Firstgens.com

Anybody ever had any interest in going to the SEMA show or been there,is membership is a requirement for admission?

I've always wanted to go, but never been able to find a way in.

SEMA is a Manufactures show. It is normally attended by retailers and distributor. The automotive press is also invited. Regular Joe-Blows like us generally have a hard time getting in.

I'm under the impression that SEMA is invitation only. I think you can be invited by a manufacturer or company that has a booth or be invited on your own if you are "someone" in the auto industry. Are you good friends With Frank from Prodigy across the street? Maybe he can get you in. If not I'm sure he could tell you what it takes to get in.

I'd like to go but due to the fact that I'm "nobody" in the auto field and not friends with anyone I'll never get in.

I went to the SEMA show for the first time 2 years ago and will be going this year. I was able to sign up because my business designs and builds automated assembly and test equipment for a wide variety of industries, automotive being one of them. I attend a number of different trade shows and the registration process for the SEMA show is like no other process I've ever been through. From the time I registered until I received confirmation that I was authorized to attend took about 3 months.

To register, I had to basically prove that I was who I said I was. . . . that meant providing business license info, Tax number, my website address, a list of the companies I design and build equipment for, business cards, and check stubs from payroll checks for anybody from my company that signed up. Oh yeah, don't try to borrow someone else's badge to get in because they check to make sure everyone's I.D. matches their badge. Pretty crazy. . . . . but worth it.

Did I mention, after all that, SEMA only allows two (2) attendees from each company? This year, I noticed they will allow one spouse with each registered attendee. (they may have had this option before, I may not have noticed it).

That said, the SEMA show is without a doubt the coolest car show on the planet. I will be attending the show on Thursday (4th) and Friday (5th) next week. 2 Days is not enough time to see this show, especially if you like to talk with people who actually know how their products work. The booths at the SEMA show are staffed with the guys that either designed their products or install and test their products.

I asked because I think that I read that "SEMA members" are able to attend.If this is true they offer a level 4 membership on their member application to car clubs for $150 a year,same as 1,2 and 3 but no voting rights,are the South siders considered a car club or could they be made one?They also have some options for people with internet services in level 3.I'd like to go some year,just trying to find a way in thru the front door.You can pull up a copy of the membership application on their site to look at the options for membership,I tried to add the pdf file but it would'nt allow it.

Steve,

If Firstgens.com can apply as a club, that would be the way to go. However, if this approach is not a viable option, there is another round about way. . . I sent you an email describing how we applied for and received a 3rd badge for my daughter.

Scott

I will look into this for next year.

Thanks Jim