In short
At SEMA the vehicle is the billboard: booths built around one or two customised vehicles, lit to photograph, with products shown on and around them, a counter for dealer orders and enough clearance for people to walk round and look under. Start a custom booth about 6–9 months ahead and confirm dates, height limits and rules in the exhibitor manual.
Key points
- Where and when: Las Vegas, annual, in late October or November.
- The audience is mostly distributors.
- One or two feature vehicles positioned for photography from the aisle.
- Parts displayed fitted and loose, with part numbers visible.
- Plan a custom booth about 6–9 months before the show.
SEMA Show for exhibitors
The SEMA Show gathers aftermarket parts makers, tuners, distributors and media, with hundreds of custom vehicles across the halls and outdoors. Builds featured on vehicles attract photographers and influencers, which drives traffic.
| SEMA Show | |
|---|---|
| City | Las Vegas |
| Venue | Las Vegas Convention Center |
| Sector | Automotive aftermarket |
| Cycle | Annual, in late October or November |
| Main stand activity | Product display and orders |
| Custom stand lead time | 6–9 months |
Who you are designing for
Distributors, retailers, installers, builders and automotive media. They want to see parts fitted and talk margins and stock.
What matters most on a SEMA Show booth:
- One or two feature vehicles positioned for photography from the aisle.
- Parts displayed fitted and loose, with part numbers visible.
- A dealer counter or desk for orders and programmes.
- Lighting that shows paint and finish without glare.
Layouts for product display and orders, by stand type
Most SEMA Show exhibitors build around product display and orders. How that works depends on how many sides of your plot are open. If you are unsure which type you have, see exhibition stand types.
| Stand type | Open sides | What works |
|---|---|---|
| Row (inline) | 1 | A shop-like display wall with a counter for orders, leaving the floor clear to browse. |
| Corner | 2 | Displays along both aisles with an order desk in the closed corner. |
| Peninsula | 3 | A room set or gallery display at the front with buyer tables behind it. |
| Island | 4 | A gallery route around a central feature, with order desks and buyer seating along one side. |
Stand ideas for SEMA Show
- A feature vehicle on a raised platform with dedicated overhead lighting.
- Part displays showing the product loose beside it fitted on the car.
- A dealer desk with programme details and part numbers.
Planning, approvals and logistics
Vehicles have specific move-in rules: fuel levels, disconnected batteries and set routes. Check the exhibitor manual for vehicle display requirements.
Allow about 6–9 months for a custom booth. The exhibitor manual sets height limits, open-side rules and service deadlines; see venue approval and technical drawings.
Mistakes we see at SEMA Show
- Parked vehicles with no lighting, so paint looks flat.
- Products only on the vehicle with nothing visitors can handle.
Try your SEMA Show layout in 3D
ExhibitionBase Studio turns your plot size, open sides and a brief about product display and orders into an editable 3D booth for 5 credits, renders it and exports a plan for your builder. New workspaces get 5 free credits.
Frequently asked questions
01What are the rules for vehicles on a SEMA booth?
Venues set rules on fuel, batteries and move-in routes for vehicles. Read the vehicle display section of the exhibitor manual and plan the move-in time.
02How do I light a car on a booth?
Use broad, diffused overhead light with a high colour rendering index, and avoid point sources that reflect as hot spots. See [automotive booth design](/guides/automotive-booth-design).
03How early should I start designing a SEMA Show booth?
For a custom booth, about 6–9 months ahead: long enough for design, organiser approval, production and shipping. Shell scheme booths can be planned in weeks.
04Can I reuse my SEMA Show booth at other shows?
Often, if it is modular. Design the core (walls, counters, product display and orders area) to work on several plot sizes, and swap graphics per show. See [modular vs custom stands](/guides/modular-vs-custom-exhibition-stands).
Put it into practice
From a client brief to a 3D stand concept in minutes
An editable 3D exhibition stand concept from a written brief and the brand's website, at your exact size.
Guidance here reflects common practice. Venues, organisers and countries set their own rules: always check the exhibitor manual and work with a qualified stand builder and engineer for structures.
