I was very close to driving the 11 hours to gearfest. Maybe next year. It has been on my list of things to do for many years.

Aside from checking out the gear, the coolest part is getting to meet/talk with folks like Craig, Roger, Paul Reed Smith, etc.  Folks that have shaped (and continue to shape) our industry.
 
If you're into live music, world-class musicians play both Friday and Saturday night.
This year, Dweezil Zappa played Friday night.  Later in the evening, Steve Stevens got on stage.
On Saturday night, Eric Johnson played.
 
If you're looking for a substantial piece of gear, you won't find a better day (price) to grab it.
 
 

I'd love to go to Gearfest but can't justify it.  Too far from West Central Florida.  I have invested several $$ in Sweetwater.
 
I hear a lot of commercial electronic music, but there are still sessions being done with "real" musicians.  The Vince Gill/Paul Franklin "Bakersfield" was all live musicians (and recorded at Vice Gill's home studio).  I have a Demo session scheduled for next Wednesday for a "retired" Nashville songwriter.  I'll do it with "live" musicians, and a Telecaster and Pedal Steel Guitar.  (The song is going to a producer in Muscle Shoals, Al).