Exhibitors Learn Tips and Tools to Boost SEMA Show ROI

Last week's Exhibitor Education Summit included more than 175 exhibitors who were presented with an in-depth look at the programs and services in place to increase SEMA Show ROI. 

Held in Las Vegas and hosted by experienced staff who know first-hand how to best navigate the Show, the Summit program is designed to connect exhibitors with key individuals and provide a range of resources that will improve exhibitor performance. Sessions featured during the Summit included how to save on material handling, using social media to expand market reach, creating a plan and budget to add value, exploring sponsorship opportunities, and more.

In addition to the classroom-style sessions, exhibitors were able to sit down in one-on-one sessions where Show experts analyzed the exhibitor's needs to help reduce expenses. This approach provides staff with the opportunity to explain the ins and outs of the programs and how to best take advantage of what's available, whether the company is a SEMA Show veteran or a first-time Showgoer.

Exhibitor participation in many programs and services has increased each year of the Summit since its inception in 2010. To provide additional value to the Summit and make it less of a hassle for manufacturers, SEMA and its hotel partners provide a number of hotel rooms at no cost to participants. All meals are provided as well.

For those Show exhibitors who could not attend the event, videos of the Summit's educational sessions will be made available in the near future online. Stay tuned to SEMA eNews for availability.

Also held during this year's Summit was SEMA's General Membership Meeting—an annual gathering that updates the membership as to recent association initiatives and highlights the events, services and programs that the association provides. The meeting was conducted by SEMA President Chris Kersting and Chairman of the Board Paul "Scooter" Brothers.

For more information on the 2012 SEMA Show, Tuesday–Friday, October 30–November 2, visit www.SEMAShow.com. 

The Summit is presented by staff who know first-hand how to best navigate the SEMA Show, and helps exhibitors take advantage of resources to improve Show ROI.		Oscar Goodman, former mayor of Las Vegas from 1999–2011, welcomes Summit participants and helps to kick off the event with a little Vegas style.
SEMA Show Director Tom Gattuso explains how to best navigate the Show's online Exhibitor Services manual to develop a game plan for Show deadlines and to take advantage of the money- and time-saving programs available to exhibitors.		SEMA Vice President of Communications and Events Peter MacGillivray provides attendees with an overview of the Summit, an educational event designed to connect exhibitors with key individuals and provide practical insights into the Show.
In addition to providing cost-saving tips for exhibitors, the Summit is a valuable opportunity to get to know the SEMA staff. Above, SEMA's Zane Clark talks with Lori Diehl of Cimble Corp.		SEMA's International and Government Relations Director Linda Spencer (middle), Senior Vice President Bill Miller (right) and Rick Trudo of SCT Performance LLC take a few seconds to smile for the camera.
Participants are also able to sit down in one-on-one sessions during the Summit, where Show experts evaluate and analyze the exhibitor's unique needs to help reduce expenses. In addition, exhibitors are also offered a tour of the convention center.		SEMA's annual general membership meeting was held in conjunction with the Summit. SEMA President Chris Kersting and Chairman of the Board Paul "Scooter" Brothers provided members with an update on recent association initiatives and an overview of the services, benefits and programs SEMA provides.
Hotel representatives were on hand to simplify Show hotel arrangements and offer discounts to those who booked early.		To make it easy and affordable for companies to attend the Summit, SEMA and its hotel partners provided a limited number of hotel rooms at no cost. All meals were provided for attendees as well.