2016 SEMA Show Preview
[dropcap]C[/dropcap]an you believe it’s already October? The arrival of fall means many things, but for us here at MPN and Babcox Media, it means it’s tradeshow season. One of the big shows we attend is the SEMA Show out in Las Vegas, held this year from November 1 – 4 in the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world (but don’t let the automotive part fool you; there is a small but growing powersports segment). While SEMA is mostly an automotive show, they have slowly evolved the powersports segment over the last few years with several companies who cater to the UTV market. There are some golden opportunities for dealers you want to find a new line or even branch off into Off-Road or Performance. In addition, the SEMA Show provides attendees with educational seminars, product demonstrations, special events, networking opportunities and more.
The 2015 SEMA Show drew more than 60,000 domestic and international buyers. The displays are segmented into 12 sections, and a New Products Showcase featured nearly 2,500 newly introduced parts, tools and components.
Besides walking the aisles of the convention center and trying to see as much as possible, the Show also boasts education seminars Monday–Friday, October 31 – November 4. The SEMA Show offers more than 50 free and several “pay-to-attend” educational events that cover everything from online marketing to customer service, industry trends and more.
These courses are designed to provide practical tools, and they are presented by top industry experts. The courses and events are open only to registered 2016 SEMA Show attendees, exhibitors and media. For a complete list of the 2016 curricula, visit www.SEMAShow.com/education.
Did we mention there are events at SEMA? Events such as the SEMA Battle of the Builders Competition, which is featured at SEMA Ignited on Friday, November 4. Car customizers take extraordinary machines and make them even better. SEMA is going to highlight the vehicles and their builders for the one shot to steal the spotlight at the 2016 SEMA Show and SEMA Ignited.
Speaking of SEMA Ignited, held Friday, November 4 from 3 p.m.–10 p.m. , this is a must see if you are at all interested in unique and celebrated customized vehicles. These hundreds of cars will gather and be accessible to the public on Friday afternoon, as the SEMA Cruise concludes at SEMA Ignited. This parade of rolling art is now one of the most-anticipated aspects of the Show. The cruise begins when the Show ends at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. The festivities include awards, giveaways, entertainment and seating for the crowd—expanded this year with additional bleachers.
If you’ve never been, it’s a show worth seeing, and there are a few powersports companies that make the trek to Las Vegas each year. One such example is Arctic Cat, which will be offering demo rides to show attendees at its ‘UTV Experience.’
Exhibiting Powersport & Utility Vehicles
Advanced Accessory Concepts LLC – 38013
Antigravity Lithium-Ion Batteries – 38033
Arctic Cat – 36033
Assault Industries – 38021
B&W Biker Bar – 50437
Boosted Powersports – 51044
Coleman Powersports – 38019
Elio Motors – 37011
GSP XTV CV Axles – 38029
HISUN Motors Corp. USA – 36027
Hooked on Products Inc. – 37004
Hornling Industrial Inc. – 38011
Icebear – 37017
Inferno USA – 36005
Kolpin – 36017
Mercury Racing – 37001, 37005
Midland Radio Corp. – 38005
Norwayho Auto – 38017
Optimate The Battery Saving Charger – 37012
ProSound – 38015
PTLX Global LLC – 51401
Rival – 37033
Rugged Radios – 32255
Safecraft Safety Equipment – 37029
Shenzhen Grepow Battery Co. Ltd. – 38009
Speed-Way Shelters – 37008
Storagelevator – 38027
SuperATV – 36021
TYRI Americas – 37023
Virtically Driven Products-VDP – 36009
