It’s a fairly short string of text that caught us quite by surprise at 9:14pm on a Wednesday this week. The subject line of the email spelled it out in black and white, no doubt causing some quick adjustments for more than a few manufacturers with just about a month left until the show. Included below is the copy straight from the Los Angeles Audio Show Facebook page as of 5/2/18.
“Wednesday, May 2, 2018
An Open Letter to the Industry. LAAS Cancelled.
Dear Industry Friends,
It is with sadness and regrets that I announce the cancellation of the 2018 LA Audio Show — Orange County. Refunds will start to be issued immediately to those exhibitors who have already paid deposits and/or full remittances for space and other services. These refunds will be in the form of checks and will arrive by USPS Mail to the address provided on contracts. Attendee tickets will be refunded through the system they were purchased.
Once more, I remind you that as Robert Evans stated, “There are 3 sides to every story: Your side, my side, and the truth. And no one is lying. Memories shared serve each differently,” but he also stated that “any man who thinks he knows the mind of a woman is a man who knows nothing,” so please allow me to touch briefly on what has changed since my last note.
There have been a series of events — much like “Murphy’s Law” or even “God’s Plan” both on the professional and personal level — that has overtaken my ability to perform at the level I expect of myself and the industry deserves. I put in the maximum efforts I could to absorb the chaos and protect the community, but I have run out of fuel in every sense of the word. My shoulders can no longer bear this weight.
It has been an honor and privilege to carry on the legacy of my mentor, Richard Beers. I have sought to do right by him by keeping his traditions and adding innovations I believed to be vital to the future of our industry. It was always my hope that Richard’s divided inheritance would be unified again in the end, and for me, it has been evident that this year presented multiple opportunities to end the separation and I could no longer ignore the dangerous reality of our circumstances. It is my sincere belief that while the lessons and blessings earned were worth everything and part of His plan, I must also admit this LAAS should never have been created, to begin with. We should have collectively worked harder to stay unified in our efforts, and I hope that is how you are able to collectively move forward at this time.
With that said, I urge all those who can, to make arrangements to support The Home Entertainment Show, June 1-3, 2018 at the Marriott Irvine Spectrum Hotel. I am truly apologetic for any inconveniences this may cause the industry.
At the same time, I still fervently believe in the power of music to make lives better and I do believe that high-fidelity reproduction has merit for making that experience even better. I still believe the future success of high-fidelity audio lies in a mainstream approach that connects all generations and budgets which is why we intended on following a new direction.
I also believe that the recent Pulitzer Prize awarded to Kendrick Lamar is recognition of this universality. Hip-Hop has been around for decades, but somehow this Award “legitimizes” it and allows it to take its place as an authentic musical style rather than an aberrant offshoot of music. As Dana Canedy, the administrator of the prizes said, “The time was right… It shines a light on hip-hop in a completely different way. This is a big moment for hip-hop music…” It is evident, to me and select others, that our world is moving in a new direction and it is my sincere hope that those who continue to run audio shows in the future will understand and acknowledge what I believe to be truths and continue to expand on what we had begun.
As for me, since I am left with nothing but myself and a roof over my head by a very loving and generous Father, I will be writing a blog sharing my story of faith. I do not know what is next but I do know that I have much healing to do — mental, physical, emotional — and need to recharge my batteries so that I may apply my energy, creativity, and passion in a way that serves God and fulfills my life purpose to inspire Humanity towards peace and unconditional love.
I am truly grateful for all of you, for all the lessons and blessings, and I look forward to perhaps meeting and working with you again in a different capacity. I wish much success to T.H.E. Show Newport and its patrons and truly hope that Richard’s legacy will be honored for years to come.
It has been an honor serving you. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NIV)
You may follow my new journey at www.LifesBeenMystique.com
Sincerely,
Marine de Rogez-Presson
PS: Please do not be fooled by a photographed smile and make-up. This has been a very arduous journey and a decision that had to made alone with my faith and one I only could’ve made from being completely broken down and incapable of fighting another day like this. It is never my first choice to quit, but it is always my first choice to follow my life purpose. “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 (NLT)”