By SEMA News Editors
A first-time exhibitor explains how the free event transformed his SEMA Show strategy and ROI, plus direct access to Show organizers, networking and money-saving tips.
Exhibitors of the SEMA Show have a lot on their plates to prepare for the world's largest automotive trade show, November 3-6, in Las Vegas.
Between booth planning, lead generation, networking and navigating the Show floor, success and ROI come down to one thing: preparation.
That is exactly why the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit exists.
The free-of-charge event gives new and returning exhibitors access to insider tips, suggestions and ideas on how to maximize their SEMA Show week. Sit down with the people who run the SEMA Show, learn what buyers and media respond to and find out exactly where exhibitors can save money on drayage, electrical and rigging.
Even better? Summit attendees also receive complimentary hotel accommodations (two nights, up to two company reps) and select meals.
Meet the Show team and get an early look at the newly remodeled Las Vegas Convention Center before it fills up in November.
View the agenda and register at semashow.com/exhibitor-summit.
Ahead of the 2026 SEMA Show, SEMA News spoke with a first-time exhibitor in 2025, Alex Bohatiuk, about how attending the Summit changed the way his startup approached the Show. Bohatiuk is the founder and CEO of FixMyCarDude.com, an auto repair platform.
Following is an edited transcript for exhibitors to learn more about the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit:
SEMA News: How did you first discover the SEMA Show?
Alex Bohatiuk of FixMyCarDude.com:
I'm the founder and CEO of FixMyCarDude.com, which is a complete auto repair platform that connects shop owners and customers on a single real-time platform.
The first thing I did was Google auto expos and car expos, and of course, SEMA showed up everywhere. After exploring it, I said, "You know what? The timing's perfect."
SN: When did you first hear about the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit?
Bohatiuk:
When I signed up for a booth, admittedly, I had no idea there was a Summit. I started asking questions to my sales rep, who explained that it's almost like a dress rehearsal for what to expect. Attending the Summit made things easier. SEMA provided the lodging, a tight schedule, and everything was organized for us.
SN: Would you recommend the Summit to first-time exhibitors?
Bohatiuk:
It's a must. It's not even recommended. I would almost make the Exhibitor Summit mandatory if you want to be successful at the SEMA Show.
SN: Why was the Summit so valuable for your team?
Bohatiuk:
Failing to plan is planning to fail. After attending the Summit, I had a totally different perspective on how to prepare and plan for SEMA. I don't know how you can do SEMA without attending the Summit.
SN: What was the biggest mindset shift you took away from the event?
Bohatiuk:
The biggest shift was realizing how fast things happen during SEMA Show week. You really need an organized plan with your team. One presenter at the Summit said something that really stuck with me: You don't have 20 minutes to spend with one person. You need to identify your ideal customer quickly.
SN: What did the Summit teach you about attracting the right attendees to your booth?
Bohatiuk:
We learned how important it was to identify our ideal customer.
For us, our ideal customer is independent repair shop owners, especially husband-and-wife-owned shops.
Once we understood the badge system and attendee categories better, we could focus our time more effectively, thanks to the Summit.
SN: Did the Summit change your strategy for the Show itself?
Bohatiuk:
Absolutely. We set a goal of 100 leads across the four days. On day one, we only had 14 leads. Then we met as a team and pivoted.
The next day, I got into a Ricky Bobby outfit, started taking photos with attendees and created a real buzz around our booth. We ended up with 37 leads that day. By the end of the week, we reached our goal easily. I don't think we would've known how to adapt that quickly if we hadn't attended the Summit.
SN: How did the Summit help improve your ROI?
Bohatiuk:
The Summit accelerated the learning curve and helped me understand what to expect in Vegas.
I also learned about real tools like Express Leads through Maritz. If I hadn't gone to the Summit, I wouldn't have known anything about it.
Instead of writing down contact information manually, we learned that exhibitors can scan badges in just a few seconds to capture a lead. We were able to review all our leads at the end of the day––that alone made a huge difference for us.
SN: What surprised you most about the Summit experience?
Bohatiuk:
The SEMA team really welcomed me. I felt like everyone was welcome, no matter what they were exhibiting or selling.
We became friends with people from seven or eight different automotive categories at the Summit. Those conversations gave us ideas we never would've thought about otherwise.
SN: What would you say to exhibitors considering attending the 2026 Summit?
Bohatiuk:
If you're serious about your business and you want to be successful, you've got to utilize all the tools. SEMA gives you a great starting tool with the Summit.
You can't just show up. You have to prepare, study and bring the right team.
Everyone's trying to succeed. We should make sure people have all the tools available to them––and the Summit does that in just two days.
Register to join the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit in Las Vegas this June, and the SEMA team will have the rest covered. Exhibitors enjoy complimentary event registration, a two-night hotel stay (for up to two representatives from each exhibiting company) and select meals--all courtesy of SEMA.
View the agenda and register at semashow.com/exhibitor-summit.
Have questions about the Exhibitor Summit? Contact SEMA Show Management at 909-396-0289 or email regmgr@sema.org.
If you haven't heard, SEMA has launched a new customer management system ahead of this year's SEMA Show, November 3-6, 2026, in Las Vegas. Read more about that here, or visit semashow.com/exhibitor.
