest products in the industry. The following is a summary of first time exhibitors that will be at AXPONA 2017, representing a number of product categories including Speakers, Cables, Headphones, Vinyl, and more: 64 Audio, Audio Consultants, AudioQuest, Audio-Technica, Aurender, Bang & Olufsen, Bertrand Audio Imports, Bluebird Music, Burwell & Sons Loudspeakers, beyerdynamic Inc., David Michael Audio, Destination Audio, Etalon Sound, final, HD Tracks & Chesky Records, Hegel America, Intervention Records, J&B Distributors Inc., Kevro International, Kubotek USA, Larsen, Luminous Audio, Lutz Precision, k.s., Madera Handcrafted, Meze Headphones, Mojo Audio, Monitor Audio, Natural-Sound, Pass Laboratories Inc, Precision AV, Prism Sound, Roon Labs, Schiit Audio, Smyth Research, Sonic Bee, Sonner Audio, Sonoma Acoustics Inc., Twelve Inch, VOLYA, Voxativ, Wolf Audio Systems, Wynn Audio, and Zesto Audio.
The Gold Pass Package is the ultimate AXPONA experience, and includes a collector’s Badge, official AXPONA T-shirt, access to the AXPONA Gold Lounge with VIP check-in, coat check, refreshments and free WiFi, and an exclusive reception for Gold Pass ticket holders on Saturday, April 22 from 6:00 – 7:00 PM featuring a meet & greet with writers from The Absolute Sound. AXPONA 2017, April 21-23
Westin O’Hare, Chicago, IL
Friday and Saturday 10 am – 6 pm; Sunday 10 am – 4 pm.
The Westin O’Hare is located 6100 North River Road. Ample parking is available at the Westin’s main lot and overflow lot for a discounted rate of $10/day for AXPONA attendees and exhibitors.
www.axpona.com | www.jdevents.com
