First time to SEMA!?!?!?!

[jdub396]

Ahhhhh.....can hardly sit still!!! Anything a "first-timer" needs to know? Thanks!

Josh-

[Gonzostyle]

Bring comfortable shoes! ie something you can walk around in for hours.

-Jeremie

[Nine Ball]

shoes are THE most important. I have gel sole dress shoes for the first two days, hiking/casual shoes the third day.

Takes a good 3 days to see everything, don't get in a huge rush.

Try not to grab too many catalogs, brochures, freebies, you will end up with 50 lbs of crap. Be selective, it is easier on your back.

find some cloth handled vendor bags asap, to hold the freebies mentioned above. The plastic ones hurt your hand. Bags are free.

leave about 30 minutes before the event closes, otherwise the bus/metro/taxi lines get HUGE.

[jy211]

very confortable shoes
backpack to carry the free stuff
make sure digital camera is charged and your memory stick is big enough
if you want a SEMA show shirt buy it right when you see it.

[NOPANTS-68]

if you can, find a place to sit near the show exit on Friday afternoon (4ish) so you can see many of the cars running and leaving. It's def my favorite part.

[4birdman]

I really wish I could go this year. Every year something comes up and the funds just didn't allow it this year.

I really wanted to go and talk to some companies to see if they want to help with the Patriot Dream Camaro project. If anyone would be kind enough to spread the word, please PM me!

[muthstryker]

i need to find a company to go with next yr....

[wedgehead]

I second the cloth handled bag the others do hurt your hand after a while. You will fill the bag more than you think. I tend to take a picture of the booth and or a business card to remind myself of them and go to their website after the show. Also if you want info have them scan your expocard if they have a reader.

[MichaelM]

All good advice. You may want to bring an empty carry on bag to bring back all the stuff you aquire. I would second on he the multiple footwear. You're going to be on your feet not only at SEMA but wandering around Las Vegas and the casinos. It can take a toll on the feet!
Enjoy!
Michael.

[David Pozzi]

A big yes on leaving early!
The lines are terrible leaving if you wait too long.
Get on any shuttle bus that comes close to where you are staying.

Plan B is to walk down convention center drive and go to the Rivera, which is the closest place on the strip, then have dinner there and ease your feet, then grab a shuttle from there to where you are staying.

[mpozzi]

. . . and the show hasn't even started yet. Pity the poor guys and gals that have to be in the booths, looking cheerful, trying to act like we're the most interesting people on the planet, all the while standing there with aching feet.

Now I know why the booths that sell seats are the most popular.

Cheers and see everyone at the P-T dinner,
Mary Pozzi