What Audio Show to Attend?


I'm planning on buy either a new or new used pair of the speakers in the upcoming year and want to attend an audio show to do some extensive auditioning. I was originally thinking of going to the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest in October. However, picking up the latest of edition of the Absolute Sound, I saw ads for other Audio shows in New York (Audio and AV show at the Waldorf Astoria) as well as Axponia in Jacksonville, Florida. I think there's another audio show in California as well. To those that have attended these shows, can you offer up any recommendations? I'm travelling from Western Canada so I want to make this worthwhile. Thanks in advance!

calgarian
calgarian5355
The CES is not open to the public. So how goes a normal citizen gain access to a consumer electronics show geared for industry officils?

What are the requirements for attending International CES?

International CES is not open to the general public. You must be in the consumer electronics industry to be eligible to attend the show. Our attendees are made up of more than 140,000 individuals including manufacturers, retailers, content providers and creators, broadband developers, installers, engineers, corporate buyers, government leaders, financial analysts and the media — representing the United States, Canada, Mexico and approximately 140 other countries. All attendees must be at least 18 years of age. Two forms of identification are required on-site (one photo ID and one proof of business affiliation/business card).
Thank you for your suggestions and advice. I've been doing a bit of research on the shows and many of their websites don't have their exhibitor lists posted yet. I have a list of brands that I would like to audition (based on TAS, Stereophile, etc reviews), but I was hoping to also discover new brands that I may not have considered in the past...perhaps some less known companies that produce a quality product. Do most of these companies sell their show samples during the show?
Rocky Mountain Audio Fest was great, but the Newport T.H.E. Show in June this year will surpass it by doubling the number of exhibitors over last year's show. Additionally, the RMAF is a 40 minute taxi or van ride to the Tech Center Marriott. The Newport Show is a snap; fly directly into John Wayne Airport and literally walk across the street to the Hilton Hotel hosting the show! Book now! If you get bored you can go to Newport Beach and enjoy woofers and tweeters of a different sort!