SEMA FEST

DANIEL RAMEY

SEMA IS MORE THAN THE SHOW, IT IS THE ENTIRE VEGAS EXPERIENCE.

For the past decade, I have attended SEMA and have seen it grow and change. Every year, SEMA holds a special place in my heart because I still get excited to attend, just like it was my very first time all over again. SEMA is more than the show, it is the entire Vegas experience. It is something that nothing else will ever compare and that is why it is so highly coveted.

Over the years, I have learned to attend the SEMA Show during the day and hit Vegas at night to really experience everything, and definitely not as a tourist. In my experience, I have learned to stay away from all the tourist hot spots after year one. Once you see it and do it, it is time to move on.

Las Vegas has something for everyone and you just have to know where to look and who to talk to. It has now become my tradition to mingle with strangers during the flight, stop for brunch and drinks upon arriving in the city, rent a mansion Airbnb versus staying in the Casinos, schedule an outside the city excursion via helicopter, Slingshot, or rental car, go to Fremont Street at least two nights during the week, find the greatest foodie hot spots and hidden bars, and of course, emerse myself in the SEMA Show from the butt crack of dawn until my feet are killing me by early afternoon. Then it is wise for me to leave, freshen up, grab some lunch, and get ready to party. Otherwise, just like the rookies, I will be burned out by day three. If you are a SEMA Veteran like me, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

This year’s SEMA Show was, by far, one of the best ones yet! With Ford opting out of SEMA this year, I attended with an open mind and was excited to see something different. Just like I predicted, SEMA was packed with even more custom builds, vendors, and products. Every square inch of the property was occupied by something magnificent, reminding me of the first year I ever attended where I was blown away by the size and caliber of this event. The crowds were abundant, photographers were everywhere, and events were happening left and right.

The SEMA Show this year continued to hype everyone up by eluding to making a big announcement sometime during the week and I was dying to find out what it was. I was hoping that it wasn’t something that would be a big disappointment, like