Whether you’re a shop owner, manager, auto technician, or just a car enthusiast, there is no other place you should be on November 4-7 but the SEMA Show. This is the ultimate auto show where you see thousands of product innovations, meet new and iconic exhibitors, and get to experience the latest vehicle trends. You also get free professional skill-enhancing education sessions and can network with industry experts all under one roof.
So let’s give you the breakdown so you can make the most of these 4 days. This guide will take you through registration, unmissable sessions, networking tips, and even a list of enticing reasons to visit the AutoLeap booth. Getting right into it.
What is SEMA?
SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) is the event to attend for anyone interested in the latest happenings in the auto industry. This annual event brings together manufacturers and buyers in the automotive specialty equipment industry. It is the perfect, immersive experience to learn about auto trends, techs, innovations, and everything else in between. Attendees experience products focused on the enhancement of all vehicles, whether that is styling, functionality, comfort, convenience, or safety.
This show represents manufacturers, service providers, and innovators who want to connect with others, show their latest product offerings, and shape the future of the industry. This one-of-a-kind event takes place in the Las Vegas Convention Center and is a trade-only event. It is open to the general public on Friday, November 7.
Why attend SEMA?
As an individual passionate about the auto industry, you need to be up to date with the latest trends and technology. If you’re a shop owner, this is the place to learn about new and improved repair techniques and even business strategies that can help your shop grow. You don’t just learn from exhibitors, but also from other industry experts, fellow shop owners, and others in the trade.
Innovations & technology
You can see the latest AI-driven diagnostic tools, eco-friendly automotive solutions, experience autonomous driving, and learn about what’s next in the auto industry. There are also multiple product launches, innovations happening in real time that could change the way you work with vehicles in your shop. The New Product Showcase is set to show 2,000 entries across 15 categories.
SEMA FutureTech studio
The SEMA FutureTech Studio is all set to return with technologies that will blow your mind. Located in the Central Hall, here you will experience a range of propulsion technologies, hands-on demos, and over 45 displays. From internal combustion engines, EVs, hydrogen, hybrids, and synthetic fuels, there’s a lot to experience here. They cover everything from garage-built technology to multi-million dollar prototypes. A few highlights to look forward to:
- Yamaha’s Hydrogen Golf Car
- Honda Racing Corp’s Pikes Peak Hydrigen CR-V
- Bisimotos’s ethanol-powered vehicle
- ElektricGreen’s nobile hydrogen fueling station
Drivetrains section covers
- Volt & Steel’s ‘58 Corvette EV conversion
- Turntide Technologies show the next-gen battery electric vehicles (BEV)
You will also see some jaw-dropping manufacturer technology.
- HP Additive’s let’s attendees turn ideas into parts with the text-to-print AI experience.
- Markforged and Project Diamond show metal 3D printing
- Creaform shows live scanning and CAD workflows
All this is just the tip of the iceberg. There’s much to see and experience here at the SEMA Show 2025.
International pavillion
You will also get to meet top manufacturers, distributors, and media from across the globe at the International Pavilion. Here you can experience performance parts, accessories, tools, and tech that have not yet been launched in the U.S. The International Pavilion is a great place if you want to look at global sourcing, want global innovations or are on the lookout for new export markets. This will be a hub of business opportunity.
Products and innovations to watch out for at SEMA this year
There are plenty of new products all set for SEMA 2025. Here are a few to look forward to:
- Bend Pak is all set to display its eight-arm, two-post lift, which achieves versatility and can work with heavy, high-performance vehicles.
- Repairify will show the future of diagnostics and calibrations that will help streamline ADAS calibrations.
- SATA is introducing a new nozzle technology which makes sure the material is atomized extremely fine.
- Hunter Engineering is ready to show 28 new or improved products, including upgrades to their Ultimate ADAS®.
To top it all off, here’s the star of the show: a flying car. That is what the future holds, right? Pivotal Aero will show Helix eVTOL, a personal electric aircraft that will take off vertically. In disbelief? Register now for the event to experience it in action.
Networking opportunities
But SEMA isn’t just about the latest automotive performance products or the latest trends. It is also the perfect opportunity to meet others in the industry, create connections with industry leaders, CEOs, engineers, and many other influential people in the industry. People are at the heart of the event, so it’s a great playing ground for you and your service advisors to build relationships.
Educational seminars and workshops
There is also an amazing opportunity to learn new skills by attending some of the 99+ free education sessions, led by top industry professionals. You learn about new repair techniques, different ways to grow your business, achieve operational efficiency, and how to prepare for a future in this industry.
There are 11 tracks. You can expect to learn about aftermarket updates and future trends, emerging and executive leadership, sales and marketing, small business technology, talent management, and so much more.
Celebrity appearances
Not that you need any more reasons to attend, but if you haven’t been convinced so far, this will. There are a number of celebrities and artists also appearing at SEMA. Live graffiti artists, custom painters, drag racers, motorsports artists and personalities, Neol Guglielmi, known as Hector in the Fast and Furious franchise, and countless others. Rest assured, there will be loads to do, lots of fun and excitement for you and your team to experience at the event.
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How big is the SEMA show in Las Vegas?
Hall information
SEMA takes place in the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). It is set on a huge scale, with 5 halls set over 4.6 million square feet of exhibit space. West hall, north hall, central hall, south hall upper, and south hall lower. Each of these is dedicated to a particular theme.
Hall | Dedicated to |
West hall | Restyling & care accessories Trucks, SUVs, & off-roads |
North hall | First-time & featured exhibitors Business services Mobile electronics & technology |
Central hall | Racing & performance Powersports & utility vehicles Hot rod alley Restoration marketplace |
South hall upper | Collision repair and refinish Tools & equipment |
South hall lower | Global tire expo, powered by TIA Wheels & accessories |
This division neatly organizes the entire convention center, so it is easy for attendees to navigate to the sections that interest them. Plus, since it is a lot of ground to cover, the event is spread over 4 days for the ease of attendees.
Types of exhibitors
There are over 2000 exhibitors coming to SEMA in 2025. They will be showcasing groundbreaking technology and next-generation tools and products. From tires and wheels to tools, equipment, auto repair software, dealers, parts, and accessories suppliers, and so much more.
So you can imagine, with the type of exhibitors, the grand scale of the halls, numerous educational sessions, and networking opportunities, this event is one of a kind for auto industry enthusiasts.
How to register for SEMA?
You can register for SEMA on their website. Early bird registration has ended. However, full price registration is still open till November 7. The domestic badges are mailed well in advance if registration was done before the deadline stated on the SEMA website. The international exhibitor and media badges can be collected onsite. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of costs for attendees:
- Attendees and their spouses could get the ticket for $50 if they had registered between April 28 – June 27.
- If they registered between June 28 – September 26, attendees and their spouses could get the ticket for a fee of $75.
- However, closer to the event date, between September 26 – November 7, they can get the ticket for $100.
Non-exhibiting company (NEC) have no end date for registration; however, their fee is $399.
Lost badges can be printed one time onsite for an additional $100.
Registration process
The registration process is a very thorough one.
To register, you have to fill out your basic information, name, email address, and phone number. Then they also ask for your company name, designation, and the company’s website.
After these basic details, they ask you for
- Your principal business
- Main work area
- Employee level
- Primary reason for attending the show
- Products you’re interested in
This helps them learn more about their attendees and their preferences. They also ask some questions about the attendees, such as where they were born, their gender, ethnic background, primary language, etc.
Another important detail they capture at registration is the sessions you’ll be attending, the date you’ll be attending.
Then comes the most important part. Since the SEMA Show is a business-to-business trade event, you need to verify that your company is active in the auto industry and that you’re an employee. They collect qualification documents for both employees and companies. These ask for
- Recent paycheck stubs issued within the past year
- Company-issued badges
To verify if the company is active, they ask for
- Valid business license and permit
- Valid tax registration certificate/business registration
How auto repair professionals can plan their visit
By now, you have an idea of how extensive this SEMA conference is. If you aren’t planning in advance, it will be easy to get overwhelmed on the day when you reach the venue. At the time of registration, or even after, you can build your schedule, which will give you more clarity on how you’re spending your time.
There are free education sessions, collision repair education sessions, and a total of 11 tracks to choose from. From aftermarket updates, collision repair training, repairer-driven education, to sales and marketing, and even talent management. There’s a lot to choose from.
You can plan your show even before you go on their website. You can’t expect to attend all 99+ sessions, so it is a good practice to build your agenda before you go. On the website, you can filter the sessions by
- Seminar dates
- Tracks
- Speakers
- Cost type
This is also a good time to see live demonstrations of various products, equipment, and software, such as shop management systems that can help you improve operational efficiency and bring the best to your shop.
Networking opportunities at SEMA
The SEMA conference is a great opportunity for you to meet industry leaders, network with CEOS, engineers, other shop owners, experts, and partners, and so many other professionals from the industry. It is a great place to make connections that can help you grow in your career.
A few tips to network at conferences that can make your experience more valuable:
- Do some research even before you head to the event. The event attendee list is available on event apps, etc. Look up people of interest on social media, send them connection requests on LinkedIn, and ask them to meet up during the conference. This way, you’ve already done some groundwork before the actual event.
- Note down a few icebreaking questions you can use to start off conversations with new people. Ask things like where they are from, which company, or what they’re liking so far about the event. Keep things professional, yet friendly.
- Work on your pitch before you head to the event. Have a small pitch ready (don’t make it over salesy), just aim to share information about your company.
In case you’re looking to meet exhibitors and suppliers, you can also find their information on the website or the event mobile app. You can schedule meetings with them through the event mobile app or drop by at their booth.
How to plan your trip
If you’re flying from a different city or country for SEMA this year, then you will need to book hotels, flights, and look for suitable transportation options.
Booking flights
It is always a good practice to book flights in advance to get good deals. Last-minute fare prices shoot up. SEMA show organizers have also worked with major air carriers such as Alaska, United, and Delta to get attendees discounted air fares. So you can book through the website, enter discount codes, and book a ticket at a discounted rate.
Hotels
Book a hotel near the Las Vegas Convention Center or on the monorail line so you don’t have to spend too much time and effort getting to and from the venue.
SEMA, in collaboration with their hotel and housing block partner, onPeak, has brought SEMA show attendees the best possible rates for hotels in Las Vegas. You can find the best option and book a hotel directly from the SEMA website.
They’ve listed the best hotels in the nearby areas along with their one-night rates and the number of rooms they have available for your convenience. There’s plenty to choose from
- Rio Hotel & Casino from $190/night
- Plaza from $169/night
- Circus circus from $175/night
They’ve also shared a list of hotels offering crazy savings deals for customers to find in the SEMA show hotel block. Starting from savings of more than $100/a night to some offering 50% off per night. These are deals you don’t wanna miss!
They even have an AI smart search on their website where you can describe your ideal hotel, and this search tool will help you find your preferred hotel.
Transport
There are hotel shuttles and the Las Vegas Monorail that can help you get to and from the SEMA Show in Vegas. Free shuttles are available from 45 hotels in the area. The shuttle services start at 7 a.m. and run at an interval of 15-25 minutes. The pick up and drop off locations include:
- Majestic Lot (near the West Hall at LVCC)
- Platinum Lot (near the South Hall east lobby)
You can get pick-up locations for the 45 hotels on the SEMA website as well.
Checklist
Before heading to the SEMA conference, here’s a quick checklist for you
- Finish registration.
- Book your hotel and flights.
- Get comfortable shoes.
- Pack business cards, portable chargers, and other chargers for your laptops, tablets, etc.
These are 4 long, intense days, so planning in advance and arranging things beforehand always helps.
Join AutoLeap at SEMA this year
While there’s much to do at the SEMA Show, don’t forget to visit the AutoLeap Booth #11817. Here you will learn more about achieving operational efficiency with the #1 shop management software in the industry. You will get
- F1 Simulator Challenge – Test your racing reflexes for a chance to win $1,000 in cash!
- Tire Change Competition – Think you’re the fastest tech in the game? Prove it and take home $5,000!
- Live Demos of AutoLeap AIR – Experience how the industry’s first AI Receptionist answers customer calls instantly, so you never miss a job again.
- Swags, Prizes & More! – Walk away with exclusive AutoLeap goodies and a few exciting surprises we’ve got up our sleeve.
Wrapping up
Going to SEMA is a great investment for every automotive enthusiast, as it opens doors to the latest innovations, ideas, and people in the industry. Shop owners can go back with immense learnings and insights to improve their shop’s performance, and technicians can learn what skills and technology are expected to rise in demand.
The show is just a few days away, so if you haven’t registered yet, this is your sign to go do that!
FAQs
Is SEMA the biggest car show in the world?
Yes, SEMA is the biggest car show in the world and it is called the center of the automotive universe. It takes place over 4.6 million square feet of exhibit space with over 2000 exhibitors.
What is the purpose of SEMA?
SEMA is a trade-only event that brings together manufacturers and buyers in the automotive specialty equipment industry.
Are there concept cars at SEMA?
Yes, there are concept cars at SEMA brought by Toyota, Nissan, Ford, and many others.
How has SEMA impacted the auto industry?
SEMA has changed the way the automotive aftermarket industry is. It has worked to establish and implement regulatory policies to support the industry since its inception.
Is SEMA open to the public?
No SEMA is a trade-only event so it is not open to the public except for the last day, which is November 7.
What is the difference between SEMA and AAPEX?
SEMA is more about specialty equipment, performance products, while AAPEX is for the general automotive aftermarket, including replacement parts and services.
