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SEMA Show * ITE '99 Biggest Ever Aftermarket Expo in Las Vegas

16 November 1999

SEMA Show * ITE '99 Biggest Ever Aftermarket Expo in Las Vegas Experiences Largest Attendance

    LAS VEGAS, Nov. 16 -- Continuing a trend, the Specialty
Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show * International Tire Expo (ITE) has
once again experienced a growth in all of its attendance numbers, from buyers
to exhibitors to media.  The 1999 Show was held in the Las Vegas Convention
Center, in conjunction with Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW) '99.
    The SEMA Show * ITE '99 surpassed 1998 attendance figures by nearly
15 percent with a jump to more than 82,000 people.  That figure includes more
than 36,000 buyers, nearly 10,000 international attendees and representatives
of the 1,400 exhibiting companies who comprised more than 6,000 booths.
    "The tremendous growth we have been experiencing is great for SEMA, but
more importantly great for the industry," said Charles R. Blum, president of
SEMA.  "SEMA member companies have better opportunities than ever before to
showcase their products to the retailers of the global marketplace."
    Having grown from a small automotive parts show at Dodger Stadium to the
third largest trade show staged in Las Vegas, the SEMA Show * ITE features
11-miles of aisles covering the entire expanse of the recently renovated Las
Vegas Convention Center, as well as two large temporary structures outside.
    This year's show featured the largest gathering of specialty and custom
parts and accessories -- from wheels and tires to turbochargers to running
boards -- as well as new vehicle debuts and announcements from the major
vehicle manufacturers.  Further, nearly 1,000 specialty built show vehicles
were on hand showcasing the latest trends in automotive accessorization.
    SEMA is a trade group comprised of more than 3,600 member companies that
make up the specialty automotive aftermarket industry.  The seven diverse
niches in which SEMA members specialize include light-truck, off-road, racing
and performance, street rod and restoration, and restyling.  All combined, the
markets add up to $21.2 billion in retail business annually.