The automotive aftermarket industry is clearly ready for in-person events, with more than 1,200 companies already signing up to exhibit at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) tradeshow Nov. 2-5 in Las Vegas.
“The industry has spent the past year separated, and businesses are anxious and eager to reconnect in person,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events.
"[Exhibitors] have nearly two years’ worth of innovation to share, and they will be showing it off at the SEMA Show. Based on what we are hearing, exhibitors are pulling out all the stops.”
The SEMA Show will mark the first industry-wide in-person gathering in almost two years. Recently, the state of California confirmed it will re-open at 100 percent capacity by June 1, spurring more exhibitors to sign up. Gattuso said they are hearing an "overwhelming response from exhibitors," as manufacturers make plans to impress the industry with enhanced booths and unique displays.
Companies who submit their space applications before May 7 will be included in the priority booth space draw, a multi-week process when exhibitors select their space within the 3.2 million square foot Las Vegas Convention Center.
The SEMA Show will include exhibits in all four halls, seminars in dozens of meeting rooms, networking events in nearby ballrooms and special displays and interactive attractions in the outdoor areas.
Manufacturers can apply for booth space at www.semashow.com and attendee registration will open in May.