Exhibitors: Your September Deadline Checklist

By Becca Butler

	Using the scanner app—available for smartphones and tablets or as a compact smartphone rental—exhibitors can simply scan a badge or enter an email address and their contact information will be downloaded to the device.

The 2015 SEMA Show is just two months away and exhibitors are quickly approaching a number of key deadlines. To ensure you’re on track, visit the Deadlines Checklist in the Exhibitor Services Manual for important dates in the coming months. The most successful exhibitors are those who take advantage of every opportunity to get the greatest ROI. Here are some important things exhibitors can accomplish this month:

September 2015

Promote your SEMA Show specials and discounts: Exhibitors who want to increase their selling opportunities with special pricing, promotions, two-for-one offers, Show demonstrations and other incentives should email their information to editors@sema.org and include “Show Specials” in the subject line. In 2014, 75% of buyers who made a purchase at the SEMA Show took advantage of a special or discount being offered.

Submit your Booth Services forms: The deadline for most booth services is early October. Get these forms in early to take advantage of the advanced rates and save money. A/V needs, air, gas, water, installation, cleaning, Internet and more are among the booth services offered. These can be found in the Exhibitor Services Manual.

Create your Press Kit: Exhibitors can benefit from preparing press releases and press kits for onsite distribution. Press materials may be placed in the Media Center, Room S220, at the SEMA Show, where thousands of editors and reporters visit throughout the week. To ensure your materials are available when the media arrive, bring them to the Media Center before Monday, November 2. Visit the SEMA Show website for Media Center hours. It’s recommended you have 75–100 copies of materials stocked at all times.

Sponsorship materials due: Exhibitors can increase brand awareness and drive more traffic to their booths through sponsorships. A number of sponsorship packages/opportunities are available, including some for less than $1,000. View a complete list of opportunities, or contact your account rep at sales@sema.org or 909-396-0289. The deadline for sponsorship materials is September 25.  

Secure your lead-retrieval device: Exhibitors can track buyers who stopped by their booths with a lead-retrieval scanner. The badge scanner comes with a downloadable app for your smartphone device, allowing you to save time by capturing buyer information quickly and efficiently. Research indicates that 56% of exhibitors gathered more than 50 leads at the 2014 SEMA Show, so secure your device today. The deadline for the advanced rate is September 21.  

View the August checklist. The 2015 SEMA Show is taking place November 3–6 in Las Vegas. For more information, visit the SEMA Show website.