By Cristian Gonzalez
So, you've already registered for the 2024 SEMA Show, November 5-8, in the Las Vegas Convention Center, at semashow.com/register and also booked your flight and hotel room; now what? The scope of attending the SEMA Show can seem overwhelming, so SEMA News asked seasoned SEMA Show veterans to offer their best advice and developed five tips and tactics to help you leverage the Show like a pro. Here is how they recommend you tackle your SEMA Show Week.
- Have a Plan. The SEMA Show website is a treasure trove of information and tools to help you plan your Show Week before stepping foot in the grand lobby. Utilize the Show Planner at semashow.com/floorplan to help plan your days at each hall. Prioritize which booths and companies you want to interact with and create an itinerary to maximize your time making discoveries and networking rather than haphazardly searching for our targeted booths.
- Realize the Show Is Big. Like Huge. The Las Vegas Convention Center, home of the SEMA Show campus, is a small city in and of itself. Trekking from one side to the other is a journey that easily could take 40 minutes without stops. Seasoned veterans know that is precious time you are stealing from yourself. If you can help it, focus on two halls a day. However, if an education course or exhibitor demonstration you're interested in is happening on the other side of the LVCC, take advantage of the Las Vegas Loop (see details at the bottom of this article). That being said, it would still be wise to invest in quality insoles.
- Expand Your Education. SEMA Education has created a lineup of top-tier courses and seminars that could propel you forward no matter what sector of the specialty-equipment market you represent. Go to semashow.com/education for a complete schedule and a list of courses that will bring you up to speed on the latest trends and skills that will better your business or shop.
- Enjoy the Thrills. All work and no play makes for a long Show day. Take some time to enjoy the more entertaining aspects of the SEMA Show: SEMA Fest, Industry Night @ SEMA Featuring The Goo Goo Dolls, Battle of the Builders Presented by Mothers, Shell's Performance Unbound Experience, the Global Tire Expo, the SEMA Collision Repair Stage and countless other activations inside and outside the SEMA Show floor. It's not every day you get the chance to brush shoulders with industry leaders and network over music and car culture; take advantage of your time in Vegas!
- Allow Time for Serendipitous Discoveries. As you walk through the Show to your next destination, give yourself the opportunity to take in everything you see. Follow what draws a crowd at the outdoor events, observe the emerging trends at the New Product Showcase, and see what captures media and influencer attention across the Show floor. You might stumble upon the next big industry movement.
Still need a 2024 SEMA Show badge? Attendee, buyer, and media registration for the 2024 SEMA Show is open at semashow.com/register. Registration is only $60 for qualified attendees who register by Friday, September 27.
Attendee badge mailing began mid-August and will continue through October. International attendees' badge mailing deadline is this Friday, September 13. US- and Canada-based attendees' mailing deadline is Friday, September 27. You may check your approval status and see if your badge has been mailed by logging on to your attendee dashboard at semashow.com/register.
Deadlines and fees for other registration categories can be found at semashow.com/register.