 The 2012 SEMA Show education days feature several comprehensive conferences focused on specific topics, dozens of product trainings and more than 50 free sessions. |
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“Cutting-edge education has always been a primary staple of the SEMA Show,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “As the industry's largest gathering, we bring leading experts to the SEMA Show to help the industry learn new skills and strategies.”
The educational program begins the day before the SEMA Show officially opens, making it easy for attendees to come in and take part in the program without interfering with time to meet with business partners. The seminars continue throughout the week, with courses taking place in the morning before the Show floor opens and during the day.
“We vary the offerings to make it as easy and convenient for Showgoers to participate in the seminars,” said MacGillivray.
Most of the seminars are available to Showgoers at no cost and focus on general industry business issues, including management, sales, customer service, online marketing, technology, app development and more. Courses available in niche-specific tracks, such as tires, wheels and tires, mobile electronics, and powersports, make it simple for professionals in the respective markets to identify the sessions that are most relevant to their needs.
New for 2012 is the Off-Road Success Center, presented by OMIX-Rugged Ridge, where attendees will learn all about the dynamic Jeep and off-road lifestyle market. The program features a cast of speakers and case studies as part of twice-daily business seminar series. Check out the seminar schedule, all available free of charge.
Additionally, many exhibiting manufacturers host product training seminars where participants can see and hear firsthand about a product's technical applications. While the product trainings take place throughout the week, more than 12 members of the Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) have joined together to present the Technical Skills & Training Conference (TSTC), Thursday, November 1. During the TSTC, attendees will take part in hands-on training sessions and demonstrations that cover critical growth markets, such as custom interiors, heated seats, mobile electronics, paint protection, window film, sunroofs and more. The product trainings taking place throughout the week and the TSTC are both available to Showgoers at no cost.
Topic-specific conferences are also available at a low cost. These programs target online marketing professionals, auto dealers and those in the collision-repair market.
“When businesses work smarter, the entire industry benefits,” said MacGillivray. “While the majority of our educational program is available to showgoers at no cost, there are a few exceptions. The fee-based programs are typically very comprehensive and are much more involved—and the cost still remains minimal.”
The SEMA Show is a trade-only event for the automotive specialty equipment industry. The event takes place Tuesday–Friday, October 30–November 2, 2012, in Las Vegas. Details about the SEMA Show education program is available at www.SEMAShow.com/education.