FordMuscle Coverage of the SEMA Show
Part 1 - Prelude
November 2-5, 2005 Las Vegas, Nevada


As we approach the end of October we are reminded to prepare ourselves for one of the biggest and most anticipated events of the year. An event where mobs of people fight through crowds to fill their bags with freebies and goodies. No folks, it’s not Halloween, it is time for the SEMA Show. SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association is the industry trade group for over 6000 companies in the specialty automotive world. They represent companies ranging from automotive manufacturers to distributors of fuzzy dice. Each year during the first week of November, SEMA hosts an annual trade show and overtakes the city of Las Vegas.

The show, which takes place in over 2 million square feet of the Las Vegas convention center is not unlike other industry trade events. Companies across eleven major segments (see side bar) setup their exhibit booths, and spend tireless days showing off their products to prospective buyers. However, much of the similarities with other trade shows stop there. SEMA 2004 attracted nearly 100,000 visitors, of which 50,000 were buyers. The next biggest group in attendance is quite likely automotive enthusiasts and consumers. Even though the associations intent is for the show to be limited to “qualified businesses”, the fact is the SEMA Show is what it is due to the enthusiasts who manage to creatively register and attend (e.g. Jeb’s Machine shop registers their 15 new employees).

SEMA’s tagline for the show has become “Where everything new makes it debut.” Companies exhibiting know very well that this is the venue to show off their new products. It certainly creates the hype and helps establish the sales figures for the upcoming year.

While SEMA is undoubtedly the place to be for automotive businesses and consumers, it’s also a media frenzy. In fact, the media has a triple role at SEMA. SEMA is a place for publications big and small to make their presence known, and to line up advertising interests. For all media, the event offers the ability to scout for content ideas through the new products being unveiled. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the SEMA Show itself is content, and something that must be covered and reported on for those of you who cannot attend.

FordMuscle has attended SEMA for several years now, and is proud to boast being the first enthusiast publication to provide daily coverage, live from the show. Unlike other media forms which will air or print their coverage sometime next year, you can again count on FordMuscle to update you with the latest unveilings and new products straight from the show. So be sure to check back starting November 2, for updates throughout the day.