RMAF is Cancelled Forever - so sad

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BUMMER!!!

Official Announcement:

“A year and a half ago, our hearts were aching as we made the hard decision to cancel our 2020 show. Back then, we somehow imagined that as a country, we could band together and transcend COVID-19, and our lives could return to normal. We hoped we could ride out a year in isolation and emerge healthy and ready to gather again. Here at RMAF, we spent the year improving our business by producing new room layouts with all the outlets marked, and created a handbook to guide exhibitors as they learned yet again to navigate their exhibitor accounts. We imagined ourselves enthusiastically greeting our audio industry friends in a few weeks, and we’ve held onto that dream in spite of our nervous fears and scary news reports.


Even though some parts of the United States are fully open, the number of people contracting the virus, and the number of deaths attributed to it are still rising, and the CDC is projecting an even more deadly Lambda wave this fall. We are frightened on behalf of our friends in the audio industry on many levels. The very worst thing that we can envision is for someone to fall ill because they came to our show, whether as an exhibitor, a journalist, an attendee, or a volunteer. Good health is a precious gift, and we are learning that although recovery is possible, the residual effects of COVID-19 and its variants can be profound, and we are unwilling to risk even one case. Up until now, we have held onto the possibility that our October show could be produced as planned. After reading and listening to the news concerning the Coronavirus pandemic, and watching the cancellation of numerous other shows, we no longer hold that hope. In spite of our initial optimism, we have read and listened to all of your thoughtful comments and then looked at the numbers and made the difficult decision to cancel RMAF 2021.


As is our policy, RMAF will be issuing refunds to those exhibitors who have made payments for their rooms. We understand that in times such as these, finances can be a delicate balance, so you may expect to see your refund within the next 7 to 10 business days.



This has been a wrenching decision, and along with it comes the added impact of deciding that we are no longer able to envision RMAF as our hearts delight. RMAF was our founder Al Stiefel’s dream, and we’ve done our best to nurture his vision for 12 years, along with help from the Colorado Audio Society and all our volunteers from around the world. Now, we are off to new adventures! And so it is with both sadness and anticipation for the future, we announce that the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest as we have all known it will be no more. It has been our very great pleasure to have served this community of audio professionals. We have learned so much from you! Thank you for 17 years of friendship and support. It has meant more than you can possibly imagine.


We offer you our heartiest wishes for good health and great happiness.



Your Friends,

Marjorie and Marcie

Marjorie Baumert and Marcie Miller

Rocky Mountain International Audio Fest

October 8-10, 2021


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Sad

That is sad news for everyone involved. It was a very hard decision to make. Marjorie is a great person and I am especially saddened for her. I first met her when she helped Richard Beers at T.H.E. Show Vegas when it was still at the St. Tropez. I spent a lot of time taking breaks in her room and talking to her. She always had chocolate, even at the end of the show. Her dedication was inspiring.

We have lost more than an audio show. We have lost some of the passion an dedication that keeps the industry moving forward. What I miss most about high-end audio shows is not the equipment. It is the creators and risk takers. Crazy people who put it all on the line to create something whether it be the show or the equipment. We will miss that magic.

This is a sad announcement. Always enjoyed attending RMAF. Met some really good people and had the opportunity to explore many nice components.

Lastly, Marjorie and her team did a great job growing the show and taking it through some very difficult challenges. My appreciation for the hard work she and others put in to run this fantastic event for many years.

I've been tracking the epidemiology of the pandemic daily, and I had concerns for attendees safety based on the previously released health guidance for RMAF, so personally, I think Marjorie made the right decision, at least with respect everyone's health and safety for this year's event.

I am sorry to see the show go permanently, though, as I enjoyed it the years I attended.

Marjorie is one of the best. RMAF I’ve said was always such a fun show. I wish they hadn’t moved to that big expensive new venue, but I think she didn’t have much choice with the current hotel.

Running a major show is a tremendous amount of work. It’s a big team effort that begins literally the week after the last show ends. The hotels can be tricky to work with. Most audio companies are small and it takes them time to evaluate their marketing and budget dollars.

I hope Marjorie can enjoy some well deserved vacation or retirement. Great lady.


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So many good times starting many years ago makes this a sad ending indeed.
Now that the end has come and I reflect on all of the fun in Denver the audio gear was only a small part of what conjures so many fond memories and experiences.

I totally understand the decision to end this historic show, but the reason to do so highlights a very low point in our world.

Only in the last 6 years did I become aware of the existence of these audio shows when a friend invited me to Axpona.

I was really impressed with the offerings and how crowded it was. I also noticed the demographics… mostly old folks. So I can see how Covid is a big blow and keeps potential participants away from these shows.
I heard that Mike had a good showing of younger folks at his show. That’s great. But unless the demographics change at the other shows, I can foresee other shows going the same away as RM.

I always enjoyed seeing the pictures from the show (thanks Marjorie), but there's nothing that would make me want to fly from Maui to Denver.;-)

To be honest I think shows like this are all dying out. Car, audio, boat shows. I am not sure if they still serve a purpose. They cost a lot of money for the distributors without any return on investment.

Companies that make a living running those events cannot operate without any income. Just imagine how your company would be doing after 24 months with ZERO income. I feel sorry for the whole team.

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Originally Posted by Mordante

To be honest I think shows like this are all dying out. Car, audio, boat shows. I am not sure if they still serve a purpose. They cost a lot of money for the distributors without any return on investment.

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Many manufacturers see the trade shows as an alternative to magazines. Get your product in front of thousands of people instead of one reviewer. Shows offer an ability to demo your product in front of a large audience. A lot of start up brands or smaller brands also rely on the shows.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mike

Many manufacturers see the trade shows as an alternative to magazines. Get your product in front of thousands of people instead of one reviewer. Shows offer an ability to demo your product in front of a large audience. A lot of start up brands or smaller brands also rely on the shows.


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Maybe it's a discussion for an other time. From what I have seen at the few shows in the Netherlands that is not the brands but the distributors that give the shows. It's a nice social gathering but it never sounds any good, regardless of how expensive or good the set is. Having a few hours to build a set, then show it for one or two days. That is not a recipe for a good sound. Especially with paper thin walls.

I have never been WoWed at a show. I do have negative feelings for brands because of shows because how bad they sound while being outrageously expensive.

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Originally Posted by Mike

Many manufacturers see the trade shows as an alternative to magazines. Get your product in front of thousands of people instead of one reviewer. Shows offer an ability to demo your product in front of a large audience. A lot of start up brands or smaller brands also rely on the shows.


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Shows also have two other functions/advantages. Manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and reviewers all get to meet and do business. I am sure many new business relationships were created at audio shows. And many products caught the ear of someone in the fourth estate and eventually reviewed.

Shows also offer the opportunity to get free de facto ads online and in the print magazines. If a room or product scores good comments in an online or print review it might carry more weight than a paid for ad. At the very least it generates more interest. This is especially important to the smaller companies that generally lack exposure.

bummer. and SoCal stupidly split into two shows next year due to politics so no real western region show. not good. its Axpona and everything else.

I had actually made a hotel reservation for Axpona in Oct. 2021, but that too was postponed once again.

Without trade/audio shows it will be hard for reviewers to get free samples and special accommodation pricing.;-)

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Originally Posted by mauidan

Without trade/audio shows it will be hard for reviewers to get free samples and special accommodation pricing.;-)

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They manage just fine…

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Originally Posted by TheOctopus

They manage just fine…

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Boy,that's a load off my mind.;-)

I’ll really miss RMAF. Living in CO, it was the show I looked forward to every year. After a long career flying 250,000 miles a year I don’t hop on a plane unless I have to. :) I hope somebody picks up the ball to create another great Denver based show.