SEMA News—October 2011
New Features at the 2011 SEMA Show
Adding Even More to the Greatest Automotive Trade Show on Earth
 The SEMAShow.com website has been revamped for 2011, helping attendees register for the Show quickly and painlessly, and to aid exhibitors in obtaining booth space. |
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 The Powersports Kiosks allow companies with powersports products to maintain an exhibit in the Powersports & Utility Vehicles section to display promotional materials. |
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 The new SEMA Vehicle Technology Center will provide attendees with in-depth information and hands-on understanding from leading industry experts about advanced vehicle technologies and emerging systems. |
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 At the 2011 SEMA Show, more than 50 free education courses and a number of paid sessions provide exceptional training opportunities presented by top industry experts. |
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 The UPS Store will be on-site at the New Product Showcase check-in area to weigh and process your shipment for pickup after the Show closes. |
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 Show organizers will take a tally of every booth vehicle at the Show to identify the most prominent vehicle models in the four categories of the SEMA Award. |
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The West Cost Customs crew will be on hand with a host of celebrities presenting product demonstrations and lifestyle activities.
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 To find out which celebrities will appear, visit www.SEMAShow.com and click on “Attendee Calendar.” |
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 The Showdown at SEMA will take place November 1–4 in the LVCC Grand Lobby. |
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 The SEMA Industry Awards Banquet will be held Thursday, November 3, from 7:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m. |
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 The official SEMA Cruise will be bolstered with awards, giveaways, entertainment and even enhanced seating for the crowds who throng to view the SEMA Show vehicles. |
The SEMAShow.com website has been revamped for 2011, helping attendees to register for the Show quickly and painlessly, and to aid exhibitors in obtaining booth space. Those primary functions have been streamlined, but the site is also a reservoir of answers to frequently asked questions about such topics as educational offerings, exhibition rules, new products and more. It also offers a complete and searchable exhibitor list and a floorplan so that attendees can plan their week efficiently.
The floorplan is updated in real time, so visitors can watch the Show grow. If you haven’t visited the site yet, check it out today to get a jumpstart on the SEMA Show.
Powersports Kiosks
While motorcycles, ATVs, side-by-sides and scooters are the sole focus for many companies, a significant number of traditional SEMA Show exhibitors also maintain interests in the powersports market. The SEMA Show’s new Powersports Kiosks allow those companies to create a presence in the Powersports & Utility Vehicles section of the upper South Hall without the need to invest in a second booth.
The kiosks could be considered mini-booths, where companies who maintain an exhibit in one of the other 11 SEMA Show sections may display promotional materials and products in support of their ancillary powersports efforts. Some companies may even staff their kiosks with representatives who can demonstrate products and accept orders, providing additional exposure for the parent company while also enhancing the Powersports & Utility Vehicles section.
Vehicle Technology Center
The new SEMA Vehicle Technology Center (VTC) will be an important extension of the SEMA Show, providing attendees with in-depth information and hands-on understanding from leading industry experts about advanced vehicle technologies and emerging systems. The Center and the integrated VTC Theater and Tech Zone exhibits will help to increase SEMA-member participation in programs, services, tools, resources and benefits.
The VTC will be located at booth #35185 in the upper South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). The VTC will showcase SEMA’s latest solutions and leading educational seminars as well as vehicle technology simulations and demonstrations to introduce member companies to the benefits of SEMA vehicle technology programs and partners.
Seven fast-paced Vehicle Technology Briefing sessions in the VTC Theater will identify and explain industry trends, technologies and SEMA initiatives. They will include more than 45 industry experts from leading automakers and suppliers as well as specialty-equipment companies involved in all facets of manufacturing and distribution. The sessions will include:
- Vehicle Dynamics Forum
- Vehicle Technology Keynote
- Clemson Deep Orange Project
- Performance Branding: Designing and Marketing to Enthusiasts
- Vehicle Connectivity: Integrating Automotive and Consumer Electronics
- Performance Engines and Lubrication
- Off-Road Racing and Performance Forum
In addition, a special session will feature Circle Track magazine Editor Rob Fisher for a look at the Circle Track Project Green Camaro and a discussion of how green technology and performance can not only coexist, but also create new business opportunities. For a full schedule of the Vehicle Technology Briefings, visit www.sema.org/VTCschedule.
Education Days
It’s true: Knowledge is power. Understanding the latest in systems, techniques and technologies can help any company prosper, even in an uncertain economy. The SEMA Education Institute’s (SEI) free and pay-to-attend courses provide an unparalleled opportunity to learn firsthand what trends will affect your business.
At the 2011 SEMA Show, more than 50 free education courses and a number of paid sessions provide exceptional training opportunities presented by top industry experts. They will cover everything from online marketing to customer service, management, industry developments and more. The courses are designed to provide attendees with practical tools that can be implemented the day they return from Las Vegas.
The SEMA Education Institute courses and events will be open only to registered Show attendees, exhibitors and media. For more information, visit www.SEMAShow.com/education.
Hassle-Free New Products Shipping
The New Products Showcase has always been an outstanding value for SEMA Show exhibitors, but it just got even better. For 2011, exhibitors may elect to avoid the crunch to pick up and ship their new products home while also dealing with booth teardown and packing at the end of the Show.
This year, SEMA has partnered with UPS to pack and return-ship new products automatically, eliminating the need for exhibitors to pick up their items and arrange for transportation.
The UPS Store will be on-site at the New Product Showcase check-in area to weigh and process your shipment for pickup after the Show closes. Simply bring your credit card with you to streamline the payment process. UPS then handles the return packaging and shipping. UPS will also be available at booth #11827 in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center until the last day of the Show. Contact Lisa Schafer at SEMA (lisas@sema.org) for further information.
SEMA Award Expands
SEMA Show exhibitors will once again identify the hottest vehicle platforms during the 2011 SEMA Show, with awards presented to the Hottest Car, the Hottest Truck, the Hottest 4x4-SUV and—for the first time—the Hottest Sport Compact.
“The SEMA Award is an exciting opportunity to highlight the year’s hottest vehicle models,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA President and CEO. “Consumers want to know which cars and trucks have been embraced by our industry. This one-of-a-kind award will help guide them to the most accessory-friendly vehicles and the great products that make them cool.”
As with the original awards program in 2010, Show organizers will take a tally of every booth vehicle at the Show to identify the most prominent vehicle models in the four categories. Each booth vehicle represents one vote, and the most prominent models will be named the SEMA Award winners for the year.
The SEMA Show typically includes more than 700 qualified booth vehicles. Last year’s SEMA Award winners were the Chevrolet Camaro for Hottest Car, the Ford F-Series for Hottest Truck and the Jeep Wrangler for Hottest 4x4-SUV.
West Coast Customs Experience
West Coast Customs (WCC) is one of the most recognized brands in the custom automobile industry, with franchises around the world and across multiple media platforms. WCC has had a major presence at the SEMA Show for several years, and the WCC Experience is expanding even further for 2011.
With a move to the upper South Hall, WCC will highlight its featured partnership with Best Buy––one of the most influential buyer groups in the mobile electronics industry and a retail powerhouse. The WCC crew, including innovator, entrepreneur, CEO and owner Ryan Friedlinghaus, will be on hand with a host of celebrities presenting product demonstrations and lifestyle activities.
Friedlinghaus will also feature his new relationship with Velocity, which is a Discovery media channel. The upscale male lifestyle network features more than 400 hours of series and specials that showcase the best of the automotive, sports and leisure, adventure and travel genres, including “Inside West Coast Customs.”
New Member Coupon Book
SEMA membership is not a requirement for attending the SEMA Show, but it’s a great place for industry professionals to join. In addition to all of the regular member benefits, companies that join SEMA at the SEMA Show also receive a New Member Coupon Book. It provides a discount on the membership fee plus a free T-shirt, lunch tickets and many other money-saving programs. Call 909/610-2030, e-mail member@SEMA.org or visit the SEMA Association Center at booth #20701 in the Grand Lobby of the LVCC during the SEMA Show for details about the New Member Coupon Book and SEMA membership.
Celebrity Experiences
Race car drivers, industry icons, TV personalities and other celebrities appear at the Show throughout the week.
To find out who will appear—including where and when—visit www.SEMAShow.com and click on “Attendee Calendar.” From there, you filter your query for “Celebrity Appearances,” and hit “Apply.” If you are an exhibitor who wants to add a celebrity appearance to the list, go to the Celebrity Appearance Notification Form at www.SEMAShow.com/celebrity-appearance-notification. If your celebrity will be signing autographs, SEMA recommends that you print a set of numeric cards and hand out one to each attendee in the order they are waiting in line. Plan on approximately 100 numbered cards for each hour your celebrity will be available. This lets attendees know if they will be able to meet the person before the time limit, eliminating line jumping and ensuring a more orderly session.
Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge
The primary and most important purpose of the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge is to inspire young people to join the racing and performance industry. The concept is simple: Have five high-school-student teams race in regional competitions against the clock and each other to disassemble and reassemble identical high-performance 350ci Chevrolet engines, using only hand tools. The top 10 teams will gather in Las Vegas during the first week in November for a final “Showdown at the SEMA Show.”
Grades, attendance and skill are part of the making of each invited team, with academics, engine knowledge and hard work rolled into the mix. Each team also includes an instructor/coach, who helps make the Challenge a learning experience as well as an exciting and fun event for the students.
The Showdown at SEMA will take place November 1–4 in the Grand Lobby of the LVCC, with $650,000 in scholarships to be offered to the students by the School of Automotive Machinists, Ohio Technical College and other sponsors. Stop by, and take a look.
Industry Awards Banquet
The SEMA Industry Awards Banquet will be held Thursday, November 3, from 7:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m. This ultimate networking get-together features cocktails, dinner, entertainment and awards that are presented to the stars of the industry. The slate of honors includes Person of the Year, Rep Agency of the Year and Warehouse Distributor of the Year as well as the official induction of the 2011 SEMA Hall of Fame honorees.
The headliner this year is stand-up comedian and actor Sinbad, who will be making his second appearance at the banquet (he also appeared in 2004). With the ability to tailor his show to the industry, Sinbad gets the crowd involved and readily improvises, to hilarious effect. It should be a great show to cap the night.
The SEMA Cruise
A phenomenon has been taking place at the SEMA Show for more than a decade. When the Show ends at 4:00 p.m. Friday afternoon, magic takes place as the display vehicles are driven out of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Over the years, this exodus has become an unofficial cruise—an extension of the Show that hundreds of industry professionals and the people of Las Vegas line the streets to witness. This year, SEMA Show organizers will bring additional spectacle and honors to the procession.
Thanks to the efforts and sponsorship of Chevrolet and its Cruze, eBay Motors, UPS, Swixxtraxx, Mother’s Polish and Continental Tire, the SEMA Cruise will achieve official status and will be bolstered with awards, giveaways, entertainment and even enhanced seating for the crowds who throng to view the vehicles of the greatest automotive event on the planet.
The Cruise will culminate in a car show that will be housed in the Gold Lot across from the LVCC. VIP interviews, special sponsor awards, showstoppers and continual banter from host Joe Sebergandio will highlight the gathering, which will continue until at least 8:00 p.m. The vehicles are bound to receive additional media coverage, not to mention additional exposure to consumers and enthusiasts who will get their first look at the cars and trucks built with top-drawer specialty equipment by some of the most famous fabricators in the world. Stick around to see which ones receive the greatest acclaim.
