Though it may be a belated reply, I'm jealous. How come they won't do a gig over here? Andy Timmons was there too, that's just unfairly awesome.
Our equivalent to NAMM is (arguably) LIMS which is an amalgamation of a few shows mainly the former London Guitar Show. Last year we had Guthrie Govan, Billy Sheehan, Yngwie Malmsteen and Paul, but many of them (including Paul) were missing their bands and just playing to backing tracks.
I guess we don't get stuck with absolutely nothing then, but it confirms that guitar shows are definitely the place to be.
RACER X @ NAMM