Playing in the Recreational Mecca

The annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas is, first and foremost, one of the world’s largest automotive trade events, and business is the number-one priority. But that doesn’t preclude a ton of fun on the side—especially given all the opportunities the city presents. The following items are a few highlighted attractions, but be sure to visit the official city website at www.lasvegas.com for its huge listing of activities, shows, tours and more. You can even download a guide to the city at the site or order a hard copy. The breadth of possibilities is amazing!

Get the Most From Your 2014 Experience

Larger than ever for 2014, this year’s SEMA Show promises to connect buyers with more than 2,300 exhibitors while offering an exciting look at more than a million square feet of industry innovation both inside and outside the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). With thousands of products, display vehicles, booths and business-enhancing activities to choose from, how do buyers begin to navigate this massive world of opportunity? The key, said SEMA Show Director Tom Gattuso, is to strategize beforehand and hit the ground running.

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 following celebrities and industry personalities represent a sample of of the hundreds scheduled to appear at the 2014 SEMA Show. To view the entire real-time celebrities and industry personalities list, visit here.

If you’re an exhibitor with a significant revelation and you want to let the cat out of the bag, holding a press conference is the best way to get in front of the media. Hours of planning, preparation and strategy are required to successfully pull it off, but the results can be well worth it. It’s best to ensure that you have the necessary staffing and resources at your disposal to optimize your chances of convincing the media to show up and connect with you, and getting the coverage you seek.

The SEMA Garage Opens to Industry Wows

As the saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a good first impression. In recent months, the new SEMA Garage—Industry Innovations Center has officially thrown its doors wide open to SEMA members, welcoming them to let their creativity flow within the new facility. In return, the initial industry response has been incredible. Clearly, SEMA membership is intrigued with the possibilities.

The SEMA Show Director Provides Insights to the 2014 Event

With nearly 20 years in the production of both consumer and trade automotive events, the SEMA Show’s Tom Gattuso is well versed in ensuring that attendees and exhibitors receive the greatest return on their investments. He holds a certification in event management, and the 2014 SEMA Show will be his fourth as its director. SEMA News was pleased to talk with him about the Show, its features and his expectations for this year’s venue.

More Than a Trade Show, It’s an Automotive Paradise

The SEMA Show is a business event, as everyone in the industry knows. It’s the venue where buyers and sellers come together to provide products to installers and stock the shelves of retail outlets throughout the nation and the world. But it’s also so much more than that. It’s one of the world’s greatest custom car shows. It’s a four-day university of automotive knowledge. It’s a carnival, complete with wild rides and sideshows. There’s more going on at the SEMA Show than at many of the planet’s amusement parks, and there’s only so much time in each day. Attendees have to plan ahead if they want to catch every nuance available. Here’s a brief look at some of the major points of interest.

SEMA Members Celebrate Fifth Annual Collector Car Appreciation Day

On July 11, 2014, SEMA members joined with SEMA staff and thousands of enthusiasts to celebrate the fifth annual Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD). A wide range of official events were held in the United States, Canada and Australia to commemorate the day, designated by SEMA-requested U.S. Senate Resolution 493, which was sponsored by Senator Jon Tester (D-MT), Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) and Senator Mark Begich (D-AK).

The U.S. Senate Resolution recognized “that the collection and restoration of historic and classic cars is an important part of preserving the technological achievements and cultural heritage of the United States.” Lawmakers in states, counties and local areas all over the country and Canada followed the Senate’s lead. The states of California, Louisiana and New Mexico, along with the Canadian Provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba and Nova Scotia, adopted their own resolutions commemorating the day.

The Keys Are Collecting, Qualifying and Following Up

According to a report entitled “2013 SEMA Show Research”—a post-Show survey of exhibitors and attendees—almost 90% of exhibitors at the 2013 SEMA Show said that they exhibit in order to generate leads and increase awareness of their companies. Slightly higher percentages said that those objectives were met at the 2013 Show.