SEMA News—October 2012

INTERNATIONAL
By Linda Spencer

Branching Out

Helping International Buyers Find You at the SEMA Show

	Top specialty-equipment buyers from the Middle East and China will speak about their quickly growing markets at roundtable discussions to be held on Monday, October 29. Pre-registration is not required.
	Attend SEMA’s International Happy Hour on Wednesday, October 31, to network with international buyers and distributors as well as media from key overseas markets. Joe Sebergandio of Motor Media Inc. served as the master of ceremonies at the 2011 International Happy Hour. Here he interviews Stephen Humphris (left) of NSV Automotive, a Global Media Award winner.
	The Center for International Commerce contains complimentary private meeting space and interpreters to facilitate meetings between exhibitors and international buyers.
	Be sure to participate in the Ideas Alive: Featuring the New Products Showcase. Key International media will be selecting products from the showcase based on salability in their home markets as part of the Global Media Awards.

In a post-SEMA Show survey, exhibitors identified meeting potential new international customers and developing relationships with overseas buyers as an increasingly important goal. Exhibitors also felt that there was an increased international presence, with more global attendees at the 2011 SEMA Show than in the past several years—and they were correct! More than 25% of all buyers at the 2011 SEMA Show were from more than 100 nations outside the United States.

Facing a slowdown in sales at home, a number of SEMA members have successfully branched out and diversified their customer base. Selling overseas not only adds to the bottom line, but can also lead to product improvement and innovative ideas. Since the SEMA Show is the largest annual automotive specialty-equipment trade show in the world, it is possible to meet with buyers from more than 100 countries without leaving the United States.

SEMA is ready to assist exhibitors in making these connections. The association organizes programs that include two roundtable discussions on key developing markets; hosting the International Happy Hour, which is the largest annual global networking event in the industry; sponsoring an international panel of journalists to select new products with the largest global draw; and offering quiet onsite meeting space replete with complementary interpreters.

Seminars

This year, the SEMA Show will feature two international seminars that will take place on Monday, October 29, during Show week:

Sell Specialty-Equipment Products in China—the World’s Largest Emerging Automotive Market

• 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
• Location: Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N255
• Chinese distributors and SEMA members already successful in the region provide insider tips.

Opportunities for SEMA-Member Manufacturers in the Middle East

• 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
• Location: Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N255
• Learn how to cash in on this lucrative region.

International Happy Hour

More than 1,000 companies are expected at the 2012 SEMA International Happy Hour (IHH). The event provides an excellent opportunity to network with buyers and distributors from around the world. Top international media from key overseas markets will also be in attendance. Pre-registration for the IHH is complimentary but required. Register by visiting here.
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Global Media Awards

The ninth annual Global Media Awards will once again be selected by a group of top automotive journalists from more than 20 countries who will each name 10 products from Ideas Alive: Featuring the New Products Showcase that they think will most appeal to consumers in their home markets.

Winning companies receive a Global Media Award, which signifies the global appeal of their products, and are recognized at the IHH. To be considered, make sure your products are featured in Ideas Alive: Featuring the New Products Showcase.

At last year’s SEMA Show, 257 Global Media Awards were distributed by the panel of leading international media after 1,850 new products were reviewed.

Center for International Commerce

Take advantage of the onsite SEMA Center for International Commerce (CIC). The CIC is staffed with a team of highly qualified interpreters to assist exhibitors in communicating with potential international customers.

Reserve a private meeting room with interpretation provided in key languages, including German, French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese. The CIC is located in room S224 of the Las Vegas Convention Center and is a valuable resource for SEMA Show exhibitors and international buyers.

We Export Signs

Welcome international buyers to your booth with a complimentary “We Export” sign. For information about obtaining a sign, exhibitors may contact Casey Kooiman at caseyk@SEMA.org. Provide your company name, contact information and booth number, and a sign will be delivered to your booth.

For more information on international programs at the SEMA Show or year-round, contact SEMA Director of International Relations Linda Spencer at lindas@SEMA.org