A short history and primer on why it's such a big deal
10-28-07: Produced by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), the SEMA Show is the premier automotive accessories trade event in the world. The event serves the $36.7 billion automotive specialty-equipment industry, which allows drivers to personalize and enhance their vehicle's appearance, performance, comfort, convenience, safety and fun.
The SEMA Show is held annually at the Las Vegas Convention Center during the first week of November. The show opens each year on a Tuesday, with education day taking place the Monday before the show opens. For 2007, the SEMA Show is October 30-November 2, 2007.
Each year, more than 125,000 industry professionals from over 100 countries attend the SEMA Show for a variety of reasons:
New Products: See what's new in the industry. The SEMA Show features more than 1,500 new automotive products and accessories. This year, 14 automakers will exhibit at the Show, where many will debut new vehicles and accessorized models to industry and media representatives.
Trends: With more than one million square feet of exhibits accessible only to the trade, Showgoers are treated to an upclose and in-depth look at some of the hottest new trends as they emerge. Outside the convention center, nearly 1,000 project vehicles will spill over into the parking lots to display incredible feature vehicles and the newest performance and accessory products inspiring today's younger drivers.
Network: With more than 2,000 exhibiting companies at the SEMA Show, attendees can speak with key people in the industry, including company owners, celebrities and decision makers. Additionally, dozens of special events are held each evening, giving industry professionals the opportunity to mix and mingle after the Show floor closes.
Education: Throughout the week, attendees are able to learn valuable business skills by taking part in nearly 50 educational seminars on topics ranging from marketing and advertising, to management and hiring. These seminars are available at no additional cost and feature leading experts and professionals.
Because the SEMA Show is designed to be a place where manufacturers in the industry can showcase their products and connect with buyers, the event is a trade-only event reserved exclusively for those working in the automotive industry.
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SEMA Show Timeline
1963 :
Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is founded.
1965 :
Noel Carpenter, an L.A.-area promoter and automotive-magazine publisher, organized the "Speed & Custom Equipment" (SCEN), the first-ever speed and performance industry trade show. It was NOT sponsored by SEMA.
1966 :
Noel Carpenter produced the second "Speed & Custom Equipment" trade show, with SEMA sponsoring the event and receiving a share of the profits for the use of the association's name. While SEMA received a check for $535, the event is NOT recognized as first "SEMA Show."
1967 :
Noel Carpenter moved the "Speed & Custom Equipment" show to Las Vegas; Meanwhile, the first official SEMA Show takes place in January 1967, under the grandstands of Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The event, featuring 98 booths and approximately 3,000 attendees, was organized by Robert Petersen.
1974 :
The SEMA Show moves to the Anaheim Convention Center.
1977 :
The SEMA Show moves to the Las Vegas Convention Center. Las Vegas was chosen because it provided room for growth, has dependable weather, big-name entertainment and a world-famous location.
1979 :
Nile Cornelison creates Innovations Day, a seminar program taking place the day before the official SEMA Show opening. The program was a huge success and continues to take place today, under the name of SEMA Show Luncheon and Keynote Address.
1982 :
SEMA assumes full control of the SEMA Show from Robert Petersen.
1988 :
The concept of sectionalization is born, as exhibitors within the street rod market are grouped together in the "Street Rod Equipment" area. Beginning in 2003, the entire SEMA Show floor was sectionalized into what are now 11 areas.
1992 :
SEMA joins with other aftermarket organizations to consolidate fragmented trade show activities into one comprehensive week, known as Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW). Set for the first week of November in Las Vegas every year, AAIW has become a key event in the automotive industry throughout the world.
1997 :
The National Tire Dealers & Retreaders (NTDRA) trade show was combined with the SEMA Show and later became known as the International Tire Expo (ITE). In 2004, ITE was combined with the Performance Tires and Wheels section, which is now the largest area of the Show filling the entire lower level of South Hall with 2,600 booths (260,000 new square feet).
2002 :
The Las Vegas Convention Center completes construction on its expansion, opening up an additional one million square feet of space in the two-story South Hall. The number of exhibitors at the SEMA Show jumps to 1,814 (compared to 1,557 in the previous year).
2003 :
A vehicle Proving Ground was added to the SEMA Show, giving attendees an opportunity to experience exhibitor's products in action. The track includes slalom, skid pad and areas for acceleration and braking. Also during 2003, Mopar Alley is added to make it easy and convenient for visitors to navigate between Central and South Halls.
2004 :
An Off-Road Proving Ground gave extreme off-roaders an opportunity to showcase the latest four-wheel drive products and technology.
2005 :
More than 2,000 companies exhibit at the SEMA Show, the most in SEMA's history. Also marking a record high in 2005 were the 14 automakers, and 552 first-time exhibitors, who were showcasing products at the SEMA Show.
2006 :
Emerging product categories such as diesel performance continue to grow at the show. Two new SEMA member benefits launched for jobbers/retailers at the 2006 Show - "The Store of the Future" and "The Retail Resource Center."
2007 :
The "West Coast Customs Experience" is introduced at the show featuring a cool combination of celebrity Hollywood with hands-on tool and equipment technology demonstrations in the Tools and Equipment section.
