AXPONA 2025: A Record-Breaking Audio Expo
Attendance Breaks Records
A record-breaking 10,910 attendees flocked to the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center in Illinois for AXPONA 2025, a 5% increase over its largest previous event. This marks the largest show yet for the B2B and B2C audio expo.
Owned and produced by JD Events, AXPONA welcomed music lovers and industry professionals for three days of sound, technology, seminars, live music, and the latest audio products.
- 200+ high-fidelity listening rooms offered attendees the chance to experience the newest technology in high-end consumer audio products.
- Trade passes grew 20%, as AXPONA continues to attract more members of the high-end audio industry.
- Exhibitors included 700 global manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and brands.
A Year in Review
By the numbers, AXPONA 2025 featured 213 dedicated listening rooms on 12 floors, crafted by the best in the business.
| Year | Exhibitors | Listening Rooms | Trade Passes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 700 | 213 | 20% |
| 2024 | 600 | 200 | 15% |
Exhibitor Highlights
“AXPONA continues to set the standard for high-end audio events, and this year, we welcomed top-tier exhibitors. Their presence showcases the innovation, passion, and growth within the industry, making this a can’t miss experience for audiophiles and music lovers alike,” said Liz Smith, Event Director.
“The AXPONA community continues to grow, and we can’t wait to see what’s next!”—Liz Smith, Event Director
Car Audio Showcase
“We partnered with the International Auto Sound Challenge Association (IASCA) to launch this new showcase, aiming to provide attendees with a space to experience high-performance car audio. For the first time, passionate music lovers experienced the best sounds in car audio. Manufacturers and dealers of high-performance car audio offered demonstrations from leading brands to discover new audio products for purchase and upgrades.”
One of the coolest things on display was The Audio Wave handcrafted car audio amp that retailed at $35,000. It had a two-year waiting list!
Live Music and Concerts
Live concerts nightly at AXPONA are always a big hit. On Friday night, AXPONA welcomed The Kyle Asche Organ Quartet to a packed and energetic crowd. Saturday night’s concert featured fan-favorite Patricia Barber, who closed out the concert series with more than 600 attendees.
Looking Ahead
AXPONA returns April 10-12, 2026, to the Schaumburg Convention Center.
For more information, visit the AXPONA website.
Interview with Liz Smith
We caught up with Smith to find out more about how and why this year’s event set attendance records. Here’s what we learned.
- Tormohlen:
- Tormohlen: What can you tell us about the size of the audio industry and its growth projections?
- Smith:
- The home high-end audio system market is projected to grow from $5.25 billion in 2025 to $7.72 billion by 2034, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.37% during the forecast period (2025-2034). The market size for home high-end audio system market was valued at $5.36 billion in 2024, according to a report by Market Future Institute.
- Tormohlen:
- Tormohlen: What factors do you attribute to the record-breaking growth in trade attendance and overall turnout this year?
- Smith:
- Overall, AXPONA has experienced consistent growth year over year, establishing itself as an annual destination for music lovers and the audio industry. Several factors contribute to this growth, including the industry’s passion and support, an increasing number of younger attendees interested in high-quality audio systems, and the implementation of new marketing tactics to build awareness and attract new attendees. We also have a loyal community that makes AXPONA an annual trip.
- Tormohlen:
- Tormohlen: Describe the Car Audio Showcase. What was one of the coolest things on display?
- Smith:
- We partnered with the International Auto Sound Challenge Association (IASCA) to launch this new showcase, aiming to provide attendees with a space to experience high-performance car audio. For the first time, passionate music lovers experienced the best sounds in car audio. Manufacturers and dealers of high-performance car audio offered demonstrations from leading brands to discover new audio products for purchase and upgrades. The coolest thing to see was The Audio Wave handcrafted car audio amp that retailed at $35,000. It’s extremely limited and has a two-year waiting list! Natan Budiono’s winning vehicle was also a must-see.
Listening Room Experience
One of the 213+ listening room experiences on display was the Soundstage Audio room. This room featured a high-end home audio system, showcasing the capabilities of the latest technology.
Conclusion
AXPONA 2025 was a groundbreaking event that marked the largest show yet for the B2B and B2C audio expo. With a 5% increase in attendance, AXPONA continues to set the standard for high-end audio events.
