Last hifi show I went to was at Last Drop Village, Bolton. How many years ago was that anyone? (Answers below please). I remember picking up a Sound Organisation table cheap at the end of the day. The only other thing I remember was a surround sound demo of Indian Jones and the last crusade. No idea what the system was but it got me into surround. The thought of wandering around a hifi show now reminds me too much of my old job wandering round TV & Media events I.e. IBC in Amsterdam. Never been so bored in my life. I’m sure there is some interesting stuff but it’s just not for me. I’m not Laddish in any way but a Beer and a Curry would float my boat more. Remember, they are called “Boys toys” for a reason 
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Last Drop would be mid 80s I guess. It only survived 2 or 3 years I seem to recall. Nice venue. Wasn’t it run by Cleartone Audio? Best demo was a Linn Naim Isobarik effort where the Linn rep compared vinyl with music played by a live (I think) Ceilidh Band. Happy days. Will be doing NW Audio Show with Mrs twofifty. An enjoyable event which we like to follow up with food in the wonderful Altrincham Market Hall, the nearest we’ll ever get to the Cheshire set.
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Blimey, that takes me back. Yes, the hifi show at the Last Drop Village hotel in Bromley Cross, Bolton would probably be early to mid 1980s. It was organised by Cleartone (a hifi shop on Blackburn Road, Bolton). I think the show was where I first heard a Linn LP12 fronting a Naim Nait and Linn Kans. I was so impressed that not too long after that I bought that very system from Cleartone.
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Cleartone was a hifi shop for folk who felt intimidated by hifi shops 
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Can’t go this year as away. Agree there’s always something you wouldn’t hear otherwise, and stuff to learn. From recent years - how nice the headphone output on the Nait 50 sounds, the quality of Neat speakers, the humour of Primare’s new streaming system constantly conking out, the comeback of the CD, the constant irritation of Dynaudio only playing their expensive stuff, the surprisingly listenable nature of Cyrus, and the amusement to be had from people who can’t leave their coats in the cloakroom as they no longer carry cash… 
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“ Bristol HiFi Show 2025 – We’re Back!
Naim Audio & Focal are returning to Bristol February 21st - 23rd, 2025! Join us in the Executive Lounge for an exclusive Diva Utopia active loudspeaker demo, plus daily showcases of the acclaimed Naim New Classic powering the stunning Focal Sopra 2’s.
See you there!”
So nothing new then……. 
ATB, J
I just got a room!
A dedicated music room 
. When we moved/retired.
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Just saw a post from Bill Livingstone of preparations for the Dynaudio room……looks like bloody hard work with acoustic panels sealing off the room from its previous guise.
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Luckily I’m away from home at present 
else I’d be tempted to provide a detailed but undoubtedly tedious account of my experience at hi-fi shows over the decades. I keep trying but it has yet to be a net positive.
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Go on, you must get bored sometimes.
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Nah, away with the eldest grand-child and visiting the offspring on the night of his bands debut gig in Sheffield. So far more important things to do
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I am done with Hifi shows too, after many different ones i could assist.
The reasons :
- too many people, I hate crowds.
- The music is rarely interesting, always the same Pink F, Dire Staits, Leonard Cohen , or commercial tunes. You can’t choose yours, or very rarely.
- The sound is generally average, and components are assembled by colours matching, silver with silver, …
- The main interest is to discover new brands , for me.
- I have no friends interested like me in hifi. So even a beer or coffee is alone.
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You should absolutely try the Ascot show. Not even the slightest beginning of a crowd there! 
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You’ve summed it up perfectly. I used to go to the Bristol show most years, but it was just too crowded and the corridors were uncomfortable places full of sweaty middle-aged men.
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Probably the same sweaty men now but older LOL
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In France, there are 2 main audio shows, unfortunately not a friendly Ascot kind of show.
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To far for me to go being from the upper end of the East Midlands.
Also the risk of covid and the winter sickness bug.
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2.1 miles down the rd from me,
And I’m not going🤣
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Dynaudio has probably been the room I’ve enjoyed most over the years at Bristol….Naim electronics but with speakers that I like.
However, I thought that last year’s showing was well below standard.
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