The SEMA Show is a great way for exhibitors to connect with international buyers. There are a number of events to facilitate these networking opportunities.
With 1,000 international buyers, exhibitors and media, the International Happy Hour is the world’s largest international networking gathering of specialty-equipment companies.
International Happy Hour (IHH): With 1,000 international buyers, exhibitors and media, the event is the world’s largest international networking gathering of specialty-equipment companies. Come and meet buyers from throughout the world and global enthusiast editorial media from 16 countries. The IHH is held Wednesday, November 2, from 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m., Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall, Room W233. There is no cost to attend but preregistration is required.
Four international roundtables will be held on Monday, October 31, in the Upper West Hall, Room W229.
International Roundtables: You are welcome to attend any/all of the four international roundtables held on Monday, October 31, Upper West Hall, Room W229. There is no cost to participate and preregistration is not required.
- 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Middle East Tazweed—The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and surrounding countries provide some of the best opportunities for U.S. specialty-parts manufacturers. Meet with buyers from throughout the region who will let you know what their customers want. Learn how to cash in on this lucrative region filled with passionate consumers with disposable income. Discover why off-roading, classic-car collecting and motorsports are all strong markets throughout the region.
- 12:15 p.m.–1:15 p.m. Connect With Buyers Down Under: Australia and New Zealand—Meet for lunch and conversation with top buyers from Down Under. Learn the latest SEMA Show roundtable trends from distributors of off-road, styling, restoration and performance products and the opportunities in this country of pickup (utes) and SUV customizing fanatics, V8 lovers and die-hard hot-rod enthusiasts.
- 2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.— New Session Nordic/Europe: Explore the Opportunities in the Vintage Car, Pickup and Performance Niches—Learn the potential for your products in this performance and classic-car paradise. Meet with top trade buyers enabling the half-century-old Nordic—and pan-European—craze to restore and upgrade American classics. Performance upgrades are among the top modifications sought for a range of vehicles. After all, the region is the headquarters of the European Drag-Racing Championship and performance for street use as well as circuit and drag racing, rally racing and drifting. High disposable income coupled with a passion for personalization makes this a very attractive region.
- 3:45 p.m.–4:45 p.m. Latin America: Learn What’s Hot and What’s Not—Trade buyers and the media from Central and South America will discuss their respective markets and the opportunity in this pickup- and car-crazy region. Get insider tips into which vehicles are local customizers’ rides of choice and the top-selling products. Learn more about the opportunities for U.S. manufacturers seeking to sell into Latin America—everything from the passion for motorsports and the strong market for vehicle restoration. Learn also how international suppliers have overcome language barriers and challenges, such as the high tariffs in countries such as Argentina and Brazil, and the spirited but small and fragmented Latin American markets.
Additional resources for exhibitors:
- Utilize the Center for International Commerce (CIC). Exhibitors are invited to utilize the private meeting rooms to meet with current or potential international buyers. Interpreters are also available in the CIC to translate for these private meetings.
- Request a complimentary “We Export” sign. Let international buyers know that you are interested in doing business with them with this multilingual sign. The signs will be delivered by Freeman to your booth. We will also send you a complimentary electronic version of the “We Export” sign. Feel free to use this complimentary electronic logo in your pre- and post-Show promotion to international buyers.
For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.