INDUSTRY UPDATE

AUDIO NEWS & VIEWS

- 

US: LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA

Jim Austin

The first post-pandemic audio show was The Home Entertainment Show in Long Beach, California, which took place June 11–13.

In the months leading up to this show, I wondered why they hadn’t canceled it: It seemed too soon. Then, in late spring, the pandemic was abating. More people were vaccinated. Case rates were dropping fast. I decided, yes, the time was right. I congratulated Emiko Carlin, the show’s coordinator, for her good judgment.

Among the fully vaccinated was Jason Victor Serinus; he lived closest to the show and was eager to go back out into the Big World.

Big world, small show: Carlin said the show counted 1416 visitors. And yet, on Saturday, most rooms were full all day; some were packed even on Sunday, subject to social-distancing protocols. “I hope these show reports convey how good the majority of exhibits sounded,” Jason wrote in his show summary.