New Show Programs Create Hardcore Savings

SEMA News - July 2009
EVENTS

Four New Incentives to Help Exhibitors at the 2009 SEMA Show

Exhibitors at the 2009 SEMA Show will receive valuable rewards and have access to first-time offers that will help ensure a lifetime return on their investment.

SEMA is heading into the 2009 SEMA Show—to be held November 3–6, 2009, at the Las Vegas Convention Center—with unprecedented new programs aimed at ensuring that exhibitors receive the maximum return on their investment. These first-time incentives include guaranteed leads, bonus seniority points for booth space selection, all-new discounted booth packages and an incredible financing plan.

“Exhibitors continue to tell us how valuable it is for them to be at the SEMA Show,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “These promotions help make it more affordable and give companies peace of mind in knowing that they’ll continue to get the best value and return on their investment at the SEMA Show.” For complete details on all of the latest programs, visit www.SEMAShow.com or contact ConvExx Show Management at sema-exhibit@convexx.com or 702/450-7662 ext. 120.

		Show organizers have introduced a Leads Guaranteed Program that will ensure all exhibiting manufacturers/importers and exclusive distributors receive a unique and personalized report by October 1, 2009, of at least 1,000 preregistered buyers.
		Exhibitors with five or more years of seniority points may choose to extend their payments for as much as 12 months. The promotion is one of several new programs designed to make it more affordable for companies to participate in the event.
		Exhibitors will be awarded a bonus seniority point that will be applied when determining booth space selection.

Financing Option With Extended Payment Plan

SEMA Show organizers are offering qualified exhibitors a unique and radical payment plan option to ease cash-flow concerns. For the first time in SEMA Show history, exhibitors with five or more years of seniority points may choose to extend their payments into the next calendar year. The promotion is one of several new programs designed to make it more affordable for companies to participate in the event.

“The SEMA Show is the largest gathering of automotive aftermarket companies in the United States,” said MacGillivray. “Based on early registration numbers, we’re confident that the 2009 event will continue to be the best place for the industry to do business and stay connected with this market.”

The financing option was developed to assist long-standing SEMA Show exhibitors that will be participating at the 2009 event. In previous years, SEMA Show exhibitors were required to pay in full months before the Show. The financing option includes a low processing fee and has exhibitors submitting final payment as late as mid-May 2010.

“These exhibitors are the reason why the SEMA Show has been such a success,” added MacGillivray. “They are the innovators who define our market. We’re here to help them in any way possible.”

Guaranteed Leads Program

SEMA Show organizers have announced a Leads Guaranteed Program designed to reassure exhibitors that the 2009 event is on track to deliver high-quality buyers. The guarantee provides all exhibiting manufacturers/importers and exclusive distributors a unique and personalized report by October 1, 2009, of at least 1,000 preregistered buyers.

The list will be prioritized by relevance so that exhibitors can see who the best matches are and will include the tools necessary to reach out and communicate with the buyers at least one month before the SEMA Show takes place.

“We know that exhibitors’ biggest concern is connecting with quality buyers,” said MacGillivray. “The Leads Guaranteed

Program is more than just an assurance that buyers will be at the Show. It’s a valuable tool that will help exhibitors identify the most relevant buyers and easily connect them with one another, and it provides a new opportunity to win business.”

The buyers list will also be personalized for each exhibitor. Exhibitors that do not have at least 1,000 matches will be eligible to withdraw from the SEMA Show without any financial penalties.

		The Leads Guaranteed Program provides all exhibiting manufacturers/importers and exclusive distributors a unique and personalized report by October 1, 2009, of at least 1,000 preregistered buyers.
		For the first time in SEMA Show’s history, exhibitors with five or more years of seniority points may choose to extend their payments into the next calendar year.
		SEMA has worked closely with Freeman to develop new turnkey exhibit packages that are discounted 30% off the company’s advance retail prices.

Bonus Seniority Points for Booth Space Selection

For the first time in the SEMA Show’s 43-year history, organizers are awarding more than one seniority point to exhibitors for participating in the 2009 event. Seniority points are used to determine the order in which exhibitors select their booth space within the 2 million-sq.-ft. Las Vegas Convention Center. Exhibitors are typically given one seniority point per year, and space is selected beginning with companies that have the highest seniority. All exhibitors will be given two seniority points for exhibiting at the upcoming 2009 SEMA Show.

“We value our exhibitors and appreciate the confidence that they have displayed by participating in the SEMA Show,” said Gary Vigil, SEMA director of trade shows. “The additional seniority point is a special bonus to demonstrate our appreciation. As these companies invest in their future and continue to grow their businesses, the additional seniority point will be valuable in developing their overall strategic marketing plan and in selecting exhibit space at future SEMA Shows.”

As in previous years, exhibitors will be able to reserve booth space up until the event takes place in November. Companies that reserved their booth space by the May deadline were able to participate in the Priority Booth Selection Process. Space will continue to be assigned after the drawing on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Discounted Booth Packages

Exhibitors of the 2009 SEMA Show will also be able to save more than 30% off booth services by selecting one of several newly created discount booth packages. The turn-key packages, which include booth panels, electricity, furniture, carpet, drayage, labor and more, include variations of the services requested most and offer exhibitors the flexibility to select from a range of panel and carpet colors.

“The discount booth packages are examples of how we are helping exhibitors get the most out of their investment,” said Vigil.

SEMA worked closely with Freeman to develop the packages.

“We encourage exhibitors to take advantage of this offer,” added MacGillivray, noting that it will also eliminate the possibility of any last-minute expenses and allow exhibitors to focus on other important aspects of the SEMA Show.

“The SEMA Show is the largest gathering of automotive specialty-equipment businesses in the United States,” noted MacGillivray. “This is the time and the place that exhibitors should focus on connecting with the industry, and these packages will help when many of our members need it most.”

MacGillivray encouraged exhibitors to take advantage of the tools and resources that connect exhibitors with buyers. An online matchmaking program launched Monday, June 15, to make communication easy, and the new Leads Guaranteed Program will highlight the best matches for exhibitors.

These valuable incentives have already attracted more than 1,200 companies that will be exhibiting at the SEMA Show, guaranteeing not only success for exhibitors, but also a virtual playground for buyers.

“Based on the preliminary numbers, we are extremely pleased with the outlook for the upcoming SEMA Show,” said MacGillivray.

Click here to view a complete list of booth packages, and select the option that best meets your needs.