COVID-19 Postpones Pacific Audio Fest 2021 to 2022

Just in case you were getting optimistic about the return of Hi-Fi Shows in 2021, it looks like you can scratch another promising show off your list for this year. With COVID-19 rates of infection all over the map in N. America, it would appear that restrictions in Washington State have made it impossible for show organizers to push forward with the inaugural show for 2021.

Pacific Audio Fest 2021 has been postponed until 2022; which has to be hugely disappointing for people in the Pacific Northwest who have been clamoring for their own show for years.

Oregon is a mess and Canadians are unlikely to cross the border from British Columbia with so few Canadians having received a vaccination at this point (perhaps it’s time for PM Justin the Bartender to go).

With Europe still struggling, and Ontario becoming a police state in response to soaring case numbers and ICU admissions in the GTA, it’s unlikely any trade shows will take place in Toronto or Montreal this year either.

“To all our friends in the hifi community,

With much heartache, Gary Gill and I have decided to postpone the inaugural Pacific Audio Fest until 2022. This Wed morning we woke up to hear that Gov. Inslee had to roll back the reopening status for three counties in Washington state. This was a wake up call to the increasingly uncertain trajectory of finding our way out of the pandemic.

Up until very recently, it looked promising that we would be able to have the show as scheduled. We were looking forward to making PAF a fun, safe, and successful show for all involved. Unfortunately, given the current state of the pandemic and the uncertainty surrounding it, it has become clear that we may not be able to achieve these goals, and rather than risk the safety, time and finances of our supporters we must make this difficult choice.

We truly appreciate all the support and enthusiasm each of you has all shown for the Pacific Audio Fest. We made this decision after speaking with many of you about your concerns, and we thank you for sharing your candid feedback with us, and we are very appreciative of the support we have had in both this tough decision and for the show in 2022. EVERYBODY has stayed the course with us and we will work tirelessly to make this the best show for all.

As we’ve assured you all from the beginning, you will receive a full refund of your deposits and have the right of first refusal on the rooms and ads you previously selected. If you would like to roll your existing deposit forward, please let us know and we’d be happy to lock in your rate for 2022.

We are working with the hotel to shift our contract to similar dates in 2022, and as soon as those are locked in we will let everyone know.

For some of you, this may come as a relief; for others, perhaps not. We hope that no one feels they have wasted any effort or time with this. Know that you have all helped lay the groundwork for an amazing new show in 2022.

I am hoarse from talking about this with our exhibitors the past two days, and am encouraged by the connection and heart of the hifi audio community. Because of each of you, this hard and sad decision has turned into a feeling of resolve and belonging.  Thank you and we look forward to when we can all gather to laugh and enjoy music together in the company of friends. 

Until then, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us as we continue to build this show.”

Lou Hinkley & Gary Gill