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| One of every four buyers at the 2009 SEMA Show came from outside the United States. |
Demonstrating the specialty-equipment industry's growing global reach, international buyer and attendee attendance continues to climb. Hailing from 140 countries and U.S. territories, 2009 SEMA Show international attendees increased to 25%, a 5% rise from 2008, according Hedges & Company data.
One of every four buyers at the 2009 SEMA Show came from outside the United States, with the percentage of international buyers increasing from 22% in 2008 to 25% in 2009.
Ninety percent of international buyers had the ability to make buying decisions or recommendations, which is three points higher than the net buying influence of domestic buyers.
Forty-two percent of international buyers were from businesses with annual sales of less than $1 million, while 59% of international buyers were from businesses in operation 11 or more years. Eighty-two percent reported at least 10% of their business was wholesale compared to 68% for U.S. buyers.
International buyers also reported a higher mix of wholesale business, 73% of which have $5 million or less in annual sales from one location and wholesale is half of their business.
For international buyers, the top three product interests were engines/engine parts components (16%), tires (12%), wheels/hubcaps/accessories (11%) and replacement parts (11%). The top 10 products currently carried were engine/engine parts components (26%), brakes (23%), tires (20%) and exterior accessories (20%). Like most American buyers, exterior accessories were the top product interest among Canadian buyers.
The top five countries with the highest number of attendees included Canada (30% of all estimated international attendees), followed by Mexico (11%), Australia (8%), Japan (5%) and Venezuela (3%). These five countries combined provided 57% of the Show’s estimated international attendees.
For the sixth consecutive year, Canada had the largest increase (28%) in international estimated attendance. Attendance from Canada has increased 88% since 2004 and the country now sends more people to the SEMA Show than the eastern region of the United States. There was also increased attendance from Mexico (64%), Australia (131%) and Japan (46%) in 2009.
Canadian attendees came from 12 provinces. Alberta provided the most
estimated Canadian attendees with 28%, followed by Ontario with 24%.
British Columbia, Quebec and Saskatchewan rounded out the top five. For
the second straight year, Saskatchewan had the largest percentage
increase in attendees with 146% (excluding Prince Edward Island and
Northwest Territories).
For information about the upcoming 2010 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.