AudioCircle

Industry Circles => Hapa Audio => Topic started by: Pez on 27 Jul 2021, 04:03 pm

Title: RMAF PERMANENTLY CANCELLED
Post by: Pez on 27 Jul 2021, 04:03 pm
SHOW CANCELLED:

-Email from the good folks with Audiofest-

Dear Jason,
 
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
303-393-7918


Hey Folks,

I have been meaning to post this up, but I've been working really hard on finalizing the digital designs as well as other designs. Whereas before I felt like I could release things in a controlled and steady manner, I feel like my time table has to be a bit accelerated.

The reason of course is my favorite show in the world is coming up soon! I have secured a booth in the HeadSpace area where I'll be making a major push to get some recognition in the headphone community. But I will also be bringing products for you all to see!

Now the big news- I have been graciously invited to show my cabling off with Parasound!  :banana piano: :beer: :singing: :bounce: :rock: Check out the announcement on the unveiling of the much anticipated JC1+  :drool: :drool: :drool: http://www.gspr.com/parasound/parasound-rmaf21.html I am super excited to hear it for the first time myself!

Come see/hear Parasound at room (room TBA)

Equally as great news! I will also be showing some gear with none other than our very own Rich Hollis and HAL where he will be showing off one of my favorite pieces of all time, The MS-6.

Come see/hear HAL at the Al Stiefel Room.

Last but not least! At Headspace Hapa Audio will be debuting a few new products and have a killer setup with gear such as the MS-6, iFi iDSD Pro and of course our latest greatest analog and digital cabling.

Come see/hear Hapa Audio at booth D-3 in the HeadSpace room!

I'm looking forward to meeting you if you are coming to the show, please come by and say 'hi'.  :thumb:
Title: Re: RMAF and beyond
Post by: HAL on 27 Jul 2021, 06:01 pm
Pez,
Looking forward to RMAF2021 this year and let folks hear the new MS-6 and your cables.  :D

Rich
Title: Re: RMAF CANCELLED
Post by: Pez on 2 Sep 2021, 03:12 pm
Folks,

Just got word that the show is cancelled. I don’t think it needs to be said just how disappointing this is. I want you all to know that while sad, I do agree with the decision making of the Audiofest crew and appreciate their precaution. Please check this thread for updates.
Title: Re: RMAF CANCELLED
Post by: mgalusha on 2 Sep 2021, 03:16 pm
Folks,

Just got word that the show is cancelled. I don’t think it needs to be said just how disappointing this is. I want you all to know that while sad, I do agree with the decision making of the Audiofest crew and appreciate their precaution. Please check this thread for updates.

It's the end of the mail that is really sad.

"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."
Title: Re: RMAF CANCELLED
Post by: Pez on 2 Sep 2021, 03:22 pm
Devastatingly so. I read it and even though I got what they were saying, it didn't fully register. I am in shock over the entire thing to the point where it's going to take a while for me to fully process this.
Title: Re: RMAF CANCELLED
Post by: Pez on 2 Sep 2021, 03:26 pm
Here is the email for folks interested:

Quote
Dear Jason,
 
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
303-393-7918




Title: Re: RMAF CANCELLED
Post by: JCarney on 2 Sep 2021, 03:41 pm
As harsh a news as this is, it is really for the best. My wife and I, especially my wife, is and has been friends with Marjorie and Al for 18+ years. RMAF was taking a rather large toll on her. Trying to keep Al's vision alive was flat out wearing her down. It is blow for audio community, but for 12 years, she has been working tirelessly to keep that vision going and she deserves to look back and be ever so proud of what she did. RMAf was the standard for how a show should be run, which spawned a whole new generation of audio shows. Her legacy is set, let's let her enjoy it.

JCarney
Title: Re: RMAF CANCELLED
Post by: mgalusha on 2 Sep 2021, 04:06 pm
As harsh a news as this is, it is really for the best. My wife and I, especially my wife, is and has been friends with Marjorie and Al for 18+ years. RMAF was taking a rather large toll on her. Trying to keep Al's vision alive was flat out wearing her down. It is blow for audio community, but for 12 years, she has been working tirelessly to keep that vision going and she deserves to look back and be ever so proud of what she did. RMAf was the standard for how a show should be run, which spawned a whole new generation of audio shows. Her legacy is set, let's let her enjoy it.

Jody, I was thinking the same thing, I know Marjorie has been working super hard on this, year after year. I wish her everything good in the future.
Title: Re: RMAF CANCELLED
Post by: Pez on 2 Sep 2021, 04:12 pm
Jody,
Well said. The show has been the highlight of the year EVERY YEAR since I can remember. It’s all because of Al, Marjorie, Marcie, and the incredible folks with Audiofest and the CAS. My endless thanks goes out to all of them for providing years and years of superb entertainment and a venue for passionate people to share their passion.
Title: Re: RMAF CANCELLED
Post by: JCarney on 2 Sep 2021, 04:13 pm
Jody, I was thinking the same thing, I know Marjorie has been working super hard on this, year after year. I wish her everything good in the future.

She has mot definitely earned it.

Good to see you hoss.

JCarney 
Title: Re: RMAF CANCELLED
Post by: JCarney on 2 Sep 2021, 04:16 pm
Jason:
Thank You. It was one helluva show for 17 years. The fun, the memories, the friends made, and even finding new music, that is what I will take from it all.

JCarney
Title: Re: RMAF CANCELLED
Post by: jjss49 on 2 Sep 2021, 04:56 pm
bummer

but not unexpected, and all considered, the right thing to do...
Title: Re: RMAF CANCELLED
Post by: Pez on 2 Sep 2021, 05:13 pm
All said, I agree with everyone. Public health and safety is paramount.

That said I am going to allow myself to be upset. I was REALLY looking forward to being at RMAF for two years now. More than anything I was looking forward to meeting all of you that were going to attend. I think that’s what I’m most sad about. And the thought that RMAF is done forever, that’s the biggest bummer of all.

Hapa Audio will have to do something else fun for all of you. We’ll figure it out one way or another!
Title: Re: RMAF PERMANENTLY CANCELLED
Post by: SlushPuppy on 2 Sep 2021, 09:22 pm
Not that I ever attended, but this show always had the best online coverage. Every audio site had one or more reporters there and I was constantly refreshing my browser to see updates. Not sure how many more will fold, but this is the one I'll miss the most.
Title: Re: RMAF PERMANENTLY CANCELLED
Post by: HAL on 2 Sep 2021, 09:47 pm
Pez,
Very sad news.  I feel so bad for all the hard work planning going into the show by both the Colorado Audio Society, Marjorie, Marcie and team. 

I was truly looking forward to RMAF2021 and showing attendees some of the Hapa Audio cables in the HAL MS-6 and dspNexus 2x8 system running the new speaker system. 

I hope to be able to try again at one of the other shows like AXPONA, CAF or Florida Audio Expo in the future.   
Title: Re: RMAF PERMANENTLY CANCELLED
Post by: SteveFord on 3 Sep 2021, 10:07 am
The Tyson and Pez coverage was the highlight of the year for AC (in my opinion).
I always really looked forward to that, all the running commentary on goodies I can't afford so don't want to go anywhere near...