By Becca Butler

	Participating in the Priority Booth Space Selection process gives exhibiting companies the opportunity to select the best possible space for the SEMA Show.

Monday, April 6, is the deadline for exhibitors to submit their 2015 SEMA Show booth space applications (available at www.semashow.com/buyabooth) and be included in the Priority Booth Space Selection Process. What exactly does this mean? Here’s everything exhibitors need to know:

What is the Priority Booth Space Selection?
Priority Booth Space Selection is a three-week process when the booth space for the SEMA Show is assigned to and confirmed by exhibitors. Participating in the Priority Booth Space Selection process gives exhibiting companies the opportunity to select the best possible space for the SEMA Show. This year’s selection is scheduled for May 4–22, 2015.

Who is included in the Priority Booth Space Selection?
Manufacturers that submit an application (often referred to as an “ESRA” – or Exhibit Space Rental Agreement) with their deposits prior to April 6 will be included in the Priority Booth Space Selection. The ESRA simply secures a space and provides Show organizers with details and information that is needed to assign a space. There are typically about 1,500 companies that participate in this process. Companies that submit an ESRA after April 6 will be assigned space after the Priority Booth Space Selection.

How do Show organizers determine my booth space at the SEMA Show?
There are a few factors that determine an exhibitor’s space at the SEMA Show. The first factor is an exhibitor’s market category. The SEMA Show is sectionalized to help connect exhibitors with the most relevant buyers at the Show. For those taking part in the Priority Booth Space Selection process, the next factor is based on seniority. Companies that have exhibited longer will be assigned space before newer exhibitors. The other factor that determines the actual location has to do with booth size and configuration. Some configurations, such as an endcap, have limited availabilities. Learn more about SEMA Show booth configurations.

How does the Priority Booth Space Selection Process work?
During the week of April 27, the person listed on the ESRA as the “exhibitor contact” will receive an e-mail that includes an assigned date, approximate time (a one-hour time range), a link to the online SEMA Show Floorplan and other important details. During your company’s assigned date and time, Show organizers will call the number listed on the booth space application. At that time, exhibitors will be asked to check the online floorplan and select an open booth location that matches what was requested on the ESRA. Immediately following the selection process, an e-mail will be sent confirming the location and size of the booth that was selected.

FAQs

What if I know I will not be available during my assigned date/time, or I will not have access to a computer?
Exhibitors who know they cannot make their assigned date/time can assign another individual or allow SEMA Show Management to select their booth location on their behalf. If you will not have access to a computer, it will be best to have another individual or SEMA Show management select your space as well. The computer is needed to view the updated floorplan and will allow you to see what space is available. A proxy form must be filled out to allow another individual to select your space. For information on the proxy form, please contact sales@sema.org.

How will SEMA Show management select my space for me?
If you are not available to select your space, SEMA Show management will select the best space available, based on the information provided on the application. Exhibitors will receive a confirmation listing the space assigned and will have 24 hours to confirm the location. If unhappy with the space, exhibitors can cancel and receive 100% of their money back.

What if I miss my phone call during my assigned date/time?
Exhibitors who do not answer the phone call will be assigned the best available space based on the specifications listed on their application. A confirmation e-mail will be sent immediately following the booth selection and exhibitors will have 24 hours to either confirm the location, call back to see what other locations are still available or receive their money back. Exhibitors can call 909-396-0289 in order to change the space that was assigned.

What if I’m not happy with the location that I am assigned or with any of the options available?
Exhibitors who are not happy with their booth location will have 24 hours after receiving the confirmation e-mail to alert SEMA Show management for a full refund.

What if I don’t receive an assigned date/time for the Space Selection process?
Exhibitors who do not receive an e-mail with their assigned date and time during the week of April 27 should contact sales@sema.org.

Can I change the size or type of booth during the selection process?
No. The size selected on the ESRA is what will be assigned during the Priority Booth Space Selection. Changes to the size will result in moving to the end of the allocation process and assigned at that time.

To secure a booth space and be included in the Priority Booth Space Selection Process, visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth. For more information or additional questions regarding the Priority Booth Space Selection process, contact sales@sema.org or 909-396-0289.

By Becca Butler

	Participating in the Priority Booth Space Selection process gives exhibiting companies the opportunity to select the best possible space for the SEMA Show.

Monday, April 6, is the deadline for exhibitors to submit their 2015 SEMA Show booth space applications (available at www.semashow.com/buyabooth) and be included in the Priority Booth Space Selection Process. What exactly does this mean? Here’s everything exhibitors need to know:

What is the Priority Booth Space Selection?
Priority Booth Space Selection is a three-week process when the booth space for the SEMA Show is assigned to and confirmed by exhibitors. Participating in the Priority Booth Space Selection process gives exhibiting companies the opportunity to select the best possible space for the SEMA Show. This year’s selection is scheduled for May 4–22, 2015.

Who is included in the Priority Booth Space Selection?
Manufacturers that submit an application (often referred to as an “ESRA” – or Exhibit Space Rental Agreement) with their deposits prior to April 6 will be included in the Priority Booth Space Selection. The ESRA simply secures a space and provides Show organizers with details and information that is needed to assign a space. There are typically about 1,500 companies that participate in this process. Companies that submit an ESRA after April 6 will be assigned space after the Priority Booth Space Selection.

How do Show organizers determine my booth space at the SEMA Show?
There are a few factors that determine an exhibitor’s space at the SEMA Show. The first factor is an exhibitor’s market category. The SEMA Show is sectionalized to help connect exhibitors with the most relevant buyers at the Show. For those taking part in the Priority Booth Space Selection process, the next factor is based on seniority. Companies that have exhibited longer will be assigned space before newer exhibitors. The other factor that determines the actual location has to do with booth size and configuration. Some configurations, such as an endcap, have limited availabilities. Learn more about SEMA Show booth configurations.

How does the Priority Booth Space Selection Process work?
During the week of April 27, the person listed on the ESRA as the “exhibitor contact” will receive an e-mail that includes an assigned date, approximate time (a one-hour time range), a link to the online SEMA Show Floorplan and other important details. During your company’s assigned date and time, Show organizers will call the number listed on the booth space application. At that time, exhibitors will be asked to check the online floorplan and select an open booth location that matches what was requested on the ESRA. Immediately following the selection process, an e-mail will be sent confirming the location and size of the booth that was selected.

FAQs

What if I know I will not be available during my assigned date/time, or I will not have access to a computer?
Exhibitors who know they cannot make their assigned date/time can assign another individual or allow SEMA Show Management to select their booth location on their behalf. If you will not have access to a computer, it will be best to have another individual or SEMA Show management select your space as well. The computer is needed to view the updated floorplan and will allow you to see what space is available. A proxy form must be filled out to allow another individual to select your space. For information on the proxy form, please contact sales@sema.org.

How will SEMA Show management select my space for me?
If you are not available to select your space, SEMA Show management will select the best space available, based on the information provided on the application. Exhibitors will receive a confirmation listing the space assigned and will have 24 hours to confirm the location. If unhappy with the space, exhibitors can cancel and receive 100% of their money back.

What if I miss my phone call during my assigned date/time?
Exhibitors who do not answer the phone call will be assigned the best available space based on the specifications listed on their application. A confirmation e-mail will be sent immediately following the booth selection and exhibitors will have 24 hours to either confirm the location, call back to see what other locations are still available or receive their money back. Exhibitors can call 909-396-0289 in order to change the space that was assigned.

What if I’m not happy with the location that I am assigned or with any of the options available?
Exhibitors who are not happy with their booth location will have 24 hours after receiving the confirmation e-mail to alert SEMA Show management for a full refund.

What if I don’t receive an assigned date/time for the Space Selection process?
Exhibitors who do not receive an e-mail with their assigned date and time during the week of April 27 should contact sales@sema.org.

Can I change the size or type of booth during the selection process?
No. The size selected on the ESRA is what will be assigned during the Priority Booth Space Selection. Changes to the size will result in moving to the end of the allocation process and assigned at that time.

To secure a booth space and be included in the Priority Booth Space Selection Process, visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth. For more information or additional questions regarding the Priority Booth Space Selection process, contact sales@sema.org or 909-396-0289.

	Travel Planners provides lowest-rate guarantees for every hotel contract, ensuring that SEMA Showgoers will always get the best deal.

The SEMA Show has partnered with select service providers in Las Vegas to smooth preparations and assure reliable execution of services required by exhibitors and attendees.

These providers support services, such as catering, promotion and transportation, that provide for essential needs of exhibitors, and are committed to supporting high-level professional standards and the SEMA tradition of customer service as we strive to deliver the world’s best trade show.

This week’s spotlight service provider is Travel Planners, the official housing provider of the SEMA Show.

Travel Planners provides on-site housing assistance and lowest-rate guarantees for every hotel contract, ensuring that SEMA Showgoers will always get the best deal. Even if reservations have been made, Travel Planners will lower your rate automatically and confirm your savings by email. If you find a lower rate, simply contact Travel Planners. As long as the rate is for all of the dates of your stay, you’ll receive a price that’s as good or better.

In addition, by booking through the Show's official housing provider, in many cases, resort fees are waived altogether or drastically reduced and already included to the rate displayed. With Travel Planners, the rate you see is the rate you pay.

For complete information about SEMA Show accommodations, visit www.tphousing.com.

Exhibitors are encouraged to visit Travel and Lodging page on www.SEMAShow.com and scroll through the current rates offered by approximately 20 Las Vegas hotels.

More information on the 2015 SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com.

	Travel Planners provides lowest-rate guarantees for every hotel contract, ensuring that SEMA Showgoers will always get the best deal.

The SEMA Show has partnered with select service providers in Las Vegas to smooth preparations and assure reliable execution of services required by exhibitors and attendees.

These providers support services, such as catering, promotion and transportation, that provide for essential needs of exhibitors, and are committed to supporting high-level professional standards and the SEMA tradition of customer service as we strive to deliver the world’s best trade show.

This week’s spotlight service provider is Travel Planners, the official housing provider of the SEMA Show.

Travel Planners provides on-site housing assistance and lowest-rate guarantees for every hotel contract, ensuring that SEMA Showgoers will always get the best deal. Even if reservations have been made, Travel Planners will lower your rate automatically and confirm your savings by email. If you find a lower rate, simply contact Travel Planners. As long as the rate is for all of the dates of your stay, you’ll receive a price that’s as good or better.

In addition, by booking through the Show's official housing provider, in many cases, resort fees are waived altogether or drastically reduced and already included to the rate displayed. With Travel Planners, the rate you see is the rate you pay.

For complete information about SEMA Show accommodations, visit www.tphousing.com.

Exhibitors are encouraged to visit Travel and Lodging page on www.SEMAShow.com and scroll through the current rates offered by approximately 20 Las Vegas hotels.

More information on the 2015 SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

	Valerie Thompson will race her specially prepared BMW S 1000 RR land-speed motorcycles at noteworthy events this year, including the Ohio Mile, Bonneville Speed Week and the World Finals at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Quicksilver Powersports Lubricants Partners With Valerie Thompson Land Speed Racing Team

Quicksilver Powersports Lubricants will help power seven-time land-speed record holder Valerie Thompson on her quest to reach record speeds at Southern California Timing Association (SCTA), East Coast Timing Association (ECTA) and Utah Salt Flats Racing Association (USFRA) events. Thompson will race her specially prepared BMW S 1000 RR land-speed motorcycles at noteworthy events this year, including the Ohio Mile, Bonneville Speed Week and the World Finals at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Thompson will kick off her 2015 land-speed racing efforts March 27 at The Texas Mile event—a biannual motorsports festival and land-speed racing venue that draws the fastest vehicles from all corners of North America in much the same way the legendary Bonneville course draw the world’s fastest vehicles.

Bob Bondurant Wins New Carroll Shelby Spirit Award Presented in Honor of His Achievements

Bob Bondurant, who was an integral part of the ’65 Shelby American FIA World Championship team, became the first recipient of the Carroll Shelby Spirit award, Saturday, March 7. The award was presented by Carol Anne Conway—Carroll Shelby’s niece—during the 8th annual Shelby Bash in Las Vegas. The award honors the achievements of people who embody the same passion for performance as Carroll Shelby.

Bondurant joined the Shelby American racing team in 1963, which led to a season in Europe and competition for the FIA World Championship. Paired with Dan Gurney in 1964, Bondurant won the GT category and took fourth overall at the wheel of a Daytona Coupe at Le Mans. He scored valuable points in 11 races the next season when the Shelby American team became the only American manufacturer to capture the GT class FIA world championship. Bondurant was forced to take a hiatus from racing after the steering arm broke during a race, launching his car into a dirt embankment and rolling eight times. Faced with the possibility of never being able to walk again, Bondurant is now the CEO of The Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving.

	Lacrecia Beurrier won the Mint 400 last weekend in Las Vegas.

Team Dragonfire Wins the Mint 400

DragonFire-sponsored Pro Unlimited UTV pilot Lacrecia Beurrier won the Mint 400 last weekend in Las Vegas. Since the inaugural event back in 1967, the 400-mile race through the Nevada desert has earned its reputation for being the toughest off-road race in North America. This year's event featured 25 different classes, more than 300 competitors and the biggest field of UTVs in race history.

Chip Ganassi Racing Teams Expands Into Action Sports Arena in Red Bull Global Rallycross With New Partner Loenbro

Chip Ganassi Racing Teams Inc. (CGRT) has announced the formation of a two-car team in the Supercar class of Red Bull Global Rallycross (GRC) with new partner Loenbro and drivers Brian Deegan and Steve Arpin. CGRT joins the series and looks to complement the team’s continued focus on reaching millennials as a vehicle to grow interest in motorsports.
 
CGRT joins forces with energy services and construction company Loenbro, which serves clients throughout the Rocky Mountain region and beyond, to field the two-car team out of CGRT’s Concord, North Carolina-based shop that houses their NASCAR Sprint Cup and XFINITY Series programs. Founding brothers Paul and Jon Leach are entrepreneurs who built a company.
 
The 16-time X-Games medalist Deegan will pilot the No. 38 RockStar Energy Drink Ford Fiesta ST, with teammate Arpin in the No. 00 ENEOS Ford Fiesta ST. Arpin will run the full 12-race calendar, with Deegan competing in seven races. The two will also compete in X Games Austin this summer as it returns to Circuit of the Americas from June 4–7.

4 Wheel Parts Renews Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Partnership

4 Wheel Parts has announced its return as the "Official Off Road Parts Retailer" of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series. The off-road racing organization kicks off the 2015 season March 20–21 at Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park in Lake Elsinore, California. The agreement extends the long-time partnership for another year as the series continues to expand into new markets and experience increases in attendance and broadcast viewership.

	Yokohama Tire Corp. (YTC) has announced its 2015 motorsports calendar.

Yokohama Announces 2015 Motorsports Schedule

Yokohama Tire Corp. (YTC) has announced its 2015 motorsports calendar. Yokohama’s racing slate includes the Red Bull Global Rallycross, which starts May 31 in Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida; the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama, which heats up March 18–20 at Sebring; and off-road racing events, including the SCORE Baja 500, SCORE Baja 1000 and the Best in the Desert’s Vegas to Reno.

NMRA Signs Five-Year Contract With Bradenton Motorsports Park

ProMedia Events has announced the signing of a five-year contract with Bradenton Motorsports Park. As a result, the NMRA Keystone Automotive Ford Nationals season opener has a permanent home through 2020 in the city of Bradenton, Florida. Held in early March, the NMRA Spring Break Shootout features the world's fastest Fords in heads-up drag racing classes, such as VP Racing Fuels Street Outlaw where turbo- and supercharged Mustangs reach up to 200+ mph in the quarter-mile.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

	Valerie Thompson will race her specially prepared BMW S 1000 RR land-speed motorcycles at noteworthy events this year, including the Ohio Mile, Bonneville Speed Week and the World Finals at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Quicksilver Powersports Lubricants Partners With Valerie Thompson Land Speed Racing Team

Quicksilver Powersports Lubricants will help power seven-time land-speed record holder Valerie Thompson on her quest to reach record speeds at Southern California Timing Association (SCTA), East Coast Timing Association (ECTA) and Utah Salt Flats Racing Association (USFRA) events. Thompson will race her specially prepared BMW S 1000 RR land-speed motorcycles at noteworthy events this year, including the Ohio Mile, Bonneville Speed Week and the World Finals at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Thompson will kick off her 2015 land-speed racing efforts March 27 at The Texas Mile event—a biannual motorsports festival and land-speed racing venue that draws the fastest vehicles from all corners of North America in much the same way the legendary Bonneville course draw the world’s fastest vehicles.

Bob Bondurant Wins New Carroll Shelby Spirit Award Presented in Honor of His Achievements

Bob Bondurant, who was an integral part of the ’65 Shelby American FIA World Championship team, became the first recipient of the Carroll Shelby Spirit award, Saturday, March 7. The award was presented by Carol Anne Conway—Carroll Shelby’s niece—during the 8th annual Shelby Bash in Las Vegas. The award honors the achievements of people who embody the same passion for performance as Carroll Shelby.

Bondurant joined the Shelby American racing team in 1963, which led to a season in Europe and competition for the FIA World Championship. Paired with Dan Gurney in 1964, Bondurant won the GT category and took fourth overall at the wheel of a Daytona Coupe at Le Mans. He scored valuable points in 11 races the next season when the Shelby American team became the only American manufacturer to capture the GT class FIA world championship. Bondurant was forced to take a hiatus from racing after the steering arm broke during a race, launching his car into a dirt embankment and rolling eight times. Faced with the possibility of never being able to walk again, Bondurant is now the CEO of The Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving.

	Lacrecia Beurrier won the Mint 400 last weekend in Las Vegas.

Team Dragonfire Wins the Mint 400

DragonFire-sponsored Pro Unlimited UTV pilot Lacrecia Beurrier won the Mint 400 last weekend in Las Vegas. Since the inaugural event back in 1967, the 400-mile race through the Nevada desert has earned its reputation for being the toughest off-road race in North America. This year's event featured 25 different classes, more than 300 competitors and the biggest field of UTVs in race history.

Chip Ganassi Racing Teams Expands Into Action Sports Arena in Red Bull Global Rallycross With New Partner Loenbro

Chip Ganassi Racing Teams Inc. (CGRT) has announced the formation of a two-car team in the Supercar class of Red Bull Global Rallycross (GRC) with new partner Loenbro and drivers Brian Deegan and Steve Arpin. CGRT joins the series and looks to complement the team’s continued focus on reaching millennials as a vehicle to grow interest in motorsports.
 
CGRT joins forces with energy services and construction company Loenbro, which serves clients throughout the Rocky Mountain region and beyond, to field the two-car team out of CGRT’s Concord, North Carolina-based shop that houses their NASCAR Sprint Cup and XFINITY Series programs. Founding brothers Paul and Jon Leach are entrepreneurs who built a company.
 
The 16-time X-Games medalist Deegan will pilot the No. 38 RockStar Energy Drink Ford Fiesta ST, with teammate Arpin in the No. 00 ENEOS Ford Fiesta ST. Arpin will run the full 12-race calendar, with Deegan competing in seven races. The two will also compete in X Games Austin this summer as it returns to Circuit of the Americas from June 4–7.

4 Wheel Parts Renews Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Partnership

4 Wheel Parts has announced its return as the "Official Off Road Parts Retailer" of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series. The off-road racing organization kicks off the 2015 season March 20–21 at Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park in Lake Elsinore, California. The agreement extends the long-time partnership for another year as the series continues to expand into new markets and experience increases in attendance and broadcast viewership.

	Yokohama Tire Corp. (YTC) has announced its 2015 motorsports calendar.

Yokohama Announces 2015 Motorsports Schedule

Yokohama Tire Corp. (YTC) has announced its 2015 motorsports calendar. Yokohama’s racing slate includes the Red Bull Global Rallycross, which starts May 31 in Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida; the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama, which heats up March 18–20 at Sebring; and off-road racing events, including the SCORE Baja 500, SCORE Baja 1000 and the Best in the Desert’s Vegas to Reno.

NMRA Signs Five-Year Contract With Bradenton Motorsports Park

ProMedia Events has announced the signing of a five-year contract with Bradenton Motorsports Park. As a result, the NMRA Keystone Automotive Ford Nationals season opener has a permanent home through 2020 in the city of Bradenton, Florida. Held in early March, the NMRA Spring Break Shootout features the world's fastest Fords in heads-up drag racing classes, such as VP Racing Fuels Street Outlaw where turbo- and supercharged Mustangs reach up to 200+ mph in the quarter-mile.