More than 100,000 attended the 2008 SEMA Show.
In the months leading up to the 2008 SEMA Show, the association's leadership worked tirelessly to ensure that the challenging economy would have minimal impact on the annual event. Post-Show reviews from exhibitors, attendance of more than 100,000 and the introduction of nearly 2,000 new products attest to SEMA's efforts and display the resiliency of the specialty-equipment industry.
"The Show was probably one of the top three SEMA Shows, and in a bad economy that is not too bad," said Bill Wagner, vice president of sales and marketing at Winfield Consumer Products Inc. "I believe our company has been in every Show since it was founded 20 years ago, and the quality of those attending this year was tops. Everyone I talked to was happy with the Show."
David South, vice president of marketing at STS Turbo, a five-time Show exhibitor, participated in the new Making Green Cool Zone, an area that showcased products that improve fuel-efficiency, reduce emissions or use an alternative fuel or propulsion system.
"The Making Green Cool Zone was a big hit for us this year," said South. "Participating in the fuel-mileage challenge with our single turbo system for the F-150 and being able to represent our products and commitment to the green movement were enough to make the Show a success for us.
"But there were also the benefits of extracurricular morning and evening events, constant behind-the-scenes efforts in legislative activities to help protect the rights we enjoy in this industry, and Chris Kersting himself handing out sandwiches on setup days that really make an emerging company like ours grateful to be part of an organization that works so hard to help us grow and be successful," South added.
With the completion of yet another thriving Show, SEMA has already begun preparations for the 2009 Show, scheduled November 3–6. Once again, the Show will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Attendees can expect to sign up in early May. Don't miss out on what is sure to be another profitable SEMA Show!