With SEMA's International Auto Salon relocating from the cheese glitz of Atlantic City to the suburban outskirts of Philadelphia, many attendees and competitors were apprehensive if the show would still uphold its industry-impacting swagger.
Turns out after all, IAS is a lot like hotel room booty. It really doesn't matter what hotel your in, it's all good cause your still getting the booty. With that thought in mind, the event went on with no glitches. The setting proved to be extremely accessible, and it was more financially accommodating to broke mofo's like myself.
All your beloved manufacturers were in the house displaying their hot new goodies. The layout was very easy to navigate. One hall housed corporate displays along with Car Audio Mag's Trifecta competition. Another hall was over-stuffed with car-show entrants.
Over-stuffed is actually an understatement, as cars were wedged in there like corks in wine bottles. I didn't hear much complaining though, since there were so many unique and newly revised rides to check out. SEMA IAS was the first major event to roll into the northeast this year, and it's always an indulgence to check out what changes competitors have bestowed onto their vehicle throughout the winter months.
    
The two-day event didn't end at night either, with Super Street and Scion both throwing after-parties in neighboring Philly. The nighttime ruckus made sure everyone showed up late Sunday morning to the show.
The main stage was popping with all sorts of talent; From local music acts and girls shaking it to that corny Grillz song, to aftermarket companies giving the 411 on all their new bangers.
The Salon concluded as usual with the well put-together awards ceremony. Mid-Atlantic and Northeast based Team Emotion took home a well deserved top-team honors, and the Alpine ‘car' taking home an easy-give-me best-of-show win.
With the exception of the Nitrous Express booth not arriving in time for the show, everything else went exceptionally well. Once again, leave it to SEMA to keep the tuner-culture heart beating smooth.
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