Each year, the SEMA Show provides hundreds of new leads to buyers looking for innovative new product lines. The 2015 Show will be no exception: As of July 20, 2015, the number of registered first-time exhibitors was more than 295, and the number continues to rise.

Every year, hundreds of first-time exhibitors venture to the SEMA Show and, for those who work the Show properly, the payoff can be huge. Luma III founder Kirk Lucas and his team put it all on the line to attend last year’s Show and walked away with two Best New Products Showcase awards, a stronger brand identity and new deals in the works.

The 2015 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) provided a look at the latest vehicle creations auto manufacturers are developing or introducing during the year. For the specialty-equipment industry’s manufacturers, industry influencers and opinion leaders, seeing the car and truck introductions provides an idea of what OEM product strategists think will attract consumers in dealer’s showrooms.

Here is a snapshot of the cars and trucks on display at this year’s NAIAS that members will want to keep an eye on for potential upgrade opportunities. We can foresee a number of recent introductions showing up at cruise nights, track days, road courses, dragstrips and off-road venues in the near future.

The Los Angeles Auto Show has developed a reputation as a “green” show that strongly focuses on alternative fuels and novel forms of propulsion. This may have been the case in prior years, but the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show had more to offer enthusiasts than in recent years, as a burst of “track-ready” performance cars and creative variants on existing platforms came to light. That made it more like the SEMA Show—an optimistic environment in which OEM exhibitors launched fun-to-drive new models and showed off interesting concept cars that may very well enter production. Among them were several vehicles that could be of special relevance to SEMA members.

SEMA Show attendees have the opportunity to preview the 2014 SEMA Show Directory, making Show planning easier and more productive.

The SEMA Show Directory is a valuable resource to help plan and navigate the features of the SEMA Show and its more than 2,000 exhibitors. In addition to the directory, take a moment to also click through other pre-show tools including a preview of the Show's feature vehicles, a celebrity appearance schedule and a SEMA Show Guide for buyers. The 2014 SEMA Show is set for Tuesday–Friday, November 4–7, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The Trade Event’s Continued Growth Bodes Well for the Tire Industry

Each year, SEMA teams up with the Tire Industry Association (TIA) to present the Global Tire Expo Powered by TIA—a unique “show within the SEMA Show” that focuses exclusively on the needs of the tire-business community. Targeted to all segments of the tire industry, including light duty, medium duty, heavy duty, retreading, recycling and more, this tire exhibition and conference stands as the industry’s foremost comprehensive trade gathering.

By John Stewart

The Los Angeles Auto Show is the first international auto show of the season, so it provides an early look at some of the vehicles that could be important to SEMA-member companies in 2014.

The 2013 SEMA Show attendees would have noticed a significant growth in emphasis on custom vehicles, many of which were built for and debuted at the SEMA Show. These vehicles are now continuing to move from show to show and market to market, making the idea of customization more realistic to millions of new-car shoppers.

Empowering an Industry

The 2013 SEMA Show left no doubt that the automotive specialty-equipment industry is stronger than ever. While final attendance figures were being audited at press time, organizers reported that more than 126,000 credentials were issued prior to the event, with thousands more processed on site.

More than 60,000 of those badges went to buyers, who came from all over the world. The numbers represented a 7% increase over those from the previous year and were the highest in SEMA Show history. It was the third year in a row that the Show had seen significant growth.

SEMA Show attendees have the opportunity to preview the 2013 SEMA Show Directory, making Show planning easier and more productive.

The SEMA Show Directory is a valuable resource to help plan and navigate the features of the SEMA Show and its more than 2,000 exhibitors. In addition to the directory, take a moment to also click through other pre-show tools including a preview of the Show's feature vehicles, a celebrity appearance schedule and a SEMA Show Guide for buyers. The 2013 SEMA Show is set for Tuesday–Friday, November 5–8, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Taking Advantage of the Recreational Possibilities

While most attendees and exhibitors at the 2013 SEMA Show will spend the majority of their time either touring the displays or participating in the many educational and networking opportunities available, there’s plenty to do in the entertainment mecca of Las Vegas. It is one of the great recreational destinations in the world, offering all types of show-business entertainment as well as cultural, historical and outdoor activities.

Check out the official Las Vegas tourism site to find out about the myriad shows, activities, restaurants and more.