Lone Star Audiofest has historically appealed to DIYers, passionate start-up companies and semi-retired industry experts that offer audio products and services. The show has always had a laid-back feel, where the public can explore these companies, audition their products and interact directly with company owners and engineers.
The Lone Star Audiofest remained a relatively small, regional audio show, traditionally promoted in early May, until in 2023, after the global pandemic (that forced the cancellation of many shows), it moved to an early June date. T.H.E. Show (The Home Entertainment Show) was traditionally held in early June in California - typically in Irvine, Newport, and Orange County. Although it's organization has changed from year to year, and its profile has been somewhat inconsistent due to changes in management, it claims to be "America's longest-running HiFi Audio Show" (28 years) and traditionally attracts an attendance of over 6000, which is impressive.
For a while, T.H.E. Show suffered with the confusion with the Los Angeles Audio Show project, presented in collaboration with the Los Angeles and Orange County Audio Society, which used to be involved in the original T.H.E. Show concept. After the 2016 edition of T.H.E. Show in Irvine, the promoters of that show decided to move the event to the Anaheim Hilton in September, while the Los Angeles and Orange County Audio Society decided to carry on with their show in June and joined forces with The Orion Group to promote the new Los Angeles Audio Show. That show didn't last.
T.H.E. Show resumed its place after the pandemic, under a new management, although the brand identity and the promotion never achieved the level it once had (really bad logo, confusing nomenclature, very limited promotion). And yet, the promoters are planning to bring a new version of T.H.E. Show to Las Vegas, NV (January 10-12, 2025), right after CES - which is both an excellent but also very risky idea (CES is held January 7-10, 2025).
In 2024, T.H.E. Show SoCal and The Lone Star Audiofest clashed in the same days in June, which didn't help either of the shows, with exhibitors having to chose in which one to present their products and demos. That motivated Wayne Parham, owner of the Lone Star Audiofest to call Emiko Carlin, president of T.H.E. Show, to coordinate future initiatives. The result of those contacts is now confirmed as a new concept: T.H.E. Lone Star Audiofest .
The joint announcement states that the aim is to create "a brand new unparalleled experience for audiophiles, industry professionals (both budding and seasoned), amateur hobbyists, and music enthusiasts alike, focusing on introducing the industry and community to the very best in the next generation of new, bespoke HiFi designers, DIY-builders, artisans, and engineers."
Combining the rich heritage and extensive network of T.H.E. Show with the dynamic and innovative spirit of Lone Star Audiofest, the new event has great potential, once the details are sorted - and hopefully after the two organization will hire a graphic designer to come up with a decent brand identity for both events.
"This new venture will offer a unique opportunity for exhibitors and attendees to explore the latest in high-fidelity audio creation, discover groundbreaking products, and engage in insightful discussions with like-minded creators and attendees. With Austin’s renowned music scene and vibrant cultural landscape, T.H.E. Lone Star Audiofest is poised to become a key destination for HiFi designers, creators, and enthusiasts from around the world," the promoters say.
"Lone Star Audiofest has always been a great place for everyone in the industry to get together, and it has specialized in introducing DIYers and start-up companies into the audio community. Our word-of-mouth ‘show up and setup’ approach has garnered us great local popularity. It’s clear on the basis of exhibitor and attendee feedback that it is time for us to grow. This new show is a blending of approaches, which promises to get the word out to people that never knew we existed while allowing us to retain the laid-back intimacy that the Lone Star Audiofest has always been known for," says Wayne Parham.
"T.H.E. Show has a long-standing tradition of excellence in the HiFi industry, and we are excited to embark on this new journey with Lone Star Audiofest. Together, we will create an event that not only celebrates audio innovation but also fosters a sense of community among audio enthusiasts. And I want to be absolutely clear - this is not ‘just another audio show.’ This will be a totally different experience for exhibitors, attendees, and yes, even press who are hungry to cover new and never before heard of brands!" says Emiko E. Carlin, CEO of T.H.E. Enterprises and President of T.H.E. Show.
T.H.E. Lone Star Audiofest is scheduled to take place May 2-4, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
Exact venue to be announced.
www.lonestaraudiofest.com
www.theshownow.com
