SEMA Show Downsized?

Bill Bess · #1 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 05:03 AM

Maybe if Sema opened the show up to the public, charged to get in, and then helped small business get their products to the show, things might be better. If you don't flex with the times and economy your going to die.

SP01715 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 01:36 PM

Sounds like the Los Angeles boat show. It's been shrinking for the past couple years now because of people going out of business, and the prohibitive cost of renting space for the show.

I agree with bill about letting the public into SEMA. I had a boat in the show a few years back, and it was a problem for me to get in because I did not work for the company that put it in the show.

oldman ohio · #3 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 05:20 PM

Canfield Cylinder Heads bit the dust a few weeks ago. No orders.

jack

Mark IV · #4 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Bess

Maybe if Sema opened the show up to the public, charged to get in, and then helped small business get their products to the show, things might be better. If you don't flex with the times and economy your going to die.

SEMA is a tradeshow for members and wholesalecustomers. One of the problems they have had is everyonegetting in!

Some trade shows do have a few "public" days (some RV and boat trade shows come to mind) but on those days the wholesale price lists, etc. are NOT passed out. Do you sell something? Should all of YOUR customers have your cost sheets?

The problem is that the SEMA show became a tool used to market to the public and generate PR rather than the trade show it was started as.