2024 SEMA Show – Ladies Offroad Network

The SEMA Show is described as the largest gathering of automotive companies and professionals from every cut of the aftermarket industry who gather amongst sparkling and unique vehicles from around the world. But beyond the chrome and horsepower, SEMA is a series of niche communities and passions that intersect in fascinating ways and you can be part of them if you know where to look.

In a back conference room on Monday prior to the show starting is a very important meeting to all offroaders. The key leaders of the Land-Use Community come together in one room to communicate the most up to date information and challenges that each group is facing. North American Motorized Recreation Council (NAMRC) is the key leader in this communication environment. It is a long day of what some may consider boring information, but it is so important to fill the room with ears that can take the information and work with us to fight land closures all over the country. Coming to SEMA and want to make a difference? Show up!

SEMA Business Women (SBN) hosts a series of classes and networking events. The classes aren’t solely for women, but do have themes that are focused on ladies' needs. The collaboration and interest in topics support each other and provide encouragement for ladies that are trying to make a name for themselves in the automotive industry. The class I attended was “Empower Yourself: Harnessing the Potential of AI for Women in the Automotive and Specialty Equipment Market” which was a good beginner’s introduction to AI tools and how they apply them in the automotive aftermarket world. Coming to SEMA and want to level up? Show up!

SBN also hosts two different networking events. One is focused on bringing the women in automotive together to meet each other, and the second is bringing in young ladies that are still in school to network with each other and with industry professionals. Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) also host multiple networking events focused on bringing together the offroad community in a space where we can chat and have fun. Their big night includes the Pinewood Derby which financially benefits the SEMA Cares partnering children's charities. Coming to SEMA and want to meet people in our community and give back? Show up!

The showroom floor is also specifically setup to niche markets. Some of my favorites include the Offroad Hall, Tires and Tools zone, UTV zone, and the Overlanding zone. However, over the last few years I have made it a point to go to the Electric Vehicle zone and have found the hybrid area to host some of the most crazy innovations. The vehicles are amazing and simple, and then you realize that they do not have a regular power train system below them…but huge battery packs and human manufactured sounds. Coming to SEMA and want to be a part of the future and see innovation? Show up!

What SEMA was originally purpose built to provide is the ultimate opportunity for everyone in the automotive aftermarket to connect. The different niches collide as companies' innovations expand into a grand staircase of part numbers. The halls are humming all day with important conversations and deals are made that create famous people in a year, or 10. In today's society of social media, zoom call, email and text…nothing replaces a face to face conversation to be successful! Coming to SEMA and want to be part of something bigger? Show up!

The 2024 SEMA Show was a grand success for thousands of people. Vehicles got built. Parts got sold. Deals got made. It is what the offroad and automotive aftermarket strives for every year. And friends get made. Can’t wait to see you at the world renound SEMA Show in the future.