Stop whining already. Jeez, there are thousands of venues that you can goto. It looks like you cannot understand or grasp the concept of an "INDUSTRY trade show". If you cannot get past that idea, then there is no amount of explaining anyone can do, to satisfy your ignorance.

BTW: Last year Hulk Hogan was escorted out because he was not supposed to be there. And the retard showed up again this year.

Oh man !!! Why was the Hulkster escorted out:question:

Oh please don't tell me you believe this? He is sponsored by Mopar. His kid WAS sponsored by Mopar. Ever see the red and yellow Vipers? Believe me, He is welcome in there, as well as every other rock star, actor, sports star, rapper.

Well I guess I should not believe my own eyes then. It's not a matter of what "I believe" it's what I saw. I do, however, make the assumption though, that it was because of the badge deal. I could be wrong.

Don't know anything about this year though. Just saw him trodding around.

I've read this and held off but I have input from both sides(vendor, customer). In a previous life in a different industry(Card, Gift, Toy & Games) I was a manufacturers representative....same position at trade shows as everyone at SEMA just a different industry. I'll tell you that nothing is more frustrating than spending time with someone you think is a customer only to find out they are not and just want to buy samples or just one thing for personal use....or that they can't make the $100 minimum order because they only want to buy it for themself and a friend. That is not why you do the trade shows and I worked on straight commission which meant that I made nothing when dealing with these people...yet I was still nice to them but that doesn't mean I wasn't annoyed. While not everyone at SEMA is likely paid that way it is still frustrating from a sales point of view when you are there to see shop owners and builders only to have someone come up and buy an intake for their 350 Chevy they are working on...that's just not why they are there and those individual sales if they choose to take them don't come anywhere near paying their expenses.

Now in this life I am a shop owner/builder and I spent considerable money to fly 1800 miles out to SEMA looking for new products and useful contacts for my business so that I can better serve my customers and offer parts so that my business will continue..... But not NEARLY what these businesses spend to have a booth there! While everyone loves a good show and want an "in" to a trade only show it's not why it's there....if you get in as a spectator(through a friend or by some other method) then understand that you are just that...a spectator.....don't walk into Bret's booth and ask for a system for your own car...just walk around and enjoy the show and understand that your local shop or retailer is there to serve you and as link between you and the manufacturer they have a working relationship to service you as a customer...if you have a problem, your retailer will take care of you because that's why they exist...as a place near you that you can go to rather than dealing with a company 2,000 miles away.

Those in business need a place to go to meet and talk with these companies who provide a product or service and that's what SEMA is. If you want to go to a swap meet or buy at a show then go to the Goodguys show because that's what it is intended for. But don't fault a trade show that's sole purpose is to unit manufacturers and business/shop owners just because you feel "unwanted" the whole lure for you in the first place is mostly because you aren't supposed to be there anyway because you will see most of these cars at another show somewhere anyway, the reason they are at SEMA is to showcase products...not to win a trophy.

He is always escorted to keep the mob off of him. Much like Foose, Leno and other clebs there.

The thing is Joe Q Retail does not need to fly to SEMA to see these companies. Most of these companies are set up at shows week in and week out. I bet a company like Air Ride or Vintage Air, or DSE is going to do a show within driving distance of Mr retails house sometime in the next year. And chances are high that if the manufacturer is not going to be there, a dealer for the product will be there. Most of these manufacturers do lots of shows for Mr Retail for every one trade show. So there is no need for Joe Retail to go to SEMA.

Now with that said, I always get my customers badges if their car is in the show. They are not buyer badges and that is on purpose, they are exhibitor badges. My customers are instucted to NOT take the vendors time. DO NOT get into big conversations, especially ones that prevent real buyers from making contact. Your car is in the show, your allowed in because of that, but that is all.

Nightmare story. How about the guy that takes the opportunity to confront a manufacturer because he has the owner (that is normally insulated) cornered! " I sure gave so and so a piece of mind mind about their return policy". This happened! More reason for Mr Retail to stay home! That guy won't be wearing one of my badges!