By SEMA Editors

	The LVH, located right next to the Las Vegas Convention Center, is just one of several hotels offering early-bird rates for the SEMA Show.

Several of the deadlines to recieve an early-bird hotel rate for the 2013 SEMA Show are fast approaching. Showgoers are encouraged to visit the Travel & Lodging page of www.SEMAShow.com for the latest hotel rates and to book through the Travel Planners for a guaranteed low rate on a hotel room for the Show.

Pre-planning and taking advantage of the cost-saving programs in place, such as hotel and airfare discounts and early Show registration, are some of preliminary ways Showgoers can limit expenses.   

Book Your Rooms

Showgoers may now secure rooms through Travel Planners—the official SEMA Housing Services provider. When booking through Travel Planners, reservations come with guaranteed low rates and perks, such as no resort fees, and attendees can rest assured that they are working with a legitimate company.

"Travel Planners is the only housing company that is backed by SEMA," said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. "Companies can book their rooms for the Show with confidence, knowing that their requests are handled by an official Show partner. With the advantages of pre-negotiated prices and low-rate guarantees, Showgoers can make plans with the certainty that their rate is competitive."

	Travel Planners includes this seal on all e-mail communications with SEMA exhibitors and attendees, as well as on their website. If you do not see this seal on a website or e-mail that promotes hotel rooms for the SEMA Show, it is not an official SEMA provider.

Among the benefits of using Travel Planners include:

• Guaranteed low rate: The housing bureau actively monitors to ensure that they are offering the lowest possible rates. If guests do find a lower rate, Travel Planners will match or beat the lower rate.

• No hidden fees: Many hotels in Las Vegas advertise lower rates and charge a “resort fee” on top of that rate. SEMA and Travel Planners have worked with hotels to waive such fees. The price quoted through Travel Planners is all-inclusive and will not have other fees added to it.

• Exclusive room blocks: SEMA and Travel Planners lock in prime blocks of rooms at host hotels. As a result, rooms may appear to be sold out to the rest of the world when in reality they are being held for SEMA Showgoers who go through the SEMA Housing Services.

• Extra level of service: Because reservations made through Travel Planners identify guests as SEMA Showgoers, the hotel staff provides a higher level of service and helps direct guests to Show-related programs, such as free shuttles. Guests also receive confirmation numbers in advance of the Show and can get hotel help from Travel Planners staff at the SEMA Show.

To secure rooms through the official SEMA Housing Services, reservations should be made from the SEMA Show site and include the official housing seal. Travel Planners can also be reached directly at 800-221-3531 or 212-532-1660. For more information, visit the SEMA Show Travel and Lodging page.    

Early Show Registration

Visit www.SEMAShow.com today to take advantage of early-bird discounts. Currently, admission to the Show is only $25, and rates will increase—so register today! In addition to saving money, early registration also guarantees that attendees will receive their badges in the mail. The one badge is good for all four days of the SEMA Show and is also good for admittance into the three-day AAPEX show.



With early registration, attendees can avoid registration lines and hit the Show floor with a plan in hand and more time for business. Not only does it save money and time, early registration also offers attendees peace of mind, knowing that when they are ready for the Show, they can hit the floor with no delays and avoid potential registration snafus. With badges ordered, buyers can continue pre-planning, by making housing and travel arrangements online and taking advantage of additional discounts on hotels and airfare.

Complimentary Shuttle Bus Service

Complimentary shuttle bus service is available between the Las Vegas Convention Center and most official SEMA Show hotels. This includes complimentary shuttle service from both The Strip and Downtown Las Vegas to the Las Vegas Convention Center, further saving money and providing value to attendees and exhibitors coming to Las Vegas this year. For more information and specific hotel pick-up and drop-off locations, visit www.semashow.com/ground-transportation.

Airfare Discounts

Take advantage of airline discounts provided by American, Delta and United, all of which are offering up to 10% off on round-trip airfare to Las Vegas. For rates, booking information, Travel Planners reservation links and additional details on airfare, visit the SEMA Show Travel and Lodging page.    

More tips and suggestions on how buyers can get the most from the Show will be available in upcoming issues of SEMA eNews. In addition, all of the information will also be presented during an upcoming SEMA webinar, "Are You Ready for the SEMA Show," that will be held October 10, from 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. (PDT).

Compiled by SEMA Editors

	At X Games Munich, Sverre Isachsen, who was set for a fourth-place finish in the final, was spun out from behind by another competitor, forcing him to retire.

Subaru PUMA RallyCross Team to Compete at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, July 11
On July 11, Subaru PUMA RallyCross Team drivers Bucky Lasek, Dave Mirra and Sverre Isachsen will race head-to-head against a pack of international stars at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for round four of the 2013 Global RallyCross Championship (GRC). The trio will each pilot their 600hp ’13 Subaru WRX STI Rallycross cars on a custom dirt and tarmac course. The team is eager for another run after team leader and three-time European Rallycross Champion Sverre Isachsen qualified third-fastest and then fifth-fastest at the previous double-header round in Munich, Germany. Isachsen was set to finish fourth overall in the Final at Munich before being spun out from behind by another competitor on the final lap.

The first-annual Raptor Nationals in Arizona presented by Roush Off-Road covered 297 miles of Arizona desert.

New Ford Raptor Nationals Event in Arizona Explored 297 Miles of Arizona Desert
The first-annual Raptor Nationals in Arizona presented by Roush Off-Road covered 297 miles of Arizona desert and included participants from all over the Southwest, Canada, Texas, Oregon and as far as Ohio. Fast fire roads, twisty tight mountain roads, high desert roads lined with pinion trees, red sands of Sedona’s red rocks, white sand wash roads and pavement sections highlighted the course. “We kicked off the event with an open house at the brand-new Addictive Desert Designs facility in Mesa on Thursday where there was a full vendor midway,” said Jason Cobb, Raptor Nationals event promoter. “Friday, we gave a drivers school for those who wanted to learn more about their Raptors capabilities. Then the two-day 297-mile trip ended on Sunday at the KC HiLites factory with a fabulous BBQ. We were really happy to have Roush, VORR and Sanderson Ford with us on the run.”

Compiled by SEMA Editors

	At X Games Munich, Sverre Isachsen, who was set for a fourth-place finish in the final, was spun out from behind by another competitor, forcing him to retire.

Subaru PUMA RallyCross Team to Compete at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, July 11
On July 11, Subaru PUMA RallyCross Team drivers Bucky Lasek, Dave Mirra and Sverre Isachsen will race head-to-head against a pack of international stars at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for round four of the 2013 Global RallyCross Championship (GRC). The trio will each pilot their 600hp ’13 Subaru WRX STI Rallycross cars on a custom dirt and tarmac course. The team is eager for another run after team leader and three-time European Rallycross Champion Sverre Isachsen qualified third-fastest and then fifth-fastest at the previous double-header round in Munich, Germany. Isachsen was set to finish fourth overall in the Final at Munich before being spun out from behind by another competitor on the final lap.

The first-annual Raptor Nationals in Arizona presented by Roush Off-Road covered 297 miles of Arizona desert.

New Ford Raptor Nationals Event in Arizona Explored 297 Miles of Arizona Desert
The first-annual Raptor Nationals in Arizona presented by Roush Off-Road covered 297 miles of Arizona desert and included participants from all over the Southwest, Canada, Texas, Oregon and as far as Ohio. Fast fire roads, twisty tight mountain roads, high desert roads lined with pinion trees, red sands of Sedona’s red rocks, white sand wash roads and pavement sections highlighted the course. “We kicked off the event with an open house at the brand-new Addictive Desert Designs facility in Mesa on Thursday where there was a full vendor midway,” said Jason Cobb, Raptor Nationals event promoter. “Friday, we gave a drivers school for those who wanted to learn more about their Raptors capabilities. Then the two-day 297-mile trip ended on Sunday at the KC HiLites factory with a fabulous BBQ. We were really happy to have Roush, VORR and Sanderson Ford with us on the run.”

	Tom Gattuso of SEMA will help lead a seminar dedicated to developing an effective exhibitor strategy for the SEMA Show.

By SEMA Editors

Parts two and three of the Exhibitor Series webinars have been announced. Part two of this series, entitled, "Ordering What You Need Online – The SEMA Show Exhibitor Services Manual," will be presented by Jenn Carr of ConVexx and Tom Gattuso of SEMA, August 15. In this session, attendees will receive a guided tour of the SEMA Show Exhibitor Services Manual and learn about best practices that will increase your ROI and save time and money.
 
Part three of the series, entitled, "SEMA Show Drill for First-Timers – Are You Prepared?" will be presented by Jeff Pressman of ConVexx and Gattuso, September 19. In this session, the presenters will prepare attendees for success at the Show and cover last-minute preparations and proven tips for what to do upon arriving in Vegas.

The first part of the series, "Pre-Show Marketing Guaranteed to Make Your SEMA Show a Success," will be held Thursday, July 18, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT). This session, presented by Chuck Schwartz of ConvExx and Gattuso, is specifically designed for SEMA Show exhibitors. What is your Show strategy? Preparing for the SEMA Show is a tremendous task with many logistical and operational details to consider. It is important to start planning now! This session will cover:

• Proven ways for driving buyers to visit your booth.
• Best ways to get exposure and attention at the world’s largest automotive show.
• How to eliminate exhibitor mistakes that will maximize your chance for success.

Develop your pre-SEMA Show marketing strategy and greatly increase your chances for success. Whether this is your first year exhibiting or you have years of experience, this session will give you the head start needed to increase booth traffic, gain exposure and minimize costly mistakes. SEMA Show Staff and management will show you how to do it right and do it better!

Join the SEMA Education Institute (SEI) and SEMA Show management, Thursday, July 18, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT) for a webinar packed full of useful exhibitor information. Register today!

This SEI webinar will provide member companies with the information they need, and you don’t even have to leave your desk or office to participate! Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.