REQUIRED READING
Triumphant Return
The automotive specialty-equipment industry reconnected in person after nearly two years apart during the annual SEMA Show, held November 2–5, 2021, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. With more than 100,000 attendees, exhibitors, and media participating, the trade-only event was the largest North American automotive trade show since the pandemic shut everything down in 2020.
“We were excited to see our old friends and colleagues after being apart for so long,” said Kathryn Reinhardt, 4 Wheel Parts director of retail marketing. “It was clear that our industry was ready to meet and had two years of innovations to show off.”
The following are some of the publications that covered the event.
Forbes
During his first-ever SEMA Show, reporter Josh Max toured the Las Vegas Convention Center and saw displays that would “dazzle the eye of both the car expert, the nut and the rank amateur.” He also informed Forbes readers that all exhibitors “grand and humble are integral and essential to the industry overall.”
Fox Business
In her story about the effects chip shortages have had on the car manufacturing industry, Ashley Soriano described how industry sales are booming despite the pandemic. She pointed to the 2021 SEMA Show, which more than 100,000 people attended to conduct business.
The Detroit Bureau
In an article on how enthusiasts used the COVID lockdown to work on their vehicles, editor Paul Eisenstein discussed changes sweeping through the industry, including a shift to electric vehicles. He mentioned Chevy using the SEMA Show to unveil a crate electric motor that can replace a conventional gas engine.
HEARD ON SOCIAL MEDIA
“SEMA Show has returned this year and is the largest trade show in the valley since January 2020!”—KTNV, via Facebook
“2021 #SEMAShow concludes as #largest North American #automotive #tradeshow since the pandemic.”—Automotive Business Review, via Twitter
“SEMA RETURNS TO VEGAS: The return of SEMA is expected to draw as many as 100,000 people to the Las Vegas Convention Center, tourism and event officials said.”—FOX 5, via Facebook
“The 2021 SEMA Show is live after an all-virtual showing last year. From raucous Mustangs to eco-friendly, electrified classics, the Las Vegas Convention Center housed both past and present on day one.”—Window Film Mag, via YouTube
