More Than Baseball @ Dodger Stadium

Baseball.  America’s pastime.  Love it or hate it, it’s four to five hours of pleasure or pain for those who enjoy/endure it.  If you have a baseball lover in your house, you know what I mean.  Yes.  I love baseball.

This year’s World Series between the Red Sox and Dodgers has begun with a bang for the Sox.  Up two games, the series moves to L.A. tonight where the Dodgers hope for redemption.  Celebrities, fans and press will show up in droves…it’s the Dodger way.

NEWS FLASH, Dodger Stadium isn’t always used for baseball.

Fifty-two years ago it was used for the country’s very first SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show.  With only 100 vendors, it launched a model that continues today.  See photos from the original SEMA Show in 1967 below.

Descending upon the Las Vegas Convention Center this weekend, SEMA has become one of the biggest shows of its kind.  $43 billion is spent in the automotive aftermarket.

If you’re unfamiliar with the show, click here to see highlights from 2017 via the SEMA YouTube channel. (After next week you can check out MY YouTube channel for video!)

SEMA found the need to recognize dedicated craftsmen and those associated with its humble beginnings and thus began the SEMA Hall of Fame in 1969.   Donnie Eatherly, Ed Pink, and Chris Thomson will be inducted this year.  Click here for their bios.

An industry that recognizes where they’ve come from and honor it, makes for an industry with a bright future.  Looking at the exponential growth from 1967 at Dodger Stadium to Las Vegas 2018, I think its working.  More than 3,000 new and featured products will be on display.  Over 162,000 industry professionals will be present.

Joining the party, Ford, Kia and Polaris will have special areas to display all of their latest tech.  “Ford Out Front” anchors the large parking lot in front of LVCC with everything from SUVs to 4 X 4 tracks.  Slingshot® ride anyone?

I’ll be reporting from the show next week.  Be sure to tune into my FB, Instagram and YouTube channel for exclusive insight into SEMA 2018!  Links to each of my social media pages are at the top of this post by icon.

Cheers!

Photos courtesy of SEMA