EVENTS
Must-See Features at the 2021 SEMA Show
Your At-a-Glance Directory to SEMA Show Events
By Douglas McColloch
closes out the Show with drifting exhibitions, Show vehicles,
live music and entertainment, and plenty of high-flying action.
Since its inception in 1967, the annual SEMA Show has evolved to fit the times, reflecting and responding to changes in the specialty automotive industry, and the 2021 Show (November 2–5) will be no different. With an additional 600.000 sq. ft. of exhibition space this year, the 2021 Show promises to offer attendees a dazzling array of enthusiast events, builds, competitions and networking opportunities.
While the SEMA Show floor is organized by category and numbered to improve navigation, another way to simplify the Show experience is with the 2021 SEMA Show app, which contains detailed exhibitor information, interactive floor plans and daily event information—all accessible from mobile devices. The Show app also features a scanning function that allows attendees to capture product and exhibitor information from feature vehicles on display.
The app puts the entire SEMA Show and all the products in the New Products Showcase in your pocket, and it’s available as a free download from your mobile device’s native app store or by logging on to www.SEMAShow.com/app.
While all of the information contained in this article was accurate at the time this issue went to press, many new events were still being fine-tuned, so be sure to visit www.SEMAShow.com for the latest Show updates and schedules.
provides Showgoers with an up-close opportunity to examine
thousands of new products on display at the Show.
The New Products Showcase
- Upper South Hall, Booth #31255
A first stop for many attendees and a must-see for everyone else, the New Products Showcase provides a window into the automotive aftermarket for the coming year as hundreds of manufacturers roll out their latest innovations. In all, the 2021 New Products Showcase is expected to exhibit thousands of new and featured products in a brand-new, 30,000-sq.-ft. exhibition space in the Upper South Hall.
The New Products Showcase enables buyers to focus their efforts on the companies they need to see to keep the product pipelines active and their inventories fresh, and media attendees can get a glimpse of the latest trends to emerge from the industry’s leading influencers. Additionally, complimentary on-site scanning using the SEMA Show app enables buyers and exhibiting companies to generate leads and drive future sales.
a prelude to SEMA Ignited. The four-wheeled
procession of Show vehicles motors down Silver Drive
to the Show’s finale in the West Hall parking lot. The
parade route is open to the public.
SEMA Cruise
- Silver Drive
Vehicles from the 2021 SEMA Show begin parading out of the Convention Center at Show close—4:00 p.m. on Friday, November 8—to the delight of thousands of fans in grandstands along the route. More than 1,000 vehicles will take part in the Cruise, which proceeds toward the West Hall parking lot and SEMA Ignited, the Show’s official after-party. The festivities include live entertainment and motorsports demonstrations, and the Cruise, which is open to the public, has become one of the Show’s most anticipated events.
with its array of “Burnyard” project vehicles to
generate highlights for view on the Hoonigan
YouTube page.
Hoonigan
- Silver Lot 3
A hit with Showgoers when it debuted at the 2018 SEMA Show, the Hoonigan gang returns for 2021 with an exhibition that transforms the Silver Lot into a faithful recreation of Hoonigan’s iconic Compton “Burnyard.” The outdoor exhibit will include celebrity influencers from the automotive realm and beyond, and the brand’s signature antics, consisting of burnouts, donuts, wall taps, massive hucks and more.
SEMA Showgoers can watch all the action on Hoonigan’s YouTube channel after the SEMA Show through an hour-long special.
Experience returns for 2021 with dozens of
manufacturers and thousands of new products being
showcased for the fast-growing overland enthusiast
sector.
SEMA Overland Experience
- West Hall, Booth #62234
Buyers at the 2021 SEMA Show will be able to see products and vehicles specifically for overlanding in the all-new SEMA Overland Experience area. This special exhibit will include dozens of customized vehicles with fully popped-out tents, sunshades outfitted for survival, and portable kitchen systems—all displayed among exhibitors supporting the growing overlanding market.
With many similarities and connections to off-roading, overlanding has strong roots in Australia, South Africa and certain parts of South America, and it has taken off in the United States during the past decade.
Convention Center is at a premium during Show
week, but getting to and from the convention
center can be as quick and easy as taking the Las
Vegas Monorail, which runs directly from the center
to some of the Strip’s leading hotels.
Ford Out Front
Silver Lot
Ford Out Front provides Show attendees with the option to ride along with professional drivers on a closed course, or to simply sit back and watch the pros put their Ford Performance vehicles through their paces. Ford Out Front is also where attendees will find a number of Ford-based projects and Show vehicles from some of the world’s best known Blue Oval builders and customizers.
SEMA Ignited
- West Hall Parking Lot
The 2021 SEMA Show culminates at SEMA Ignited, the official after-party that launches immediately after the Show ends on Friday, November 5. The event takes place in the Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall Parking Lot—just a short walk away—and is free to all credentialed Show attendees.
Introduced in 2014, the annual event is also open to the general public, giving consumers the chance to glimpse some of the vehicles and excitement from the world-famous, trade-only SEMA Show. The event is a great way for Showgoers to unwind from the week while enjoying a night of food, entertainment, drifting demonstrations and more. Gates open at 3:00 p.m., and your SEMA Show badge serves as your free ticket. For more information, visit www.SEMAignited.com.
official opening of Show Week, with honors handed out for the
Car and Truck of the Year and plenty of live music and celebrity
appearances on hand.
SEMA Award Presentation
- Silver Drive, Outside the Central Hall Entrance
- Monday, November 1, 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
The annual SEMA Awards, given to the top-trending vehicle models in five categories, will be presented Monday, November 1, the day before the 2021 SEMA Show officially opens. Awards are presented to automakers for the SEMA Car of the Year, SEMA Full-Size Truck of the Year, SEMA Mid-Size Truck of the Year, SEMA 4x4/SUV of the Year and SEMA Sport Compact of the Year.
SEMA Art Walk
- Bridge Between North and West Halls
Some of the industry’s premier artists will be displaying their newest creations at the SEMA Show Art Walk. Expressed in a variety of media, the automotive art features an extensive collection of pieces to complement both home and office. You’ll find the Art Walk on the bridge between then North and West Halls.
SEMA Gear
- Various Locations
For your shopping convenience, multiple SEMA Gear stores are located throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center. Don’t forget to stop by and pick up gifts and SEMA Show memorabilia for friends and business associates back home. You’ll find T-shirts, hats, bags and more at each store. A portion of the proceeds from every sale is donated to SEMA Cares charities.
Feature Vehicle Displays
- Various Locations
The SEMA Show is renowned for the innovative parts and accessories displayed on show vehicles representing every industry niche, from cars and trucks to powersports. Much more than rolling works of art, the vehicles offer an in-person look at real-life applications of the aftermarket’s latest and most impressive products.
Located throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center, the displays connect with Showgoers as an extension to the exhibit booths of the product creators. The SEMA Show app can come in handy here, providing detailed product information about a vehicle’s build details, with lists of parts and products. This can make it easier to put interested buyers and resellers in contact with manufacturers.
new ideations and products to a team of industry experts at
SEMA Launch Pad. Finalists receive a variety of prizes ranging
from booth space at the next SEMA Show to cold, hard cash.
SEMA Launch Pad
- Central Hall, Booth #25031
Five executive-level innovators will compete in a “Shark Tank”-like business competition for automotive entrepreneurs. Following the competition, each company will have its new products on display throughout Show Week in the Launch Pad Corral and the Featured Products Showcase. Visit the Corral to learn about the products and businesses.
SEMA Central
- Grand Lobby
- Monday, November 1–Thursday, November 4, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Friday, November 5, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
With the SEMA Show fast approaching, it’s time to think about ways to maximize your experience. Of course, there are loads of new products to see, lots of vendors to meet and customized cars aplenty to spark take-home ideas to jump-start your business.
But there’s another, equally important opportunity that can help grow your business and it starts with becoming a SEMA member.
Joining SEMA is simple and straightforward. Stop by Member Central located upstairs in the Grand Lobby, outside room N251–Members Lounge North, where you’ll learn how SEMA membership can benefit your company throughout the year.
Come meet your Membership team who will be on hand during the Show to answer questions and explain member benefits as well as perks you can enjoy while at the Show.
Polaris Demo Rides
- Bronze Lot
You’ve seen this one-of-a-kind vehicle on the road, but now it’s time to get behind the wheel. Test drive the ’21 Polaris Slingshot with on-road demos at this year’s Show.
