T.H.E. Enterprises Acquires The New York Audio Show

T.H.E. Show is America's longest-running HiFi show, now in its 29th year. The show is owned and operated by T.H.E. Enterprises, which has now added to its 2025 show calendar with the acquisition of the New York Audio Show from the Chester Group. Under the aegis of T.H.E. Enterprises, the New York Audio Show will be reimagined and renamed as T.H.E. New York International Audio Show. The new show will debut in October of 2025, and T.H.E. Enterprises says that it will “carry on the tradition of showcasing ultra-high-end audio solutions to audiophiles in the Eastern Seaboard” while expanding the reach of T.H.E. Show. Historically, T.H.E. Show has been held annually on the west coast, or (in years past) in Las Vegas.

T.H.E. Show previously announced another eastward expansion via a new partnership with Lone Star Audio Fest, which takes place near Austin, Texas. Details are forthcoming, but we know that Lone Star Audio Fest will take place May 2-4, 2025, at the Embassy Suites in the city of Round Rock, Texas. This past June, T.H.E. Show SoCal showcased over 190 of the finest audio brands in the world to the approximately 6,600 people in attendance. I missed this year’s show, but I greatly enjoyed covering the 2023 show. (See my articles T.H.E. Show 2023 Part 1, T.H.E. Show 2023 Part 2, T.H.E. Show 2023 Part 3, and T.H.E. Show 2023 Part 4.) T.H.E. Show SoCal returns to the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa next year, June 6-8, 2025. The inaugural T.H.E. New York International Audio Show is set for October 24-26, 2025. Roy Bird, Founder of the Chester Group, is optimistic about the future of the New York show.

The saying goes that there is the right time for everything, and that can happen when there’s a unique meeting of minds. Circumstantially, Emiko and her team was that meeting of minds, as we shared a solid perspective of how we can both move forward to achieve our individual objectives. For me, in my eighth decade and having been an organizer of shows and events for most of my life, and having spent a very enjoyable 25 years in the audio industry, the time is right for someone else to carry the baton. This is not about money; it’s about legacy of which I’m very proud, as this can be a tough and combative industry at times — but more importantly it respects a dear and departed friend: Richard Beers, who was instrumental in us pioneering the New York Audio Show way back in 2012, at the Waldorf Hotel, no less. He was a friend of the family and we shared the ups and downs of show organization (not to mention the odd cold beer) and I know that Emiko and her family also have close and dear connections as well. So I am 100% sure about T.H.E. Show’s ethos, determination, and trustworthiness, so handing over the New York Audio Show to them is easy and a special privilege. I do intend to stay for a while though, whilst things are taken over, as I do not want this to be seen as an unemotional departure —  far from it, as I have made many friends en-route. Finally, I want to thank my son Justin for bearing with me when the going got tough, especially post-Covid, as he has become a most proficient and productive show organizer and sales manager.

— Roy Bird, Founder of the Chester Group

The Chester Group will continue to organize three shows in the United Kingdom: the Edinburgh Hi-AV Show, the London Audio Show, and the upcoming UK Audio Show, which takes place October 5th, 2024 at the Staverton Park Hotel in Daventry. The organization has never shied away from pioneering new shows outside of the U.K., either. In addition to shows in New York and Las Vegas, the Chester Group has put on shows in Canada, Sweden, and Australia. The team is also “dedicated to greater cooperation with other organizers in the best interests of the industry,” according to the press release announcing the acquisition of the New York show. Emiko E. Carlin, CEO and Owner of T.H.E. Enterprises, is ready to take the baton and raise the New York show to new heights.

We are delighted to be adding the New York Audio Show to our portfolio family. The New York Show has been a long, respected annual event for HiFi, high-end audio, and music lovers. Having spent time with Roy and learning his history with our founder, the late and beloved Richard Beers, this is not only a wonderful path forward, but it seems to be a natural one. We believe wholeheartedly that with this coming-together, we will be able to serve the audio industry and community in greater ways. Moreover, we are grateful that the Chester Group has put their trust in us to carry forward the torch of the New York Audio Show into the future, and I know that all of us involved strive to do our very best to make sure music and audio reach as many people as possible through our initiatives. We would like to thank Roy Bird and his son Justin for all their hard work in building and bringing the New York audio show to life thus far. This is a very exciting moment for audio and HiFi, and we hope you will all join us in celebration and participate in this journey.

— Emiko E. Carlin, CEO and Owner of T.H.E. Enterprises

T.H.E. Show has become a cornerstone of the HiFi industry’s annual show calendar, and is “dedicated to presenting the latest in high-fidelity audio, home theater, and consumer electronics.” T.H.E. Show’s parent company, T.H.E. Enterprises, has expanded its mission in recent years with the launch of a record label, a film festival, a weekly FM radio show with internet simulcast, and even a TV Network on ROKU.  

More information: T.H.E. Show