I think they're both great ideas, Craig!
 
I'm down with any excuse to head to Nashville. Having relatives there, I can always spend several days visiting/bar hopping. But no more trying to park downtown. Last episode cost me 3 times what a taxi would have! (Parking is a NIGHTMARE!! lol)
 
Looking forward to meeting fellow Sonar users.

Grem
Would attend one of the "drive arounds" if allowed. IOW not clear if others are invited when you go to someone's place/home/studio?

I was assuming it would be one-on-one, unless the person being visited wanted to invite some friends...or had some pets hanging around. I wasn't picturing a "house concert" situation.

I'd make the conference coincide with Summer NAMM, giving people like me who are far away two good reasons to come to town. 

YouDontHasToCallMeJohnson
...Many years ago one of the CW dudes visited Lansing. It was well attended given we did not have a user's group to help coordinate. And it was only for a couple of hours. It was a quick overview of the new version of Sonar. Too short to ask many questions. It was hosted by a local music store in their 50 seat performance room.
 
I will pay for a full day of demonstrations of Sonar, some Tascam equipment,...  Hold it in Detroit which is drivable for me. Chicago would require an overnight, so I would go there for a two event.
 
Lansing would be less expensive, easier to get around, and is within driving distance of about 7 million Michigan residents. Gotta be enough attendees to pay for at least a day. Work with the local music stores (Marshall Music), and national stores (Guitar Center is less than an eight mile from Marshall), make it part of a Gibson/Tascam/Cakewalk national tour and Bob's Yer Uncle.
 
I would attend such even if THE CRAIG was not present.
 
Many years ago (for three years) we hosted a three day event for Custom Installers in the Union Building on the MSU campus in East Lansing. Relevant vendors came to demonstrate and provide in-depth training. Around 100 dudes attended. This paid for the building, the banquet (with speaker) and some of the daily refreshments. It was less crazy than the big shows and all left having learned and connected....

I second that concept. I know Craig is just trowing out some ideas to get feedback so here's mine.
 
I would also gladly pay for a "professional" seminar as opposed to a let's get some guys together who live near Nashville so we can chew the fat about Sonar and maybe jam for awhile over pizza and diet coke.
 
Sweetwater puts on seminars every once in awhile. They have a 3 day Recording Master Class this April that I thought of attending, but they are using Pro Tools and more importantly, I'm scheduled for Laser Eye Surgery that month. (Wish they had an equivalent procedure for hearing!)
$1195 for three days, including hotel is reasonable.
 
Walt
 
 

Yes, looking for feedback but again, gotta walk before we can run. I have no doubt that people would find a get-together worthwhile. The response to the online webinar I did for Berklee was very favorable, so if that was combined with a general sharing of knowledge as well as a chance to meet in Gibson's Nashville showroom (still investigating, but no one has said no yet ) I don't think any attendee would be disappointed.
 
The idea of combining something with Summer NAMM has merit, but I'd like to try a few other things first and find out what works or doesn't work before committing to a major production.
 
I've been involved in a ton of workshop/seminars/classes over the years but by and large, they do not do well if they just come out of nowhere. The ones that have been successful started small, did things right on that scale, and grew over the years. I see that model in place here. Using online learning and webinars could also allow more people to participate a much lower cost to participants.
 
So we'll see where this goes, but I do want to try the first two ideas and see what happens. They'd be low-risk and I do think the results would be worthwhile. I'm about to check my PMs and see if we have a quorum yet... 
 

Both #1 & #2 are great ideas, I'd try to come to Nashville!  And the RV idea would make the videos more fun to watch...
 
Get the pizza from a local place - it's great to have non-chain pizza in other cities.

Hi Craig,
 
I'm liking the meet-and-greet in Nashville idea.
 
It would be a blast to get a bunch of Sonar users together.
Share stories, ideas/tips, and just spend time talking shop.
 
Name the date... and I'll do my best to be there.

I'd personally love to have a one on one with you Craig but alas I am in the great white norf. My "studio" is also an extremely tiny one man room (although if pressed I'm sure I could find a way). However if you do a Canuckerland tour I could probably call up some shops who I'm sure would be interested in having you. Seeing as how you are with Gibson though (well and you are The Craig) you could probably get such gigs very easily on your own. There are however some smaller and more interesting boutique stores who I am sure would appreciate your presence more and be more fun to hang out at instead of the larger chain shops.
 
I would be perfectly content to see some new material using Platinum though no matter where it is filmed. That is the never ending and ever evolving beauty of the intertubes. Can't believe most people just use it for pr0n and cat pics.
 
Cheers.

Jim Roseberry
Hi Craig,
 
I'm liking the meet-and-greet in Nashville idea.
 
It would be a blast to get a bunch of Sonar users together.
Share stories, ideas/tips, and just spend time talking shop.
 
Name the date... and I'll do my best to be there.

Wow, that would be a huge deal to have your level of computer expertise involved. Stay tuned!

If I come can I bring my post count too?