The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade show in the world, held every November at the Las Vegas Convention Center. With over 2,500 exhibitors, 160,000 attendees, and vehicles — running vehicles — on the show floor, SEMA has logistics requirements unlike any other trade show.
If you are exhibiting at SEMA for the first time, or if you are bringing a larger or more complex exhibit than previous years, this guide covers what you need to know about freight, drayage, and the SEMA-specific logistics timeline.
SEMA at LVCC: Venue Overview
SEMA takes over the entire Las Vegas Convention Center — all three halls (South, Central, North) plus the West Hall and outdoor spaces. It is one of the few events that fills LVCC completely.
Key difference from other shows: Vehicles are a core part of SEMA exhibits. Rolling vehicles, display cars, trucks, and specialty products on platforms are common. This creates logistics complexity that standard trade show freight carriers are not always equipped to handle.
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GES at SEMA
GES is the official general service contractor for SEMA at LVCC. GES manages all material handling and drayage on the show floor.
Your Exhibitor Services Manual (ESM) is published by SEMA and contains the GES-specific advance warehouse address, deadlines, drayage rates, and move-in schedule for your hall and booth assignment.
SEMA Advance Warehouse Timeline
SEMA move-in is one of the most compressed in the industry — the show typically opens on a Tuesday, and move-in runs only a few days prior. The advance warehouse is your primary protection against that tight window.
SEMA advance warehouse typically:
- Opens in mid-October (approximately 3 weeks before move-in)
- Closes the Friday before SEMA move-in week
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Recommended booking timeline for SEMA:
- Book freight pickup: 8–10 weeks before SEMA (early September)
- Target advance warehouse delivery: 2 weeks before close date
- For large island exhibits or vehicle logistics: book in August
SEMA Move-In: What Makes It Unique
SEMA move-in is famous in the trade show industry for its complexity and intensity. A few things that set it apart:
24-hour move-in. SEMA typically authorizes overnight move-in access. Large exhibitors with complex builds use this window to get ahead. If your exhibit requires multi-day installation, plan for extended move-in days.
Vehicle staging. Display vehicles are staged in a separate marshaling area and brought onto the floor through oversized freight doors at designated times. Your ESM will include vehicle delivery instructions if applicable.
Heavy freight. SEMA exhibits are often heavier than standard trade shows — automotive parts, display platforms, and structural builds generate higher freight weights. Confirm your weight estimates before booking and budget drayage accordingly.
Hall-specific rules. SEMA uses all of LVCC's halls, and each hall has different move-in day and time assignments. Your move-in window is specific to your hall and booth location — not a general show-wide window. Missing your hall's window means waiting.
SEMA Drayage Costs
GES handles drayage at LVCC rates: $95 to $185 per CWT, with advance warehouse lower than direct-to-show.
SEMA exhibits tend to run heavier than average — a 20x20 automotive display can easily reach 4,000 to 8,000 lbs. Budget drayage accordingly.
💡 Pro Tip
SEMA Return Freight
SEMA move-out follows GES standard procedures, but the volume and vehicle logistics add complexity.
- Dismantle exhibit and repack non-vehicle components
- Vehicle move-out coordinated through GES vehicle staging schedule
- Submit MHA for all freight
- Pre-scheduled carriers pick up from marshaling area
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Shipping Non-Vehicle Components to SEMA
For standard exhibit components — booth structures, signage, display cases, AV equipment — Calway handles the full freight cycle.
What we manage:
- Pickup from your facility
- Advance warehouse delivery to LVCC with confirmed receipt
- GES intake tracking
- Outbound carrier coordination after the show
We ship to SEMA every November from Ontario, California. We know the LVCC advance warehouse intake process, the GES hall assignments, and the marshaling yard schedule.
Ready to Ship to SEMA?
Book early — September is not too soon for large SEMA exhibits. Tell us your booth size, hall assignment, and freight details.
Get a Quote or call (909) 605-9893 — available 24/7.
Calway Logistics | Ontario, CA | USDOT #3353508 | FMCSA Licensed & Bonded Serving SEMA Show at LVCC and all Las Vegas trade show venues.
About the author: Jose Melchor is Operations Manager at Calway Logistics, based in Ontario, CA. With 15+ years in trade show logistics, he has coordinated freight for exhibitors at LVCC, McCormick Place, Javits Center, Anaheim Convention Center, and every major trade show venue across the U.S. and Canada.