May 9, 2013—Organizers of the 2013 SEMA Show have expanded the Collision Repair & Refinish segment’s space on the show floor by nearly 25 percent compared to the 2012 event.
The 2012 SEMA Show included 330 exhibitors in the Collision Repair & Refinish and Tools & Equipment sections, which consumed 88,000 square feet in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. For 2013, the Collision Repair & Refinish section will expand into an adjacent area of the Las Vegas Hotel, adding roughly 20,000 square feet of space to the show floor.
SEMA Show organizers said the expansion is a result of the fast-growing interest from both exhibitors and buyers in the collision market segment.
“The expanded floor section makes it really easy and convenient for buyers to see all the products in the collision market within a defined area,” said Peter MacGillivray, vice president of events and communications for SEMA, noting more than 20,000 SEMA Show buyers have expressed interest in collision repair products. “As interest grows and the landscape changes, we continue to evolve and are excited about the plans for 2013.”
Collision industry professionals will also have opportunities to network and expand their knowledge during several industry meetings. The Collision Industry Conference (CIC), National Auto Body Council (NABC) and Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) are among industry-related groups that plan to host meetings during the event.
The SCRS will also present its fourth annual Repairer Driver Education (RDE) program. Aaron Schulenburg, executive director of the SCRS, said the 2013 RDE program will include fresh content relevant to collision repair professionals, including business management and growth strategies.
“Each year we have taken feedback from past attendees and used it to amplify our upcoming offerings. This year, we are adding to the format with designated tracks that can guide repair industry professionals through the weeklong program based on their core interests in what they need for their business,” Schulenburg said. “Regardless of interest, there is something for everyone and the objective remains the same: to address real issues faced by collision repairers, while providing tangible information that they can directly apply to their business when they return home.”
The 2013 SEMA Show is scheduled for Nov. 5-8 in Las Vegas. The event is expected to attract more than 130,000 attendees from 125 countries.
