The High End audio show is the most successful event of its type worldwide, because it is also the only one to combine a strong trade and supply component that gradually attracted the largest brands and their suppliers to converge in Munich, once a year, in the month of May. With the addition of the International Parts Supply (IPS) B2B show in the past 3 years, it was becoming painfully obvious that many companies were being left out for lack of space in the exhibition center.
Yet, the decision to change would never be easy. The MOC Munich was always praised for its beautiful and inviting architecture, while the city of Munich is one of the most business friendly places in the world. According to the High End Society, this move from Munich to a new venue in Vienna, in 2026, was a groundbreaking step approved during the organization’s annual general meeting. The organization, which embraces a renewed mission to promote High-Quality Audio and Video Reproduction, also signals an important future growth path for its activities and trade show.
The High End 2025 will still be held in the MOC Event Center from May 15 to 18, providing one last chance for everyone to enjoy once more the vibrant city environment. A year later it will be time for the internationally renowned audio show to take place for the first time at the Austria Center Vienna (ACV). The trade show will maintain its May timeframe and will benefit from a new first-class event venue, located in the heart of Austria’s capital, which has undergone extensive remodeling in recent years and is now equipped with the latest event technology.
According to the High End Society, the Austria Center Vienna offers the best conditions for exhibitions, including a variety of modern rooms in different sizes for exhibitors to best showcase their products and technologies. Additional rooms and spacious halls are available for exhibitors to set up their individual stands. With a total of 26,000 square meters of exhibition area across several levels, the ACV centers around one main building with adjoining halls, enabling excellent conditions for all types of booth schemes, displays and demonstration facilities.
Far from being a decision taken solely by the High End Society, all companies of have participated in the Finest Audio Show Vienna that the organization promoted there in November 2023, had the chance to confirm and approve their impressions. “The consistently positive feedback and the current registration figures for this year’s FAS Vienna only underscores the fact that the ACV is an excellent choice for the new home of the High End,” the Society states.
The High End Society sees promising prospects and optimal opportunities for expanding the show with the change of venue, benefiting from a modern, future-oriented setting. “The Austria Center Vienna not only scores with excellent exhibition conditions, but also with a progressive environment that will raise the level of the High End and ensure its success in the coming years,” confirms Stefan Dreischärf, Managing Director.
The timing for a change had also to be carefully considered given the long show tradition which has remained in its Munich venue for more than 20 years. “The decision to move the international audio show to Vienna stands for a new beginning, renewal, and forward-looking prospects. We are convinced that we can take the High End show to a new level with this move and we look forward to the opportunities that this change will no doubt bring,” says Dreischärf.
The cosmopolitan city on the Danube river never fails to impress with its international flair, rich history and outstanding cultural opportunities. Year after year, Vienna attracts millions of visitors from all over the world. The Austrian capital is easily accessible and, as a classical music capital of the world, provides the perfect backdrop for the High End audio show. The excellent logistical conditions also make Vienna an ideal choice for trade shows. “The new location creates a perfect connection to our trade show and will also be a win-win for everyone involved in terms of atmosphere,” says Dreischärf.
The board of the High End Society e.V. has been actively involved and supports the decision one hundred percent. “We see the move to Vienna as a great opportunity to make the High End even more attractive, to strengthen it as the leading meeting place in the world for the industry and to make it fit for the future,” explains Jürgen Timm, Chairman of the Board of the Association. “We look forward to a new era in the more than 40-year tradition of the High End audio show.”
To help with the planning, the High End Society has also confirmed the event’s calendar for the next four years:
High End Munich 2025 – May 15 to 18, 2025
High End Vienna 2026 – May 28 to 31, 2026
High End Vienna 2027 – May 6 to 9, 2027
High End Vienna 2028 – May 25 to 28, 2028
www.highendmunich.com
