SEMA News—November 2015

EVENTS
By Steve Campbell
Photography Courtesy of the Las Vegas News Bureau

Vegas Away From the SEMA Show

A Sampler of Places to Go and Things to See Outside of the Convention Center

Visit the The Auto Collections at The LINQ. The 125,000-sq.-ft. showroom houses more than 250 classics, musclecars and race cars to buy, sell, trade or just view.

The annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas is one of the largest automotive trade events in the world, but the fact that it’s held in an entertainment mecca also makes it an opportunity for automotive professionals to explore all sorts of diversions, both automotive and not. The following are only a few of the options, but be sure to visit the official city website at www.lasvegas.com for its enormous catalog of activities, shows, tours and more.

Show and Go for Car Folks

While it has a reputation for raucous shows and musical wonderment starring major personalities and talents, Las Vegas also offers the chance to view and drive some astounding classic and exotic automobiles. For car guys and gals who can’t get enough, check out some of these attractions.

What: Shelby American Inc.
Where: 6405 Ensworth St., Las Vegas
How Much: Free
Information: www.shelbyautos.com; 844-974-3529

Details: Located near the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the Shelby Museum includes some of the most famous cars ever produced, from the first Cobra CSX2000 to prototypes of the Series 1, Shelby GT-H, Terlingua, GT500KR and others. Tours are conducted at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; Saturday 10:30 a.m. only. The tours are free and require no reservation or registration. Hours for the Heritage Center and retail shopping are currently Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m.

What: Sun Buggy Fun Rentals
Where: Nellis Dunes
How Much: From $99 per person
Information: www.sunbuggy.com; 702-644-2855

Details: Sun Buggy offers a wide selection of ATVs, Polaris RZRs, ¾-scale desert racers and dune buggies that seat from one to six people. You can rent an ATV and explore the desert on your own, take a leisurely off-road tour with an experienced guide or engage in a high-speed chase. Sun Buggy also offers facilities to host corporate events for groups of up to 1,000 people. Evening tours are available, so you don’t have to miss a minute of the SEMA Show!

What: Exotics Racing
Where: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
How Much: From $99 per person
Information: www.exoticsracing.com; 702-405-7223

Details: Strapping in and powering up a supercar for hot laps at a race track is on the bucket list for most auto enthusiasts, and Exotics Racing at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway provides just the venue to scratch that itch. It offers a large fleet of exotic supercars that include Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches, Aston Martins and more. Includes one-on-one coaching from professional racing instructors.

What: Las Vegas Mini Gran Prix
Where: 1401 Rainbow Blvd., West Las Vegas
How Much: $7.50 per ticket
Information: www.lvmgp.com; 702-259-7000

Details: The Mini Gran Prix features rides, slides and a game arcade along with kart racing for all ages. Climb into your choice of four different types of karts and tracks (including one for children from 38 in. to 54 in. tall) and put your skills to the test. A great place to unwind and challenge your coworkers or competitors to a grudge match.

What: American Adventure Tours
Where: Hidden Valley, Primm, Jean, McCullough Mountain Range
How Much: Varies by tour
Information: www.americanadventuretours.com; 702-876-4600

Details: If you’re into exploring the desert on a powersports vehicle, whether it’s an ATV, a dirt bike or a side-by-side, American Adventure Tours has you covered. Tours can cover as many as 20 to 50 miles of desert and mountain terrain, close to extinct lava fields and across dry lakes. It’s set up to accommodate both novice and experienced riders, but you’ll be in the outback, so dress accordingly.

With more than a dozen different driving experiences to choose from, Richard Petty Ride can give you a stock-car thrill that will stay with you for a lifetime.

What: Richard Petty Ride
Where: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
How Much: Ride-alongs starting at $99 ($59 for juniors); drives starting at $449; prices vary by track
Information: www.drivepetty.com; 800-237-3889

Details: With more than a dozen different driving experiences to choose from, Richard Petty Ride can give you a stock-car thrill that will stay with you for a lifetime. In anywhere from eight to 50 laps, you can either ride along or pilot the car yourself at speeds up to 165 mph. And there’s plenty of NASCAR merchandise available for purchase.

What: The Auto Collections
Where: The LINQ, 3535 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas
How Much: Free with pass from http://autocollections.com/index.cfm?action=free&tab=free
Information: www.autocollections.com; 702-794-3174

Details: The 125,000-sq.-ft. showroom houses more than 250 classics, musclecars and race cars to buy, sell, trade or just view. The inventory constantly changes and includes everything from military vehicles to VW Bugs. There’s also plenty of souvenirs in the gift shop.
Thrills Akimbo!

High-speed laps in exotics and supercars may be enough for some of us, but others need a bit more spice in their lives. For those folks, there are these attractions peppering the Vegas landscape, along with a few for those who are already seasoned enough.

What: The LINQ/High Roller
Where: 3545 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas
How Much: Starts at $19.95 ($14.95 ages 13–17)
Information: www.thelinq.com/high-roller; 702-694-8100

The High Roller is a Ferris wheel on steroids. When the 40-passenger, air-conditioned cars reach the top of the High Roller observation wheel’s radius, they’re more than 500 ft. up, providing a great view of the city. One total rotation takes 30 minutes.

Details: Think of it as a Ferris wheel on steroids. When the 40-passenger, air-conditioned cars reach the top of the High Roller observation wheel’s radius, they’re over 500 ft. up, providing a great view of the city. One total rotation takes 30 minutes, and there are shops and liquid refreshments available nearby. It all makes for a tall, cool one.

What: Sky Combat Ace
Where: 1420 Jet Stream Dr., Henderson
How Much: From $299 per person (discounts for six or more)
Information: www.skycombatace.com

Details: You can fly…literally! Sky Combat Ace calls itself “the world’s most extreme aviation attraction.” Experienced—highly experienced—fighter pilots take you up in two-seat, dual-control, aerobatic monoplanes, but then you pilot the aircraft unless you just want to ride along. No experience necessary! Restrictions apply, but check it out and spread your wings!

What: VooDoo ZipLine
Where: Rio Hotel and Casino, 3700 W. Flamingo Rd., Las Vegas
How Much: $27.49
Information: www.voodoozipline.com; 702-388-0477

Details: Maybe 33 miles an hour doesn’t sound like much in a Ferrari or a Corvette, but when you’re suspended from a zipline 400 ft. above the ground and are whizzing along between two towers nearly 500 ft. apart, 33 mph can make your nether regions pucker. The ride provides a 360-degree view of the Las Vegas valley. It accommodates two riders at a time and travels both forward and backward.

What: Big Shot, X-Scream and Insanity
Where: Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower, 2000 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas
How Much: Varies; check website
Information: www.stratospherehotel.com/activities/thrill-rides; 702-380-7777

Details: The mechanical arm of the Insanity ride extends 64 ft. over the edge of the 900-ft. level on the tower at the Stratosphere, which totals 1,149 ft. above the street. Then it spins at up to three G. (Shudder.) The X-Scream teeter-totter-style ride propels its passengers 27 ft. out over the edge of the tower before bringing them back—and then taking them out again. (Shudder and mutter.) And the Big Shot fires passengers from a 921-ft.-high starting platform straight up at 45 mph for 160 ft. Then does it again. (Shudder, mutter, quake and moan.) Want to ride ’em again, cowboy?

What: Adventuredome Canyon Blaster and El Loco
Where: Circus-Circus, 2880 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas
How Much: All-day tickets $31.95 for those 48 inches and taller and $17.95 under 48 inches
Information: www.adventuredome.com/coaster_rides.aspx

Details: The Adventuredome’s indoor theme park sprawls over more than five acres and features carnival attractions, including a pair of coaster rides that’ll have you grinning. The Canyon Blaster is an indoor, double-loop, double-corkscrew roller coaster that whips through The Adventuredome at 55 mph. El Loco is a twisting, turning, dropping screamer that ascends 90 ft. before dropping into a 1.5-vertical-G gut wrencher. Man up!

What: The Zombie Apocalypse Experience
Where: 13011 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas
How Much: Varies; see website
Information: www.combatzonepblv.com; 702-388-9663

Details: You’re given a .50-caliber paintball gun, and then you enter the Apocalypse, where your mission (and you’d better accept it) is to clear a series of infected zones that have turned the inhabitants into—you guessed it—zombies. The zones total more than 1,000 ft. Try not to get eaten, big guy.

What: Vegas Indoor Skydiving
Where: 200 Convention Center Dr., Las Vegas
How Much: First flight (three minutes) $75; repeat flight $40
Information: www.vegasindoorskydiving.com; 702-731-4768

Details: Want to go skydiving but consider the idea of jumping out of a perfectly good airplane a little warped? Take the leap in the vertical wind tunnel at Vegas Indoor Skydiving. The wind tunnel produces an airstream with enough volume to support an adult. Flight suit furnished.

What: CSI: The Experience
Where: MGM Grand, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
How Much: $28 adults, $21 kids 4–11
Information: www.mgmgrand.com/en/entertainment/csi-the-experience.html

Details: This one won’t incite panic—unless you’re unnerved by an inability to solve a whodunit. A forensic puzzler based on the hit TV show, CSI: The Experience tests your ability to solve a caper by matching DNA, performing ballistics tests, identifying hair or fingerprint samples and more. Features state-of-the-art crime labs and stunning special effects.

What: SlotZilla
Where: Fremont Street Experience, 425 Fremont St., Las Vegas
How Much: $20 for lower Zipline; $40 for upper Zoomline
Information: http://vegasexperience.com/slotzilla-zip-line; 702-678-5600

Details: SlotZilla is a 12-story, slot machine-inspired ride that features two ziplines. The lower zipline starts from 77 ft. up and takes flyers halfway down the Fremont Street Experience promenade in a seated position. The upper Zoomline launches from 114 ft. up and travels the full length of the Fremont Street Experience, with flyers in a prone position. View the party below from an electrifying perspective.

Las Vegas is home to dozens of spectacular golf courses designed by legendary architects. Tee it up at spectacular layouts that include Shadow Creek, Cascata, Wynn Las Vegas, the Jack Nicklaus-designed Coyote Springs and more.

What: Las Vegas Golf
Where: Dozens throughout the valley
How Much: Fees vary; check websites
Information: www.lasvegas.com/activities/golf

Details: Why is this listing under “Thrills Akimbo?” Perhaps you’ve never experienced a truly wicked slice. Las Vegas is home to dozens of spectacular golf courses designed by legendary architects. Tee it up at spectacular layouts that include Shadow Creek, Cascata, Wynn Las Vegas, the Jack Nicklaus-designed Coyote Springs and more. See if you can avoid spasms of terror over a slippery 3-footer.

Museums and Education

Speed and thrills aren’t for everyone. Some folks are more refined, more demure, more cultivated. Vegas has got them covered, too!

What: Springs Preserve
Where: 333 S. Valley View Blvd., Las Vegas
How Much: Non-resident adult $18.95; Nevada resident adult $9.95
Information: www.springspreserve.org; 702-822-7700

Details: Just three miles from the Las Vegas Strip, the Springs Preserve features a look at the natural beauty of this part of the world, with science and nature exhibits, botanical gardens, hiking, trails and live animal shows. There’s air conditioning inside and more than 300 interactive exhibits and 1.6 miles of walking trails outside that include animal exhibits and a children’s play area.

What: Titanic—The Artifact Exhibition
Where: Luxor Hotel and Casino, 3900 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas
How Much: $32 general admission; $30 seniors (65 and over); $24 children (4 to 12 years); free children (3 and younger)
Information: www.luxor.com/entertainment/titanic.aspx; 702-262-4000.

Details: The Titanic was touted as “unsinkable” when she was launched, but an iceberg gave lie to the claim. The 25,000-sq.-ft. exhibit at the Luxor features artifacts such as luggage and an unopened bottle of champagne with a 1900 vintage as well as a full-scale re-creation of the Grand Staircase. Visitors even have a chance to walk through authentically re-created first- and third-class rooms, with furnishings by original manufacturers.

What: Las Vegas Natural History Museum
Where: 900 Las Vegas Blvd. North, Las Vegas
How Much: $10 for adults; $8 for seniors, military and students 12 and over; $5 for children 3-11; free for children 2 and younger
Information: www.lvnhm.org; 702-384-3466

Details: Those interested in life lived in Vegas before it was Vegas should take a gander at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum. It includes displays on dinosaurs, marine life (including whales and sharks) and international wildlife as well as wild Nevada, the African savanna and rainforests.

What: Bodies
Where: Luxor Hotel and Casino, 3900 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas
How Much: Varies
Information: www.luxor.com/entertainment/bodies.aspx; 702-262-4000

Details: The Bodies exhibition displays real human bodies treated with a process called polymer preservation. The exhibits expose detailed, three-dimensional views of human anatomy, with 13 whole bodies and more than 260 organs and partial bodies. The bodies are respectfully presented, “giving visitors the opportunity to view the beauty and complexity of their own organs and systems.”

There are more than 100 models in the world-famous Madame Tussauds wax museum, including the Beatles, Nicki Minaj, Leonardo DiCaprio and Miley Cyrus, but there’s more to it than just the figures.

What: Madame Tussauds
Where: 3377 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Ste. 2001, Las Vegas
How Much: Adult $29.95 walkup, $23.96 online; children 4–12 $19.95 walkup, $15.96 online; children 3 and under are free
Information: www.madametussauds.com/lasvegas; 702-862-7800

Details: There are more than 100 models in the world-famous Madame Tussauds wax museum, including Nicki Minaj, Leonardo DiCaprio and Miley Cyrus, but there’s more to it than just the figures. The displays also include multimedia presentations, and don’t miss The Hangover Experience, based on the film trilogy staring Zach Galifianakis and Bradley Cooper.

What: Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat
Where: Mirage, 3400 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas
How Much: Adults $19.95; children 4-12 $14.95; children three and under free
Information: www.miragehabitat.com; 702-791-7188

Details: For animal lovers, this is a heart-warmer. The Siegfried & Roy Secret Garden features big cats in a tropical atmosphere modeled after the animals’ natural habitats. And a family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins resides in the adjacent 2.5-million-gallon Dolphin Habitat, which is comprised of four connected pools. Both areas offer views of these stunning creatures.

What: The Mob Museum
Where: 300 Stewart Ave., Las Vegas
How Much: $19.95 online; $21.95 box office; discounts for Nevada residents, senior, military and children
Information: www.themobmuseum.org; 702-229-2734

Details: Beginning with Bugsy Siegel and the Flamingo Hotel in 1946, organized crime played a well-known role in the origins of Las Vegas, and this museum showcases that history with theater presentations, artifacts and interactive exhibits. It provides an insider’s look at the events and people involved in both the law-enforcement and mob sides of the story.

SEMA News—November 2015

EVENTS
By Steve Campbell
Photography Courtesy of the Las Vegas News Bureau

Vegas Away From the SEMA Show

A Sampler of Places to Go and Things to See Outside of the Convention Center

Visit the The Auto Collections at The LINQ. The 125,000-sq.-ft. showroom houses more than 250 classics, musclecars and race cars to buy, sell, trade or just view.

The annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas is one of the largest automotive trade events in the world, but the fact that it’s held in an entertainment mecca also makes it an opportunity for automotive professionals to explore all sorts of diversions, both automotive and not. The following are only a few of the options, but be sure to visit the official city website at www.lasvegas.com for its enormous catalog of activities, shows, tours and more.

Show and Go for Car Folks

While it has a reputation for raucous shows and musical wonderment starring major personalities and talents, Las Vegas also offers the chance to view and drive some astounding classic and exotic automobiles. For car guys and gals who can’t get enough, check out some of these attractions.

What: Shelby American Inc.
Where: 6405 Ensworth St., Las Vegas
How Much: Free
Information: www.shelbyautos.com; 844-974-3529

Details: Located near the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the Shelby Museum includes some of the most famous cars ever produced, from the first Cobra CSX2000 to prototypes of the Series 1, Shelby GT-H, Terlingua, GT500KR and others. Tours are conducted at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; Saturday 10:30 a.m. only. The tours are free and require no reservation or registration. Hours for the Heritage Center and retail shopping are currently Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m.

What: Sun Buggy Fun Rentals
Where: Nellis Dunes
How Much: From $99 per person
Information: www.sunbuggy.com; 702-644-2855

Details: Sun Buggy offers a wide selection of ATVs, Polaris RZRs, ¾-scale desert racers and dune buggies that seat from one to six people. You can rent an ATV and explore the desert on your own, take a leisurely off-road tour with an experienced guide or engage in a high-speed chase. Sun Buggy also offers facilities to host corporate events for groups of up to 1,000 people. Evening tours are available, so you don’t have to miss a minute of the SEMA Show!

What: Exotics Racing
Where: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
How Much: From $99 per person
Information: www.exoticsracing.com; 702-405-7223

Details: Strapping in and powering up a supercar for hot laps at a race track is on the bucket list for most auto enthusiasts, and Exotics Racing at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway provides just the venue to scratch that itch. It offers a large fleet of exotic supercars that include Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches, Aston Martins and more. Includes one-on-one coaching from professional racing instructors.

What: Las Vegas Mini Gran Prix
Where: 1401 Rainbow Blvd., West Las Vegas
How Much: $7.50 per ticket
Information: www.lvmgp.com; 702-259-7000

Details: The Mini Gran Prix features rides, slides and a game arcade along with kart racing for all ages. Climb into your choice of four different types of karts and tracks (including one for children from 38 in. to 54 in. tall) and put your skills to the test. A great place to unwind and challenge your coworkers or competitors to a grudge match.

What: American Adventure Tours
Where: Hidden Valley, Primm, Jean, McCullough Mountain Range
How Much: Varies by tour
Information: www.americanadventuretours.com; 702-876-4600

Details: If you’re into exploring the desert on a powersports vehicle, whether it’s an ATV, a dirt bike or a side-by-side, American Adventure Tours has you covered. Tours can cover as many as 20 to 50 miles of desert and mountain terrain, close to extinct lava fields and across dry lakes. It’s set up to accommodate both novice and experienced riders, but you’ll be in the outback, so dress accordingly.

With more than a dozen different driving experiences to choose from, Richard Petty Ride can give you a stock-car thrill that will stay with you for a lifetime.

What: Richard Petty Ride
Where: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
How Much: Ride-alongs starting at $99 ($59 for juniors); drives starting at $449; prices vary by track
Information: www.drivepetty.com; 800-237-3889

Details: With more than a dozen different driving experiences to choose from, Richard Petty Ride can give you a stock-car thrill that will stay with you for a lifetime. In anywhere from eight to 50 laps, you can either ride along or pilot the car yourself at speeds up to 165 mph. And there’s plenty of NASCAR merchandise available for purchase.

What: The Auto Collections
Where: The LINQ, 3535 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas
How Much: Free with pass from http://autocollections.com/index.cfm?action=free&tab=free
Information: www.autocollections.com; 702-794-3174

Details: The 125,000-sq.-ft. showroom houses more than 250 classics, musclecars and race cars to buy, sell, trade or just view. The inventory constantly changes and includes everything from military vehicles to VW Bugs. There’s also plenty of souvenirs in the gift shop.
Thrills Akimbo!

High-speed laps in exotics and supercars may be enough for some of us, but others need a bit more spice in their lives. For those folks, there are these attractions peppering the Vegas landscape, along with a few for those who are already seasoned enough.

What: The LINQ/High Roller
Where: 3545 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas
How Much: Starts at $19.95 ($14.95 ages 13–17)
Information: www.thelinq.com/high-roller; 702-694-8100

The High Roller is a Ferris wheel on steroids. When the 40-passenger, air-conditioned cars reach the top of the High Roller observation wheel’s radius, they’re more than 500 ft. up, providing a great view of the city. One total rotation takes 30 minutes.

Details: Think of it as a Ferris wheel on steroids. When the 40-passenger, air-conditioned cars reach the top of the High Roller observation wheel’s radius, they’re over 500 ft. up, providing a great view of the city. One total rotation takes 30 minutes, and there are shops and liquid refreshments available nearby. It all makes for a tall, cool one.

What: Sky Combat Ace
Where: 1420 Jet Stream Dr., Henderson
How Much: From $299 per person (discounts for six or more)
Information: www.skycombatace.com

Details: You can fly…literally! Sky Combat Ace calls itself “the world’s most extreme aviation attraction.” Experienced—highly experienced—fighter pilots take you up in two-seat, dual-control, aerobatic monoplanes, but then you pilot the aircraft unless you just want to ride along. No experience necessary! Restrictions apply, but check it out and spread your wings!

What: VooDoo ZipLine
Where: Rio Hotel and Casino, 3700 W. Flamingo Rd., Las Vegas
How Much: $27.49
Information: www.voodoozipline.com; 702-388-0477

Details: Maybe 33 miles an hour doesn’t sound like much in a Ferrari or a Corvette, but when you’re suspended from a zipline 400 ft. above the ground and are whizzing along between two towers nearly 500 ft. apart, 33 mph can make your nether regions pucker. The ride provides a 360-degree view of the Las Vegas valley. It accommodates two riders at a time and travels both forward and backward.

What: Big Shot, X-Scream and Insanity
Where: Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower, 2000 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas
How Much: Varies; check website
Information: www.stratospherehotel.com/activities/thrill-rides; 702-380-7777

Details: The mechanical arm of the Insanity ride extends 64 ft. over the edge of the 900-ft. level on the tower at the Stratosphere, which totals 1,149 ft. above the street. Then it spins at up to three G. (Shudder.) The X-Scream teeter-totter-style ride propels its passengers 27 ft. out over the edge of the tower before bringing them back—and then taking them out again. (Shudder and mutter.) And the Big Shot fires passengers from a 921-ft.-high starting platform straight up at 45 mph for 160 ft. Then does it again. (Shudder, mutter, quake and moan.) Want to ride ’em again, cowboy?

What: Adventuredome Canyon Blaster and El Loco
Where: Circus-Circus, 2880 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas
How Much: All-day tickets $31.95 for those 48 inches and taller and $17.95 under 48 inches
Information: www.adventuredome.com/coaster_rides.aspx

Details: The Adventuredome’s indoor theme park sprawls over more than five acres and features carnival attractions, including a pair of coaster rides that’ll have you grinning. The Canyon Blaster is an indoor, double-loop, double-corkscrew roller coaster that whips through The Adventuredome at 55 mph. El Loco is a twisting, turning, dropping screamer that ascends 90 ft. before dropping into a 1.5-vertical-G gut wrencher. Man up!

What: The Zombie Apocalypse Experience
Where: 13011 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas
How Much: Varies; see website
Information: www.combatzonepblv.com; 702-388-9663

Details: You’re given a .50-caliber paintball gun, and then you enter the Apocalypse, where your mission (and you’d better accept it) is to clear a series of infected zones that have turned the inhabitants into—you guessed it—zombies. The zones total more than 1,000 ft. Try not to get eaten, big guy.

What: Vegas Indoor Skydiving
Where: 200 Convention Center Dr., Las Vegas
How Much: First flight (three minutes) $75; repeat flight $40
Information: www.vegasindoorskydiving.com; 702-731-4768

Details: Want to go skydiving but consider the idea of jumping out of a perfectly good airplane a little warped? Take the leap in the vertical wind tunnel at Vegas Indoor Skydiving. The wind tunnel produces an airstream with enough volume to support an adult. Flight suit furnished.

What: CSI: The Experience
Where: MGM Grand, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
How Much: $28 adults, $21 kids 4–11
Information: www.mgmgrand.com/en/entertainment/csi-the-experience.html

Details: This one won’t incite panic—unless you’re unnerved by an inability to solve a whodunit. A forensic puzzler based on the hit TV show, CSI: The Experience tests your ability to solve a caper by matching DNA, performing ballistics tests, identifying hair or fingerprint samples and more. Features state-of-the-art crime labs and stunning special effects.

What: SlotZilla
Where: Fremont Street Experience, 425 Fremont St., Las Vegas
How Much: $20 for lower Zipline; $40 for upper Zoomline
Information: http://vegasexperience.com/slotzilla-zip-line; 702-678-5600

Details: SlotZilla is a 12-story, slot machine-inspired ride that features two ziplines. The lower zipline starts from 77 ft. up and takes flyers halfway down the Fremont Street Experience promenade in a seated position. The upper Zoomline launches from 114 ft. up and travels the full length of the Fremont Street Experience, with flyers in a prone position. View the party below from an electrifying perspective.

Las Vegas is home to dozens of spectacular golf courses designed by legendary architects. Tee it up at spectacular layouts that include Shadow Creek, Cascata, Wynn Las Vegas, the Jack Nicklaus-designed Coyote Springs and more.

What: Las Vegas Golf
Where: Dozens throughout the valley
How Much: Fees vary; check websites
Information: www.lasvegas.com/activities/golf

Details: Why is this listing under “Thrills Akimbo?” Perhaps you’ve never experienced a truly wicked slice. Las Vegas is home to dozens of spectacular golf courses designed by legendary architects. Tee it up at spectacular layouts that include Shadow Creek, Cascata, Wynn Las Vegas, the Jack Nicklaus-designed Coyote Springs and more. See if you can avoid spasms of terror over a slippery 3-footer.

Museums and Education

Speed and thrills aren’t for everyone. Some folks are more refined, more demure, more cultivated. Vegas has got them covered, too!

What: Springs Preserve
Where: 333 S. Valley View Blvd., Las Vegas
How Much: Non-resident adult $18.95; Nevada resident adult $9.95
Information: www.springspreserve.org; 702-822-7700

Details: Just three miles from the Las Vegas Strip, the Springs Preserve features a look at the natural beauty of this part of the world, with science and nature exhibits, botanical gardens, hiking, trails and live animal shows. There’s air conditioning inside and more than 300 interactive exhibits and 1.6 miles of walking trails outside that include animal exhibits and a children’s play area.

What: Titanic—The Artifact Exhibition
Where: Luxor Hotel and Casino, 3900 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas
How Much: $32 general admission; $30 seniors (65 and over); $24 children (4 to 12 years); free children (3 and younger)
Information: www.luxor.com/entertainment/titanic.aspx; 702-262-4000.

Details: The Titanic was touted as “unsinkable” when she was launched, but an iceberg gave lie to the claim. The 25,000-sq.-ft. exhibit at the Luxor features artifacts such as luggage and an unopened bottle of champagne with a 1900 vintage as well as a full-scale re-creation of the Grand Staircase. Visitors even have a chance to walk through authentically re-created first- and third-class rooms, with furnishings by original manufacturers.

What: Las Vegas Natural History Museum
Where: 900 Las Vegas Blvd. North, Las Vegas
How Much: $10 for adults; $8 for seniors, military and students 12 and over; $5 for children 3-11; free for children 2 and younger
Information: www.lvnhm.org; 702-384-3466

Details: Those interested in life lived in Vegas before it was Vegas should take a gander at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum. It includes displays on dinosaurs, marine life (including whales and sharks) and international wildlife as well as wild Nevada, the African savanna and rainforests.

What: Bodies
Where: Luxor Hotel and Casino, 3900 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas
How Much: Varies
Information: www.luxor.com/entertainment/bodies.aspx; 702-262-4000

Details: The Bodies exhibition displays real human bodies treated with a process called polymer preservation. The exhibits expose detailed, three-dimensional views of human anatomy, with 13 whole bodies and more than 260 organs and partial bodies. The bodies are respectfully presented, “giving visitors the opportunity to view the beauty and complexity of their own organs and systems.”

There are more than 100 models in the world-famous Madame Tussauds wax museum, including the Beatles, Nicki Minaj, Leonardo DiCaprio and Miley Cyrus, but there’s more to it than just the figures.

What: Madame Tussauds
Where: 3377 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Ste. 2001, Las Vegas
How Much: Adult $29.95 walkup, $23.96 online; children 4–12 $19.95 walkup, $15.96 online; children 3 and under are free
Information: www.madametussauds.com/lasvegas; 702-862-7800

Details: There are more than 100 models in the world-famous Madame Tussauds wax museum, including Nicki Minaj, Leonardo DiCaprio and Miley Cyrus, but there’s more to it than just the figures. The displays also include multimedia presentations, and don’t miss The Hangover Experience, based on the film trilogy staring Zach Galifianakis and Bradley Cooper.

What: Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat
Where: Mirage, 3400 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas
How Much: Adults $19.95; children 4-12 $14.95; children three and under free
Information: www.miragehabitat.com; 702-791-7188

Details: For animal lovers, this is a heart-warmer. The Siegfried & Roy Secret Garden features big cats in a tropical atmosphere modeled after the animals’ natural habitats. And a family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins resides in the adjacent 2.5-million-gallon Dolphin Habitat, which is comprised of four connected pools. Both areas offer views of these stunning creatures.

What: The Mob Museum
Where: 300 Stewart Ave., Las Vegas
How Much: $19.95 online; $21.95 box office; discounts for Nevada residents, senior, military and children
Information: www.themobmuseum.org; 702-229-2734

Details: Beginning with Bugsy Siegel and the Flamingo Hotel in 1946, organized crime played a well-known role in the origins of Las Vegas, and this museum showcases that history with theater presentations, artifacts and interactive exhibits. It provides an insider’s look at the events and people involved in both the law-enforcement and mob sides of the story.

SEMA News—November 2015

EVENTS
By Steve Campbell
Photography Courtesy of the Las Vegas News Bureau

Vegas Away From the SEMA Show

A Sampler of Places to Go and Things to See Outside of the Convention Center

Visit the The Auto Collections at The LINQ. The 125,000-sq.-ft. showroom houses more than 250 classics, musclecars and race cars to buy, sell, trade or just view.

The annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas is one of the largest automotive trade events in the world, but the fact that it’s held in an entertainment mecca also makes it an opportunity for automotive professionals to explore all sorts of diversions, both automotive and not. The following are only a few of the options, but be sure to visit the official city website at www.lasvegas.com for its enormous catalog of activities, shows, tours and more.

Show and Go for Car Folks

While it has a reputation for raucous shows and musical wonderment starring major personalities and talents, Las Vegas also offers the chance to view and drive some astounding classic and exotic automobiles. For car guys and gals who can’t get enough, check out some of these attractions.

What: Shelby American Inc.
Where: 6405 Ensworth St., Las Vegas
How Much: Free
Information: www.shelbyautos.com; 844-974-3529

Details: Located near the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the Shelby Museum includes some of the most famous cars ever produced, from the first Cobra CSX2000 to prototypes of the Series 1, Shelby GT-H, Terlingua, GT500KR and others. Tours are conducted at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; Saturday 10:30 a.m. only. The tours are free and require no reservation or registration. Hours for the Heritage Center and retail shopping are currently Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m.

What: Sun Buggy Fun Rentals
Where: Nellis Dunes
How Much: From $99 per person
Information: www.sunbuggy.com; 702-644-2855

Details: Sun Buggy offers a wide selection of ATVs, Polaris RZRs, ¾-scale desert racers and dune buggies that seat from one to six people. You can rent an ATV and explore the desert on your own, take a leisurely off-road tour with an experienced guide or engage in a high-speed chase. Sun Buggy also offers facilities to host corporate events for groups of up to 1,000 people. Evening tours are available, so you don’t have to miss a minute of the SEMA Show!

What: Exotics Racing
Where: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
How Much: From $99 per person
Information: www.exoticsracing.com; 702-405-7223

Details: Strapping in and powering up a supercar for hot laps at a race track is on the bucket list for most auto enthusiasts, and Exotics Racing at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway provides just the venue to scratch that itch. It offers a large fleet of exotic supercars that include Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches, Aston Martins and more. Includes one-on-one coaching from professional racing instructors.

What: Las Vegas Mini Gran Prix
Where: 1401 Rainbow Blvd., West Las Vegas
How Much: $7.50 per ticket
Information: www.lvmgp.com; 702-259-7000

Details: The Mini Gran Prix features rides, slides and a game arcade along with kart racing for all ages. Climb into your choice of four different types of karts and tracks (including one for children from 38 in. to 54 in. tall) and put your skills to the test. A great place to unwind and challenge your coworkers or competitors to a grudge match.

What: American Adventure Tours
Where: Hidden Valley, Primm, Jean, McCullough Mountain Range
How Much: Varies by tour
Information: www.americanadventuretours.com; 702-876-4600

Details: If you’re into exploring the desert on a powersports vehicle, whether it’s an ATV, a dirt bike or a side-by-side, American Adventure Tours has you covered. Tours can cover as many as 20 to 50 miles of desert and mountain terrain, close to extinct lava fields and across dry lakes. It’s set up to accommodate both novice and experienced riders, but you’ll be in the outback, so dress accordingly.

With more than a dozen different driving experiences to choose from, Richard Petty Ride can give you a stock-car thrill that will stay with you for a lifetime.

What: Richard Petty Ride
Where: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
How Much: Ride-alongs starting at $99 ($59 for juniors); drives starting at $449; prices vary by track
Information: www.drivepetty.com; 800-237-3889

Details: With more than a dozen different driving experiences to choose from, Richard Petty Ride can give you a stock-car thrill that will stay with you for a lifetime. In anywhere from eight to 50 laps, you can either ride along or pilot the car yourself at speeds up to 165 mph. And there’s plenty of NASCAR merchandise available for purchase.

What: The Auto Collections
Where: The LINQ, 3535 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas
How Much: Free with pass from http://autocollections.com/index.cfm?action=free&tab=free
Information: www.autocollections.com; 702-794-3174

Details: The 125,000-sq.-ft. showroom houses more than 250 classics, musclecars and race cars to buy, sell, trade or just view. The inventory constantly changes and includes everything from military vehicles to VW Bugs. There’s also plenty of souvenirs in the gift shop.
Thrills Akimbo!

High-speed laps in exotics and supercars may be enough for some of us, but others need a bit more spice in their lives. For those folks, there are these attractions peppering the Vegas landscape, along with a few for those who are already seasoned enough.

What: The LINQ/High Roller
Where: 3545 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas
How Much: Starts at $19.95 ($14.95 ages 13–17)
Information: www.thelinq.com/high-roller; 702-694-8100

The High Roller is a Ferris wheel on steroids. When the 40-passenger, air-conditioned cars reach the top of the High Roller observation wheel’s radius, they’re more than 500 ft. up, providing a great view of the city. One total rotation takes 30 minutes.

Details: Think of it as a Ferris wheel on steroids. When the 40-passenger, air-conditioned cars reach the top of the High Roller observation wheel’s radius, they’re over 500 ft. up, providing a great view of the city. One total rotation takes 30 minutes, and there are shops and liquid refreshments available nearby. It all makes for a tall, cool one.

What: Sky Combat Ace
Where: 1420 Jet Stream Dr., Henderson
How Much: From $299 per person (discounts for six or more)
Information: www.skycombatace.com

Details: You can fly…literally! Sky Combat Ace calls itself “the world’s most extreme aviation attraction.” Experienced—highly experienced—fighter pilots take you up in two-seat, dual-control, aerobatic monoplanes, but then you pilot the aircraft unless you just want to ride along. No experience necessary! Restrictions apply, but check it out and spread your wings!

What: VooDoo ZipLine
Where: Rio Hotel and Casino, 3700 W. Flamingo Rd., Las Vegas
How Much: $27.49
Information: www.voodoozipline.com; 702-388-0477

Details: Maybe 33 miles an hour doesn’t sound like much in a Ferrari or a Corvette, but when you’re suspended from a zipline 400 ft. above the ground and are whizzing along between two towers nearly 500 ft. apart, 33 mph can make your nether regions pucker. The ride provides a 360-degree view of the Las Vegas valley. It accommodates two riders at a time and travels both forward and backward.

What: Big Shot, X-Scream and Insanity
Where: Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower, 2000 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas
How Much: Varies; check website
Information: www.stratospherehotel.com/activities/thrill-rides; 702-380-7777

Details: The mechanical arm of the Insanity ride extends 64 ft. over the edge of the 900-ft. level on the tower at the Stratosphere, which totals 1,149 ft. above the street. Then it spins at up to three G. (Shudder.) The X-Scream teeter-totter-style ride propels its passengers 27 ft. out over the edge of the tower before bringing them back—and then taking them out again. (Shudder and mutter.) And the Big Shot fires passengers from a 921-ft.-high starting platform straight up at 45 mph for 160 ft. Then does it again. (Shudder, mutter, quake and moan.) Want to ride ’em again, cowboy?

What: Adventuredome Canyon Blaster and El Loco
Where: Circus-Circus, 2880 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas
How Much: All-day tickets $31.95 for those 48 inches and taller and $17.95 under 48 inches
Information: www.adventuredome.com/coaster_rides.aspx

Details: The Adventuredome’s indoor theme park sprawls over more than five acres and features carnival attractions, including a pair of coaster rides that’ll have you grinning. The Canyon Blaster is an indoor, double-loop, double-corkscrew roller coaster that whips through The Adventuredome at 55 mph. El Loco is a twisting, turning, dropping screamer that ascends 90 ft. before dropping into a 1.5-vertical-G gut wrencher. Man up!

What: The Zombie Apocalypse Experience
Where: 13011 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas
How Much: Varies; see website
Information: www.combatzonepblv.com; 702-388-9663

Details: You’re given a .50-caliber paintball gun, and then you enter the Apocalypse, where your mission (and you’d better accept it) is to clear a series of infected zones that have turned the inhabitants into—you guessed it—zombies. The zones total more than 1,000 ft. Try not to get eaten, big guy.

What: Vegas Indoor Skydiving
Where: 200 Convention Center Dr., Las Vegas
How Much: First flight (three minutes) $75; repeat flight $40
Information: www.vegasindoorskydiving.com; 702-731-4768

Details: Want to go skydiving but consider the idea of jumping out of a perfectly good airplane a little warped? Take the leap in the vertical wind tunnel at Vegas Indoor Skydiving. The wind tunnel produces an airstream with enough volume to support an adult. Flight suit furnished.

What: CSI: The Experience
Where: MGM Grand, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
How Much: $28 adults, $21 kids 4–11
Information: www.mgmgrand.com/en/entertainment/csi-the-experience.html

Details: This one won’t incite panic—unless you’re unnerved by an inability to solve a whodunit. A forensic puzzler based on the hit TV show, CSI: The Experience tests your ability to solve a caper by matching DNA, performing ballistics tests, identifying hair or fingerprint samples and more. Features state-of-the-art crime labs and stunning special effects.

What: SlotZilla
Where: Fremont Street Experience, 425 Fremont St., Las Vegas
How Much: $20 for lower Zipline; $40 for upper Zoomline
Information: http://vegasexperience.com/slotzilla-zip-line; 702-678-5600

Details: SlotZilla is a 12-story, slot machine-inspired ride that features two ziplines. The lower zipline starts from 77 ft. up and takes flyers halfway down the Fremont Street Experience promenade in a seated position. The upper Zoomline launches from 114 ft. up and travels the full length of the Fremont Street Experience, with flyers in a prone position. View the party below from an electrifying perspective.

Las Vegas is home to dozens of spectacular golf courses designed by legendary architects. Tee it up at spectacular layouts that include Shadow Creek, Cascata, Wynn Las Vegas, the Jack Nicklaus-designed Coyote Springs and more.

What: Las Vegas Golf
Where: Dozens throughout the valley
How Much: Fees vary; check websites
Information: www.lasvegas.com/activities/golf

Details: Why is this listing under “Thrills Akimbo?” Perhaps you’ve never experienced a truly wicked slice. Las Vegas is home to dozens of spectacular golf courses designed by legendary architects. Tee it up at spectacular layouts that include Shadow Creek, Cascata, Wynn Las Vegas, the Jack Nicklaus-designed Coyote Springs and more. See if you can avoid spasms of terror over a slippery 3-footer.

Museums and Education

Speed and thrills aren’t for everyone. Some folks are more refined, more demure, more cultivated. Vegas has got them covered, too!

What: Springs Preserve
Where: 333 S. Valley View Blvd., Las Vegas
How Much: Non-resident adult $18.95; Nevada resident adult $9.95
Information: www.springspreserve.org; 702-822-7700

Details: Just three miles from the Las Vegas Strip, the Springs Preserve features a look at the natural beauty of this part of the world, with science and nature exhibits, botanical gardens, hiking, trails and live animal shows. There’s air conditioning inside and more than 300 interactive exhibits and 1.6 miles of walking trails outside that include animal exhibits and a children’s play area.

What: Titanic—The Artifact Exhibition
Where: Luxor Hotel and Casino, 3900 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas
How Much: $32 general admission; $30 seniors (65 and over); $24 children (4 to 12 years); free children (3 and younger)
Information: www.luxor.com/entertainment/titanic.aspx; 702-262-4000.

Details: The Titanic was touted as “unsinkable” when she was launched, but an iceberg gave lie to the claim. The 25,000-sq.-ft. exhibit at the Luxor features artifacts such as luggage and an unopened bottle of champagne with a 1900 vintage as well as a full-scale re-creation of the Grand Staircase. Visitors even have a chance to walk through authentically re-created first- and third-class rooms, with furnishings by original manufacturers.

What: Las Vegas Natural History Museum
Where: 900 Las Vegas Blvd. North, Las Vegas
How Much: $10 for adults; $8 for seniors, military and students 12 and over; $5 for children 3-11; free for children 2 and younger
Information: www.lvnhm.org; 702-384-3466

Details: Those interested in life lived in Vegas before it was Vegas should take a gander at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum. It includes displays on dinosaurs, marine life (including whales and sharks) and international wildlife as well as wild Nevada, the African savanna and rainforests.

What: Bodies
Where: Luxor Hotel and Casino, 3900 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas
How Much: Varies
Information: www.luxor.com/entertainment/bodies.aspx; 702-262-4000

Details: The Bodies exhibition displays real human bodies treated with a process called polymer preservation. The exhibits expose detailed, three-dimensional views of human anatomy, with 13 whole bodies and more than 260 organs and partial bodies. The bodies are respectfully presented, “giving visitors the opportunity to view the beauty and complexity of their own organs and systems.”

There are more than 100 models in the world-famous Madame Tussauds wax museum, including the Beatles, Nicki Minaj, Leonardo DiCaprio and Miley Cyrus, but there’s more to it than just the figures.

What: Madame Tussauds
Where: 3377 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Ste. 2001, Las Vegas
How Much: Adult $29.95 walkup, $23.96 online; children 4–12 $19.95 walkup, $15.96 online; children 3 and under are free
Information: www.madametussauds.com/lasvegas; 702-862-7800

Details: There are more than 100 models in the world-famous Madame Tussauds wax museum, including Nicki Minaj, Leonardo DiCaprio and Miley Cyrus, but there’s more to it than just the figures. The displays also include multimedia presentations, and don’t miss The Hangover Experience, based on the film trilogy staring Zach Galifianakis and Bradley Cooper.

What: Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat
Where: Mirage, 3400 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas
How Much: Adults $19.95; children 4-12 $14.95; children three and under free
Information: www.miragehabitat.com; 702-791-7188

Details: For animal lovers, this is a heart-warmer. The Siegfried & Roy Secret Garden features big cats in a tropical atmosphere modeled after the animals’ natural habitats. And a family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins resides in the adjacent 2.5-million-gallon Dolphin Habitat, which is comprised of four connected pools. Both areas offer views of these stunning creatures.

What: The Mob Museum
Where: 300 Stewart Ave., Las Vegas
How Much: $19.95 online; $21.95 box office; discounts for Nevada residents, senior, military and children
Information: www.themobmuseum.org; 702-229-2734

Details: Beginning with Bugsy Siegel and the Flamingo Hotel in 1946, organized crime played a well-known role in the origins of Las Vegas, and this museum showcases that history with theater presentations, artifacts and interactive exhibits. It provides an insider’s look at the events and people involved in both the law-enforcement and mob sides of the story.

SEMA News—November 2015

SEMA DATA CO-OP

By Jon Wyly

Confused About Product Data Management?

Get the Facts at the SEMA Data Co-op Booth #20579

	Visit the SEMA Data Co-op staff in booth #20579, located in the Central Hall, just behind the Ford display in the raised meeting room, to get a full demonstration of its systems or answers to your questions.

Since the inception of the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) in 2012, more than 400 product brands representing more than 4 million parts have joined what is now the industry’s largest specialty parts product data repository. The SDC is designed to enable any company, no matter how small or large, to effectively manage and distribute its product data at the lowest possible cost, and the SDC’s expert staff will coach you all the way through the process.

You can learn more at the 2015 SEMA Show by visiting the SDC’s booth. Located in the Central Hall, the SDC is just behind the Ford display in the raised meeting room, booth #20579. Simply follow the signs, go up the stairs, and meet with a member of the SDC team to get whatever help you need, from a full demonstration of its systems to specific answers to your individual questions. And while you are there, ask for a demo of the newly launched SEMA Search, the online electronic catalog powered by the SEMA Data Co-op.

In addition to the main booth, the SDC will have data experts at SEMA Central in the Grand Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center. They’ll be demonstrating SEMA Search and answering questions about product data management with the SDC’s exclusive online tools and live support team.

Interested in learning tips, tricks and insights into the industry’s data standards? The SDC is also hosting educational sessions for both introductory and advanced ACES and PIES on Monday of Show week, so whether you’re a data nerd or just want to get up to speed so that you can better understand data details, join the SDC for a session or two and sharpen you skills!

Show week is the perfect time to get all your questions answered about product data management at the SDC booth. No hard sell, no mysterious “you don’t need to know” presentations—just good, solid data management best practices backed by state-of-the-art tools, expert technical support and the stability of the industry’s association.

To learn more about how you can take control of your product data and manage it at the lowest possible cost, contact SEMA Data Co-op Director of Membership Jim Graven at jimg@SEMAdatacoop.org or 888-958-6698 x4.

SEMA News—November 2015

SEMA DATA CO-OP

By Jon Wyly

Confused About Product Data Management?

Get the Facts at the SEMA Data Co-op Booth #20579

	Visit the SEMA Data Co-op staff in booth #20579, located in the Central Hall, just behind the Ford display in the raised meeting room, to get a full demonstration of its systems or answers to your questions.

Since the inception of the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) in 2012, more than 400 product brands representing more than 4 million parts have joined what is now the industry’s largest specialty parts product data repository. The SDC is designed to enable any company, no matter how small or large, to effectively manage and distribute its product data at the lowest possible cost, and the SDC’s expert staff will coach you all the way through the process.

You can learn more at the 2015 SEMA Show by visiting the SDC’s booth. Located in the Central Hall, the SDC is just behind the Ford display in the raised meeting room, booth #20579. Simply follow the signs, go up the stairs, and meet with a member of the SDC team to get whatever help you need, from a full demonstration of its systems to specific answers to your individual questions. And while you are there, ask for a demo of the newly launched SEMA Search, the online electronic catalog powered by the SEMA Data Co-op.

In addition to the main booth, the SDC will have data experts at SEMA Central in the Grand Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center. They’ll be demonstrating SEMA Search and answering questions about product data management with the SDC’s exclusive online tools and live support team.

Interested in learning tips, tricks and insights into the industry’s data standards? The SDC is also hosting educational sessions for both introductory and advanced ACES and PIES on Monday of Show week, so whether you’re a data nerd or just want to get up to speed so that you can better understand data details, join the SDC for a session or two and sharpen you skills!

Show week is the perfect time to get all your questions answered about product data management at the SDC booth. No hard sell, no mysterious “you don’t need to know” presentations—just good, solid data management best practices backed by state-of-the-art tools, expert technical support and the stability of the industry’s association.

To learn more about how you can take control of your product data and manage it at the lowest possible cost, contact SEMA Data Co-op Director of Membership Jim Graven at jimg@SEMAdatacoop.org or 888-958-6698 x4.

SEMA News—November 2015

SEMA DATA CO-OP

By Jon Wyly

Confused About Product Data Management?

Get the Facts at the SEMA Data Co-op Booth #20579

	Visit the SEMA Data Co-op staff in booth #20579, located in the Central Hall, just behind the Ford display in the raised meeting room, to get a full demonstration of its systems or answers to your questions.

Since the inception of the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) in 2012, more than 400 product brands representing more than 4 million parts have joined what is now the industry’s largest specialty parts product data repository. The SDC is designed to enable any company, no matter how small or large, to effectively manage and distribute its product data at the lowest possible cost, and the SDC’s expert staff will coach you all the way through the process.

You can learn more at the 2015 SEMA Show by visiting the SDC’s booth. Located in the Central Hall, the SDC is just behind the Ford display in the raised meeting room, booth #20579. Simply follow the signs, go up the stairs, and meet with a member of the SDC team to get whatever help you need, from a full demonstration of its systems to specific answers to your individual questions. And while you are there, ask for a demo of the newly launched SEMA Search, the online electronic catalog powered by the SEMA Data Co-op.

In addition to the main booth, the SDC will have data experts at SEMA Central in the Grand Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center. They’ll be demonstrating SEMA Search and answering questions about product data management with the SDC’s exclusive online tools and live support team.

Interested in learning tips, tricks and insights into the industry’s data standards? The SDC is also hosting educational sessions for both introductory and advanced ACES and PIES on Monday of Show week, so whether you’re a data nerd or just want to get up to speed so that you can better understand data details, join the SDC for a session or two and sharpen you skills!

Show week is the perfect time to get all your questions answered about product data management at the SDC booth. No hard sell, no mysterious “you don’t need to know” presentations—just good, solid data management best practices backed by state-of-the-art tools, expert technical support and the stability of the industry’s association.

To learn more about how you can take control of your product data and manage it at the lowest possible cost, contact SEMA Data Co-op Director of Membership Jim Graven at jimg@SEMAdatacoop.org or 888-958-6698 x4.

SEMA News—November 2015

SEMA DATA CO-OP

By Jon Wyly

Confused About Product Data Management?

Get the Facts at the SEMA Data Co-op Booth #20579

	Visit the SEMA Data Co-op staff in booth #20579, located in the Central Hall, just behind the Ford display in the raised meeting room, to get a full demonstration of its systems or answers to your questions.

Since the inception of the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) in 2012, more than 400 product brands representing more than 4 million parts have joined what is now the industry’s largest specialty parts product data repository. The SDC is designed to enable any company, no matter how small or large, to effectively manage and distribute its product data at the lowest possible cost, and the SDC’s expert staff will coach you all the way through the process.

You can learn more at the 2015 SEMA Show by visiting the SDC’s booth. Located in the Central Hall, the SDC is just behind the Ford display in the raised meeting room, booth #20579. Simply follow the signs, go up the stairs, and meet with a member of the SDC team to get whatever help you need, from a full demonstration of its systems to specific answers to your individual questions. And while you are there, ask for a demo of the newly launched SEMA Search, the online electronic catalog powered by the SEMA Data Co-op.

In addition to the main booth, the SDC will have data experts at SEMA Central in the Grand Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center. They’ll be demonstrating SEMA Search and answering questions about product data management with the SDC’s exclusive online tools and live support team.

Interested in learning tips, tricks and insights into the industry’s data standards? The SDC is also hosting educational sessions for both introductory and advanced ACES and PIES on Monday of Show week, so whether you’re a data nerd or just want to get up to speed so that you can better understand data details, join the SDC for a session or two and sharpen you skills!

Show week is the perfect time to get all your questions answered about product data management at the SDC booth. No hard sell, no mysterious “you don’t need to know” presentations—just good, solid data management best practices backed by state-of-the-art tools, expert technical support and the stability of the industry’s association.

To learn more about how you can take control of your product data and manage it at the lowest possible cost, contact SEMA Data Co-op Director of Membership Jim Graven at jimg@SEMAdatacoop.org or 888-958-6698 x4.

SEMA News—November 2015

SEMA DATA CO-OP

By Jon Wyly

Confused About Product Data Management?

Get the Facts at the SEMA Data Co-op Booth #20579

	Visit the SEMA Data Co-op staff in booth #20579, located in the Central Hall, just behind the Ford display in the raised meeting room, to get a full demonstration of its systems or answers to your questions.

Since the inception of the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) in 2012, more than 400 product brands representing more than 4 million parts have joined what is now the industry’s largest specialty parts product data repository. The SDC is designed to enable any company, no matter how small or large, to effectively manage and distribute its product data at the lowest possible cost, and the SDC’s expert staff will coach you all the way through the process.

You can learn more at the 2015 SEMA Show by visiting the SDC’s booth. Located in the Central Hall, the SDC is just behind the Ford display in the raised meeting room, booth #20579. Simply follow the signs, go up the stairs, and meet with a member of the SDC team to get whatever help you need, from a full demonstration of its systems to specific answers to your individual questions. And while you are there, ask for a demo of the newly launched SEMA Search, the online electronic catalog powered by the SEMA Data Co-op.

In addition to the main booth, the SDC will have data experts at SEMA Central in the Grand Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center. They’ll be demonstrating SEMA Search and answering questions about product data management with the SDC’s exclusive online tools and live support team.

Interested in learning tips, tricks and insights into the industry’s data standards? The SDC is also hosting educational sessions for both introductory and advanced ACES and PIES on Monday of Show week, so whether you’re a data nerd or just want to get up to speed so that you can better understand data details, join the SDC for a session or two and sharpen you skills!

Show week is the perfect time to get all your questions answered about product data management at the SDC booth. No hard sell, no mysterious “you don’t need to know” presentations—just good, solid data management best practices backed by state-of-the-art tools, expert technical support and the stability of the industry’s association.

To learn more about how you can take control of your product data and manage it at the lowest possible cost, contact SEMA Data Co-op Director of Membership Jim Graven at jimg@SEMAdatacoop.org or 888-958-6698 x4.

SEMA News—November 2015

SEMA DATA CO-OP

By Jon Wyly

Confused About Product Data Management?

Get the Facts at the SEMA Data Co-op Booth #20579

	Visit the SEMA Data Co-op staff in booth #20579, located in the Central Hall, just behind the Ford display in the raised meeting room, to get a full demonstration of its systems or answers to your questions.

Since the inception of the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) in 2012, more than 400 product brands representing more than 4 million parts have joined what is now the industry’s largest specialty parts product data repository. The SDC is designed to enable any company, no matter how small or large, to effectively manage and distribute its product data at the lowest possible cost, and the SDC’s expert staff will coach you all the way through the process.

You can learn more at the 2015 SEMA Show by visiting the SDC’s booth. Located in the Central Hall, the SDC is just behind the Ford display in the raised meeting room, booth #20579. Simply follow the signs, go up the stairs, and meet with a member of the SDC team to get whatever help you need, from a full demonstration of its systems to specific answers to your individual questions. And while you are there, ask for a demo of the newly launched SEMA Search, the online electronic catalog powered by the SEMA Data Co-op.

In addition to the main booth, the SDC will have data experts at SEMA Central in the Grand Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center. They’ll be demonstrating SEMA Search and answering questions about product data management with the SDC’s exclusive online tools and live support team.

Interested in learning tips, tricks and insights into the industry’s data standards? The SDC is also hosting educational sessions for both introductory and advanced ACES and PIES on Monday of Show week, so whether you’re a data nerd or just want to get up to speed so that you can better understand data details, join the SDC for a session or two and sharpen you skills!

Show week is the perfect time to get all your questions answered about product data management at the SDC booth. No hard sell, no mysterious “you don’t need to know” presentations—just good, solid data management best practices backed by state-of-the-art tools, expert technical support and the stability of the industry’s association.

To learn more about how you can take control of your product data and manage it at the lowest possible cost, contact SEMA Data Co-op Director of Membership Jim Graven at jimg@SEMAdatacoop.org or 888-958-6698 x4.

SEMA News—November 2015

EVENTS
By Mike Imlay

SEMA Show Guide for Buyers

Top Priorities for Your Show To-Do List

With more than a million square feet of products, innovations and trends, the annual SEMA Show is a sea of activity for buyers from day one all the way through Friday. To get the most of your Show experience, start making your game plan now.

As the world’s premier automotive aftermarket trade event, the annual SEMA Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) offers industry buyers unparalleled value and opportunity.

“This year’s SEMA Show will have the most industry support that we’ve ever had in the event’s 49-year history,” said SEMA Show Director Tom Gattuso. “What that means to buyers is more new products, more innovation and more ways for them to improve their businesses in the coming year and beyond. In fact, what you do in four days in Las Vegas really can help you chart your business course for the next four years.”

Of course, with so much to see and do in one week, buyers will want to begin planning their Show experience well before their arrival at the trade event. To help get started, Gattuso offered the following 2015 SEMA Show priorities for buyers.

Start With the New Products Showcase

The first stop on every buyer’s list should be the New Products Showcase, which continues to rank among the Show’s most popular attractions. For 2015, the Showcase has been relocated to a prominent pathway on the bridge between the Central and South Halls at the west end of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The New Products Showcase will also feature extended hours for greater accessibility before and after the Show floor opens and closes. Plus the exhibit space will boast a Featured Product section for key manufacturer offerings that are not necessarily new but are high-volume, innovative products that would be of keen interest to the industry.

“The New Products Showcase is an essential part of the SEMA Show,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “Thousands of buyers and media visit the Showcase to discover leading trends, and participating exhibitors rely on it as a tool to generate awareness of their products and brands. The new location will make it easier for buyers to discover new products, for media to generate coverage and for exhibitors to drive traffic to their booths.”

The New Products Showcase remains a key first stop for buyers, with free scanners available to help capture vital product data along with information about the exhibitors you’ll next want to visit in person.

To make it easy to connect with manufacturers of products from the Showcase, scanners will be readily available to buyers so they can create personalized lists of the products that interest them. Information, including company name and booth location, will be included on the lists based on what products are scanned.

Download the SEMA Show Mobile App

While buyers will certainly want to make the New Products Showcase their first Show destination, they’ll also want to make downloading the free 2015 SEMA Show app their first act of business. The app is easier to use this year and includes a virtual marketplace of all the SEMA Show’s new products, complete with images.

“The mobile app helps you plan your Show experience and navigate with ease,” said Gattuso. “Available for Apple and Android phones, the app essentially places the New Products Showcase in the palm of your hand, along with a digital map with turn-by-turn directions for getting you to any exhibitor and everywhere else you need to go.”

In addition, you’ll find a complete Show schedule, information for all the 2015 programs, and numerous other helpful features. To download the 2015 SEMA Show app, go to www.SEMAShow.com/app.

Visit the Performance Pavilion

To connect buyers with an unprecedented number of new exhibitors, the 2015 SEMA Show will include an exciting new First-Time and Featured Exhibitors expansion area, called the Performance Pavilion. Located in the outside area south of the Las Vegas Convention Center (adjacent to the Renaissance Hotel), this exhibitor space will also include a transportation hub and serve as a primary thoroughfare into the SEMA Show.

With this year’s Show projected to open with more than 2,400 exhibitors, including 500 new manufacturers, displaying thousands of products, the Performance Pavilion is actually one of four specially designed First-Time and Featured Exhibitors areas consisting primarily of newer manufacturers displaying their latest products reflecting market segments from nearby main-floor sections. The three additional expansion areas include the Upper South space, located in the upper level of South Hall, on the east side; the Grand Lobby meeting rooms, located in the LVCC meeting rooms N100–120, between North and Central Halls just east of the Grand Lobby; and the Westgate Pavilion, located in the Pavilion area of the Westgate Hotel, just north of the LVCC.

For performance-minded buyers, there is also a not-to-be-missed Racing Annex adjacent to the LVCC Central Hall, which you’ll find brimming with product and services exhibits from many of the racing and performance niche’s top companies.

Learn Something New

The SEMA Show’s extensive roster of educational opportunities includes special seminars and forums led by industry experts in everything from emerging vehicle technologies to the latest trends in collision repair.

While known worldwide as the automotive specialty-equipment industry’s number-one trade event where business gets done, the annual SEMA Show is more than an extravaganza of hot aftermarket products, customized vehicles and industry networking. It’s also a Show heavy on learning opportunities, with more than 50 free and several “pay-to-attend” educational events covering everything from online marketing to customer service, industry trends and more.

“Throughout Show week, buyers will find a huge roster of educational seminars and learning events geared toward every segment of the industry,” said Zane Clark, SEMA director of education. “Our focus in creating these presentations is to help arm industry professionals with the tools and resources to foster career advancement and business growth. We’re especially proud of the wide-ranging program we’ve put together for 2015, along with the leading experts we’ve gathered to deliver our education tracks.”

This year’s education offerings include the OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit, which will focus on emerging trends in vehicle construction and technology and their impact on vehicle repair. In addition, a series of Vehicle Technology Briefing Seminars will help unravel emerging OEM technologies and government regulations immediately impacting aftermarket businesses and products. Plus you’ll find extensive tire education opportunities presented in conjunction with the Tire Industry Association (TIA).

The SEMA Show’s education sessions run Monday through Friday, November 2–6, from 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. in the LVCC North Hall meeting rooms. Courses and education-related events are open only to registered 2015 SEMA Show attendees, exhibitors and media. For a complete list of the 2015 curricula, visit www.SEMAShow.com/education.

Tap Into the Show’s Buyer Incentives

SEMA-member companies in the buyer category—identified by their red badges—enjoy some special perks through the Show’s Member Buyer Rewards (MBR) program. If you’re an association member, you should have received your MBR card in mid-October. If not, you can pick one up during Show hours in the Members Lounge, located in North Hall, room N251.

The card gains you entry to the exclusive MBR Lounge, also open Tuesday through Friday during Show hours. You’ll find it a great place to rest your feet, grab some coffee and even get a meal, with hot lunches available for purchase from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. daily, or cold “Grab ‘N’ Gos” available for pick up during Show hours. The lounge also provides access to a computer with Internet service and a printer, as well as charging stations for cell phones and other wireless devices. In addition, meeting rooms are available for groups of 10 or fewer at no extra charge to member exhibitors and buyers. (According to Show rules, non-exhibiting manufacturers and members otherwise eligible to exhibit are not permitted to use the meeting rooms.)

Your MBR card also entitles you to reserved seating for the New Products Breakfast, featuring the SEMA Award press conference on Tuesday and the NHRA Breakfast on Wednesday. (Tickets are required and space is limited, so plan to attend early.) To make your daily departures from the Show easier and more convenient, you’ll also be able to access dedicated MBR taxi lines from 2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, and 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. on Friday.

Explore SEMA Central

Located in the Grand Lobby between the North and Central Halls, SEMA Central includes the SEMA membership pod, where you can discover the many productivity and money-saving benefits of association membership. If you aren’t already a member, no problem. Joining at SEMA Central qualifies you for two free lunch tickets worth $16 each, two free 2016 SEMA Show registrations for your company personnel who meet Show eligibility requirements, and immediate access to the MBR lounge located in LVCC room N251. (These offers apply only to non-members attending the Show as buyers and joining SEMA during the 2015 SEMA Show.)

Within SEMA Central, you can also pick up your tickets to the Industry Awards Banquet and visit the SEMA Garage and SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) pods. Be sure to catch the SEMA Garage’s live demonstrations of its product scanning, 3D printing and Faro Arm services while you’re there, along with SDC programs promoting the new SEMA Search tool that is set to change the way the industry searches, navigates and educates itself about product data.

Stay Through Friday

After a successful debut last year, SEMA Ignited returns for 2015, complete with live taping of the climactic SEMA Battle of the Builders finals for later Discovery and Velocity network broadcasts. The industry/consumer event also includes themed vehicle displays, food and entertainment.

Although there may be a temptation to wrap up and hit the road before week’s end, smart buyers know that the SEMA Show remains busy and productive through Friday.

“We’re seeing buyers stay longer and take advantage of every opportunity to connect with exhibitors at the SEMA Show,” said MacGillivray. “These are buyers who are focused on getting the most out of the SEMA Show and, in fact, we know that buyers who are at the Show for the entire duration tend to be more successful than those who come for just one day.”

“Our exhibitors are here and ready to meet buyers. It’s not a throw-away day,” confirmed Gattuso, noting that more than half of the 60,000 buyers at last year’s SEMA Show stayed for Friday. “Not only do all exhibitors remain present and ready to do business from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., but such features as the New Products Showcase, Ford Out Front, West Coast Customs Experience, Optima Alley and the Baja 1000 Score Exhibit continue full throttle, with many celebrity appearances, demonstrations and workshops also taking place Friday.”

In fact, the excitement continues even as the Show closes. The annual SEMA Cruise features hundreds of Show vehicles parading out of the LVCC and across the street for SEMA Ignited, the industry’s Friday-evening after party and consumer-facing event.

Introduced last year, SEMA Ignited is slated to include vehicle display “villages,” food, entertainment and the culmination of the 2015 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition, which will be taped live for later Discovery and Velocity network broadcasts. Credentialed Showgoers can attend the event at no cost. The 2015 SEMA Ignited takes place directly across from the LVCC in the Gold Lot, making it easy and convenient to walk to the event.

Get the Most From Your Show Experience

The top buyer priorities found in these pages represents a fraction of the opportunities that await you at the 2015 SEMA Show. To learn more about these and countless other Show programs and events, visit www.SEMAShow.com.