SEMA News

Automotive aftermarket show features accessories for active lifestyles

By Nina Russin

Yakima Rack-and-Roll trailer

SEMA is the Specialty Equipment Manufacturing Association: the biggest organization of aftermarket equipment suppliers in the world. Once a year, members gather in Las Vegas for a trade show of overwhelming proportions.

How big is it? According to a colleague, the 2007 SEMA show had twenty-six miles of exhibits, filling all three halls in the Las Vegas Convention Center.

While the current show is slightly smaller, it’s still an impressive display. In addition to the exhibition halls, hot rods and customs fill the open air spaces in front of the convention center. Despite the fact that admission is limited to industry members, attendance is huge. By mid-day, it’s hard to find space to walk down the aisles.

Among the thousands of participants are all the major manufacturers of roof racks, camping supplies, navigation systems, specialty suspensions, tires, and towing equipment. Following are a few of this year‘s highlights.

Roof and hitch racks

Yakima‘s new Rack and Roll trailers are an ergonomic alternative to roof racks. There are two models: a 66-inch wide rack that weighs about 130 pounds empty, and a slightly heavier 78-inch wide rack that can hold up to eight bicycles. Read the rest of this entry »