Southwest Audio Fest

Southwest Audio Fest held its inaugural edition in Dallas in March 2024. Created by experienced US audio-show organizers Gary Gill and Lou Hinkley, the event was designed to serve Texas and the wider southwestern United States, a large market that had relatively few major dedicated hi-fi exhibitions. The first show used the Hilton Anatole and attracted a broad mix of established high-end brands, specialist dealers and smaller manufacturers, immediately giving the new event national visibility.

The show follows the listening-room model rather than a conventional open-floor trade fair, which allows large loudspeakers and complete systems to be demonstrated with more care. Its organizers also brought over the relaxed, exhibitor-friendly philosophy associated with Capital Audiofest and Pacific Audio Fest. For visitors, the key benefit is geographic: world-class equipment can be auditioned in Dallas without travelling to Chicago or the coasts. With a strong first edition and a large regional audience to draw.