“ This is my third trek to SEMA in Vegas and a show I wouldn’t wanna miss! You’d never know about the economic woes from all the car-crazed enthusiasts from all over the world….the place was rockin!

Strolling down Hot Rod Alley, I saw why they remain loyal to their hobby. Who knew there was such a variety of tires and wheels? And the ladies displaying them were sure a hit, too. When it comes to restoration and restyling your ride, I guess not any old wax will do. It was like being in a sea of infomercials.

The need for speed is never going away and it was showcased well in the Racing & Performance section with the legendary Mario Andretti. Always fun to watch the media, what with the likes of Mad Mike, Chip Foose and Dennis Gage from our favorite automotive TV shows.

I spent most my time in the Truck, SUV and Off-Road section (naturally). I loved the newly engineered bike rack and series of locks that open with your car (ignition) key. Insert it, turn it once and it is programmed for that lock and key. Re-chroming for bumpers and grill guards–is that for real? Have to say, I loved the new Euro Series Ball Mount, but oh so suggestive—I couldn’t look at them with a straight face.

The enclosed outdoor tracks from Motor Trend and Off-Road Proving Ground by Toyota were a sight to see. As always, my all time favorites are the House of Kolor, West Coast Customs and, as always, checking out over 1,500 of the hottest customized vehicles around.

I would have to say the highlight of the show for me was rubbing wheels with Lyn St. James, racer; (Daytona, Indy 500, etc.) speaker, leader and author, at the annual SBN Speed Networking event. As I asked for an autograph (yes, I did), I thought of how my daughter would feel getting Carrie Underwood’s autograph. Ms St James & I chatted about our similarities in corporate America, the fact she is a Distinguished Woman from my alma mater, Northwood University, and about her new exhibit at the Women’s Museum in Dallas (opening in 2010 to honor women in racing). As we were chatting, a radio show host/producer interrupted us wanting to do a story on Lyn for the Today Show in New York. You better believe I stuck around for that conversation. I blatantly asked if he had room for me on that show. He said how about a spot on my radio show–I guess beggars can’t be choosers………

Meanwhile as I deliberate my own course for the future and wonder where this tumultuous industry is headed, it’s obvious after the SEMA show, all I have to say is: come on guys, start your engines ‘cause we are goin’ for a ride!”

Thanks, Jamey, for a great report from a fascinating show.

TTSG

A variation of this is a property that can be configured and shaped into different sizes and appearances to support multiple clients. Our friends at Smalley & Associates in Dallas have a custom rental property that we’ll use here as an example.

The booth was originally built for a client in the industrial power control business. The kiosks and graphic spaces featured the brand and products in multiple configurations.

The same properties were also proposed for a client in the security equipment and monitoring business.

While the offerings are quite different, the basic booth allowed for demonstration and client-staff interaction (the key to effective sales and marketing). The structure was modified with vinyl and/or graphic treatments to give it the look of the renting client.

The point of this case is to, as an exhibitor, be thinking of how you can direct your exhibit dollars by either having a versatile exhibit built for you or how you can rent someone else’s booth and configure it for your purposes.

TTSG

After contacting show management on behalf of our client, Retalix, I learned that NACStech, set for May 18 to 21 at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas, will happen.

“At this time NACStech is moving forward as planned,” said my contact at the association to me in an e-mail dated Friday, May 1. The FMI-Marketechnics Show, set to open this week in Dallas, was postponed by its organizers last week amid concerns for public health around large gatherings.

Given the NACStech show is much smaller in scale than the Marketechnics show, I am curious as to how these decisions were made.

Any comments out there?

TTSG

At this time NACStech is moving forward as planned.

http://www.tradeshowweek.com/eNewsletter/CA6655588/2664.html

TTSG

thanks to TradeShow Week, FMI

The largest players at this show, by exhibit size, are Chevron, Phillips-Conoco, Simple Green, AV Fuel, Dallas Airmotive, PPC, Corridor, Deutz, FMC and TLD. A mixed bag of exhibits, it ranged from the small 10×10s jammed with parts washers to the elegent, simple exhibits with a clearly, cleanly labeled engine on a stand.

This is a three-day show that should probably be a two-day show as the last day is a tomb, according to the exhibitors. Another example of a show with fewer attendees but those that do attend are focused and serious.

Lesson Learned: this is a good example of sizing your booth to the audience and the show. A 10×10 can have as much impact with a prepared staff as a 20×30 without a theme or targeted program.