The SEMA Show never ceases to amaze me. Both in sheer size and the amount of money spent by the exhibitors is mind boggling. This year's show occupied over 2 million square feet of floor space at the Las Vegas Convention Center alone! There is also the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX), located in the Sands Expo Center, which represents the do-it-yourself retail aftermarket and the professionally installed aftermarket. This occupies an additional 1 million plus feet of floor space. These are both part of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW) which is the 2nd largest convention or event all year for Las Vegas. Uncomfortable shoes are not an option for this event.
    
Since these events are industry only, and not open to the general public, relatively few people have seen the inside or can really imagine just how big it is. It took us 3 days just to visit 3 out of 4 of the main halls of SEMA. Each day of coverage represents roughly one hall. Day coverage is almost exclusively of the lower South Hall. You'll also see some other items from the lower South Hall that we missed on the first day included with day 2 coverage. Overall it's one of the best events of the year for us, and one of the most popular on Car and Model.
What would a large car event be without the celebrities and the models? As the largest automotive based event in the nation there is always a large variety of both in attendance. The short list of models and celebrities you'll see in the gallery includes: Ice-T, Joyce Lex, Eri Moriyama, Pam Rodriguez, Melanie Tillbrook, Elizabeth Ashley, The Barton Twins (Jessica and Jennifer), Amber Lancaster, Nikita Esco, Michelle Zen and Flo Jalin.
     
The SEMA Show is only a part of the week's activities as there are many industry parties and exhibitions located throughout the city at various casinos and clubs. On day 1 we were treated to a private showing of the new Playstation 3, being released in North America on November 17th, and a sneak peak of the new Gran Turismo HD game that is expected to be released in the second half of 2007 for the PS3.
We were fortunate to have a private demonstration of the developmental version of GT HD by Kazunori Yamauchi who is the creator of the Gran Turismo series, one of the most successful video game series ever developed, and head of Polyphony Digital. If you haven't heard about this new version already, let me tell you, the quality is amazing. We were surprised by the images generated in this game. The cars look incredibly realistic and the level of detail is top-notch. He described, through his translator, how they took actual video footage from racing on the actual tracks replicated in the game. They then digitize it into the game so you can experience simulated driving of some of the most exotic cars in the world. No racing game has ever looked more realistic! Another revelation is that for the first time Ferraris will be incorporated into the game. I had to click my shoes together and pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming...... I'm counting the days until its release and can't wait to fire it up on my 52 inch HDTV!
On day 2 (we're cheating a little by putting this on day 1, but we wanted to keep it together with the GT HD interview) was the GT Awards which was held at the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
About the Gran Turismo Award Winners
Held November 1, inside the Hard Rock Hotel at Las Vegas hot spot, The Joint, award winners and VIPs of the automotive industry held witness to the fourth annual Gran Turismo Awards ceremony. In addition to the ceremony, party guests were treated to live performances by iconic rock band Foreigner and Pharrell Williams' DJ, Jus Ske. Guests were also granted the exclusive and enviable opportunity to test their driving skills on GT HD for the PLAYSTATION3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system, three weeks before the highly anticipated console goes on sale in the US.
In addition to his "Best in Show" trophy and "Best Hot Rod" award, winner Craig Morrison will set a new standard for visibility among auto enthusiasts as his vehicle will be drivable in a future Gran Turismo property. Other 2006 winners include:
- "Best European Import" – Don Nicholson, for his 2008 Volvo C30.
- "Best Domestic Automobile" – Tajai Das for his 2006 Pontiac Solstice.
- "Best Hot Rod" - Craig Morrison for his 1960 Chevrolet Corvette.
- "Best Japanese Automobile" – Leigh Guarnieri for his 2007 Honda Fit.
- "Best Truck / SUV" – Daryl Klassen & Mike DeFord for their 2006 Hummer H3.
About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one™ game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and the upcoming, much-anticipated PLAYSTATION®3 system.
Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the PSP system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
About SEMA
The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. It draws the industry's brightest minds and hottest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center. As part of AAIW, the SEMA Show attracts more than 100,000 industry leaders from over 100 countries for unlimited profit opportunities in the automotive, truck and SUV, marine and RV markets. SEMA Show 2005 drew over 50,000 domestic and international buyers through two million square feet of exhibits. The displays are segmented into 11 sections, and a New Products Showcase features more than 1,400 newly introduced parts, tools and components. In addition, the SEMA show provides attendees with educational seminars, product demonstrations, special events, networking opportunities and more.
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