Vega's SEMA Thread 2014 (Updated with Day 4)

RaysWay

Autopia Specialist
Alright it's time for my 2nd SEMA thread. Last year I ran a personal blog style SEMA thread you can view here: Ray's SEMA thread (UPDATED with Day 6) - Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum

I'll be doing the same thing this year, with daily updates on all the behind-the-scenes stuff that happens at PBMG in Las Vegas during the SEMA show.

If anyone has any specific requests, just let me know in this thread. I'll try my best to go to a specific manufacturer or vendor booth. If you have any suggestions on local attractions or restaurants, I'm open for suggestions on those too. ;)

I left Stuart, FL early in the morning along with Mike Phillips, Andre@Autogeek, Yancy@Autogeek and Nick@Autogeek. We arrived in style in the Autogeek iVan. I've always thought the iVan would look better with some sort of palm tree/blue color scheme, but until I get a budget large enough to buy a Mercedes Sprinter this will have to do.

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We boarded our plane and we were all pretty excited. This is my second trip to SEMA, so I knew exactly what to expect. This time I would be fully prepared...

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I think Andre@Autogeek might be a little camera shy, but I caught him in this pic. :lol2: That's Nick@Autogeek to his left.

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Mike Phillips uses his tablet to view the second best car care forum on the net.

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Re: Vega's SEMA Thread 2014 (Day 1)

more pics to come! I'm having some technical difficulties posting from the hotel...
 
Re: Vega's SEMA Thread 2014 (Day 1)

I'm getting excited just to see the pics. I think my head would explode if I actually got to go.
 
Re: Vega's SEMA Thread 2014 (Day 1)

Have a great time in SEMA Vega !!! Looking forward to your updates
 
Re: Vega's SEMA Thread 2014 (Day 1)

Have an awesome time! Looks great this year!

If you're into outdoors check out Red Rock or Mt. Charleston, both are relatively close.
 
Re: Vega's SEMA Thread 2014 (Day 1)

Anyone know what movie this is from? I swear I've seen this before...

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Home sweet home! We finally arrived at the Aria.

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After we checked in, we headed over to the convention center to meet up with the PBMG "B-Team".*

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(*I say b-team as in they are another group of PBMG, in no way do I mean they are inferior to us, the "A-Team", in any way.) It looks like they were able to get a lot done before we arrived. Great job "B-Team"! :)

I would be working the BLACKFIRE booth this year, so I wanted to make it look extra nice.

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PBMG actually has 3 booths this year. Pinnacle, Autogeek and BLACKFIRE. Here's the Autogeek booth.

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I found SONAX.

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RUPES.

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Chemical Guys. Keep in mind this is only day 1 of setup, so a lot will change soon.

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Nanoskin.

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Lots of work to do!

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We returned to the hotel and I found this beauty outside. #photobombed

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Re: Vega's SEMA Thread 2014 (Day 1)

How are the cars looking this year? Last year the outside show was full of cars with horrible paint. I don't remember Nanoskin having a booth last year.

Should be great with Blackfire having it's separate area.
 
Re: Vega's SEMA Thread 2014 (Day 1)

How are the cars looking this year? Last year the outside show was full of cars with horrible paint. I don't remember Nanoskin having a booth last year.

Should be great with Blackfire having it's separate area.

Actually overall much better. In the Day 2 update I'll have a lot of pics of the cars as they come in and I think overall it's much better.
 
Re: Vega's SEMA Thread 2014 (Day 1)

Day 2!

I thought this Buddha status was pretty cool in the Aria rear lobby. Check out his belly...

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Even your hand is an abrasive which in time will polish metal.

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We arrived at the convention after breakfast and everyone went right to work setting up our booths.

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As a last minute change, we decided to slide the BLACKFIRE display to the right.

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Much better!

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Mike Phillips is always being flagged down for a quick chat.

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All of the other vendors were busy too. The convention center was full of action.

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With 3 booths this year, there was a lot of work to do.

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We began unboxing the products at the BLACKFIRE booth.

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Since I would be working the BLACKFIRE booth, I brought my measuring tape to make sure everything lined up properly. My great grandfather always said, a pretty booth is worth two in the tooth. I don't know what that means, but he always said it.

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A few hours later and we're ready to go. :)

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I organize all of the products in a specific order for maximum efficiency.

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It didn't take long for others to notice our handiwork :D

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Throughout the day, you never know who or what you're going to see.

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XPEL

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FLEX has a great looking booth this year.

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Remember that Mustang from earlier? It's coming together..

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Menzerna USA

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I think I found a worthy successor to my Mercury Sable.

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Re: Vega's SEMA Thread 2014 (Updated with Day 2)

Check out the blower on this C7.

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Z07 replica?

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Looks like the Pinnacle Booth is good to go.

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Andre@Autogeek and I headed outside to check out some cars.

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Isn't there a video of this car in the Autopia Video Thread?

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Looks slightly modified.

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Completely carbon fiber 370z.

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3D Printed car!

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LOVE this targe top FRS.

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GoPro always has an amazing booth.

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Ford looks like they're going to have a jaw dropping display.

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Check out the machining process displayed in the back.

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They were putting new shoes on this Huracan.

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My dream wheels.

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Mothers.

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Day 3 coming soon! Stay tuned!
 
Re: Vega's SEMA Thread 2014 (Updated with Day 2)

Great pics Ray! I gotta start figuring out how to get in next year :D
 
Re: Vega's SEMA Thread 2014 (Updated with Day 2)

I didn't see any new products in the Blackfire pictures. Are they just camera shy?
 
Re: Vega's SEMA Thread 2014 (Updated with Day 2)

Thanks for posting pics, I'll arrive Wed. and be there thru Fri., I'll stop by and say hi, and see you for Thurs. afterparty.
 
Re: Vega's SEMA Thread 2014 (Updated with Day 2)

Great photo tour !!!
Thanks for all the hard work you and your Teams did and then all the pics and time to set them up so we could enjoy !
Dan F
 
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