After 21 years at Munich’s MOC convention hall, the world’s premier high-end audio show moved this year to new digs in Vienna, Austria. To say that the industry viewed this move with trepidation is an understatement. Would consumers show up in a new city? How would the rooms sound? Would important international distributors and dealers come to Vienna? Would be venue work for a hi-fi show?
All these concerns were quickly put to rest as this year’s show got underway. The Austria Center exhibit hall is a much better venue for a show, with its wide hallways, spacious areas, and overall, much better-sounding listening rooms. Attendance was strong, both from international business visitors and consumers. Every exhibitor I spoke with was thrilled with the new venue and attendance.
