SAN FRANCISCO: The 121^st Audio Engineering Convention set for Oct. 5 – 8 at SF’s Moscone Center is gathering momentum. Convention Chair John Strawn reports that a record number of attendees and exhibitors are expected to participate. “The scope and scale of the Workshops, Papers, Tutorials, Technical Tours, Platinum, Broadcast, Live Sound, Student, Electrical Engineering, Historical and Special Events developed for this year’s convention have a dual mandate,” Strawn said. “Foremost in every Chair’s concern is that their program provide the highest level relevance for our attendees. A related goal is that these events and presentations continue to attract growing numbers of audio (and related) professionals to what has become the industry’s largest and most meaningful educational/technology event.”

AES Executive Director Roger Furness emphasized new and evolving initiatives designed to improve the Convention experience. “Our return to San Francisco is a direct reflection of a preference expressed by a majority of our attendees and exhibitors. Our expanded Retail Promotion Co-Sponsorship has doubled in size since its introduction at last years Convention,” he said. “Ten major retailers, reps and distributors are participating in the effort to increase Convention awareness among end-users. By attracting more end-users to the Exhibition Hall we provide manufacturers and other exhibitors with the opportunity for increased direct feedback from their client base.”

The AES decision to open the exhibition hall open for three instead of four days will enable exhibitors traditionally focused on their booth activity to take greater advantage of the educational and technical sessions at the core of AES events. “We are committed to making our Conventions as indispensable as possible,” Furness adds. “The three-day Technology Exhibition is a perfect example of this policy. We had considered this move in the past, but the timing seems particularly appropriate now.”

From a Keynote speech by legendary concert sound and recording engineer Robert Scovill to rare opportunities to tour some of the Bay Area’s most storied recording studio, educational and manufacturer facilities this year’s AES Convention is shaping up as another milestone. These events plus opportunities for interaction with some of the most creatively and technically innovative members of the Professional Audio Community, make the 121^st AES Convention a not-to-be-missed event.