Alex Fees: At the Annual SEMA Conference in Las Vegas this year, SEMA President and CEO, Chris Kersting said that, despite the organization's emphasis on quality over quantity, this event simply continues to be enormous.
130,000 people this year, 2,100 booths, a turn out like that is what a trade organization in any industry would refers to as good trouble. SEMA is on a roll in Las Vegas.
Hard vacation, the Specialty Equipment Market Association's Annual Automotive Aftermarket Convention took place October, 30th through November 2nd, 2007 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
At the SBTV Interview Stage in South Hall, SEMA President and CEO, Chris Kersting discusses the situation SEMA founds itself in.
Chris Kersting: Our mantra last year it was, we want to be better not bigger.
Alex Fees: And yet?
Chris Kersting: It's amazing, we're bigger. We're still working on making sure that it's better, but we're really excited to --
Danica Patrick: I think that IndyCar is a different ball of wax at times.
Alex Fees: XM Satellite Radio broadcast live from the event and featured an interview with Indy Race Car Driver Danica Patrick. Patrick spoke to SBTV.com about her presence at SEMA.
Danica Patrick: I think a show like SEMA especially in the automotive world is absolutely where you have to be. You're here for your sponsors, you're here to promote, you're here to keep things going and not only do you appear for people that you know and people that you're very associated with, but the opportunities are endless at a place like this.
Alex Fees: In the exhibition halls from bling to biodiesel, exotic to essential, people find a variety of reasons to make SEMA part of their annual travel plans.
William Baxter: They actually just see what the new products are, see what's going on in the industry every year, something different.
Elliot Shev: Bigger and bigger, really, take over the whole city. It keeps getting bigger. There is a lot more in the Aftermarket arena now.
Jessica Padilla: There are so many things out there that I didn't even know existed. There are car companies that I didn't even know exist in. There are people from all different countries I didn't know existed. So it's just awesome to come out here and get a better feel for it.
Dave McLellan: And this is truly a power vehicle.
Alex Fees: The voice of the National Hot Rod Association, Dave McLellan served as MC for the SEMA New Products Awards Banquets.
Dave McLellan: Congratulations Mike.
Alex Fees: Winner of the category, Best Custom Car, Mike Terzich.
Mike Terzich: I would like to thank the Hot Wheels for giving us this award.
Alex Fees: Major auto makers from around the globe are represented at SEMA each year. Toyota Motors Sales, USA chose SEMA 2007 to stage the premier of the 2009 Corolla. Originally launched in 1966, Toyota officials say, 30 million Corollas have been sold worldwide making it one of the best-selling cars of all time.
Another car brand name that lends it name and reputation to SEMA is Hot Wheels. A check on entries in the Hot Wheels Design Contest makes you wonder whether the automotive industry is affecting the design of Hot Wheels cars or if it's the other way around.
Geoff Walker: Well, you see they all look different, they're all fun. Everything from real cars, the actual ones that are made from Detroit down to fancy cars that our Hot Wheels designers come up with.
Alex Fees: SEMA 2007 ended much as it began with the voice of SEMA, Dave McLellan emceeing yet another Awards Banquet. But it maybe a different voice for which this banquet is remembered while singing the national anthem 10 year Taylor Longbrake reminded us that while SEMA now has members worldwide, it is an organization with its roots in the American automotive industry.
Dave McLellan: If you're not at SEMA, then you're not really in the business. You're not in the Aftermarket business.
Alex Fees: In Las Vegas at SEMA 2007, I am Alex Fees for SBTV.com.
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