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SEMA is called by many to be the "world series" or the "super bowl" of the auto industry and with good reason. For decades auto related businesses around the world all come to Las Vegas for a week to present their absolute best, from new products and services to full blown over the top builds. Maybe the most important part of SEMA are the relationship building with current clientele and customers as well as establishing relationships with new ones. This is a business trip after all, even if it is in Las Vegas! Vossen presents the SEMA 2013 recap below
The team at Vossen went through various proposals for our presentation and booth this year. The feeling was to create something different to year's past and also different to what everyone else has done at SEMA. Last year the Vossen booth was somewhat completely enclosed and the suggestion was made to have a private booth. This way all the wonderful customers and clients could feel more comfortable and have a relaxing place to conduct business. There is power in providing people with an intimate, home-like setting instead of going with a larger open booth.
![]()
This suggestion quickly gained steam that the booth was going to be private unless an appointment was made with us. There were some reservations to such a booth, from maybe upsetting some people to not having the new wheel lineup showcased for everyone to view. However, after pros and cons were weighed plans went forward for the first completely private booth.
![]()
Furniture was selected for a comfortable yet business look and the decision was made to play current videos on three large flat screens with a Bose surround sound system. It was then decided refreshments and snacks would be provided throughout the day including a fully staffed bar in the afternoon as a way to say "thanks" to our loyal customers, clients, fans and friends that attend SEMA from all over the world. Finally "wheatpaste" art on the exterior walls was chosen to give the booth an edgy, hip and completely different look to what anyone has ever done at SEMA. There was equal parts excitement and nervousness as you can imagine.
![]()
Most of the team landed Sunday to help put the booth together and some other team members came at various times during the week for their own meetings. One of the highlights was the Vossen warehouse manager was rewarded with a trip to SEMA for his efforts in the move to a new facility, his first time attending. You see this week is just as much about the people as it is about the cars. It is about friendships and relationships formed for decades or new ones that will eventually grow. What better way to reward a car enthusiast than with a trip to SEMA?
![]()
You might be wondering to yourself what about Vossen booth cars? Last year the Vossen Project Ferrari 458 Italia and the Mercedes Benz C63 Black Series were shipped from Miami to Las Vegas. This year the decision was made not to ship any cars as we were fortunate enough to have a strong presence in multiple booths with Vossen equipped vehicles including Accuair's S7, the Airrex booth with a wide body CTS-V and Ferrari 350 Modena as well as a 2014 Corvette Stingray in Toyo Tire's booth.
![]()
One very exciting development was Vossen's first official project car from a manufacturer. We were chosen by Lexus to modify and present a new
2014 IS 350 F-sport at SEMA this year. After much debate it was decided to repaint the car in Lexus LFA "pearl yellow" from its stock silver and to modify it with a Rowen bodykit by TommyKaira, RS-R Black-i coilovers, Brembo Brakes, Nitto Tires and our new CVT 20" Directional Wheel. Working closely with Rob and his team at Platinum Motorsport was an intense but worthwhile experience and they did an incredible job with completing the Lexus build.
![]()
The team worked crazily trying to finish the booth up Monday night, leaving in the wee hours of the morning trying to perfect the wheatpaste. Luckily there was a 7-11 across the street to get energy drinks, water and snacks and then even ordering pizza to the convention center for dinner. Late that night we improvised writing on the back wall adding words that represent the Vossen brand. That was not an original part of the plan.
![]()
The SEMA show officially opened on Tuesday and our booth was packed non-stop for the entire week. The feedback received was overwhelmingly positive about the booth design and we heard it was coined "SEMA Oasis" by attendees. Inside was the debut of the upcoming "Flow Form" Series and the latest editions to the upcoming Vossen Precision Series which included Vossen's first "full face" forged wheels. Also showcased was the new CVT wheel for those that had not yet seen it in person.
![]()
The owners of Mondera Japan, Eccentrical from Switzerland and Rus Wheels from Russia spent most of the week with us as we all got to know one another better. The vibe in the booth was laid back yet effective and setting appointments really kept things more organized compared to years past. It seems Captain Morgans and Coke was a favorite later in the afternoon. Didn't hurt to have the Jaro Sisters as our booth models.
![]()
Friday is the most laid back day as most start to wear jeans and sneakers and it gives people a chance to walk around the huge convention center. A highlight was a meeting with the team at "SpeedHunters" and being presented a gift of their latest photo book #joyofmachine. Vossen had a good presence at SEMA with equipped vehicles outside and inside. Highlights outside were "GalvatronHemi's" purple Challenger parked outside Central Hall where he drove from Long Island, New York to be at SEMA. AGAutomotive also showcased their latest updates on their project IS 350. Inside we had over a dozen vehicles in various booths representing #teamvossen including the Vossen Project IS 350 F-sport.
![]()
SEMA week is an exhausting week and one better be prepared with lots of lotion, water and chapstick in the arid desert climate. Part of the team records for video and takes pictures for photography to share and it is a lot of walking with heavy equipment. After the doors close at 5pm, evenings are spent catching up with family on the east coast before hopping in the shower, changing and meeting up for business dinners.The week was spent at Encore at the Wynn which meant some also spent some time in the casino as well trying their luck. Food choices were utterly
superb in many reknown restaurants but on Friday most of the team craved an old fashioned hamburger and fries from IN and Out where we ate as we closed out our week.
![]()
The team at Vossen hopes you enjoy the video showing you the week at SEMA as well as photography to bring you to our small home away from home at SEMA 2013.
![]()
The team at Vossen went through various proposals for our presentation and booth this year. The feeling was to create something different to year's past and also different to what everyone else has done at SEMA. Last year the Vossen booth was somewhat completely enclosed and the suggestion was made to have a private booth. This way all the wonderful customers and clients could feel more comfortable and have a relaxing place to conduct business. There is power in providing people with an intimate, home-like setting instead of going with a larger open booth.
This suggestion quickly gained steam that the booth was going to be private unless an appointment was made with us. There were some reservations to such a booth, from maybe upsetting some people to not having the new wheel lineup showcased for everyone to view. However, after pros and cons were weighed plans went forward for the first completely private booth.
Furniture was selected for a comfortable yet business look and the decision was made to play current videos on three large flat screens with a Bose surround sound system. It was then decided refreshments and snacks would be provided throughout the day including a fully staffed bar in the afternoon as a way to say "thanks" to our loyal customers, clients, fans and friends that attend SEMA from all over the world. Finally "wheatpaste" art on the exterior walls was chosen to give the booth an edgy, hip and completely different look to what anyone has ever done at SEMA. There was equal parts excitement and nervousness as you can imagine.
Most of the team landed Sunday to help put the booth together and some other team members came at various times during the week for their own meetings. One of the highlights was the Vossen warehouse manager was rewarded with a trip to SEMA for his efforts in the move to a new facility, his first time attending. You see this week is just as much about the people as it is about the cars. It is about friendships and relationships formed for decades or new ones that will eventually grow. What better way to reward a car enthusiast than with a trip to SEMA?
You might be wondering to yourself what about Vossen booth cars? Last year the Vossen Project Ferrari 458 Italia and the Mercedes Benz C63 Black Series were shipped from Miami to Las Vegas. This year the decision was made not to ship any cars as we were fortunate enough to have a strong presence in multiple booths with Vossen equipped vehicles including Accuair's S7, the Airrex booth with a wide body CTS-V and Ferrari 350 Modena as well as a 2014 Corvette Stingray in Toyo Tire's booth.
One very exciting development was Vossen's first official project car from a manufacturer. We were chosen by Lexus to modify and present a new
2014 IS 350 F-sport at SEMA this year. After much debate it was decided to repaint the car in Lexus LFA "pearl yellow" from its stock silver and to modify it with a Rowen bodykit by TommyKaira, RS-R Black-i coilovers, Brembo Brakes, Nitto Tires and our new CVT 20" Directional Wheel. Working closely with Rob and his team at Platinum Motorsport was an intense but worthwhile experience and they did an incredible job with completing the Lexus build.
The team worked crazily trying to finish the booth up Monday night, leaving in the wee hours of the morning trying to perfect the wheatpaste. Luckily there was a 7-11 across the street to get energy drinks, water and snacks and then even ordering pizza to the convention center for dinner. Late that night we improvised writing on the back wall adding words that represent the Vossen brand. That was not an original part of the plan.
The SEMA show officially opened on Tuesday and our booth was packed non-stop for the entire week. The feedback received was overwhelmingly positive about the booth design and we heard it was coined "SEMA Oasis" by attendees. Inside was the debut of the upcoming "Flow Form" Series and the latest editions to the upcoming Vossen Precision Series which included Vossen's first "full face" forged wheels. Also showcased was the new CVT wheel for those that had not yet seen it in person.
The owners of Mondera Japan, Eccentrical from Switzerland and Rus Wheels from Russia spent most of the week with us as we all got to know one another better. The vibe in the booth was laid back yet effective and setting appointments really kept things more organized compared to years past. It seems Captain Morgans and Coke was a favorite later in the afternoon. Didn't hurt to have the Jaro Sisters as our booth models.
Friday is the most laid back day as most start to wear jeans and sneakers and it gives people a chance to walk around the huge convention center. A highlight was a meeting with the team at "SpeedHunters" and being presented a gift of their latest photo book #joyofmachine. Vossen had a good presence at SEMA with equipped vehicles outside and inside. Highlights outside were "GalvatronHemi's" purple Challenger parked outside Central Hall where he drove from Long Island, New York to be at SEMA. AGAutomotive also showcased their latest updates on their project IS 350. Inside we had over a dozen vehicles in various booths representing #teamvossen including the Vossen Project IS 350 F-sport.
SEMA week is an exhausting week and one better be prepared with lots of lotion, water and chapstick in the arid desert climate. Part of the team records for video and takes pictures for photography to share and it is a lot of walking with heavy equipment. After the doors close at 5pm, evenings are spent catching up with family on the east coast before hopping in the shower, changing and meeting up for business dinners.The week was spent at Encore at the Wynn which meant some also spent some time in the casino as well trying their luck. Food choices were utterly
superb in many reknown restaurants but on Friday most of the team craved an old fashioned hamburger and fries from IN and Out where we ate as we closed out our week.
The team at Vossen hopes you enjoy the video showing you the week at SEMA as well as photography to bring you to our small home away from home at SEMA 2013.
