By Becca Butler
 In addition to business on the Show floor, SEMA Show activities, attractions and events happen throughout Show week, including Friday, which features the SEMA Cruise, SEMA Ignited and more. | |
Attending the SEMA Show for the first time is exciting, and chances are that first-time attendees arrive anxious, eager and ready to enjoy the experience. But regardless of how much planning is involved, the Las Vegas Convention Center often looks very different in person from how it appears in photos and videos.
Many first-time attendees leave the Show with lessons learned and a list of tips and tricks to make future trips to the SEMA Show easier and more successful. Here are a few:
- Register in advance: Many Showgoers wait until the weeks just before the SEMA Show to register to attend without even realizing that registering before the mid-October deadline guarantees your badge will be mailed to you prior to the Show. Sure, it’s another piece of paper you need to keep in a safe location, but having it mailed in advance means you’ll be able to hit the Show floor immediately upon arriving.
- Use a scanner in the New Products Showcase: The New Products Showcase is the No. 1 buyer attraction at the SEMA Show, and thousands of buyers visit the area to get a quick overview of the products debuting at the Show. Veteran Showgoers have discovered that the bar code that accompanies each product in the Showcase can actually be scanned to create a personalized list of products that interest them the most. Scanning products is a quick and convenient way to get more information on each product and where to locate them on the Show floor.
- Stay for Friday: Getting away from the office is difficult, so first-time attendees often plan to attend the Show for one or two days, only to realize that they wished they had planned to stay longer. Your badge gives you access to all four days of the SEMA Show, so you might as well make the most out of everything the Show has to offer. Show activities, attractions and events are happening throughout the entire week, making each day just as valuable as any other.
- Take the Toyo Tires Treadpass: Because of the SEMA Show's large size, navigating from hall to hall within the Las Vegas Convention Center can sometimes be a challenge, especially if it’s your first time. Veteran Showgoers have learned that there are some quick and convenient shortcuts to get from one hall to the next. Located in between the Central and South Halls is the Toyo Tires Treadpass—an outside exhibit area that easily gets you from the middle of Central Hall to the middle of South hall.
- Attend an education seminar: One of the greatest things you can do for your business is take advantage of the resources available to help it grow and succeed. There are a number of education sessions offered throughout the week presented by world-class speakers and innovators in the industry that cover a wide range of industry-related topics. While many buyers are only focused on meeting with exhibitors, veteran Showgoers have discovered the value in attending at least one education seminar throughout the week.
- Get a free cup of coffee before the Show opens: Sometimes taxi lines and monorail stops can become overcrowded, especially the closer you get to the time the Show opens. Instead of waiting in line, head over to the convention center an hour early to grab a cup of coffee, see cool vehicles and mingle with other industry colleagues at Cars & Coffee taking place at the Westgate. If there’s one thing veteran Showgoers would have to say, it’s to make use of any opportunity to network with others in the industry.
The 2015 SEMA Show is taking place November 3–6 in Las Vegas. Register to attend before October 16 to receive the discounted rate of $25 and to receive your badge in the mail. After October 16, the price will increase to $75. For questions, contact customer service at 866-229-3687.
For more information, visit www.SEMAShow.com.