By Juan Torres
With the SEMA Show priority booth deadline passed, exhibitors are investing in the opportunity to showcase future trends and connect at the 2023 SEMA Show with larger booth spaces, more new products, years of pent-up demand and interactive displays.
Nearly 2,000 exhibitors submitted completed applications before the April 3 deadline and are now preparing to select their booth space during next month's SEMA Show Priority Booth Space Selection Process. This unique process literally builds the SEMA Show that will shape the future of the automotive aftermarket for years to come. Exhibitors confirmed to participate at the event being held October 31-November 3 in Las Vegas include more than 300 new companies that will exhibit at the event for the first time and an uptick of international companies, sparked largely by lifted travel restrictions.
"Building off the momentum from the 2021 and 2022 SEMA Shows, which were among the country's highest-attended trade shows, the 2023 event is evolving and growing, featuring lots of exciting activities and exhibitors that we haven't seen in recent years," said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. "Exhibitors have noteworthy stories and new products to share, and they are coming in with plans to educate, entertain and engage buyers from around the world."
Gattuso notes that because companies have mostly been operating remotely during the past few years, exhibitors are leveraging the opportunity to connect in person at the SEMA Show. Attendees can expect to see larger booths with more interactive displays and attractions. In-person education seminars, celebrity appearances and product demonstrations are also expected to be popular at the 2023 SEMA Show.
"Businesses have discovered that while they can get a lot done virtually, the desire to gather is innate to the human experience, and there is no replacement for the interactive, tactile experience the SEMA Show offers and the value of connecting face-to-face," said Gattuso.
The 2023 SEMA Show floor plan will be updated live on www.semashow.com during the Priority Booth Space Selection Process, which begins May 1. During the two-and-a-half-week selection process, SEMA Show organizers will guide exhibitors on different programs available to help reach buyers, media and partners. With a focus on innovation, the SEMA Show offers all exhibitors the ability to enter the New Products Showcase for free, and free participation in an exclusive training event, the Exhibitor Summit, taking place July 25-27 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, which is open to a limited number of exhibitors on a first-come basis.
"We're committed to collaborating with exhibitors to help them reach their trade show goals and get the greatest return on their SEMA Show investment," said Gattuso. "The upcoming Priority Booth Space Selection Process is just the beginning of the journey to the Show, and we are excited to see the future of the aftermarket on display."
Visit www.semashow.com to learn more about the 2023 SEMA Show.