The Los Angeles & Orange County Audio Society and Marine Presson have confirmed a new location for the second edition of the Los Angeles Audio Show (LAAS). The West Coast event will move to the Hilton Irvine, the one just close to John Wayne Airport, Orange County (SNA), and will take place June 8 to 10, Friday to Sunday, as the tradition of consumer show dictates. With this second edition, LAAS should consolidate its position replacing the former T.H.E. Show.
The West Coast Consumer Show is back to its roots in Irvine, Orange County, California, happening Friday 8 through Sunday 10. In 2017, there was a split in the promoting parties and relocation of what was once T.H.E. Show (Newport, even though it took place in Irvine), as the Los Angeles Audio Show (LAAS), hosted in collaboration with the Los Angeles & Orange County Audio Society. This, while some other parties involved attempted to create a new event, designated only as T.H.E. Show, scheduled to happen in Anaheim, in September 2017 - not exactly the best timing choice.
While the Los Angeles Audio Show first edition did take place successfully (albeit smaller) in early June, at the Sheraton Gateway LA, close to the Los Angeles International Airport, benefitting from the support of most major hifi magazines, T.H.E. Show Anaheim was cancelled due to "limited participation".
Doing a show in an expensive location like LAX was not ideal and, for 2018, the LAAS promoters - the Los Angeles and Orange County Audio Society, and Marine Presson (former director of T.H.E. Show) - have moved the show back to Orange County. This should help to take the event back to its former glory and original spirit, now taking place at the Hilton Hotel close to John Wayne's Santa Clara airport.
There is no doubt that the previous T.H.E. Show, founded by the late Richard Beers, was one of the premier hi-fidelity events in the US, but the support of the the Los Angeles & Orange County Audio Society (and Bob Levy, the Society's President and CEO) was instrumental in its success story. We certainly hope the 2018 edition of LAAS will restore its tradition as the best show in the West Coast and one of the best in the US.
June 8-10
Los Angeles Audio Show
Hosted in collaboration with The Los Angeles & Orange County Audio Society
Hilton Irvine/Orange County Airport, Irvine, California
www.laaudioshow.com
