Automotive Trade Show: SEMA 2008

The SEMA Show is a leading automotive specialty products trade show in the world. Held annually in the Las Vegas Convention Center, the show attracts more than 120,000 industry experts from over 100 nationalities, thus creating huge business opportunities in the automotive, truck and SUV and RV markets.

The Specialty Equipment Market Association or SEMA exhibition throughout its history has been held during the first week of November and on a Tuesday. However, last year's show (SEMA Show 2007) was held from October 30-November 2, 2007. However, the exhibition is NOT open to general public!

Just like the previous years, the 2007 exhibition was a grand success. The SEMA Show 2007 attracted about 60,000 domestic and international buyers for exhibits organized in ten categories. The intriguing part of the show was New Products Showcase where more than 2,000 newly introduced parts, tools and components were displayed. The exhibits alone occupied two million square feet of exhibits.

The show features state of the art products pertaining to the following categories:

1. Business Services: This category entails services with a focus on automotive industry and showcases hardware, software, computers, financial services, store fixtures, warehouse equipment, fleet services, personnel & human resources services and systems, CAD systems and consultants.
2. Hot Rod Alley: The products featured in this category include street rod/hot rod custom and specialty parts, tires and accessories, bodies, alternators, catalytic converters, brake systems including disc brakes, electrical systems and components, chassis parts, gauges, aluminum radiators, exhaust systems,valve covers, sheet metal, shocks, and wiring kits.
3. Mobile Electronics & Technology: This category includes sound systems, LCD video devices & systems, MP3, DVD, CD, satellite radio, telematics, security systems, CB, GPS, on-board technology, antennas, cellular telephones and accessories, computer chips and PROMs and radar detectors.
4. Performance Tires & Wheels (Sponsored by TIA): This special category caters products for racing, performance, street, track and off-road tires and wheels for passenger cars, light trucks and SUVs. Furthermore, you'd also find single and multi-piece wheels, aluminum alloy, steel, forged and cast. Tire and wheel accessories, including lug nuts, hubcaps, wheel studs, and spinners. Additionally on display are tires meant for agricultural, industrial, medium-duty, heavy-duty and OTR vehicles. Lastly featured are, there's alignment equipment, changers balancers, and tire changing tools.
5. Racing & Performance: As the category title suggests, this section includes performance and racing products, including engine parts, fuel injection, carburetors, shifters, gears, nitrous oxide systems, racing fuels, racing safety equipment, sport compact enhancements, superchargers, performance brakes, turbochargers, gears, racing accessories, performance enhancements, racing suits, lighting, car haulers and engine building equipment.
6. Restoration Marketplace: This unique section is the place to look for replacement parts, tires and accessories for muscle cars, classics and restored vehicles 20 years of age and even older.
7. Restyling & Accessories: This category has been customized for customization products that include paints, striping and graphics, lenses, interior enhancements, ground effects, headliners and door panels, louvers, sun visors, shades, power windows and door accessories, light bars, headlight/taillight covers, dashboards and covers, floor mats, seat covers and sheepskins, steering wheels and steering wheel covers, sun-roofs, window film, ground effects, racks and spoilers.
8. Tools & Equipment: Without this category around the automotive industry would come to a standstill, it features lathes, grinders, dynamometers, air conditioning, hand tools, body shop, hoists and lifts, jacks, power tools, paint booths, containers, electrical, testers.
9. Trucks, SUVs & Off-Road: Truck and SUVs are unique by their very nature and hence a distinct section is dedicated to this class of vehicles. The category entails caps, bedliners, camper shells, tonneau covers, carriers, bed rails, grilles, towing accessories, bumpers, tool boxes, nerf bars, roll bars, roof racks, brush guards, off-road lighting and light bars, fender flares, running boards, shocks and struts, suspension components, springs and boosters, tie downs, tow ropes, straps, van accessories, off-road accessories and winches.
10. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM): One of the highlights of the show is that its serves as a catalyst in promoting the benefits of sharing in business-to-business transactions. Consequently it continues to build upon mutually beneficial linkages between its member companies and OEMs.

The show's key details are:

• Show Name: SEMA Show 2008
• Dates: November 4, 2008 till November 7, 2008
• Venue: Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

If you're an exhibitor, then the registration will be available in July, 2008. You can visit the official site for registration and other details, it can be found here: SEMA Show