TAVES Consumer Electronics Show 2014 Show Report (Toronto Audio Video Entertainment Show)
Pre-Show Report Fun

  Upon arriving in Toronto, the taxi ride to TAVES was a learning experience. Toronto is a grand, and growing, city filled with both historic and stylish new buildings. The economy looks to be quite strong here as the upscale luxury cars were in abundance. The streets are clean and the people warm, friendly and helpful. During my Thursday afternoon walk from the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel to Bloor Street, where all the luxury good shops are located, there were (thankfully) the usual Tim Hortons every few blocks or so instead of America's McDonalds and the like. On my quest to get more Fauchon Le Morning loose tea leaves as the winter months are coming, i did find a store called Holt Renfrew on Bloor Street that had a small selection of Fauchon yet no Le Morning loose tea leaves in a tin. Still, the salesman was extremely helpful and went beyond normal efforts to help find out if they can procure some for me. In fact at every shop from Tiffany & Co., Hermes, and Louis Vuitton to the people on the streets, everyone seemed happy and busy.

I would says about 33% of the Canadians here in Toronto below the age of 55 were wearing headphones or earbuds of some variety. Obviously music plays a role in their lives as they walk to where life is taking them. Did i mention how clean the streets were? Perhaps not Singapore clean, yet far better than a large and bustling city of this size usually has. The Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, which is a SPG property, has electrical hookups for those who drive electric cars. This is something American could learn much from as alterative energy makes a good showing to ease a country's dependence on crude oil. Besides, have you ever felt the torque 'kick' from those electrical motors? Glorious! The view from my hotel room is simply stunning! 

As the show is opening in about an hour of this writing, the TAVES promoters said to me yesterday to "have fun" and that is precisely what i plan to do. Instead of 'working', this is play time my friends! It will be wonderful to see my Canadian friends who i have not caught up with in many years. In fact while enjoying a smoke outside, an old friend, who i have not seen in nearly five years, saw me on the street and we discussed music, audio gear, and his new project recording music. While some people live to see the gear, my life revolves around meeting incredibly vibrant people, hearing about their newfound loves, learning how their children have been born, grown, and/or are now in collage... or married and having children of their own! Still remember one magazine writer's very young child <cough> borrowing <cough> one of my show props many years ago (and today she is in college). For me, it is about the people first, and the gear second, or third, or fifth.

Sorry i forgot to bring my camera rig to breakfast, at Tim Hortons of course, as the lobby here at TAVES has some beautiful cars and speakers. Am sure my camera will capture those during my future report fun. TAVES wants me to have fun and that is precisely what i plan to do. Will be live streaming when i can and there is no set schedule. Of course the videos will be archived so you can enjoy watching them by clicking on the sidebar to the right of the live stream. As always, in the end what really matters is that you...

Enjoy the Music,

Steven R. Rochlin

PS: Did i mention how sincerely helpful the people are and how clean the streets are here in Toronto. Looks to be a great place to live and do business. Hmmm....  :)

PPS: Am really enjoying SPG properties luxury hotels. Whilst the usual Four Seasons and occasional Ritz are nice, SPG properties have always been a very pleasing place to stay. If you are ever in NYC, i highly recommend their W. Oh, and get a 'cool corner' room, enjoy their bar area, and of course the enchanting entrance too!

 

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