SEMA to Launch International Auto Salon East

Atlantic City Is Selected as East Coast Venue

DIAMOND BAR, Calif., Sept. 18 -- Responding to a strong regional business and consumer market, SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, today announced plans for the International Auto Salon-Atlantic City, Friday through Sunday, May 21-23, 2004. The new event, to be held in the newly redesigned Atlantic City Convention Center, will mirror the best elements of the renowned International Auto Salon-Los Angeles and add features to meet the unique needs of the East Coast market.

"The Eastern region holds great potential for this market -- our members believe a business-to-business event combined with a stellar consumer show will continue to build this segment of the industry," said Christopher J. Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. "Tapping into the largest wave of vehicle enthusiasts in decades is a critical priority for the industry, the SEMA International Auto Salon-Atlantic City will help businesses reach one another and a huge population of young consumers."

SEMA first tracked the sport compact performance market in 1997, when retail sales of accessories and products for this automotive market sector totaled $295 million. Growth has been in the double digits every year, averaging 52.2%.

In 2002 retail sales reached $2.367 billion.

The association forecasts continued and dynamic growth and expects the IAS bi-coastal show schedule to help propel that growth.

The SEMA International Auto Salon-Los Angeles is slated for Friday-Sunday, April 2-4, 2004, and will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The opening day for each 2004 IAS event will feature trade-only exhibit hours as well as targeted industry educational programs. Saturday and Sunday will have exhibit hours for both trade and consumers, highlighting cutting-edge specialty automotive trends and urban lifestyle attractions.

SEMA will offer a dual-show package that includes special freight and drayage/material handling rates to exhibitors participating in both 2004 International Auto Salons. SEMA will also offer a special exhibitor package to first-time IAS exhibitors.

SEMA organized the first International Auto Salon in 1998. IAS is the only SEMA show open to consumers as well as the automotive industry's professionals.

For more information about SEMA's 2004 International Auto Salon events, contact ConvExx Show Management, askus@convexx.com.

SEMA represents the $27 billion specialty automotive industry. Founded in 1963, the trade association has 5,222 member companies. It is the authoritative source of research data, trends and market growth information for automakers and the specialty auto products industry. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger cars, minivans, trucks, SUVs and recreational vehicles. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA, 91765-3914; call 909/396-0289; or visit www.sema.org or www.enjoythedrive.com.