Part 5: Saturday Night Industry Banquet And Lifetime Achievement Awards
The celebration continues here at Montreal Audiofest 2025!
Montreal Audiofest 2025 Show Report By Rick Becker

  After returning to my room to set my batteries charging, I dressed for the Industry Banquet and the Lifetime Achievement Award presentations. This time, I remembered to bring a spare battery with me. The request was for an ‘80s Disco vibe, but my wardrobe was ill-prepared for such an event. The best I could do was throw on one of my Jerry Garcia ties. They're good for the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.

Sarah Tremblay, Director of the Audiofest, greeted guests and handed out eyeglasses with variable flashing light sequences. I will give out an award to the first person submitting the correct number of these eyeglasses appearing in the photos in Part 5. One number per person, only.

For as many years as I've covered this show, I am good friends with relatively few people. The cast of characters keeps changing on me. The guy looking straight at the camera is Stephane Hautcoeur, founder and President of Eon Art Canada, Inc., manufacturers of some of the finest amplifiers in the world. He's been remarkably consistent over the past decade.

As you can see, there was no shortage of fine hors d'oeuvres. Next year I'm bringing a long barbecue fork so I can reach them.

Ah-hah! Some more people I know. That's Julie Mullins of Stereophile on the left, Ofra and Eli Gershman of Gershman Acoustics, and David Solomon of Qobuz. I had a great time chatting with folks during dinner at this table.

Not even a show badge to clue me into who these folks are.

These folks were having a great time, but not a single slice of salami on any plate. Next year: longer forks!

Ah, you can't hide from me, Peter Hanson (Audio Group Denmark). I recognize you in those green glasses. And that's Wynn Wong of Wynn Audio with the #11 in front of his chest.

Ah, this guy figured out how to get to the Salami. That's Steve Beaumas(?) of Son Ultime on the left, Nicolas Gregoire of Son Ultime to the right, and Sylvain Pichette of turntable fame in Canada on the far right.

Lots of electric eyeglasses in this photo, and note the bar in the far distance.

Man, I could have made a killing if I had brought some long-handled forks to sell.

My camera has a mind of its own. It focuses right in on anyone.

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