Axpona, and shows like that rarely pan out for really small companies, and / or the better built equipment as they may get exposure, but sales are nearly impossible. In a way all these additional audio shows may be hurting more than helping this industry as a whole with the downside being exposed to systems and performance problems.
I have come to this conclusion after figuring out that these shows do 2 things ...
1- Allow a lot of tire kickers to come and see something they otherwise would not go out of their way for, just like the Yacht and RV show. 99% of them will never own anyway.
2- Make a ridiculous amount of money for the Hotel, and trade show organizers for the actual service they provide.
These companies in High end have to shell out about $3000 to $4000 for a hotel room over 3 days which is 4 or 5 times the normal rate these rooms retail at.
And these rooms are barely fit to play an underground poker game let alone play these systems to truly sound GOOD. Most of the time they are way too small and people are simply baffled, and confused just walking over each other from room to room.
More and more shows pop up every year though, much like the online Review sites have figured out to pass the word, and get paid for advertising.
People paying out $10,000 for anything they expect the full power of a company behind it, with 5 year warranties, and customer service. Unfortunately these guys trying to sell over inflated gear with no promise they will exist in 6 years, let alone 6 months worries people.
Too many kitchen table companies have diluted high end which is probably another good point in why there is just more difficulty.
In the end its like walking into BMW and saying $32,000 is a great deal, but they can always drive that car back to the dealer for service, and a lot of included forward moving satisfaction. This is not the case selling somebody a $32,000 system that only has 2 speakers, and a digital music player!