Chester Group needs no introduction to the specialist audio-video industry, having been a mainstay organiser of consumer hi-fi shows for decades. This is largely down to the enduring work of Roy Bird, its chairman and founder. The first show he organised was way back in 1965, and since then, he's been involved in over 350 across various categories – including photography, motor shows, classic cars and speed events, plus technology and computers.

As far as hi-fi goes, Roy has organised and promoted over 125 shows over a quarter of a century – quite the achievement indeed. During this time, he has seen the market evolve and has had to adapt to reflect these changes. He suggests to me that the appeal of shows and exhibitions remains largely undiminished. He says the biggest changes have been to the large national and international motor and home shows, rather than smaller niche industries such as hi-fi and audio-visual. "Some of this has been down to the rapid development of retail presentation and the growth of superstores, but at the same time, the rising costs of exhibiting simply couldn't be sustained along with very high admission costs", he tells me.

Being involved in so many shows, organisers witness first-hand the trials and tribulations of what can be considered 'organised chaos' right before a show opens. There are no prerequisites or training courses for this, and it certainly requires a unique skill set. Yet Roy jokes that "it's not too hard at all", provided you're willing to take risks and put it all on the line. "To do this job," he tells me, "you must believe in yourself, and I've never been short of that. Of course, you also need to do market research, respect other events, and find appropriate venues, but the real thrill is seeing a long queue of happy faces waiting to enter a show – it's unbeatable!"

Justin Bird (L), Roy Bird (R) in Sydney Australia

But it hasn't always been about hi-fi. Roy was also once a magazine publisher with a portfolio spanning seven titles from Astronomy to Photography. During that time, Roy says he organised exclusive trips to Egypt and Mexico, among other places. He even organised a once in a lifetime trip to view the solar eclipse from a ship in the English Channel. With thousands on board, including Patrick More and many other celebrities, he still sees that event as the biggest and most extraordinary risk he ever took.

FAMILY TIES

For Roy, the business has always been a family affair, both personally and across the wider industry – some of which he has come to know and respect for decades. He smiles as he talks of his proudness of the close relationships built with exhibitors and visitors worldwide. Yet closer to home, the family that Roy speaks so fondly of experienced recent tragedy. His eldest son, Quinton, sadly passed away on 25th June this year after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Speaking with him in the days before Quinton's passing and the weeks after, the unimaginable pain was evident, yet his determination, commitment and passion remained unwavering. Perhaps it was a stiff upper lip approach or the reality that 'the show must go on', but he quickly announced that the upcoming UK Audio Show would be dedicated to his late son's memory with a series of new show awards introduced. Chester Group will also donate a percentage of ticket sale proceeds to the Brain Tumour Charity.

Roy Bird, with his wife and surrounded by his children and grandchildren.

Awards were always symbolic with our shows, but Covid to some extent has put limitations on what we could achieve. But now that shows are back a proper, the awards will be unique in that they will be attendee-polled and will cover best sound, best-presented room, most welcoming, and others. Finally, we have one of our own awards which recognises the exhibitor who has in our view, undertaken the best marketing, because as with all shows it has to be a joint effort.

As we return to a new normal in the post-Covid world, shows have experienced renewed interest and unprecedented support, and the UK Audio Show is no exception. Roy suggests, "with all shows of this type, it's all about feeding your passion which means the latest developments, shared experience, gadgets and of course the various side shows and sessions. Music, of course, lies at the heart of any audio show, particularly this year being the biggest show ever with close to 70 exhibitors and more than enough to provide a complete weekend's entertainment."

BACK TO THE FUTURE 

With all his years of experience – and despite being of advancing age himself now – Roy still has a clear vision and a drive as fierce as ever for the future. Having recently announced a brand new show for London on April 29th-30th, 2023, he says, "we have just confirmed that we will be returning to the Radisson Red venue we've used previously at Heathrow, because of its ability to be an international hub." He continues: "It will make the 2023 show very accessible for overseas visitors. We've already had an excellent response from the industry, and this venue has considerable scope for expansion in future years." It is clear that Roy, his son Justin, and the Chester Group are showing no signs of slowing down.

Roy has formed a strong understanding of the market in his time. He opines that, "It's not generally realised that the hi-fi and audio-visual industry is one of the very few markets that has continued to spawn standalone shows all over the world. As long as we'll always have music, in my view we will always have shows. However, the costs of organising a show, and therefore, exhibiting, don't come cheap, and that means that sales must be made. The ultimate survival of shows has more to do with the quality of footfall rather than the quantity. Quantity, in my view, is a misused term."

Roy's other passion, built entirely from scratch by Roy.

As this year draws down, and following a couple of years of devastation as a show organiser in the events industry and a more recent personal tragedy, Roy reflects on a successful career and is optimistic about the future. "To be a good organiser, you must be able to enjoy the fruits of your labour. Certainly speaking for myself, I have done very little in my life that I didn't enjoy; sometimes for no return, but mostly successfully. It's a unique pleasure and power that just one spark of imagination can produce something out of nothing, and I'm proud to be part of a very inventive nation."

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