As a visitor to the show I was SUPER impressed and came away with a great appreciation for several fantastic companies/products that I might purchase from in the future that otherwise I might not have been aware of at all or only with second-hand knowledge. The Creation Audio Labs demo room was fanastic - their products blew me away! I also enjoyed the guitar companies there such as Bluesman Vintage and of course Luthier Manuel Delgado and his beautiful hand-crafted instruments. There were also several amazing amp manufacturers there that you wouldn't normally get a chance to demo - great smaller companies like Little Walter! (and his 8-pin octal tube amps)

The whole vibe was very relaxed and fun - it felt like I was 'part of the club' rather than it just being such a snobby industry trade show type deal - rather it was very organic in the sense that everyone was their because of a passion for great gear - too cool! I am will be sure to go back next year only I'll plan to spend more time & bring a friend.

The Nashville Amp show was by far the most well run, smoothest, and busiest show we have ever done! Besides the incredible amount of vendors, the wildly talented players that we had walking through our room all day just couldn't be beat. Big names from the rock, country, and studio world (including producers and engineers). There were truly all sorts of characters. The Expo didn't feel so much like a bunch of different exhibitors as much as one fantastic musical community! We had a great time during the show, and at all the great events they had planned afterward too! We made a ton of great new friends, artists, connections, etc. All the hard work, planning, and aggressive advertising truly paid off! We can't wait until next years show! Thank you so much for an unforgettable weekend!

-Danny and Sommatone

Great show and much more than I expected it to be in terms of exhibitors and layout. I don't know why I thought it would be a "mini-NAMM" in a conference room...must be impending senility!

Anyhoo, I did a writeup for my website. For all those interested in the thoughts of a piano player who saw half of the show, check it out here:

http://www.gluethemoose.com/instruments/nashville-amp-expo-2009-micromini-report/

Looking forward to next year.

The Nashville Amp Expo was the best show we have ever attended! Sarge and his crew had every detail covered and did an incredible job of promoting the show to the Nashville public. We met A list talent from all musical generes and it was clear that the CAL crew had done their job in bringing out VIP's from Music City. We launched a new product at the Expo- our Bambino amplifer, and took orders and cash right on the spot. Looking forward to next year. Who needs NAMM???

Thanks to Sarge, Danny and the entire crew.

I can’t say enough about how well this show was run. Obviously great thought and planning went into this event, and it showed. If there were any minor glitches in set up or move out, they weren’t evident and I never heard about it. There was a great staff to make sure everything ran smoothly. The devil is in the details, and almost none were overlooked. There were full color show programs with a detailed list of events. There were hand-outs listing dealers room numbers. The elevators each had a dealer directory posted (in large font for us old geezers). Each floor had directories at the elevator hallway. They even posted them in each stairwell doorway for those of us needed some aerobic exercise. There was also a security attendant posted at every entrance and exit, to make sure no gear grew legs and walked away under its own power. There were a variety of Amp Show souvenier T shirts sold in the lobby including XXL mens and cap sleeve sexy ladies XS sizes. Earplugs were complimentary at admission- which was only $7 or $10 for both days (a bargain!) and free parking. Lots of people got a free Amp Expo V pick, and there was a drawing for awesome door prizes on Sunday. Did I mention that besides paid Ads for the show in the typical music rages (Vintage Guitar, etc) they also rented giant color LCD billboard space in several key locations around Nashville?
From the get-go this was a show that was well planned, extremely organized, user-friendly, accessible, and well-publicized.
Props to Creation Audio for staging the best event of its type I have ever had the pleasure of attending. NAMM Show be warned- this is the future of the industry, and it is here.
Read my full review of the show on The Gear Page
It starts with the link below (there are four parts- follow the links at the end of each post for more pix, details and discussions:
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=594225