Have you been to SEMA? Would it be worth it getting a booth there?

I don't know what booths cost these days but I think given the nature of your business, you would benefit from the exposure. You can always look into sharing booth space with another small manufacturer or wholesaler, it might help save you some out of pocket expenses.

And I wouldn't worry about the narrowness of your market... You never know who you're gonna meet at a trade show. You're just as likely to be meet a potential wholesaler or retailer, as you are a supplier of raw materials that can save you some costs.

 

PM me! I dont think it would be a good idea.

 

I'd listen to PDaddy - WTF do I know, I'm an insurance guy!

 

Might make more sense to do something at the FCA National event.

 

would it be possible for me to read the "low down on the demographics"?

thanks in advance,
Ry

 

SEMA would have been too expensive and overkill for Ryan. He would be better served by attending an event that would attract a specific crowd, like Monterey or hummm..the Scuderia Rampage!! (Shameless plug!)

 

Agreed. Take this advice religiously. I'm unsure if you know your market that well as it is, only because it is limited and even more limited with the amount of customers that wish to be non-stock.

I've been to SEMA a handful of times, and still a member. Worth it for a booth? You have to make that call. But I will say "no way, not at all," in honest advice. You are better off finding a 360 that will be there, have it modded at your cost, have it painted at your costs, have it shipped and insured at your costs, make vinyl graphics for the car at your costs, and then... you will be far ahead of the display booth at SEMA. Right there, without blinking, 10K minimum is what you are looking at for that. But, better yet, find someone with a wheels company, someone like Alan over at Kinesis or John over at HRE, get in their booth and have your body kit on their display car. Start working on it now for the next Vegas event.

 

I agree with the others about not getting a booth at SEMA, but you might want to look at becoming a member and attending the show. You could meet a lot of useful contacts, suppliers, see new products etc. As far as Forza or Dupont, I would not do either unless you can afford to run the ads for at least 3-6 months.

 

Becomming a member has some benefits, and in others, not really. Shipping will save you a great deal. Also, as a small business, it is ~$100 a year. Big businesses spend quite a bit to maintain their status.

The first time you go, you'll be overwhelmed. I can only say, come up with a plan. Figure out who you need to speak to in order to make the best contacts and once that is said and done, resume being overwhelmed. It is very difficult to schedule talking with a handful of individuals and seeing everything. There is just so much. I'd personally say, if you want a car or a booth in later years to come, attending the event will give you a better idea of what to do and where to do it.

But costs considered, do it only if each dollar you put into going to SEMA can benefit you in terms of savings/contacts/suppliers/and even buyers. Dropping min. $1K for hotel/flight/misc. expenses to go there for about a week, it makes great sense to me. When I went, I stayed at the Sarah. While not a bling-bling hotel, it is decent, clean, cheap and now has a shuttle (3-4 story high tram) which takes you to the convention center. It is linked to the Hilton as well.

One thing is for sure, in Vegas, the SEMA show is *the* biggest show they have. Most other shows, like the computer shows, sure they are neat. But as the locals say, the computer guys come in with two things: a suit and a hundred dollar bill. They also leave with both.