DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (July 5, 2001) — It looks like another record year for the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)-International Tire Expo 2001.
Faster than ever before, according to SEMA, exhibit space has sold out for what the association is billing as the nation's largest automotive accessories show. The annual extravaganza — which will be held Tuesday, Oct. 30 through Friday, Nov. 2 in the Las Vegas Convention Center — will feature more than 1,200 exhibitors in more than 6,200 booths.
Gary Vigil, SEMA's trade shows director, said many of the event's exhibitors “are seizing the opportunity to enlarge the size of their show space. During the last several years, we have seen numerous exhibitors increasing their presence at the show.”
Among companies that have expanded their booth space “dramatically,” according to Mr. Vigil, are Giovanna Wheels, Concord Lexani Wheels and Falken Tire Corp.
While the show´s booth space is already sold out, he said additional companies still will have an opportunity to exhibit at the event because some additional space may open up. “Last year, we had a waiting list, yet we were able to accommodate many prospective exhibitors,” he said. “I recommend that companies with an interest in this year's show contact us for a place on the waiting list as soon as possible.”
Because the annual show continues to grow, Diamond Bar-based SEMA is working with the Las Vegas Convention Center to add even more square footage for 2002, said SEMA President Charles R. Blum, noting the center is currently constructing two new halls that could bring the SEMA-ITE show almost 500,000 additional square feet.
The show currently encompasses more than 1.5 million square feet of floor space and is expected to draw more than 82,000 attendees, including 36,000 buyers as well as representatives from more than 500 national and international media outlets. General Motors Corp. is the featured vehicle manufacturer for the event.