The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show is one of the biggest events of the automotive industry each year. Held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, it is attended by more than 100,000 industry leaders from around the world who amass to participate in educational seminars, product demonstrations, special events, and networking opportunities. Traditionally held during the first week of November, the SEMA show overlaps with the Automotive Aftermarket Product Expo (AAPEX) held at the Sands Expo, which also draws more than 50,000 attendees, making this the largest convention held in Las Vegas each year. If you're an enthusiast of the automotive aftermarket, this is your Nirvana.

I am currently in Vegas this week, participating in both events with the help of my editor, Brandy Schaffels, and our new Director of Business Development, Patricia J Roberts. It's been a crazy week, full of back-to-back meetings and miles and MILES of walking, but also a fun opportunity for us car gals to get some time together, immersed in our automotive environment!

 If you're unfamiliar with the 46-year-old organization, SEMA members make, buy, sell, and use all kinds of specialty parts and accessories to make vehicles more attractive, more unique, more convenient, faster, safer, more fun and even like-new again. There's something at SEMA for everyone, whether you're looking for a fancy chrome paint job or customized vinyl wrap,  a luxurious leather interior,  personal mobile electronics,  wheels and tires,  convenient products for car care,  or even windshield wiper blades made by a woman-owned company that donates to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

 Manufacturers use this show to allow aftermarket companies to transform their vehicles into rolling works of art, whether they're creating electric race cars, eye-popping show cars. Ford is here with a giant collection of customized cars; they're also been giving driving demos of its highly anticipated Fiesta. General Motors used the show to debut an entire line of modified Camaro concepts, including a fuel-efficient twin-turbo version customized by comedian Jay Leno.  Suzuki presented a collection of Kizashi and Equator build projects and Scion showcased three project vehicles for its xB Tuner Challenge. And Progressive Insurance had an entire display of super-efficient entrants into its Automotive XPrize competition. 

 While we've been here, I've been nurturing new relationships with women industry leaders and am making new connections to certify additional female friendly automotive retailers! We've also gathered lots of great information about events, products, and vehicles that will be developed into larger stories later, so keep your eyes peeled for more from the SEMA show in future blogs!