And we’re back. It’s didn’t last long, but it sure will stay with us for a long time. We’re bringing you the coverage of the Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show (SEMA show) in Las Vegas, the Sin City.
It was worth the wait. After a few difficulties in San Francisco (finding out after 11 hour flight that our connecting flight was cancelled, having to wait 6 more hours for the next is not funny anymore) we arrived at the McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas. The view out of the plane is astounding. We landed 15 minutes past midnight of local time and the light the city emits is too much for our cameras to handle. The airport itself is already quite typical and lets you in on where you have just landed. There are ample oportunities to try your luck at one of the slot machines right upon arrival.
Day 1
We’re taking a taxi to check into our first hotel. For the first part of the trip, we have picked out a hotel Excalibur, located of course on the Strip. The Check-in went smoothly and my colleague and I were only interested in getting a good night’s sleep after 24 hours‘ journey. This interest left us very soon and we were headed out to explore the busting city, getting back at eight in the morning.
Day 2
Come afternoon and we’re waking up. fortunately, The oficial start of the SEMA Show is tomorrow. We get out onto the Strip, make a few pictures and feel completely overwhelmed by the city. This is the time we can finally sympathize with Alice in the Wonderland. We’re struck by the city in its every corner. As tired as we were, we had to admit the city really has a lot to offer. It is the spectacular mixture of psychedelic Matrix and colorful Disneyland. In the evening we go to the exhibition to get our accreditation confirmed to get more time tomorrow. At the registration we spot an attendant at the show. The picture attached ilustrates our conviction that he played in a Tarrantino’s movie. The food at the opening is awesome. Later today we make another bunch of pictures and get a taste of the real american cuisine. We also thouroughly taste the local beer.
Day 3
We go to sleep early to get ready for the opening day. At least that was the plan, of course. Not sure what time we got back but the alarm, which went off just a few minutes later, almost killed us. Luckily, it is pleasant 35 degrees outside, sun is bright and the glasses easily hide the three hours that we spent uncounscious. We arrive at the exhibition and try to take pictures of the best we can see. The show is huge and busting with action. Walking through the whole exhibition is virtually impossible, especially for us having arranged meetings and seminars with the most important people in the field. We are learning about new trends and technology advancements that are to be launched onto the market in 2018. And there is a lot of it. The information that we get are priceless.
Day 4
In the hotel Wynn, we have one informal meeting with the colleagues from our headquarters in London. the meeting is dragging, as usual, but it is of great benefit for us. We get a lot of information about the future of the cars including hybdrids and e-cars. The future looks promising.
Day 5
The following day we spend at SEMA and get a few more kilometers in our legs. The Show’s organization is meticulous. We are not short of anything and people are always helpful. Everyone seems to have time for everyone and we are like a sponge to all the new information that will come in handy in coming months.
Day 6
Relax – this is what we really need now. We have moved on to a hotel Treasure Island and the receptionist hands us cards to a room in the floor number 36, which the highest in the hotel. The view is breathtaking, but even better is the pool and its surroundings. Finally, we take a fancy to the local beer, which is far from the Czech beer, but nevertheless. We spend half a day doing nothing and getting our strength back. In the evening we are going to visit MGM and a David Copperfield show. For the next evening we have the tickets to a Britney Spears concert. Yes, I understand you are shocked now, but I have to go and see the love of my childhood :-). And no matter what, she was awesome!
Day 7
The SEMA Show again. We do some networking and try to catch up on everything we haven’t had a chance to see yet. The trip is coming to an end. Although we haven’t slept hardly at all this past week, we still feel like we could do with a few more days. This isn’t possible however, so we rent a car and take a tour to visit the deserts and national parks. Three words: amazing, huge, fascinating. The returning flight changes in Calgary, Canada, so the weather drop from 35 degrees to minus 17 degrees plus a meter of snow will be quite noticeable. At least we get used to the Czech weather again.
Finally – what a completely different world. If one hasn’t been there, there is no way to imagine what it’s like just from the story. One thing is clear, however; the next year show is already in our calendar and this is what we are going to do.
Team Quantum Tuning CZECH
