The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world and is not open to the general public. It draws the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center. As part of the AAIW, the SEMA Show attracts more than 100,000 industry leaders from more than 100 countries for unlimited profit opportunities in the automotive, truck and SUV, and RV markets. SEMA Show 2009 drew more than 50,000 domestic and international buyers. The displays are segmented into 12 sections, and a New Products Showcase featured nearly 1,500 newly introduced parts, tools and components. In addition, the SEMA Show provides attendees with educational seminars, product demonstrations, special events, networking opportunities. Quite the growth from the 1967 show which had 98 booths and 3000 attendees.

If a product is involved in the automotive aftermarket…it's on display here. Also, 15 manufacturers representing 32 nameplates had displays. With more than 60 seminars and 100 professional speakers, the SEMA Show offered industry professionals the ability to take advantage of a premier learning opportunity.

We at WDIFL.com are focused on the performance industry so our coverage mainly concerns this area but with lots of photos of the show most of our readers will never be able to attend.

Photos and story by John Ewald

Don Shoemaker and his P-Ayr has perfected the light weight mock up engine blocks, heads and other engine parts. When you see a car in a museum on display there is a good chance it has one of his blocks in it. They look just like the real cast iron parts.

Vic Woods of Hedman takes a moment to give Cynthia Carpenter a hug...guys like doing that.

Any manufacturer that wants to be known in the automotive industry worldwide had a display at the SEMA Show, be it big or small...they were there.

Also many book publishers were there, here Mickey Bryant signs a copy of his "Three Weeks in March" book for Cynthia. Mickey is currently working on a new book about Don Garlits.

Doug Evans oversees all the magazines for Source Interlink like Hot Rod, Car Craft, etc.

Fred Roberts of MCLEOD clutches was on hand helping buyers make decisions.

Back in charge and running MCLEOD clutches after B&M sold it is the man who started it, Red Roberts.

Clebs abound, here designer Steve Saleen gives signs posters to the attendees.

Sean Bellemeur and Tom Shelar were on hand to represent MasterCam CNC programs.

John Ewald trying out a new live action simulator and you felt every move the car made.

Tom Long of GMP was a happy guy...his company makes only the finest of die cast models.

Part of Fords display was a Mustang hood custom painted and sign by John and Ashley Force, Parnelli Jones, Steve Saleen and Carol Shelby...not a bad group.

We went nostalgia and stayed at the Tropicana, nice location and great view at night of the strip.

One of the highlights of the SEMA Show was the NHRA Breakfast and heading up was the best MC around...Bob Fry.

With Fry putting out some good questions to the panel...the laughs took over! Big against Shirley...Force and Prudhomme going at it...very entertaining.

Prudhomme was having a ball showing off his newly restore Hot Wheels hauler, it is a plenty trick piece even at todays standards.

After the NHRA breakfast the whole group did an autograph session...the line to get one went into the next building.