The Sweetwater Performance Theatre was full to capacity throughout GearFest 2014.

JUNE 17 I SWEETWATER I EVENT
Sweetwater's GearFest Busts Records

Sweetwater Sound's annual GearFest saw its biggest crowd ever, with more than 8,000 visitors contributing a 25-percent increase in sales over of last year's event. The two-day fest held June 6 and 7 included exhibits from 200 manufacturers along with workshops, live demos and a musician's flea market.

The marquee event was the Producer's Panel which featured a panel of producers and engineers including Bruce Swedien, Bob Clearmountain, Ed Cherney, Ross Hogarth, Richard Chycki, Bil Vorndick, Fab Dupont and Mick Guzauski. In total, GearFest included 185 workshops and seminars in nine different venues and hourly prizes totaled $72,000 worth of instruments and equipment.

"I personally greeted thousands of our customers at the front door as they arrived and was astounded by the enthusiasm everyone seemed to have for Sweetwater and GearFest," said President Chuck Surack. "That, along with its continued growth in overall attendance and sales, has made GearFest a truly unique event in the music retail business.”