AAPEX & SEMA 2014 - Las Vegas

[woodstockva]

Hey Everybody

This will be the first year I am going to SEMA & AAPEX.....any tips for navigating them fully and not miss anything? I am looking forward to seeing a bunch of cool new tools in person!

I believe that in the parking lot of SEMA they have racing going on & random other events.

So, if anyone that has gone before can reply....what should I be expecting?

Any specific tools/tool companies that you would like me to keep an eye out for & get some pictures/info on? Just reply to this thread with what it is & I will.

Thanks!

 

[rmsg0040]

Take as many pics as you can of any tools you can, especially coming soon items

Thanks

 

[BK13]

I don't know if they will have much if any presence, but I'm always interested in what Bosch, Ingersol Rand and Milwaukee are doing with their cordless lines. Snap On and the other tool truck brands interest me, as well as KoKen and Nepros, though I doubt they will be there....

 

[cashishift]

DeWalt - tell them they need to start offering tools and inserts that come in the T-Stak boxes.

Estwing

Bosch

Festool

 

[MrJason]

I'll be there as a 34 Ford I built a stainless frame for, is being displayed. If this is your first SEMA, let me give you some pointers. I've gone every year, for the last 8.

1. Take Shoes That Are Broken In (Walking is absolute, be comfortable)

2. Take Plenty of Cash for snacks and drinks (card systems go down often)

3. Don't take one camera. Have a backup. Download nightly to Dropbox.

4. Groom Daily (Cameras and celebrities are everywhere. Be prepared to be in shots, as you don't want to be remembered as "that guy who looked like a wookie".)

5. Girls Are Paid to Take Pictures with you. Don't be afraid to step up and ask.

6. Freebies are everywhere. Choose wisely. Remember, you have to carry everything you picked up.

7. Don't be the first to a party. Arrive 1 hr minimum, late. The weak booze is for early arrivals, and the good stuff doesn't flow for at least an hour.

8. Spend time outside, checking out the rides. Those people literally put their lives on hold, to get their vehicle to SEMA. Show some respect for the Car Show. The best contacts to make are OUTSIDE. Inside is a meat market.

9. Have fun. It will feel like work, if you allow it to be. Enjoy each day. Millions of people, only live vicariously through Facebook posts or Magazine teasers- as they can never see what you are about to.

See you there.

Jason

 

[wornoutoldman]

Wear good shoes. There is over ten miles of displays. Have a rolling cart for all the swag you are gonna acquire. It's a ***** hauling it in the free bags provided. Look over the iteniary ahead of time if you want autographs. Lots of motorsport celebs and legends to meet and press palms with. It is gearhead nirvana. You are gonna love it.

 

[rsanter]

Prepair for lots of walking.
You don't need to see everything, not everything is for you.

Take a look at the map, they have things broken into regions. I go to the tools, the hot rod hall and I go to the upper level of apex.

The lower hall of apex is generally Chinese vendors trying to sell you large quantity of basic replacement parts so I don't need that.
I also don't go see the car stereo area as I don't care about that stuff. And I don't go see the wheels either.

Bob

 

[CamarosRus]

Many forum discussions gloss over the fact that SEMA is not open to the public.......

Do you need YOUR NAME on a SEMA members badge ??

I'm driving in from the Las Vegas Motor Speedway where I've just finished crewing
at the NHRA Nat'l event.
Where do you suggest I park ?? or take the monorail ??

Any suggestions for at least an average reasonably priced meal outside of SEMA...
or just forget about it and eat before and after my day....and bring snacks ??

Would it look or be stupid to carry a small back pack for all the handouts one might
accumulate ??

 

[Fedwrench]

Many forum discussions gloss over the fact that SEMA is not open to the public.......

Do you need YOUR NAME on a SEMA members badge ??

Where do you suggest I park ?? or take the monorail ??

Would it look or be stupid to carry a small back pack for all the handouts one might
accumulate ??

You're too funny. If you're registered for SEMA/AAPEX, they send you a badge with your name, company, position, and bar codes/upc for scanning in a little plastic holder that you wear around your neck. No badge, no entry into the halls.

Gold lot is the closest lot at $10 a day. No one will notice a backpack. People have all kinds of swag bags.

 

[Fedwrench]

Hey Everybody

This will be the first year I am going to SEMA & AAPEX.....any tips for navigating them fully and not miss anything? I am looking forward to seeing a bunch of cool new tools in person!
Thanks!

There really aren't that many tool displays at SEMA. The tools/paint & body are lumped together in North Hall. SK, IR, CP, Gearwrench, Genius, King Tony and others will be there. It's a small portion compared to the size of the whole event. SEMA is about custom cars, go fast parts, and booth babes.

Usually Snap on and Mac will have booths in the south hall in tire world but, they don't emphasize hand tools. It's about shop equipment such as John Bean alignment machines.

The best way not to miss a particular vendor is to grab one of the SEMA daily newspapers, scan the index for who you want to visit, highlight their booth number, and hit em. SEMA is overwhelming and your eyes will gloss over at looking at booth upon booth.

AAPEX is less about booth babes, loud music, and custom cars and more about repair parts, chemicals, and tools. BOSCH (the automotive kind) will have a huge display of OTC tools. They'll be a bunch of specialty tool booths like cal-van, AST, SP, streamlight, ez red, lisle, ESI, etc. Again, there's more chemicals, and repair part booths than tools. AAPEX is much smaller than SEMA held at the sands convention center which is actually the Venetian.

AAPEX/SEMA both have web sites with exhibitor floor plans and listings of all exhibitors, again look at who's there and highlight their booth#.

FORD and GM have ride along displays at SEMA. Ford probably has the loudest and fastest one in front with drifting. It's a great ride and worth the looong line.

Stay hydrated, wear comfortable shoes, and it's Vegas baby.

 

[CamarosRus]

I may have choice of Tues or Wednesday days or BOTH.....

smaller crowd on Tues, Wed before noon or after noon
or it just doesn't matter.........it's wall to wall all hours except
maybe Friday when I'll be back at LVMS for NHRA Div 7 points race

Does anybody (other than myself) come in early for NHRA Natl event
at LVMS. Look for two Hancock and Lane(door)cars Im on that crew.