DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (Oct. 15, 2002) — The number of companies exhibiting at the upcoming Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas has bested a record set in 1999.
"Earlier this week, the number of companies exhibiting at our SEMA Show in Las Vegas pushed through the 1,500-company ceiling," said Peter MacGillivray, vice president of sales and marketing for the association. "That sets a new record. Our previous record was 1,368 exhibiting companies in 1999."
And that means show attendees for the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week event will have more products to buy and more vehicles to look at than ever before at a SEMA Show, the Diamond Bar-based trade association said.
Registrations for the project cars and trucks to be displayed at the four-day automotive accessories trade show are also spiraling up, according to Mr. MacGillivray, with approximately 1,300 one-of-a-kind vehicles expected at the Las Vegas Convention Center. A dozen car makers, including Chrysler Group, will exhibit new models and concept vehicles at the show.
Of the 1,500-plus companies exhibiting product at the SEMA Show, 412 companies are exhibiting for the first time.
Commenting on the high number of buyers who have pre-registered for the SEMA Show, Mr. MacGillivray said "it´s astoundingly high, and the registrations keep rolling in every day."
The 2002 SEMA Show will be held from Tuesday, Nov. 5 through Friday, Nov. 8, in the Las Vegas Convention Center. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. SEMA's Innovations Day is Monday, Nov. 4, preceding the show.
This year´s show is organized into 10 sections: International Tire Expo; Mobile Electronics & Technology; Racing & Performance; Restoration Marketplace; Restyling & Accessories Center; Street Rod Alley; Trucks, SUVs, Truck Caps & Accessories; Wheels & Performance Tires; the all-new Performance Marine Pavilion; and General. Icons for each of the sections will help direct buyers and exhibiting personnel through the show, SEMA said.
SEMA, which represents the $26 billion specialty automotive industry, has approximately 4,500 member companies.