SEMA Show Management has created two new ways that exhibitors can save money on services at the 2013 SEMA Show.

By Jason Catullo

Exhibitors preparing for the 2013 SEMA Show can take advantage of two new opportunities to save money on Show services. The first chance to save is through a change in freight delivery. Companies with 400 sq.-ft. or less of exhibit space will receive their first 500 lbs. of freight delivered to their booth free, regardless of how it arrives to the Show. In addition, those exhibitors with exhibit space of 500 sq. ft. or more will receive a 35% discount on carpet, as well as free carpet padding on carpet ordered through Freeman.

"SEMA Show management consistently develops ways to help exhibitors control costs," said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. "With these new discounts, significantly more exhibitors can participate and save and increase the ROI on their Show investments."

To learn more about these discounts outlined above, access the SEMA Show Exhibitor Manual (ESM) online.

Filled with more than 100 vital forms and documents for Show planning, the ESM includes contact information, details about staff registration, hotels, parking, order forms and more. The ESM is the first place exhibitors should turn to stay on track with booth and display planning by using resources such as the Budget Checklist, which is useful to track expenditures ranging from booth services to staff expenses, and the Deadline Checklist, a reference sheet that exhibitors use to track key deadlines and submit orders on time to receive advance rates.

“We recommend that all exhibitors make time to review and familiarize themselves with the ESM,” added MacGillivray. “An investment of 15–20 minutes just to get acquainted with what’s included in the ESM will prove valuable.”

For exhibitors that are new to the Show, the ESM is useful to obtain contact information, understand what's included in a booth order, review move-out information and more. In fact, one of the most useful forms in the ESM for first-time exhibitors is the "Frequently Rented Items" form, also referred to as the First-Timer Cheat Sheet. The form outlines the most frequently requested booth rental items at the Show, along with pricing and the deadline to order the item or service to receive the advance rate.   

The 2013 SEMA Show takes place Tuesday–Friday, November 5–8, in Las Vegas. More than 2,400 exhibiting companies, and more than 130,000 industry professionals from throughout the world, are expected to attend the event. Manufacturers interested in exhibiting may do so by visiting www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth. Industry professionals can register to attend at www.SEMAShow.com/register.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

A concurrent resolution urging the U.S. EPA to revoke its decision to allow the sale of gasoline with 15% ethanol (E15) until there is clear and convincing scientific evidence that it does not pose a risk to any gasoline-powered vehicle or equipment died when the legislature adjourned for the year. Separate legislation to exempt motor vehicles, including automobiles, motorcycles, airplanes, trucks and tractors, that are older than 25 years from personal property taxes also died. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

A concurrent resolution urging the U.S. EPA to revoke its decision to allow the sale of gasoline with 15% ethanol (E15) until there is clear and convincing scientific evidence that it does not pose a risk to any gasoline-powered vehicle or equipment died when the legislature adjourned for the year. Separate legislation to exempt motor vehicles, including automobiles, motorcycles, airplanes, trucks and tractors, that are older than 25 years from personal property taxes also died. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

SEMA-supported legislation to reduce the annual registration fees charged for automobiles and light trucks died when the Legislature adjourned without the House having voted on the bill. Under the measure, which had been approved by the Senate, registration fees would have been reduced by $2.40 annually until a total decrease of $12 had been achieved, saving Florida taxpayers up to $220 million per year when fully implemented. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

SEMA-supported legislation to reduce the annual registration fees charged for automobiles and light trucks died when the Legislature adjourned without the House having voted on the bill. Under the measure, which had been approved by the Senate, registration fees would have been reduced by $2.40 annually until a total decrease of $12 had been achieved, saving Florida taxpayers up to $220 million per year when fully implemented. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

Legislation to require the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) to provide, for one year, a specially designed vintage reproduction registration plate to qualifying vehicle owners was signed into law by Governor Martin O’Malley. Under the new law, to be eligible to receive a vintage reproduction registration plate, the vehicle must be a passenger, small truck, historic, multipurpose or street-rod vehicle. The vintage reproduction plate will be designed to resemble the 1910 Maryland registration plate, which has black lettering on a yellow background. The MVA estimates that the additional cost to obtain the plates would be $20 and would take effect January 1, 2014. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org. 

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

Legislation to require the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) to provide, for one year, a specially designed vintage reproduction registration plate to qualifying vehicle owners was signed into law by Governor Martin O’Malley. Under the new law, to be eligible to receive a vintage reproduction registration plate, the vehicle must be a passenger, small truck, historic, multipurpose or street-rod vehicle. The vintage reproduction plate will be designed to resemble the 1910 Maryland registration plate, which has black lettering on a yellow background. The MVA estimates that the additional cost to obtain the plates would be $20 and would take effect January 1, 2014. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org. 

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

SEMA-supported legislation to allow off-road vehicles to operate on trails included in the Hatfield-McCoy Recreation Area was signed into law by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin. These trails are currently restricted to ATVs, dune buggy-type vehicles and motorcycles. In West Virginia, "off-road vehicles" are defined as motor vehicles that do not have low-pressure tires and which are constructed, manufactured or modified for off-road driving. Under the new law, licensed off-road vehicle operators will be required to be in possession of their registration and a valid driver’s license. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

SEMA-supported legislation to allow off-road vehicles to operate on trails included in the Hatfield-McCoy Recreation Area was signed into law by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin. These trails are currently restricted to ATVs, dune buggy-type vehicles and motorcycles. In West Virginia, "off-road vehicles" are defined as motor vehicles that do not have low-pressure tires and which are constructed, manufactured or modified for off-road driving. Under the new law, licensed off-road vehicle operators will be required to be in possession of their registration and a valid driver’s license. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

Working with state lawmakers, SEMA helped amend legislation that originally threatened to ban any covering that reduced the visibility of required motor-vehicle lighting. Under the amendment, which was approved by the Arkansas Legislature and signed into law by Governor Mike Beebe, these coverings would be prohibited only when required lamps are in use. SEMA expressed its concern that the original bill could be misinterpreted to include such items as removable ornamental lamp covers, which are often used for shows, exhibitions and street use during daylight hours.  

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.