SEMA AND ARMO HELP HOBBYISTS

The SEMA Show is not Iola or Hershey or Carlisle. It is not a place to find to find NOS parts or used parts that can be restored. So, would the restorer of a Model T Ford or a split-window Corvette find a trip to SEMA worth his or her time and money? The answer is yes.

The SEMA Show is billed as “the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world.” It is not open to the general public. It is for professionals involved in the specialty automotive industry. The trade group’s ARMO branch — ARMO stands for Automotive Restorers Market Organization — is for those in the restoration business.

SEMA is a place to find companies that can 1) Properly restore an old part; 2) Supply the products and tools needed to properly restore an old part or 3) Sometimes supply you with an excact reproduction of an original old part.

SEMA is said to “draw the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to one place.” The Show fills the Las Vegas Convention Center. The related AAIW Show is held at the same time. SEMA attracts more than 100,000 visitors from more than 100 countries. The 2008 event drew over 50,000 domestic and international buyers to view two million square feet of exhibits.

The bottom line is that SEMA can help the old-car hobbyist who wants to restore a part or find a quality reproduction part. And if that hobbyist wants to manufacture and sell the part and start a hobby business, he or she may want to think about joining SEMA, using the group's market research and setting up a booth at the next SEMA Show.

SEMA Show Exhibit Hours

Tuesday, November 3: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Wednesday, November 4:9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Thursday, November 5:9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Friday, November 6:9 a.m. - 4 p.m.