By Linda Spencer
 Each company is provided a turnkey booth at a local specialty-equipment show. “The SEMA Middle East Business Development Program was a perfect opportunity for us as a new entrant to the Middle Eastern market,” said Michael Sampson (left), director of operations and foreign sales for Rock-Slide Engineering. “Attending the SEMA Middle East Business Development Program allowed us to find our first customers and begin what should be a long and profitable relationship in the Middle East for Rock-Slide Engineering.” |
 Visiting speed and off-road shops is on the SEMA Middle East Business Development Program schedule. |
Join SEMA for the 5th annual Middle East Business Development Program in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), March 29–April 2, 2016.
What is included:
- A turnkey booth at the Custom Show Emirates—the largest specialty-equipment show in the Middle East.
- A hands-on workshop with vehicles popularly customized throughout the Middle East but not sold in the United States.
- Hotel accommodations and all meals.
- Tours of local speed and off-road shops.
- A briefing with U.S. Government officials and seasoned exporters on the “do’s and don’ts of setting up successful distribution in the region.”
- Pre-trip support and a pre-trip briefing on what to bring and what to expect.
What your peers are saying about the SEMA Middle East trip:
“This was our fourth year participating in the SEMA Middle East event, and the results surpassed our expectations once again. SEMA’s contribution to our success is crucial, and these trips are undeniably beneficial for us. The fact that we are provided with the chance to meet a group of hand-selected, prequalified buyers is priceless, and we very much appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this effort of bringing companies and markets together for the greater good of the industry.”
—Josh Abbott, international sales manager for Borla Performance Industries
“The buyers that SEMA vetted for our Abu Dhabi meetings were top-tier businesses that really knew the racing and performance market, which is a lot like ours in the United States. What’s really great about doing these types of shows in a foreign country with SEMA is that you don’t have to have any anxiety about finding new businesses, the hotel, the food, your booth or transportation. They have worked through all the details and timetables, and you can really concentrate on learning the nuances of the culture and that particular automotive market. You can focus on your business and getting things accomplished.”
—Karl Dedolph, director of international sales for Champion Oil
“The SEMA Middle East trip was an eye-opening experience. This trip can open new doors to distributors you never knew existed. It can give you first-hand visibility of the consumer market and see the vehicles in action. It can also give you the confidence you need to export into a part of the world that you may not have thought you could reach.”
—Kathryn Reinhardt, marketing manager for MagnaFlow
“SEMA’s diligent efforts to vet and qualify buyers in the region have made the SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference one of the most lucrative SEMA events in terms of return on investment. When we visited the Middle East with SEMA last year, it opened our eyes to what the real potential of this market could be. Since we began visiting the region with SEMA, we have picked up more than 20 new customers who are doing significant sales volume, most of which represent new business.”
—Daniel Dolan, sales and marketing manager, Diablosport Inc.
For more information on how to exhibit, visit the SEMA website or contact Linda Spencer. For a recap of last year’s event, read the SEMA News article or view video highlights of the 2015 and 2014 events.