Advice for First-Time (and Even Long-Time) Exhibitors

More than 130,000 automotive industry professionals will attend the 2014 SEMA Show, November 4–7, at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), and more than 60,000 of them will be buyers searching the aisles for products to carry in their retail outlets and installation centers. Historically, 87% of those buyers plan to purchase products from the Show’s exhibitors. With some forethought, a bit of research and a successful strategy, even first-time exhibitors can take full advantage of those sales opportunities at what has become the largest annual gathering of small businesses in the United States.

SEMA companies interested in expanding their sales overseas or wishing to gain a foothold in key international markets for the first time should start planning now to take advantage of one of the biggest international events of the year—the 2014 SEMA Show. During the first week of November, resellers from more than 130 countries interested in purchasing performance and styling products will be descending on Las Vegas for the SEMA Show. In fact, early figures show that 25% of all buyers expected to attend this year’s Show reside outside the United States, which is similar to the percentage at the 2013 Show.

Beginning November 4, the eyes of the automotive world will be on the Las Vegas Convention Center and the annual SEMA Show. This year’s Show will be a mixture of new products, vehicle debuts and exciting events, such as the SCORE Baja 1000 event which will be held for the first time in conjunction with the Show. With more than 130,000 attendees, this year’s Show promises to be something truly special. Here’s what the media highlighted from the 2013 SEMA Show and what they are previewing for the 2014 SEMA Show.

More Than 415 Business Opportunities

Every first-time exhibitor represents a business opportunity. Attendees, looking for the latest trends and hottest new products, know that new exhibitors can be a tremendous resource. This year (as of July 29, 2014) more than 415 new companies have already registered for a booth at this year’s Show.

The online list of first-timers represents the leading edge of what will be a strong freshmen class for the 2014 SEMA Show. Buyers can now browse through and note businesses to visit during the 2014 SEMA Show online.

Facilitators of the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge have introduced a new dual championship format so that qualifying teams will face off at one of the two top industry trade shows—SEMA or PRI. The top two teams from the SEMA Show in November will take on the top two teams from PRI in December in the finale to crown the 2014 Engine Challenge Champion.

Hot Rodders of Tomorrow is a nonprofit organization that hosts nationwide Engine Challenges, where high-school teams compete against each other in complete engine rebuilds. All of the teams work hard to complete the regular season to reach the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Championship.

How Fusion Brakes Handled Its Very First SEMA Show

Thousands of companies exhibit at the SEMA Show each year, and tens of thousands of industry buyers come to the Show for the sole purpose of discovering new products and companies. Of the more than 2,000 exhibitors at the typical SEMA Show, some 400 to 600 are there for the first time. Many are small companies that bring never-before-seen products. In many cases, their decision to exhibit at the SEMA Show represents their single largest marketing cost of the year.

The SEMA Show Online Media Center is now available for exhibiting companies to submit show-related press releases to be included on the SEMA Show website, used in association publications and promoted to media attendees. The Online Media Center was designed specifically for journalists to find Show-related news and announcements. With more than 3,000 media in attendance, exhibiting companies will benefit by spotlighting their newest and most innovative products to direct media attention to their booths.