SEMA's Coming Up

[dnschmidt]

Well, it's been three years since I last attended SEMA. Not my fault, they didn't have it two years ago and last year it was a skeleton of it's normal self but this year it should be back to normal. Fedwrench and I are going. Anybody else heading up to Vegas for the show? Can't wait to see my pals at ASTRO and AirVantage. I was pushing Chris to bring TORQUE to the show to work the Astro booth with the gang but the budget just wouldn't handle it. I bet he would have brought a lot of traffic to the booth.

 

[kbeefy]

I think it's been 4 years since I went. The crowds and expense of vegas are wearing me down, not what it was 25 years ago. (And neither am I)

Maybe I'll go next year, if I don't spend all my fun money on fuel, utilities and groceries before then.

 

[Packard V8]

The crowds and expense of vegas are wearing me down, not what it was 25 years ago. (And neither am I)

Agree. SEMA has gotten too big; no longer possible to see even a fraction of it all. The Asian tuner stuff, which has no interest for me, should have a show of its own.

The PRI show in Indianapolis December 8-10 is still larger than I can handle, but works better for me than SEMA.

jack vines

 

[Fedwrench]

I think the SEMA show has lost its way to a degree. Perhaps growth isn't all it's cracked up to be. After all, if you grow so much that you erase most available parking for probably the largest car event, maybe you're going the wrong way. I used to enjoy walking the silver lot on the way in and out of the show. It was simply amazing the types of vehicles parked there. Maybe the new West Hall will be the best thing since sliced bread. I agree that it's too crowded, too expensive, too Vegas. I'm also curious to see what affect Ford and GM not attending will have on this year's show. I'm also curious to see how Ebay Motors will fill the void. It's not just SEMA that's changed. AAPEX looks like it's having issues too looking at its floorplan. AAPEX is really the meat and potatoes show for auto repair and repair parts. There are few custom cars, fewer booth babes, The show is geared towards all things automotive to keep vehicles rolling without the glitz, glamor, and go fast stuff. Now don't get me wrong, there is no where I'd rather be the first week of November than strolling the aisles at SEMA/AAPEX. It's just that now I recon the floorplan in advance, looking for vendors I want to see and talk to in an effort to make every step count. There might be some nice swag and giveaways along the way too. Then there's people watching but, that might be a thread all unto itself.

 

[dnschmidt]

PRI is the better show but they don't call Indianapolis NAP TOWN for nothing. I don’t' think there are any Cirque du Soleil shows in Indy. Just saying.

 

[pugslyyy]

I'll be there, but it's within driving distance (6 hours).

 

[Packard V8]

PRI is the better show but they don't call Indianapolis NAP TOWN for nothing. I don’t' think there are any Cirque du Soleil shows in Indy. Just saying.

Last Cirque, the tickets were $106 + tax + tips + drinks + dinner and your $250, your decision.

jack vines

 

[kbeefy]

I'm also curious to see what affect Ford and GM not attending will have on this year's show.

No more Ford out Front? Thats too bad. I usually eat my lunch on the tram pavilion watching them burn up tires.

 

[LXCam]

The boy and I had planned on it. But as luck would have it the place in Cali sold and I’ve got the be broom swept by the 17th. So it’ll be another “next year” thing. Have a great time guys

 

[m6z]

Can anyone go to SEMA or do you need credentials/invite?

 

[Fedwrench]

Can anyone go to SEMA or do you need credentials/invite?

It's trade only. You have to register in advance with proof you're in some aspect of the automotive business. However, you see all types walking around outside the halls. Badges are checked as you enter each hall. There is a Friday night event that's open to the public (tickets required) that showcases the best builds, build off winners. I usually skip Friday and head home. SEMA/AAPEX is always tightening up the registration requirements. This year for example, if you brought your spouse or significant other, you had to provide SEMA/AAPEX with a copy of of your marriage license or other court document proving that so & so was attached to you when registering.

 

[BonzoHansen]

I think the SEMA show has lost its way to a degree. Perhaps growth isn't all it's cracked up to be. After all, if you grow so much that you erase most available parking for probably the largest car event, maybe you're going the wrong way. I used to enjoy walking the silver lot on the way in and out of the show. It was simply amazing the types of vehicles parked there. Maybe the new West Hall will be the best thing since sliced bread. I agree that it's too crowded, too expensive, too Vegas. I'm also curious to see what affect Ford and GM not attending will have on this year's show. I'm also curious to see how Ebay Motors will fill the void. It's not just SEMA that's changed. AAPEX looks like it's having issues too looking at its floorplan. AAPEX is really the meat and potatoes show for auto repair and repair parts. There are few custom cars, fewer booth babes, The show is geared towards all things automotive to keep vehicles rolling without the glitz, glamor, and go fast stuff. Now don't get me wrong, there is no where I'd rather be the first week of November than strolling the aisles at SEMA/AAPEX. It's just that now I recon the floorplan in advance, looking for vendors I want to see and talk to in an effort to make every step count. There might be some nice swag and giveaways along the way too. Then there's people watching but, that might be a thread all unto itself.

Too much of this guy past few years

 

[Wiz02]

If you have a business, how do you prove that it's automotive related? What kind of documentation do they look for?

 

[Fedwrench]

If you have a business, how do you prove that it's automotive related? What kind of documentation do they look for?

Go to the registration section on the SEMA website for attendee qualifications.

 

[Fedwrench]

Too much of this guy past few years

Please add me to your ignore list

 

[Luciferi]

Too much of this guy past few years

before when it was free or like $10, past employers would still be getting badges in my name and other previous employees. They can give them to friends or customers. It funny seeing someone else walking around with your badge.

I remember one year I had 3 badges, one for my work, one for own business, and an exhibitor that I worked with for early/late access.

I haven’t been in around 20 years But I am always working on cars that are going. Luckily this year I only worked on one truck that was supposed to be there.

 

[Vwpower]

Flying in tomorrow.

 

[BonzoHansen]

before when it was free or like $10, past employers would still be getting badges in my name and other previous employees. They can give them to friends or customers. It funny seeing someone else walking around with your badge.

I remember one year I had 3 badges, one for my work, one for own business, and an exhibitor that I worked with for early/late access.

I haven’t been in around 20 years But I am always working on cars that are going. Luckily this year I only worked on one truck that was supposed to be there.

Last few times I've been I thought there were just too many disrespectful people, too much drinking, badgering vendors endlessly, damaging show cars. And essentially overcrowded.

Wanted to note I was agreeing with Fedwrench's assessment he so eloquently posted above, maybe with a little fun pointing out the worst of sema lately.

OEs pulling out is very interesting to me.

 

[dnschmidt]

That's why you've got to get your business done on Tuesday and Wednesday latter in the week the boys from Fred's Car Wash show up. How these losers get into the show amazes me since it's $50 a ticket even for people that belong there. I always bail early.

 

[Luciferi]

That's why you've got to get your business done on Tuesday and Wednesday latter in the week the boys from Fred's Car Wash show up. How these losers get into the show amazes me since it's $50 a ticket even for people that belong there. I always bail early.

You must of hated it years ago when the **** convention and the video games were still part of it.

I made the mistake of picking up my badge holder where the audio products were instead of the main building. The line was the longest I have ever waited at Sema and filled with the **** people talking about who worked with who in what. The way they talked was quite an eye opener.

I am sure some business is done at Sema but for me it is mostly networking. Putting faces to names, setting up for future.

 

[Steve_P]

I haven't been to SEMA, but the last time I went to Vegas (business trip) was 15? years ago, and a decent room was just crazy expensive; there was some type of construction convention in town that week, but nothing major. I travel to NYC yearly, so I know expensive. 25 years ago, a nice room in Vegas was dirt cheap. But I guess people weren't gambling enough. I like Vegas, but I don't think I'll go again, and certainly not if there's a convention.