2020 SEMA Show CANCELED. May Go Virtual Instead

Well, its official. The 2020 SEMA Show has been canceled due to safety concerns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first major hint that SEMA 2020 may not go off as planed was a survey that SEMA sent to members and regular show attendees. I received the survey myself and many of the questions were specifically worded to measure interest in physically attending the show versus a “virtual” version.

In case you’re curious, I was definitely not going to attend SEMA if they decided to go through with an on-site show.

Currently they haven’t confirmed that there will be a virtual SEMA show but I would not be surprised if that announcement comes later.

It is a bummer that SEMA had to do this but certainly not unexpected. Hopefully next year things will be much better.

You can read the official cancellation statement below.

How do you feel about SEMA 2020 being canceled? Are you interested in a virtual SEMA show? Let me know what you think in the comments or tweet to me at @MotorworldHype.

SEMA Show 2020 statement:

Due to Covid-19 and concerns that event facilities and services will be unavailable, the SEMA Show will not be taking place in 2020.

While both event organizers and industry members have been working tirelessly to deliver an outstanding SEMA Show in November, mounting uncertainty has rendered continuing with the event inadvisable. SEMA expects the decision will bring much needed clarity to an uncertain picture and will help exhibitors, attendees and partners plan accordingly.

Recent SEMA Show survey results indicated interest in a possible virtual tradeshow with related live elements. SEMA will be working with industry members to determine interest levels on specific alternatives.

“The SEMA Show is committed to furthering businesses in the automotive specialty equipment market, and to providing manufacturers and buyers with the best opportunity to connect, promote new products and discover new trends,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “We appreciate the spirit, hard work and innovation our industry puts into the SEMA Show each year. While we are disappointed circumstances prevent us from hosting the Show in November, we look forward to getting everyone together in 2021 for another outstanding event.”

Full refunds for SEMA Show exhibitor booth deposits and attendee registration fees will be issued.

[Source: SEMAShow.com]