SEMA Shows Off Hottest Market Segment at International Auto Salon
DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (Jan. 15, 2003) - SEMA's sixth annual International Auto Salon, the trade and consumer show for the rapidly growing sport compact performance segment of the automotive accessory and special equipment industry, is moving to the Los Angeles Convention Center, a world-class venue, this year. The SEMA International Auto Salon 2003 will be held Friday, April 25, through Sunday, April 27. The show will feature hundreds of customized sport compact cars, plus the latest parts to make them go faster, handle better, look wilder, sound better and provide a complete lifestyle and entertainment experience on wheels. "We're really excited about bringing the SEMA International Auto Salon to Los Angeles, which is the heart of the sport compact world," said Peter MacGillivray, vice president of sales and marketing for SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association. "Over the years, as our International Auto Salon has grown and become more prominent, we've outgrown the different venues that we've had. Our sport compact show has reached such critical mass that it really is more than a regional trade and consumer show. It's a world-class event for the youth performance market." The International Auto Salon has grown dramatically, as has the sport compact market. MacGillivray said that the expected number of companies exhibiting at the weekend show will be up significantly from IAS 2002. The market's target demographics now exceed 30 million nationwide. SEMA estimates retail sales of accessories and automotive equipment in this market at more than $2 billion for 2002, a growth rate approaching 50 percent. Automakers want to reach--if not dominate--this youth-driven market, so they'll be out in force in Los Angeles. DaimlerChrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, and Toyota will be showing off their latest compact cars, including an impressive array of customized vehicles. Activities will include several technical and business seminars open to the trade and consumers. The International Auto Salon is the only show SEMA produces that is open to consumers as well as industry personnel. The show will be open to industry professionals only on Friday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to noon. Consumers will be welcome from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday, and on Sunday, April 27, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Vision Entertainment To Provide Consumer Marketing Effort Vision Entertainment returns as SEMA's consumer marketing partner for the International Auto Salon for the second consecutive year. Vision will produce and judge an extensive car show within the Salon, making sure the "best of the best" vehicles are in the spotlight. The company, which produces the Hot Import Nights and Import Revolution events, also will be responsible for entertainment, including DJs spinning music and poster signings by Import Revolution models, during consumer show hours. The SEMA International Auto Salon is easily the most important, best-attended and broadest-reaching show of its kind. To learn more about the show, to purchase tickets or to reserve booth space, visit www.ias2k3.com. Vision Entertainment is an integrated marketing and production company providing its customers and clients with interactive experiences. With its fingers on the pulse of America's youth, Vision Entertainment has a firm understanding of this savvy, progressive lifestyle, and a proven track record of success. Vision Entertainment currently produces more than 26 annual events in the top 20 markets in North America. These events range from import car shows to skateboard & snowboard expos, to consumer gaming events. For more information, contact Vision Entertainment at 1360 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA, 92651; call 949/376-6942 or visit www.visionevent.com.