SEMA 2024 - Las Vegas
posted 7th November 2024
Welcome to SEMA 2024
Popin had the pleasure of joining Spandex in Las Vegas for the SEMA 2024 automotive show. Taking place from November 5-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the show has brought an impressive lineup of innovations and entertainment, solidifying its place as a leading automotive event for aftermarket and performance enthusiasts. This year's event showcases a spectrum of custom vehicles, groundbreaking automotive tech, and interactive experiences. Major highlights include unique concept vehicles, electrified custom builds, and a strong focus on sustainable and advanced propulsion technologies.
For the first time, the show includes SEMA Live, a 31-hour livestream allowing virtual access to showcases, demos, and interviews for a global audience. Noteworthy events bookending the show include Industry Night @ SEMA, featuring live music from the Goo Goo Dolls and O.A.R., and SEMA Fest, a public event with performances by Cage the Elephant and Sublime and adrenaline-fueled motorsports activities
The Origins
The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show has grown into one of the most significant events in the automotive industry, celebrating vehicle customisation, aftermarket parts, and innovations. Its history reflects the evolution of the automotive aftermarket industry and the increasing popularity of vehicle customisation among enthusiasts and professionals alike. The roots of the SEMA Show date back to 1963, when it began as a small gathering of aftermarket manufacturers.
Originally, SEMA itself was established in 1963 as the Speed Equipment Manufacturers Association, a trade group created by several key figures in the hot rod industry, including Ed Iskenderian, Bob Hedman, and Vic Edelbrock. The group aimed to promote and protect the growing market for performance parts and accessories in a rapidly changing automotive landscape.
The first SEMA Show took place in 1967 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, where about 100 exhibitors and a few thousand attendees gathered to explore new products for the aftermarket industry. Over the next decade, the SEMA Show grew in popularity, eventually outgrowing its initial locations and moving to larger venues to accommodate more exhibitors and attendees.
The Rise of Vehicle Customisation
As the 2000s approached, vehicle customisation continued to grow in popularity, with the show becoming more inclusive of a wider variety of vehicle styles and technologies. Car culture evolved with new interests in eco-friendly products, electric vehicles, and modern technologies like navigation, audio systems, and aftermarket electronics. The SEMA Show incorporated these developments, evolving from a primarily speed-focused show to one embracing all aspects of vehicle personalisation and enhancement.
Today, the SEMA Show is a massive international event, drawing around 160,000 attendees and showcasing products from over 2,400 exhibitors across the Las Vegas Convention Center. It covers an extensive range of sectors within the automotive industry, from racing and performance to the latest innovations in electric and autonomous vehicle technology. While it remains a trade-only event—open exclusively to industry professionals—the SEMA Show has maintained a powerful influence on consumer trends by highlighting the latest technologies and aftermarket products.
The show has also introduced digital components, such as SEMA Live, allowing global enthusiasts to experience the event online. SEMA's commitment to innovation has kept the show relevant, and it continues to be a leading force in the automotive aftermarket, drawing professionals, media, and enthusiasts from all over the world.
