Anyone ever been to a SEMA show ?

Man work sucks the boss just said pack my bags I have to go to the SEMA show in vegas. I have never been there and I dont gamble any cool car things to see .

 

SEMA is THEEEEE car thing. Have fun, wear comfy shoes. Stu

 

Thanks I thought it was all late models

 

You are going to love it...there's no gambling at the show.

 

I'm trying to work out lodging now. Vegas on Halloween would be cool too right?

Let's get a Hamb group together for some in n out burgies!

 

It's all makes, models, styles ect... It's a pretty big all around car and truck show

 

It is ALL AFTERMARKET. Late models pay the bills. Turns out traditional hot rodders are cheap bastards. who knew?

 

I was Best Man at a Halloween wedding a while back. If you thought Vegas was crazy the rest of the year, it's F-ing NUTS on Halloween! Just walk around the main drag and look at all the freaks! Then go walk around all the major clubs in the big name casinos and enjoy the mostly nude women everywhere!

 

I've been a few times. It is huge, a lot to see.
Essentially all of the automotive aftermarket manufacturers and car manufacturers are represented.
A must..wear comfortable shoes.

 

Beer B models and Boobys this gonna be fun ! Thanks guys

 

last went 8-10 years ago. a good time. a lot of hookers around the area

 

Go and enjoy. If you are there on Sunday before it starts So-Cal has an open house from about 10 AM til 2 PM. Lot of neat cars. You can also go to Carol Shelby's factory. If you are there on Halloween, go to Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville, get a drink and stand outside on the "balcony area" above the sidewalk and watch the people. Very interesting, it takes crowd about an hour to make their round trip walking tour. Lots of stuff to see with regard to products, cars, tools, also be sure to visit the APEX exhibits in the hotel area. Many things are not HAMB oriented but still a great learning experience. I read one article that stated if you walked every isle, east to west and north to south you would walk over 16 miles in the SEMA show alone. I've been the last three years and would like to go again but finances will not allow.

 

Show Is huge it will take 3 days to walk it all.. Plan on relaxing at the hotel inbetween outings it wears you out quick... There is plenty to besides gambling out here in Vegas.. Not sure what your into but there is Kool sema parties "lots of drinking" or get away from it all and hit the lake for some fishing or relaxing from the city...

 

I just realized it's not open to the public... Only Automotive professionals (with biz license), exhibitors or media. So now I have to find a way in since I already found my flights to get there. My buddy who I'm going with is a certified Toyota mechanic so he is going to see if he can play that card tomorrow.

Does anyone know any for sure loop holes on how me and my friend can get in? Any extra passes out there from fellow hambers? Help!

 

Is a great show and we will be there early on Saturday as we hit the NHRA drags on the weekend and then hit SEMA starting Tuesday..And like others have said Halloween is a bonus!

 

Wear comfy shoes, sooo much to see.
Lots of famous people rubbing elbows in the crowd too.

I completely skipped the Audio/video area and still didn't have time to see it all.

 

I was there for the schooling in 91 , not a bad show but stay with the quarter slots . The food is cheap .

 

I went a few years ago. It is a huge show. You'll be doing lots of walking. It's definitely worth the trip. There's lots to see in the rest of Vegas too.

 

Not any more. You need to go to old vegas for that, cheap and third rate.

 

Oh Yah don't forget the booth bunnies. Those cool cars you see in the magazines, they will be there. Chip Foose is back this year. Expect to see the likes of Vic Edelbrock, Chuck Barris etc checking things out. Sadly won't see Caroll Shelby, he was always wandering around promoting his charities. Tools, paint, sound system and street rod parts you can touch, always nice to do before you drop some major $$$ on buying something. There is a large out door area with tons of cars just sitting around waiting to be admired. The new product show case alone is a 1/2 day event if you need to slobber on every display case. Go on the sema web sight you might find your favorite car guy/or gal is signing posters or something to promote a booth. Llike someone mentioned, your very best shoes. It takes at least two days to just walk past everything and one more day for special focus on the things you are keen on.
Halloween? I know from past experience that body paint is considered an appropriate costume for public wear. If you can find a casino or night club running a costume judging contest check it out. Some people put a lot of effort and lots are very sexy.
Only downside to the whole thing is the facilities at the convention center for sitting and having something to eat are limited. Usually end up on the floor
P.S. I don't gamble but always have a great time.

 

Ive always wanted to go to Sema but I dont work for anyone in the automotive business. And Im pretty sure thats the only way you can get in, you must be part of the industry.

 

"try" to have fun. oh ya, be sure to be out front when the Show closes down Friday about 3PM - lots of burn outs by some wild rides

 

This year will be my first time going to SEMA. I'm excited.

 

I had the same problem in 2009, boss says " do you want to go to the SEMA show?" I said would I ever but its next week AND in Las Vegas a 15 hour plane trip from Australia!
Not a problem he said so off I went even paid to take the wife......SEMA was always on my bucket list AND should be on every car nuts bucket list.
Being from the Performance Parts industry originally and now selling Service Bodies there was plenty to see and like every one said "wear comfy shoes"
Hired a scooter for the wife as she cant get around like she used to but that was a bonus - just loaded it up with all the catalogs the we never get down under.

There is something for every car nut weather your into rods, customs, ricers, 4WD, car audio, you name it there will definately be something there to interest you!

Steve

 

I ve been to it about 10 times...

it is more overwhelming every time I go.

this year has the NHRA National drags the weekend before, the NHRA Lucas Oil points meet the weekend after, the GlobalRallyCross races Tuesday night, the NHRA breakfast on Wednesday morning with the preview debut of the Mongoose/Snake movie, and interviews with the characters in the movie, and with McEwen and Prudhomme that the movie is about, and lots of events at hotels and such.

then there is the show itself...2000-2500 show cars inside and out...
drifting in the parking lot, all those girls wearing little or nothing, great products to look at and dream about, celebrities, free stuff, an all new Overhaulin' episode is going to be done on the grounds from start to finish, and more...

I'll have to go back to work selling parts to relax, after that week is over.

Can't wait!!!

 

Yep, been there seven times. I was the Senior Calibrator for Hypertech, Inc. for nearly ten years. Spent way too much time there. Fantastic show, would love to attend just to look sometime.

 

SEMA rules. Last year I went for fun, loved it. I'll have a few pieces in the Fine Art Exhibit this year. Stoked.

 

Yep! Wear comfy shoes. Very few spots to sit, unless you go to the Recaro booth. Been seven time in the lat 12 years. Can't see it all in one day. I've tried. This show may still be the largest convention in the USA.

 

you will see wheels and wheels, and more wheels and then any other car related thing you can think of. enjoy yourself

 

Pri is a very big racing industry show in Florida. It's a million square feet of trade show. SEMA is 3 million square feet! I doubt you'll be alble to see it all. Many of the manufacturer's, like Mopar, Michelin, etc, have free beer (and you get to keep the glass) and things like that. it's a mind-blowing show for a first timer, especially. Enjoy!