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THE CHESTER GROUP – INDUSTRY COOPERATION

We are experiencing growing concerns that Organisers do not appear to be working together in the best interest of the industry when choosing dates for their shows each year. Well before COVID-19 decimated our industry, and for various reasons, shows would overlap or in some cases conflict directly with each other. Now in the organisers defence, this can be circumstantial; the availability of Venues that can or will accommodate such shows has diminished; the increase in such shows worldwide, the disruption due to COVID-19 and finally the seasons in each year that are viable. Our view remains that this industry ‘needs’ shows but there is real danger that organisers will appear not to be working together in the industries best interests and that can lead to the division of support or even non-attendance. Of course, mistakes can happen as without a collective organisation to represent us how dates are arrived at or are ultimately advertised can vary. The Chester Group has always gone out of their way to avoid conflictions with other organisers but even this year we found ourselves choosing the same date as another show after we had to reschedule from 2021; but that was quickly put right.

So, and in order to help we have made the decision to announce the dates for our three existing shows for the next 3 years.

The New York Audio Show 2022/23rd-24^th September

The New York Audio Show 2023/22nd– 23rd September

The New York Audio Show 2024/20^th – 21^st September

The UK Audio Show 2022/8^th – 9^th October

The UK Audio Show 2023/7^th – 8^th October

The UK Audio Show 2024/5^th – 6^th October

The Australian Hi-Fi & AV Show 2022/21^st – 23^rd October

The Australian Hi-Fi & AV Show 2023/20^th – 22^nd October

The Australian Hi-Fi & AV Show 2024/18^th – 20^th October

Two of the dates above are the traditional dates for our shows and one is because of a conflicting date. Of course, other Organisers will make their own decisions and we are ‘not’ in any way trying to gain any advantage here . . . we are doing what we have been doing for the last 25 years acting in the best interests of the industry that we represent and ensure our shows aren’t compromised. Of course we have plans for new events but before we even consider them further we will take account of the existing calendar and also any competition.

The Chester Group