How to get into SEMA, SEMA 2023 dates and other questions answered
Need SEMA 2023 dates? The 2023 SEMA Show is Tuesday, Oct. 31 to Friday, Nov. 3, 2023 in Las Vegas.
We can also answer your questions on how to get into the SEMA Show:
- You must work in the specialty equipment aftermarket. The show isn’t open to the general public
- You must provide documentation of employment in the industry
- You don’t have to be a member of SEMA
Getting into the SEMA Show is a common question each fall, around the first week of November. The SEMA Show is a trade-only show. It is only for attendees that work in the trade. It’s not open to the general public.
To get into SEMA, you must work in the specialty equipment industry and you need documentation that proves you’re in the industry. This is required if you register online or in person at the SEMA Show.
The SEMA Show is not open to the general public and is a trade-only event. Attendees must be qualified and employed within the automotive aftermarket industry in order to be eligible to receive their registration badge and gain access to the exhibit hall.
You don’t need to be a member of the SEMA trade association to attend the SEMA Show.
Note: this website is not affiliated with SEMA or the SEMA Show, for additional questions you need to contact SEMA directly.
SEMA Show 2023 attendance
The 2023 SEMA Show is expected to bring in in 70,000 buyers to see just over 2,000 exhibitors, according to official news reports.
Where is the 2023 SEMA Show this year?
The 2023 SEMA Show is October 31 to November 3, 2023. Each year the SEMA Show is in Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Convention Center, where it has been held each year since 1977. The lone exception to that of course, was 2020, when it was cancelled due to COVID.
What are SEMA 2023 ticket prices? What do SEMA tickets cost?
These are common questions. SEMA ticket prices don’t exist, because there aren’t “tickets” to enter the show. As a trade show, qualified attendees must register and pay the registration fee. Qualified registrants receive show credentials, not tickets.
Tickets are sold to the public for SEMA Fest (formerly SEMA Ignited), which is at the corner of Sahara Ave and The Strip (Las Vegas Blvd.). You may see SEMA Fest referred to online as “SEMA car show Las Vegas.” Scroll down for information on SEMA Fest 2023.
Online registration for the 2023 SEMA Show was priced at $40 USD through June 30. It went to $60 through Sept. 29 and goes to $120 Sept. 30. These registration fees are to gain access to an attendee badge. A badge provides access to both AAPEX and the SEMA Show for the full duration of each show.
Non-exhibiting manufacturers must pay a registration fee of $200 to attend the show.
Is SEMA open to the public? Can anyone go to the SEMA Show?
These are common questions, is SEMA open to the public? Can anyone go? No it is not open to the public, it is a trade show open only for qualified attendees who work in the specialty equipment industry.
SEMA Show registration
To register for the SEMA Show 2023 as a first-time attendee, you need to provide the proof of employment in the aftermarket industry. This documentation includes a business card, tax registration certificate or business registration, business license, a business photo ID, or a recent paycheck stub.
If using a business card or a business photo ID, the company name and address must match the information in your registration. It also must include your job title.
This is all required in order to prove your business or your employer is a current and actual automotive aftermarket business. That’s why proof starts with business registration, business certificate or tax ID. Next, you must prove you’re either the current business owner or you’re currently employed by that business.
If your business license shows you’re the business owner, great. That is an accepted method. If you’re employed by a business, you have to provide a business card or a paycheck stub, or a business photo ID, that includes your name and the name of the company. Note that everything has to match the name of the company you are registering under.
You also have to provide a current email address. SEMA prefers a company email address. Also note that all documents you provide must be in English.
If you have attended the show previously you can simply register.
Attendee qualifications
One benefit of registering for the SEMA Show is that once you are registered, future years are much simpler. If you registered and got approved for a previous SEMA Show and you haven’t changed companies, or contact information such as your telephone number, address or email address, you might not need to show proof that you work in the automotive aftermarket industry again.
You don’t qualify to attend the SEMA Show if you’re unemployed, retired, a car club member or simply a car enthusiast. Companies such as accounting firms, freight providers, non-automotive graphics companies, exhibition industry service companies, insurance agents, law firms, modeling agents/agencies, packaging companies, printers, non-automotive software companies and travel agencies also don’t qualify to attend the show.
If you have questions you can contact the SEMA Show staff directly at (909) 396-0289.
SEMA Fest 2023 tickets
Anyone not qualified to attend the show is invited to buy tickets to SEMA Fest 2023. It’s a two-day music and car culture show open to the general public. SEMA Fest 2023 is Friday, November 3 and Saturday, November 4, 2024, noon to midnight. Tickets start at $179 for the public. SEMA Show attendees and exhibitors must also buy tickes.
For more information on registering for and attending this year’s SEMA Show visit SEMAShow.com. To purchase 2023 SEMA Fest tickets visit www.semafest.com.
What should I look forward to seeing at the 2023 SEMA Show?
The SEMA Show is the premier automotive aftermarket industry event. Many of the biggest names in the industry attend. There will be over 2,000 exhibitor booths, plus presentations and demonstrations, and many contacts to meet. To put it simply, if you are looking to grow your business within the automotive aftermarket industry, you should consider attending the 2023 SEMA Show. For a full floor plan of the 2023 show, please check out this link.
For a list of 2023 SEMA Exhibitors, visit this link.
Sections organize the show. These include the new West Hall across Paradise Avenue from the main convention center, North Hall, the Central Hall, the South Hall Upper and the South Hall Lower. Below you will find some brief highlights as to what you can expect to find in each of these areas:
West Hall
- Trucks, SUVs and off-road
- Powersports and UTVs
- Restyling and car care accessories
North Hall
- New Products Showcase
- Business Services
- Mobile Electronics & Technology
- Any spillover from the West Hall and Central Hall
Central Hall
- Racing & Performance
- Hot Rod Alley
- Restoration Marketplace
South Hall Upper
- Tools & equipment
- Collision repair & refinishing
South Hall Lower
- Global Tire Expo
- Wheels & Accessories
Skybridge (between Central and South Halls)
- Various displays
2023 SEMA Show hours and dates
SEMA exhibit hours:
- Tuesday, October 31, 2023 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Wednesday, November 1, 2023 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Thursday, November 2, 2023 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Friday, November 3, 2023 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
SEMA on-site registration hours:
- Thursday, October 26, 8:00 am -5:00 pm for exhibitors only
- Friday, October 27, 8:00 am -5:00 pm for exhibitors only
- Saturday, October 28, 8:00 am -5:00 pm for exhibitors only
- Sunday, October 29, 8:00 am -5:00 pm for exhibitors only
- Monday, October 30, 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
- Tuesday, October 31, 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
- Wednesday, November 1, 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
- Thursday, November 2, 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
- Friday, November 3, 7:30 am – 4:00 pm
Future dates for the SEMA Show
- SEMA Show 2023: October 31-November 3
- SEMA Show 2024: November 5-8
- SEMA Show 2025: November 4-7
- SEMA Show 2026: November 3-6
- SEMA Show 2027: November 2-5
- SEMA Show 2028: October 31-November 3
