By Kenny Wright
Attendee, buyer and media registration for the 2024 SEMA Show is open at semashow.com/register. Attendees can maximize their ROI by registering early and taking advantage of travel discounts (more details here) and Show badge discounts. Registration is only $60 for qualified attendees who register by Friday, September 27. After, the price will increase to $120 per approved badge. Deadlines and fees for other registration categories can be found at semashow.com/register.
Of course, there are countless reasons to attend the world's premier automotive aftermarket trade show. However, for those still finalizing their plans for the year, check out this first-hand experience from SEMA team member Kenny Wright, who attended his first SEMA Show last year.
This year was my first time attending the SEMA Show since I've never considered myself a car expert. Prior to the 2023 event, I had only heard about "The Show" from friends who are auto enthusiasts or work in the industry. They shared how great it is and how "there's so much that you can't see it all." As I approached the event, I wondered if people were over-hyping the event and if it would live up to expectations. However, after spending nearly seven days in the Las Vegas Convention Center and attending as many exhibits, activations and displays as possible, I can confidently say that the SEMA Show is a massive achievement in event planning and execution and a true example of pure passion on display for the world.
If you ever get the chance, go to the SEMA Show… And if you've ever been, go again. Because no matter what you think you know about the SEMA Show, it's got surprises and something new for everyone; veterans and newcomers alike.
As a newcomer in the industry, I had the opportunity to truly immerse myself in the world of the automotive aftermarket… and I'll never be the same again. Hundreds of unique, customized vehicles teeming with specialty parts were carefully placed throughout the venue. Countless exhibitor booths filled the convention halls. This single event takes over the entire Las Vegas Convention Center, inside and out. It is one of the absolute most prominent and most occupied automotive events in the world. To see all that the Show had to offer, I walked over six miles (and would absolutely do it again!) It was pleasantly overwhelming. There is something for almost everyone at the SEMA Show.
I also had the privilege of working with the SEMA team during the months leading up to the Show. I got the opportunity to see what it takes to make such a significant event come to life. Everyone working on the Show was full of energy and focused on ensuring everything was taken care of, down to every single detail. It took months and months of planning, meetings, and conference calls, and in the end, the result was overwhelmingly successful. I was and am still impressed.
Every day at the Show, I noticed something: everyone on the Show floor was in positive spirits. Exhibitors were enthusiastic about being at the SEMA Show and having their products on display at the largest gathering for the automotive aftermarket. Attendees and buyers were grateful to be part of the action.
The energy of the automotive aftermarket crowd is remarkably positive for one of its size and scale. I was most pleasantly surprised by everyone's welcoming attitude--I felt like I belonged.
At the Show, there seemed to be two main attractions that grabbed the attention of true auto enthusiasts, car aficionados and industry pros: the Featured Vehicles and the New Products Showcase.
Many featured vehicles highlighted the purest forms of opulent style and detailed craftsmanship. Some of the most eye-catching builds were a "luxury" dune buggy complete with custom Louis Vuitton front-end grills; another was a lifted golf cart outfitted with speakers that could fill an entire convention center hall with clear audio and booming bass. Why? Well, why not, of course! These were just some of the unique--and awesome--vehicles on display at the Show.
The New Products Showcase, meanwhile, highlighted the groundbreaking and modernized products that are new to the market. Some products, like the EV Conversion kit by Scorpion EV, really caught the attention of buyers. New wheels were also a big hit. These weren't reinvented wheels, of course, but they were designed with modern style and touches of classic elegance.
Outdoor activations at the Show included the drifting experiences by Hoonigan, Optima Batteries and Shell. Skilled drivers tore up the courses, safely performing adrenaline-pumping driving stunts that would be unsafe for the average driver, leaving the area filled with tire smoke and rubber shreds. The word "cool" doesn't do this tire-slaying action enough justice, so we'll call it "hyper-cool."
At the same time, the SEMA Education sessions and learning experiences were also a huge feature of the SEMA Show, including keynote speeches from Tim Tebow, former racer and industry icon Willy T. Ribbs, the MotorTrend celebrity showcase, and many more. The education lineup was one of the aspects of the Show that appealed most to the business savvy and those who desire to grow their industry skillset.
Overall, it's clear to me now that if you qualify, you should be at the SEMA Show. The positive energy at the Show is undeniable even to newcomers like myself. Also, the business connections and networking opportunities available to you are invaluable. Moreover, it is important to note that the people make this industry and the SEMA Show as impressive as it is. I can honestly say that the SEMA Show feels like the heart of the automotive aftermarket industry.
It takes a great deal of effort from everyone involved to make the Show what it is. All of the attendees and exhibitors that make up the Show are the life that flows through the body of the automotive aftermarket. The life that gathers at the SEMA Show is the life force that powers the industry each year. After the 2023 event, I no longer consider myself a newcomer, and there's only one thing left for me to say: "I'll see you at the 2024 SEMA Show!"