SEMA Member News—November/December 2014
2014 SEMA Show SBN Key Events
Café SEMA—In the Know With a Cup of Joe! provides a popular format in which attendees get expert answers to their questions.
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Speed Networking Breakfast—Powered by the SBN
The annual Speed Networking Breakfast is open to all SEMA members and is one of the best opportunities to meet peers, prospects, vendor associates and valuable contacts in one setting. Meet more than a dozen new contacts in a fast-paced environment that is structured to keep the introductions flowing.
Details: Thursday, November 6, 2014, 7:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m., Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, Ballroom A.
Price: Until October 18, $35 for SEMA members; $45 for non-members. After October 18, $49 for SEMA members; $69 for non-members.
Café SEMA—In the Know With a Cup of Joe!
A one-hour roundtable conversation with business pros and experts, Café SEMA—In the Know With a Cup of Joe! provides a popular format in which attendees get expert answers to their questions.
Details: Friday, November 7, 9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m., Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N243.
Price: $10 for SEMA members; $20 for non-members.
Your Career; Your Success—An SBN-Powered Super Session
This session features prominent leaders and professionals who will share the experiences and professional habits that have facilitated their success in the aftermarket industry. Utilizing a moderator-and-panel format, attendees will have the opportunity to learn from industry leaders and take away key insights that they can incorporate into their professional lives.
Details: Wednesday, November 5, 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m., Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N258.
Gear-Up Girl Networking Event
A part of the SEMA Education Institute’s Student Program, the Gear-Up Girl Networking Event connects female students with industry-leading female professionals in a round-robin networking table format.
Details: Monday, November 3, 3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m., Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N263C.
Your SEMA Show Survival Guide
By Jenna Jefferies
We all know how hard trade shows can be: You work long days and then have long nights of networking. Although they are exhausting, they are also some of the best times you can have in our industry. We hope this guide will ease your week at the SEMA Show and make it feel just a little less overwhelming.
Stay Healthy
Be sure to drink plenty of water during the week to stay hydrated. Eat a big breakfast that will keep you full longer and take a later lunch. You will generally find shorter lines and more places to sit if you eat later and avoid the 12:00 crowd. Keep a nutrition bar or other snacks in your bag just in case.
Get Plenty of Rest
We all know how tempting Las Vegas can be even after a full day of work and networking events. Just remember that the hours pass very quickly, and staying out late makes for a very long following day. You will feel much better if you pass up a few of those opportunities and get a good night’s sleep.
Footwear
Wearing comfortable shoes is the most important part of the Show. Although you may want to be fashionable, it’s not the best route to take. You will pay for it at the end of each day. Spend a little more money and buy a good, comfort brand. Even the most comfortable shoes will torture your feet by the end of the week.
Travel
Taxi lines are extremely long during the Show. Take the monorail, which goes to many Strip hotels and is fast, easy and inexpensive. There are also shuttle buses that take you to and from the LVCC to numerous hotels. Check the list of hotels, and get a schedule when you arrive.
Business Cards
Make sure you take plenty of business cards with you. You don’t want to run out at an event like this.
Finally, check the scheduled networking events and attend as many as you can. You will not regret getting the opportunity to meet other industry professionals. You will make some great friends along the way as well.
The annual Speed Networking Breakfast is open to all SEMA members and is one of the best opportunities to meet peers, prospects, vendor associates and valuable contacts.