I have been going to the SEMA/AAPEX Show since 1987, so I have seen so many changes over the years. What started out as a true automotive aftermarket trade show to a more modern automotive entertainment show. Many have described the current SEMA show as a car/truck entertainment show, however many manufacturers are still there to sell their products.
The old shows would see many manufacturers selling and taking orders at the show for future fulfillment. Not so much in today's show but it is where you find new products and feature them.
On Monday I will be shooting photos of all of the unique trucks and cars that show on the outside of the show so those at home can see what great vehicles are made for this show. Tuesday I will arrive early and start shooting the vehicles inside and meeting with many of my sponsors. The remainder of the day I will search out new products to post so our shops can see new items they can sell.
As more older companies have now been bought by investment companies they are all in one booth which makes it easier to view products. However, that means fewer booths and they need to fill the show so many new companies of foreign origin are placed in the show.
Is it like the glory days of automotive in the 90s and early 2000s, no, but the automotive market has changed dramatically so it may never get back to those times.
Is it still the best show in automotive aftermarket? Yes, it is and if you have never been you should plan to go at least once. Having gone every year I will drop some hints below of what to expect.
Hints:
• Wear comfortable shoes (you will walk 3-7 miles a day)
• Dress business casual (wear blue jeans and tshirts and most booths will ignore you)
• Take sinus clearing meds ( people from all over the world will be coughing and breathing in the same rooms)
• Bring lots of $$ (everything is $20)
• Look for hotel room bargains ( near convention $300 a night, outside areas $150 per night)
• Long lines everywhere for Uber ( I rent a car, because I like to come and go easily)
• Parking is expensive if you want to get close (that is why you get close hotels to convention center)
• Food is expensive everywhere (gone are the Vegas $8.95 steak dinners or buffet)
• Watch your yourselves, do not go out alone or walk down dark streets (go in groups)
• Pace yourselves and take breaks (SEMA provides many break areas)
• After hours be careful and that is on you
The AAPEX show is very different than SEMA, the same pass gets you in both shows. The AAPEX show there are no display of vehicles, just lots of parts and fluids displayed by companies. It is more business like and business dress is more appropriate for this show.
The AAPEX show has now moved all foreign companies into a separate building so most are names you are familiar with in the marketplace. This show is setup for more mass consumer markets such as part stores, truck stops and major wholesale stores.
Many of my sponsors are at the AAPEX show because they sell to the larger part stores and warehouses that make up our automotive aftermarket distribution.
We used to call this show the hard parts/fluid show but not so much anymore! As a small shop can you buy their products? Yes, but most likely through a warehouse or industrial distributor. It is still good to find new products and fluids because they are major companies with products we use everyday.
The same hints above go for the AAPEX show, and they do have buses that go between each show. Do not try and walk over to it, it is quite the hike.
Do realize the blocks in Vegas equal about 4 of your local blocks, so when someone says oh it is just 4 blocks that way! You will be walking a while!
Look for my posts of vehicles and products this year!
.jpg)
.jpg)
