SCHAUMBURG, IL – AXPONA (Audio Expo North America) reported its biggest show to date in 2024. More than 10,300 attendees — a 14% increase from 2023 — visited the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center April 12-14 for new product showcases, live music, seminars and more.
“The audience growth we experienced at AXPONA 2024 was driven by thousands of first-time visitors to the show, many traveling great distances to attend. We recognize the importance of building awareness of this hobby and industry to music lovers of all ages and backgrounds, so this year we worked on multiple programs to support this mission,” Liz Smith, AXPONA’s Show Director, said. “This year our Gen Z pass doubled. It was exciting to see so many attendees ages 15 to 26 discovering the world of high-performance audio.”
What attributed to the success of the Gen Z pass? For one thing, its name changed from the Student Pass to the Gen Z pass. “The new pass is more inclusive, as it doesn’t require attendees to be in college. The discounted rate makes attending the show a great opportunity. Additionally, we reach out to local colleges and universities to offer free attendance to students in related fields of study. Our imagery also contributes to a more enjoyable, festival-like atmosphere,” Smith said.
Many factors contributed to AXPONA’s successful show this year. “AXPONA is the biggest audio show in North America, so there’s a lot of excitement leading up to the event from the broader audio community, which has helped raise awareness. We also revamped our branding this year and collaborated with a new partner for our paid media advertising,” Smith said.
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Six hundred global manufacturers, retailers, brands and distributors were featured at the show. Its Ear Gear Experience displayed the latest in personal audio, including headphones, accessories and cables. The show’s Expo Hall highlighted turntables, tonearms, cartridges and new/used records.
“Our exhibitors were joined by dealers, distributors, manufacturers and press from over 50 countries,” Smith said. “We are proud to be the annual B2B gathering of the high-end audio industry in North America, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back next year.”
Nightly live concerts during AXPONA are popular. On Friday night, AXPONA welcomed Bobby Broom and on Saturday, The Secret Sisters.
What does the future hold for AXPONA? “We are focused on boosting international attendance and expanding the B2B audience for the show. Our plans for 2025 include enhancing the Ear Gear Experience and introducing a dedicated area for DIY audio,” Smith said.
AXPONA returns April 11 – 13, 2025.
Reach Liz Smith at liz@jdevents.com
