I should be packing for the trip home, but I’m not. Instead, I’m sitting here at the computer. Marveling. Mainly at the fact that I’m awake and semi-alert (I really ought to know better — the whole “closing down the bar” thing is just never a good idea), but also at the CanJam that just was.
CanJam is a real thing, folks. And I’m impressed.
Ethan Opolion, the CanJam Global show runner, is knocking it out. I didn’t catch last year, so I can’t compare the two, but based on this experience, I will not miss next year’s. Tight ship, baby.
There were something like a thousand or so tickets sold for this headphone-only hi-fi show. All the dealer/manufacturer display areas were sold. The hotel? Sold out. The foot traffic was heavy and the booths/rooms were all popular and well-traveled. Very impressive.
Even more so? This show has gone Global. Singapore was a recent hit, London is coming. Hong Kong is on the horizon. Same team. Same style. Same great experience? I may have to go see, but I’ll offer that it’s great to see something this well-organized, staffed, and attended.
All the head-fi’ers that you talk to, tend to talk (at least at some point) about the “community” of Head-Fi. It’s sweet to see them show up and support Jude and his crew.
One of the highlights for me was the “Big Tent”. A long, wide inflatable room (kinda reminiscent of the bubbles they used to stretch over pools), with long rows of tables to either side, really laid out the vendors/displays in way that the giant ballrooms (like at RMAF, for example) tend to clutter and draws the attendees down the length of the room in a way that felt natural and easy.
I’ll suggest that Newport Beach isn’t exactly the easiest or cheapest airport to get into and out of, so here’s to hoping for a change of venue that’s a little easier to hit for us out-of-towners, but the Westin was posh and welcoming. And the weather was California perfect. Can someone remind me why I don’t live out here?
Anyway — thanks, Head-Fi and team. You guys threw us all a fantastic party — I had a mah-vel-ous time. Looking forward to the next one!
Stay tuned — there’s a lot more on the way.
