Anyone ever been to a SEMA show ?

Third time for me this year. there's a thread on here about a car show and party downtown on 3rd street monday oct 29 starting at 6pm FYI

 

See you there. I'll be the one with tired feet....

 

Re: Anyone ever been to a SEMA show ?

This will be my 37th SEMA show - 1st went as a wide eyed teenaged counter man from an Import (mainly VW) performance shop back in the 70's - Been as a Buyer, A "Lookie Lou", a racer conjuring up sponsorship (IE Free Shit) and and an exhibitor, which is why I will be there again this year, working the PerTronix booth for the 5th year.

For HAMB folks the Main Floor of the Central Hall is of the most interest, including the section known as HOT ROD ALLEY, Racing & Performance and Restoration Marketplace
You will find us in booth 22421

 

20 something, or maybe 30 something inch wheels

 

Going for my 3rd time this year and looking forward to it.

 

so if you are not in the auto business how do you get in? I've always wanted to go!

 

i went last year---and totally missed this---i was wondering what all those cool cars were doin rolling up and down the street----i was pissed i missed it

lots of stuff to see---if i did it over i would check the new product showcase first[if into that stuff]---then do the areas im interested in after that--i went 2 full days and didnt see any outside stuff [too tired]

 

You don't it is a trade only show intended for manufacturers to show their products to businesses that sell their products. Due to the size and scope, retail consumers make it hard to get on with the job at hand. There are plenty of Consumer shows all year long for the public to see products and get information etc.
If you do manage to get in as a non automotive industry person, try and be respective to the manufacturer's and remember they are not there to tell you if they have a part that fits your 1949 Ford, they are there to educate and sell products to their dealer network. Most will be happy to talk to you about your car, but don't be surprised if they cut you short to deal with the buyer's from say Summit Racing or Classic Industries - that is why they have spent Thousands and Thousands of dollars to be there.

 

I lived in Vegas for 38 years and went a few times when it was the Speed Equipment Manufacturers Association (I think) with almost all hot rod stuff. Now you get wheels, seats, moonroofs, etc. The speed equipment is pretty much in one area though, but you will walk your ass off, for sure! Visit Lenny at SoCal and ask about the local scene, there's a ton of nice cars there in Vegas. Have fun.

 

I will come by and say hi. This will be my first time ever going after wanting to go for as long as I can remember. I am going with the crew from Deluxe Customs. can't wait.

 

Noted! yeah i would not want to waste any of their time because they are there for business.....i just want to see all the goodies and eye candy

 

right now you can invite a colleague 25 bucks if you do it before the 15th oct

 

Ive been out there for the last 12 years. It is a sight to see for the first timers...information overload! Definately agree on comfy shoes!! The hardest thig is staying on track so you dont miss anything. I also have some friends in vegas so we try to hit all the local get togethers etc goin on in the area that week. The Riviera has some great room rates that week but you have to talk to the players club. Normal reservation line is double! Its just up the street so you can walk to the show or take the shuttle thats right outside the back entrance. I never got to the HAMB meets hopefully there will be one this year!

 

If your buddy has already gotten his registration, he can take you along as his guest. I just got a notice from SEMA describing this relatively new feature. However, you must act quickly as the price goes from $25 to $75 if you wait until after Monday!!!

Have your buddy check his email, as I'm sure they send this offer to all registered attendees. Good luck.

 

My buddy is getting the cadzilla ready for it. He sends me pics every so often, its looking better then it ever did before.

 

I have been going for the last 15 years. When the recession hit it got smaller but has been growing in size for the last couple of years. It IS freaking huge. You cannot see it in 1 day. There is also the apex show at the Sands convention center. It is gear toward the repair side of the business. Lots of tools and repair parts. Thats my business so we go to that also. The SEMA show is just awesome. You will not be disappointed by the cars there. Halloween is awesome there also.

 

This one will be my 3rd, its over 1 million square feet. If youre getting up there in age be sure and rent one of those old people scooters. its an S load of walking. Also get a room on the monorail route and get out of there by 3 pm or be prepared to wait for monorails or in traffic. You can pretty much skip the electronics bldg and Hot Rod Alley is the best but there are cool cars mixed all over. They also force you to look at all those pretty young women with the big chests and fine butts. Its just something you have to endure

 

I got to go when I was 19. It was a pretty cool experience.


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AMEN DON,,I could not have said it better...This show IS NOT for the general public,, I was at the very first trade show when it was in Anaheim
attended every one there after until I retired..Every year the crowds grew and grew until its damn near choas...It cost the Manufacuters many dollars to display their newest products for the BENEFIT OF NEW and EXISTING DISTRIBUTORS AND DEALERS,,,The general public is basically in the way to conduct business..Why cant most of you respect what its for and stay home..not add to the confusion.sorry if this pisses some of you off,but facts are facts

 

I've been three time. Once in the early '70's when it was still in So Cal, and twice in the early 2000's in LV what a difference time has made on the specialty equipment world.


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I've been there a couple of times, not in the past five years though. I do remember lots of scantily clad women at wheel booths, some really wild cars and lots of new products. Funny story, a friend of mine and I were walking around just outside the show and two good looking ladies approached us and asked if we had plans later, to which we replied no, so they each hand us one of those little flyers the size of an index card, we put them in our pockets without looking at them and hop on the free bus down the strip. As we're waiting for what seems like forever on the bus to get moving I take the flyer out of my pocket and see that it was for a midget/little person strip show. I don't think I've laughed that hard in all my life. Ah Vegas.

 

Heres a link to the pics I took while at Sema last year

http://s175.photobucket.com/albums/w127/mharbour/SEMA%202011/?albumview=slideshow

 

Hey guys we dont tell what we do for our car money. I work for a combustion consulting company that lowers emissions and does research for several oem companys and our sister company does fab work for several companys and also cuts stamps and imports parts for several motorsports companys. We are just the guys behind the scenes. I test fuel additives and other chemicals that you all use. Sorry if anyone thought I was going just to look at young hotties and great custom cars !! Man this gonna be fun !

 

Never found the time to make it before but made sure I set aside the time this year

 

Went to SEMA last year it is great you can't see it all pick up a guide and pick out the things you want to see most. As you heard before wear good shoes a guy told me last year if you walk the whole thing it is like 36 miles. Also check out the cool stuff outside do that after the end of the day as the show ends at 5 I believe. I will be out for the NHRA but no SEMA this year my feet still hurt.
Halloween in Vegas you have got to check out Fremont Street you won't believe it.

Have Fun Mark

 

Also, just an FYI for those that are going, there is a SEMA app for your phone. It has a list of all the exhibitors and their booth #s, which can help you locate them, if there is one in particular that you're interested in visiting. It's got a few other functions also, but the vendor list seems pretty handy to have. Also, everyone keeps talking about comfy shoes, don't forget to be prepared to be hauling around a ton of literature & what-nots in your bags!! Ive never collected so many key chains, pens, candy, pictures, posters, etc. in my life!!Your arms & shoulders will be tired in addition to your feet!!!

 

Lobucrod - Thanks for pics, worth over 1,000 words

 

Thanks!

I went to Anaheim also, but you know the first ones were actually in the parking lot of Dodger Stadium!

Also to the guy who said it was just speed equipment in the beginning and then came too many wheel companies etc. Did you know that of the 13 founding companies, Cragar and Ansen Wheels were two of them, and Grant Steering wheels was another? The others were Isky cams (and Ed was the first President), B&M Transmissions, Eelco, Milodon oil systems, Moon, Schiefer Clutches, Trans Dapt, Weber Speed Equip (flywheels and cams) Weiand, and Dempsey Wilson Racing Cams.
Of those, it is interesting to see who is still around, Dempsey Wilson starting making cams after a career in USAC Inday Cars, and then died of Leukemia in 1971 and the company closed.
Weiand continues today, Phil's wife ran it for a long time after his death and Holley now owns it.
Weber Speed became Weber Camshafts, which became Web-Cam which is still in business in So Cal today.
Trans Dapt, as the name suggest made transmission to motor adapters. They continue today as part of the Hedman Performance Group.
Schiefer Clutches' Paul Schiefer was a real innovator in the clutch and flywheel industry. They sold out the Hurst in the 1970's and as far as I know were phased out by Hurst and no longer exist.
Moon of course we all know and they still exist although under Japanese ownership.
Milodon is not only still in business, but is one of only two of the companies that is essentially the same as it was then - Isky being the other.
Eelco - Els Lohn's company went out of business a long time ago and was resurrected in 2004 offering reproduction of some of the early parts.
B&M still manufacturers transmissions and also owns Hurst and Flowmaster after having gone through a couple of ownership changes.
Grant Steering wheels originally made piston rings and they also owned the Spaulding Flamethrower Ignition line for a while, before phasing it out. In 1962 they got in the steering wheel business. I don't really know much about the ownership of Grant over the years.
Cragar originally made cylinder heads, going back to 1930. In 1955 they were bought out by BELL Auto Parts, who also made Bell Helmets. In 1964 they got in the wheel business with the SS wheel. In the late 90's early 2000 they were licensing out wheel production to other companies and many considered them to be on the verge of going under. In 2008 they were bought out by Global Enertainment Group . In 2011 they were bought out by Carlisle Transportation Products who also own Hawk Performance Brakes.
Ansen Automotive made the first NHRA approved bellhousings, pistons, shifters, and in 1963 Wheels. In the 70's they went out of business and Els Lohn bought the name, but Eelco went out of business not to much later. It was brought back a few years ago by a company making the valve covers and American Racing recently started making the Ansen Sprint wheels again.
Which leaves us with ISKY. Ed was not only the first president of SEMA but continues to own and run his company today some 65 years later.

 

Thanks for the History Lesson........Really, Thanks. Very interesting to see what the largest convention in Vegas has grown from and we are part of it.