Press release follows:
New complimentary Community Table program will give selected synth and electronic-music communities and educational programs expo-floor space alongside manufacturers, independent builders, and software developers at NAESE 2027.
CLEVELAND, Ohio, Sept. 22, 2026 — When the inaugural North American Electronic Sound Expo opens in Cleveland next April, some of the tables on its show floor won't belong to companies at all.
NAESE announced today that it will reserve a limited number of complimentary Community Tables for established synth and electronic-music communities and educational programs, giving selected groups a physical home inside the expo alongside hardware manufacturers, independent builders, software developers, performers, and educators.
Each participating group will receive a complimentary six-foot table on the NAESE show floor, plus two representative badges for the price of one. NAESE is setting aside a portion of its expo floor for community use free of charge.
The Golden Shrimp Guild, one of the largest and most active online communities centered on live synthesizer performance, is the first group confirmed through the program, with its Community Table already reserved for NAESE 2027. A global movement of independent electronic live musicians, multidisciplinary artists, creators, and engineers active primarily on Twitch and Discord, the Guild produces SYNTHON!, a free international festival of live electronic music streaming, alongside weekly streams and ongoing educational programming on performing and livestreaming electronic sets.
Like many established communities, the Guild has previously exhibited at synth events by purchasing floor space the same way a manufacturer would.
"We buy a booth at most of the expos we go to, and it works. But we're not a company. Every dollar of that comes out of a community's pocket, not a marketing budget," said Joris Visser, known in the community as Actitect, of the Golden Shrimp Guild. "NAESE covering the floor space means that money goes back into the people who show up."
The program is intended to make one of NAESE's founding ideas tangible: the communities surrounding electronic instruments are part of the event itself, not simply its audience.
"Electronic music doesn't exist because of companies alone," said Greg Kefalas, NAESE founder and executive producer. "It exists because people gather around these instruments, teach each other, share patches, organize meetups, build friendships, and keep the whole thing alive. If we say NAESE is community-first, those communities should literally have a place on the floor."
Rather than separating participating groups into a side room or designated meetup area, NAESE plans to place Community Tables directly within the main expo environment.
"We want these tables occupied by communities that genuinely want to be part of the weekend," said NAESE co-founder Mike Weakley. "They get a real presence on the floor, and attendees get a place to find the people they already know from forums, Discords, and local meetups, or to find ones they didn't know existed."
Community Tables are intended for community and educational organizations whose primary purpose is connecting, teaching, or supporting people around synthesizers, electronic music, music technology, and sound, rather than commercially exhibiting products or services.
The program is limited during NAESE's inaugural year. Eligibility criteria, participation requirements, and applications are available at https://naese.co/exhibit#community-tables.
NAESE's inaugural edition, Year 1: First Signal, takes place April 9–11, 2027 at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. The three-day public expo is preceded on Thursday, April 8 by an exhibitor-only Welcome Reception at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
About NAESE
The North American Electronic Sound Expo (NAESE) is a three-day expo for hardware synthesizers, modular gear, software, controllers, accessories, and the people who make and play them. Built community-first, NAESE brings makers, performers, educators, developers, and enthusiasts into one building across four pillars: TOUCH (the expo floor), SHARE (sessions, panels, workshops, and demos), HEAR (performances), and PLAY (open jam spaces), with software as a full citizen alongside hardware.
Its inaugural edition, Year 1: First Signal, runs April 9–11, 2027 at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. NAESE is produced by Million Sides, Inc.
About the Golden Shrimp Guild
The Golden Shrimp Guild (GSG.live) is a global movement of independent electronic live musicians, multidisciplinary artists, creators, and engineers centered on audiovisual livestreaming performance, active primarily on Twitch and Discord. Alongside more than 200 livestream events per year, the Guild organizes SYNTHON!, a free monthly international live electronic music streaming festival, and publishes ongoing educational content on creating, performing, and livestreaming live electronic music. More at GSG.live.
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