The big kahuna car show of the year is just around the corner. The 2024 SEMA show will kick off on November 5-8, 2024, at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) in Nevada. SEMA is estimating it is on track to host more than 2,400 exhibitors — more than 400 newbies — and more than 160,000 attendees, including media, content creators, and a celebrity or two. To seasoned showgoers consider this a brief review to get your bearings before the event, and for you SEMA show virgins and John Q. Public attending SEMA Fest, this article is for you.

SEMA is like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory but for cars. It’s chock full of automotive wonders. Photo – SEMA

SEMA attracts people from all over the world. It’s a great way to network with colleagues from more than 140 countries who share innovations, education, and industry opportunities. It’s also a great way to advance your business sphere, discover new ideas and emerging technologies, and establish business contacts. Take your career from ho-hum to great at the 2024 SEMA show, with events mirroring our fast-evolving industry.

Ringbrothers will show three vehicles during this year’s SEMA event. Photo -Ringbrothers

New this year is the first-ever, Industry Night at SEMA featuring live performances by the Goo Goo Dolls, O.A.R, and Reignwolf, set for Tuesday, November 5, 2024, on the LVCC campus. This separately ticketed event is designed to bring our automotive community together in a rockin’ atmosphere featuring big-time music acts, entertainment, food, and refreshments.

Stellantis is showing this cool 1967 Satellite GTX restomod. Photo – Stellantis

But wait there’s more. The outrageous, open-to-the-public SEMA Fest event will return on Friday, November 8th, also on the LVCC grounds. A celebration of cars and culture, SEMA Fest will also boast headline musical acts featuring Cage the Elephant, Sublime, Fitz & the Tantrums, and Petey; as well as drifting and other crowd-pleasing activities to add a twinkle to your eye.

But the climax of the week is the show itself, and its focus on our industry’s ever-changing future. The 2024 SEMA show includes a FutureTech Studio that will showcase emerging trends in alternative vehicle propulsion, advancements in ICE design and performance, alternative fuels, and tweaks for ADAS-equipped vehicles. In addition, you’ll see this emphasis on innovation throughout the LVCC, helping you to get your head around navigating those emerging trends and innovations reshaping our industry.

Look for top-tier educational opportunities, with classes on a crucial range of business, career, and industry topics. These events can enhance your business, offering unique insights and connections with other industry professionals and comrades.

Study this map! Photo – SEMA

A Note From Your Humble Author:

SEMA is the ‘Big Shoo,’ as Ed Sullivan used to say. As a seasoned SEMA attendee, be forewarned that this show is not for the meek or faint of heart. The Las Vegas Convention Center contains over one million square feet of exhibition space and you will need all four days to see it all.  Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. Bring all your gear chargers, because you will darn near wear out your camera taking pictures. Be sure and study the map above, it is your friend. Central Hall is where all the bigshot OEMs and builders debut new products and build. You will want to start there first.

The South Hall is where you will find tires and wheels and offers a mind-boggling assortment of choices. The South Hall lobby has tools and collision repair gear. Out front, there is autocrossing, monster trucks, and many ceremonies and car debuts. The North Hall is full of car accessories and cool builds that don’t fit into Central Hall.  Across the street is the new building added to the LVCS and it is where you find Jeeps, trucks, and SEMA babes.

Be sure and take a ride underground on Tesla’s subterranean tunnels that will get you back and forth from the existing convention center to the shiny new addition. Bring mints, water, and aspirin; and remember, SEMA is not a good place to break in a new pair of shoes. Also, get the app! It is a lifesaver! It is super easy to use and will save you time and energy. The bottom line here is to have fun and enjoy!

The SEMA show is open to those within the automotive trade only. The public is welcome into the SEMA show on Friday with the appropriate tickets, as well as SEMA Fest, which is outdoors and open to everyone.