SCHAUMBURG, Illinois – AXPONA (Audio Expo North America) announced its largest show yet 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 presentations, live music, seminars and more.
“The audience growth we experienced at AXPONA 2024 was fueled by thousands of first-time attendees, many of whom traveled great distances to attend. We recognize the importance of educating music lovers of all ages and backgrounds about this hobby and industry, so this year we worked on several programs to support that mission,” said Liz Smith, AXPONA Show Director. “This year, our Gen Z pass doubled. It was exciting to see so many attendees aged 15-26 discover the world of high-performance audio.”
What contributed to the success of the Gen Z Pass? For one, its name has changed from Student Pass to Gen Z Pass. “The new pass is more inclusive because it doesn’t require attendees to be in college. The discounted rate makes attending the fair a great opportunity. Additionally, we reach out to local colleges and universities to offer free admission to students in related fields of study. Our imagery also contributes to a more fun, festival-like atmosphere,” Smith said.
Many factors contributed to the success of AXPONA this year.“AXPONA is the largest 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 drive awareness. We’ve also revamped our branding this year and partnered with a new partner for our paid media advertising,” Smith said.
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Six hundred global manufacturers, retailers, brands and distributors were present at the show. Ear Gear Experience showcased the latest in personal audio, including headphones, accessories and cables. The show floor featured new and used turntables, tonearms, cartridges and records.
“Our exhibitors were joined by dealers, distributors, manufacturers and journalists from more than 50 countries,” said Smith. “We are proud to be the annual B2B event for the high-end audio industry in North America, and we look forward to welcoming everyone next year.”
AXPONA’s nightly concerts are very popular. On Friday night, AXPONA hosted Bobby Broom and on Saturday, The Secret Sisters.
What future for AXPONA?“We are focused on increasing international participation and expanding the show’s B2B audience. Our plans for 2025 include enhancing the Ear Gear experience and introducing a dedicated DIY audio area,” Smith said.
AXPONA returns from April 11 to 13, 2025.
Contact Liz Smith at liz@jdevents.com