SEMA Convention (Now with picture goodness!!)
 

Anyone going?! This will be my first time. I'll be there Nov. 2-4th. What should I expect and look for while im there? I've already been told to take my camera :cool:

I went two years ago, wish I could be going again. The size is just amazing. It honestly took me almost three days of walking almost nonstop to see everything. Are you going as a buyer, or exhibitor? If you are an autograph seeker check out SEMA's webpage, they will have a list of celebrities attending and where they will be at. Also I *highly* recommend spending some quality time in the tire and wheel section. The only regret I had about when I went was I was a poor broke college student that didnt have a digital camera and could only afford to buy and develop 5 rolls of film. I easily could have taken a thousand pictures of all the cars and women.

I've only seen it in pictures and vids, but it looks like an awesome show.

If they're giving out complementary turbo kits, pick one up for me ;)

I was there in 2004.. and I'm itching to go this year. :o

Do you already have your printed badge in hand?
Or do you have a confirmation letter / email?

If you have the former, you should be able to just grab a badge holder from the kiosks near the main floor and go. But if you've got a confirmation email, be sure to get to the convention center before the doors open. I cannot stress this enough.

So many people register in the last two months, the lines to get a printed badge are insane. I made the mistake of arriving at 10am on the first day... and I spent about 2 hours in line for my badge. :|

Other than that, the advice I have is pretty generic:

1) Wear good quality, uber-comfortable shoes. In the four days I was there, I'm sure I walked at least 1.5 miles a day. The Las Vegas Convention Center is absolutely enormous.

2) If you're out to collect sales brochures along the way, find a decent bag from a exhibitor or pack one.

3) Be sure to read the SEMA Convention Guide (they're availble at the entrances to the convention) to plan your days. I missed last year's Mopar exhibit (much to my own chagrin) and didn't know it... because I never read the guide.

For a petrolhead, the SEMA Convention is akin to a pilgrimage to Mecca. No matter your preference in automobiles, you'll find it there. Since Honda will launch the new Civic Si, I'd expect a very strong showing from them, much like the EVO/WRX hordes found last year. Ford will probably be touting the new Mustang Cobra. All the resto-mod, exotics and off-road tuning firms will be out in force. Nissan may have their Azeal coupe on display. The range of the SEMA show is nearly endless... Enjoy it. :thumbsup:

I have my badge so no problem there.

I've been to the E3 convention many times so I know about the shoes and confortable clothes. I keep hearing too that 4 days isn't enough to see it all and im only going 3 days!! Oh and I will have my digital camera too!! ;)

I hope to catch some seminars and hopefully learn some things too. I wanna show my bosses that it's worth going too.

So...what you're saying is that you'll be making a mega-post of pics when you get back? Of all the cars, tits, and ass?

I would love to go but not this year!

I am going too. I cant wait. I just got my confirmation on Friday.
Thanks for the advice about the badges - I dont think we will have our before we leave. I plan on taking a ton of pictures as well - but mine mostly end up being of chicks when I go to car shows. I am just so easily distracted!!

I'll be taking plenty of pictures and they'll be uploaded to my web server. I just hope I don't get too distracted :crazy:

I hope you do :D

Once again, I've been left to mind the store while the owner makes the trip. I just can't figure out why he's taking his wife with him.

Have fun, Krychek. Find a little time for some blackjack!

Well I finally got most of the pictures up. The first days pictures came out of color balance (thanks to ng for helping me fix it). Click on the images for full size goodness.

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The rest of the pix can be found <a href="http://krycheck.iceware.net/SEMA2005/">here</a>. Including the girls!!

Very nice. I see the time in the tire and wheel section was well spent.

I have quite a few pics as well - mostly of chicks - that I am working on shrinking down and hosting somewhere. I hope to have them all up by the end of the day today.
Great picks so far, Krycheck!