The Clarity Alliance is making a welcome return to the Dolby Theatre, Soho Square, London on 20 March, after the enforced three-year pause.
The conference is an opportunity for members of Clarity, plus any other individuals and companies operating in the UK hi-fi industry, to come together to discuss topics of relevance to the ever-changing market. A number of keynote guest speakers will be present to share their knowledge and enlighten the audience, including:
Keynote Speech: George Freeman MP
Clarity is delighted to welcome to the conference its first government Minister. George Freeman was appointed Minister of State in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 7 February, 2023.
“His experience in business, industrial strategy and now with innovation and technology makes him the perfect keynote speaker,” says Elizabeth Gould, Clarity Chair. “We look forward to hearing the government’s thoughts and plans for these sectors, which could have a direct impact on the hi-fi and AV industry.”
GfK
Nick Simon, Account Director at GfK will bring the industry up to date with the latest trends in audio and video sales, drilling down into product categories and price points to help the attendees understand what consumers are purchasing.
Peter Aylett
In a return visit to the Clarity Conference, Peter Aylett. A CEDIA Fellow, who currently serves as chair of the CEDIA/CTA R10 Standards Committee and chair of the R10 WG1 (audio) Workgroup, will be sharing the CEDIA best practice guidelines for setting up immersive audio systems. This is one not to be missed for anyone selling or installing Dolby Atmos style home theatre systems.
Sound Advice
Bruce Black and Gary Kimberley, from online magazine Sound Advice, will be sharing their views on the changing media landscape.
Darren Sherriff
Darren is well known in the hi-fi industry having spent the last five years in the role of Director for Home Audio at Yamaha. Today he runs Lonestar Consulting, an official partner of Clarity, which aims to provide strategic advice to help businesses achieve their growth objectives.
Paul Laville
T21 Group is the leading training provider for the Hi-Fi industry. Having run very successful courses for Clarity, Retra and many retailers and major manufacturers, Paul Laville is the go-to man for specialist industry training. As a board member of Clarity, Paul is heading up the focus on training and will share the direction that future Clarity training will take.
Blink
Giles Hodgson and Joe Tallon work for Blink, Clarity’s credit card services provider.
They will share with us the state-of-the-art platform that Blink has created and the very substantial savings that retailers can make by accessing this member-only benefit. It’s just one of the many reasons for retailers to be members of the UK’s hi-fi trade association.
Honorary Fellowship Award
Clarity will also be presenting its annual Hon. Fellowship Award to a member of the industry who has made an ‘Outstanding Contribution to the UK Hi-Fi Industry’. This award is usually presented at the Bristol Show as part of the Clarity Best of Show Awards, but the Clarity board has decided it would be fitting to present this year’s award at the annual conference.
The Clarity Conference is open to all members of the industry and is free of charge to attend for Clarity members and the media and just £25 per person for non-members. The conference starts at 11.30am with a late breakfast, with the presentations commencing at 12.30pm.