It is almost a given that anyone involved in the automotive specialty-equipment industry is a tool fanatic. Enthusiasts, technicians, retailers, executives—everybody has an appreciation for a tool or a piece of equipment that improves quality or makes a job easier or quicker.

Exhibiting for the first time at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas may seem daunting, but the association and ConvExx, the Show’s organizers, provide a wealth of information about how to prepare, get set up and ensure the best return on investment. From learning the lingo to keeping track of sales leads, there are plenty of resources that will help first-timers—and seasoned veterans—connect with the right buyers for the best partnerships. It all begins with a visit to the official Show website and the Exhibitor Manual.

Performance Racing Industry (PRI), producers of the PRI trade show and Performance Racing Industry business magazine, finalized plans to be purchased by SEMA. With 20-plus years of publishing and management experience at PRI, John Kilroy will serve as vice president/general manager of PRI and assume day-to-day operations for the group. All of the operations, employees and offices will remain intact at PRI’s current location in Laguna Beach, California.

Since its beginning 24 years ago, the PRI Trade Show has become a key asset to race teams, engine builders, track owners, fabricators and retailers in every form of motorsports. Last year, more than 1,100 companies came to the PRI Trade Show to exhibit, and nearly 40,000 motorsports professionals attended. PRI has its own unique constituency and culture, and it has a history of helping build businesses through face-to-face meetings between exhibitors and attendees.

Whether you attended the 2011 SEMA Show or not, we always recommend checking out the media coverage after the Show. Thousands of media representatives attend the Show each year and their goal is to scour the Show floor for the hottest and best new products available. They’re not simply looking to meet with a few manufacturers. Rather, they’re reporting on the Show so that they can share what’s new with their audience. Below, are just a few examples of the coverage that resulted. As you see more articles, add them to your personal list of Required Reading—you may discover some products that you missed while in Vegas!

Adding a little more power, even just a horse or two, changes the relationship between a car and its driver. Suddenly, drivers become enthusiasts and their cars become “projects.” The 2011 SEMA Show featured 485 exhibitors in the Racing & Performance section, entering more than 650 new products in the Show’s Ideas Alive: New Products Showcase. In an effort to satisfy those passionate consumers, more than 16,000 buyers registered for the Show, specifically to identify the newest trends and hottest products dedicated to engine performance.