By Eric Colby
New for the 2022 SEMA Show, exhibitors can scan a QR code on a smartphone and order food to be delivered to their booth. It’s called OnDemand and was created in response to the Las Vegas Convention Center’s (LVCC) mission to better engage exhibitors with orders using their own devices. It was not available for last year’s event, so now 2022 SEMA Show exhibitors will no longer need to worry about squeezing in a meal while leaving their booths understaffed. It’s just one of the many food options that will be available from November 1–4 this year at the LVCC.
The Las Vegas Convention Center has made a major push to modernize food operations in recent years, including the addition of a West Hall food court (featuring favorite local Las Vegas eateries) and a new OnDemand food delivery service to all LVCC exhibitor booths.
“It’s primarily driven to the small mom-and-pop booths,” said Tyler Dowdle, director of sales for LVCC. “It lets them stay in their booth and have the same options available in the food hall delivered to them.”
To use OnDemand, a customer scans a QR code that brings up a menu on their device and lets them place an order by completing a minimum number of clicks. Credit-card information is entered by scanning and it is then encrypted and tokenized for one-time use. The customer receives an immediate SMS message indicating that the order has been received and is being prepared. Once the order is delivered, the customer gets a second SMS message with a link to the receipt so he or she will have it available when the time comes to submit Show expenses. The OnDemand Delivery app can be adapted for “no-payment” collection when an inclusive ticket with food and beverage is offered to exhibitors.
Also planned for the 2022 SEMA Show is a Dunkin’ Donuts mobile cart in the West Hall. In fact, nearly all the convention center halls will see updated food options in one form or another.
From the Monday Night Reveal to Friday’s SEMA Ignited (pictured), you’ll find many major Show events and gatherings well catered.
It’s part the the LVCC’s efforts to bring new concepts to older halls, said Ernest Kam, district manager for Centerplate, which manages concessions for the convention center.
With the opening of the newest venue, the West Hall in 2021, exhibitors and attendees have been able to try food from local Las Vegas favorites including Metro Pizza, which has a location in the facility. Additionally, Brand Burger and Fries, from Snake River Farms in Boise, Idaho, has a spot as well.
Kristine Raymer, executive chef for Centerplate, said the group will customize the menu for the crowd at a given event. Research from past events has shown that the SEMA crowd likes burgers, pizza, chicken tenders and similar items, so that will be the focus for 2022. For example, at the 2021 Show, they offered a “Beast Burger” that was quite popular.
“Those are the big movers; burgers, pizza compared to the other menu items,” said Raymer. “We like to highlight those and we’ll create some different menu options compared to what they were used to from last year.”
The convention center’s Main Concourse, Lucky’s and Ace’s, has food-court-style restaurants with Atomic Pizza, Bachi Burger, and assorted Chinese, Tex-Mex, burgers, hot dogs and a pay-by-the-bowl salad bar as part of nearly two dozen different concessions from which to choose. There’s also a Sbarro and a Starbucks. The Centerplate team will also offer healthier options for people who want them.
Raymer called the SEMA Show a mega event for Centerplate, and she has planned ahead to make sure there are none of the supply-chain issues that other industries have experienced. “Fortunately, for many of the core items we have in our restaurants, we have longstanding contracts with our vendors, so those aren’t going to be a concern,” she said.
Returning for 2022 are SEMA Members Lounges, and Dowdle said SEMA is taking a new approach this year to reduce the time spent grabbing lunch. “SEMA is working to create a different environment this year, adding grab-and-go options based on some of the most popular items at the Show in different locations.”
He compared the grab-and-go options to a Fast Pass at a Disney park. “They can grab something fresh without having to wait,” said Dowdle. “It’s going to be more specified for them to get the highlights of the campus.”
In addition, two extremely popular banquet-service events are the SEMA Show Kickoff Breakfast, Tuesday at 7:30 a.m., at the Westgate Paradise Event Center, and the Industry Awards Banquet, Thursday at 7:00 p.m., at the Westgate Palm Court. Both sitdown events feature awards and entertainment, and draw large crowds.
To help keep prices throughout the LVCC reasonable, the Las Vegas Visitor’s Authority is working with Centerplate to maintain roughly last year’s levels. Dowdle also encouraged Showgoers to consider eating earlier or later than the prime hours from 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m., especially in the 640-seat West Hall food area that is always full during those hours.
You definitely won’t go hungry at the SEMA Show. Each part of the LVCC has its own concessions, and with the food court in the West Hall, Showgoers have even more options.
Centerplate’s parent company, Sodexo Live!, said it is advancing its sustainability programs for 2022. Its plant-based menu items include an Impossible Burger made from protein from soy and potatoes, “Beyond Meat” made from pea and rice proteins, and a Walla Pao Curry vegetable bowl made with soy protein.
The LVCC is sourcing local and seasonal ingredients, ensuring that all fish and seafood are sustainable, serving only cage-free eggs and improving animal welfare through its suppliers. The company is also proactively repurposing food by pickling root vegetables for garnish on salads and using cooked and frozen vegetables in soups, sauces and stocks.
2022 SEMA Show Food Options
Main Lobby
- Lucky’s Restaurant (Breakfast and Lunch)
- Honey Salt
- Prima Stampa Grab & Go (Concourse)
- Prima. Stampa (Concourse)
- Pao Express (Concourse)
- Starbucks North
- 3150 Snacks To Go
North Hall N2 to N4
- All Wrap Up Cart (N1)
- Vegas Street Eats (N1)
- East Ocean Stand (N2)
- Papa John’s (N3)
- Fremont Grill Stand (N4)
- Five Spot Coffee Cart (N4 Lobby)
SEMA Members’ Lounge
- Members’ Lounge G&G with Hot Food (N251)
Central Hall
- Capriotti’s Cart (N109 in Hallway by Escalator)
- Pao Asian Chicken (East Concourse)
- Market Fresh Express (Tunnel)
- Wetzel’s Pretzels (Tunnel)
- Buy the Slice Pizza & Sandwiches (Tunnel)
- Quizno’s (Blockhouse to have coffee at 8:30 a.m.)
- Brookwood Farms BBQ (Blockhouse to have coffee at 8:30 a.m.)
- Sabrett’s Hot Dogs (Blockhouse)
- Dip N Dots (Blockhouse)
- Mobile Vendor (C1)
- Mobile Vendor (C4)
- Papa Johns (C2)
- Healthy Grill Kosher Cart (C5.1 Alcove)
Grand Plaza and Central Plaza
- Big Daddy’s BBQ 1 Stand
- (By Freight Door #1 Biggest Setup)
- Sabrett’s Hot Dog Cart (Freight Door #1 Area)
- Five Spot Coffee Cart (Freight Door #1 to the right Bigger Setup)
South Hall
- Ace’s Restaurant (Breakfast and Lunch)
- Vegas Street Eats South Stand
- Gourmet Grill Stand
- Papa John’s Stand
- Five Spot Coffee Cart (across from escalators)
- All Wrapped Up (S2)
Members Lounge South, Driven by WTC (Grab & Go Bottom of S2 escalator)
- Sabrett’s Cart (Outside, Front)
- Capriotti’s (S2)
- Namaste (S2)
South Hall SKYBridge
- Five Spot Coffee Cart (Opposite S233)
- Dunkin’ Donuts (Opposite S225)
- Dip N Dots (In front of Global Conference Room)
South Plaza Between Aces and Bronze Lot
- Sun City Pizza Food Truck (Between Aces and Bronze Lot)
- 50 Shades of Green Food Truck (Between Aces and Bronze Lot)
- Truck N Yaki Food Truck (Between Aces and Bronze Lot)
- Big Daddy BBQ Stand (Between Aces and Bronze Lot)
Silver Lots 1–3
- Quizno’s Cart, Silver Lot 3
- Healthy Grill Cart, Silver Lot 3
- Big Daddy’s BBQ Small Setup (Silver Lot 2)
Blue Lot
- Healthy Grill (Blue Lot 1)
- Wetzel’s Pretzels (Blue Lot 1)
Orange Lot
- Big Daddy’s BBQ Stand (Orange Lot 1)
Platinum/Green Lots
- Lit Wings
West Hall Grand Lobby
- Dunkin’ Donuts Express
- Grab & Go Natural (West Food Court)
- The Roost (West Food Court Hot Breakfast Options)
- The Roost Lunch (West Food Court)
- Fancy Wok (West Food Court)
- Metro Pizza (West Food Court)
Members Lounge West, Fueled by TORA
- Members’ Lounge G&G With Coffee
SEMA Ignited West Hall Parking Lot
- Big Daddy’s BBQ Stand With Churros (Location #1)
- Sabrett’s Hot Dog Cart (Location #2)
- Southern Comfort Food Truck (Location #3)
- Lit Wings (Location #3)
- Big Daddy’s Taco
- Tijuana Truck
- Truk N Yaki Food Truck (Location #3)
- Mobile Vendor (Location #2)
- Dip N Dots Ice Cream Cart (Location #2)
Pre-Show Food Trucks
- Big Daddy’s BBQ Food Truck (Front Drive by Flagpole/Luckys)
- Food Truck (Door 9)
- Big Daddy’s Taco Food Truck (South Hall Front of Aces)
Banquets and Receptions
Special events are a great way to combine a meal or a cocktail with productive networking and learning. All of the events below will have something edible available and offer a host of different learning and networking opportunities.
- Exhibitor Appreciation Party, Featuring SEMA Vehicle Reveal and SEMA Award Presentation
Monday, October 31
5:00 p.m.
LVCC Silver Drive
- SEMA Show Kickoff Breakfast (previously the New Products Breakfast)
Tuesday, November 1
7:30 a.m.–9:00 a.m.
Westgate Paradise Event Center
- TORA Happy Hour
Tuesday, November 1
4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
West Hall Members Lounge, Fueled by TORA
- WTC Reception
Tuesday, November 1
5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Members Lounge South, Driven by WTC, Booth #48179
- PRO Reception
Tuesday, November 1
5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
LVCC West Hall Third Floor Terrace
- FLN Reception
Tuesday, November 1
5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Renaissance Hotel Garage Rooftop
- ARMO Reception
Tuesday, November 2
5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Westgate Pavilions 9–11
- NHRA Breakfast
Wednesday, November 2
7:30 a.m.–9:00
Westgate Paradise Event Center
- FLN GMM Breakfast
Wednesday, November 2
8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m.
West Hall, W238
- WTC Coffee and Conversation
Wednesday–Thursday, November 2–3
8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m.
Entrance to Global Tire Expo, Lower South Hall
- PRO Happy Hour
Wednesday, November 2
4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
PRO Booth #50185
- International Happy Hour
Wednesday, November 2
5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
LVCC West Hall, W228
- TORA Reception
Wednesday, November 2
5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
West Hall Third Floor Terrace
- WTC Happy Hour
Wednesday, November 2
5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Members Lounge South,
Driven by WTC, Booth #48179
- HRIA Reception
Wednesday, November 2
5:15 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Westgate, Pavilions 9–11
- SBN Reception
Wednesday, November 2
5:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
West Hall W210 Entryway
- WTC Coffee and Conversation
Wednesday–Thursday, November 2–3
8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m.
Entrance to Global Tire Expo,
Lower South Hall
- ETTN Tech ’N’ Toast
Thursday, November 3
8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m.
LVCC Upper North Hall N235
- Lunch With the PROs
Thursday, November 3
11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
LVCC West Hall W219
- ETTN Lunch ’N’ Learn
Thursday, November 3
12:30 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
LVCC Upper North Hall N235
- SEMA Industry Banquet
Thursday, November 3
6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
Westgate Paradise Event Center