Last fall was my first as well and it is a very different animal from the spring show. Spring show is big and bright and new with lots of sales people. Fall show is very small and fast and furious. Deals can be had - I picked up a sweet XLR saddle there for about $80 - but you gotta be early and diligent as the good stuff goes quick. It's good to have a list of needs/wants.

This is also the show I saw stupid crazy deals on high end brain buckets - like my $265 Catlike for $75. I waited until the spring show and ended up paying a little less than double that, but still a great deal.