Elliot, I feel your pain. First time for me doing an audio trade show, but for sure its a trade show with all the inherent associated tasks. I did a fair number of shows for my water purification business (medical conferences mostly) and prepping for the audio fest brings back the realities. Fortunately for me I can drive up with my gear, so don’t have to deal with shipping the pallets and crates.
Attendees seldom appreciate all that goes into prepping, shipping, and setting up. Airfare, lodging, meals — Its an expensive endeavor. So when folks are critical of a brands’ pricing, reducing it to “the cost of the components are only ‘x‘, how can they price it for ‘y’,” well, the retail price has to include the marketing budget as well.
Then there is the fun of trying to make a rig sound great in a hotel room. At home we have time to tweak, position, and reposition. Making adjustments and refining. At the show you’re lucky to have 24 hrs if you forgo sleep! I guess I’ll learn a lot in this maiden voyage. Fortunately, Bob.east has lots of experience and Alsyvox and Pilium will be doing the real work. I’m just a roadie.
To all those dealers and manufacturers who are attending — I wish for you safe and uneventful travels, for you and all your gear. I hope to have an opportunity to meet y’all.