---
title: "#SEMA16 Reflections - Up&Up!"
description: This year's SEMA show had much of the same jam-packed feel as last year's show.
---

[Dealership Strategy Blog | Auto Accessory Sales | Insignia Group ](https://www.insigniagroup.com/blog)

# [#SEMA16 Reflections - Up&Up!](https://www.insigniagroup.com/blog/sema16-reflections-upup)

 Written by [David Stringer](https://www.insigniagroup.com/blog/author/david-stringer) | Nov 8, 2016 8:32:13 PM

Much like Vegas itself, the SEMA Show represents an amazing display of human endeavor and once again the folks of the[Speciality Equipment Market Association (staff and management)](http://www.sema.org/) executed another amazing show #SEMA16. Well done!

<https://www.insigniagroup.com/blog/sema16-reflections-upup>This year's show had much of the same jam-packed feel as last year's show. There were always more things going on at once than you can possible see and you need to divide a concur with your team. Last year, set a record for the number of[vendors](http://www.sema.org/sema-news/2016/01/required-reading-0) and I have to believe based on how hard it was to get from one hall to the other, that this year set an all-time attendance record.

All of this represents the breadth and depth of the Specialty Equipment marketplace and makes[Vehicle Personalization](https://info.insigniagroup.com/best-practices) again the[perennial underestimated driver of car sales](http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20161031/RETAIL/310319986/1174) in America (and abroad). At some point (hopefully soon) the new and used car business will reach a tipping point where the Personalization Manager is seen by every car buyer right before the F&I Manager.

Here are some of my observations from this year’s show:

**LIGHT ME THE WAY**

Lighting is becoming the new trend in all-thing-accessories. Light bars, spots, interior lighting were all-over almost every vehicle on display. Captured here was the[Professional Restylers Organization's](http://www.sema.org/council/PRO?__utma=95790915.1984821268.1477506449.1478634808.1478634808.1&__utmb=95790915.0.10.1478634808&__utmc=95790915&__utmx=-&__utmz=95790915.1478634808.1.1.utmcsr=(direct)%7Cutmccn=(direct)%7Cutmcmd=(none)&__utmv=-&__utmk=25968629) (PRO) display vehicle. This is going to be a fun trend to watch because lighting is functional as well...well cool. Of course, you will need 6 batteries if you don't want to leave your Jeep running during the beach or bon fire dance party!

**FEW HUMMERS - LOTS OF TRUCKS AND WELL...JEEPS...**

We are absolutely trending back in the beefy SUV/Light Truck direction of vehicle fashion...and the folks at JEEP are just eating it up. Unofficially, it had to be the most displayed vehicle with "Trucks" as a strong second.

Also, "get your lifts out." I didn't see many trucks or SUVs (and again I mean JEEPS) that were not lifted - plus size wheels and tires.

**GRAVITY**

Lastly, on the business side of things, I see gravity at work in the SEMA industry - consolidation is happening, right now. In 2017, I expect that it will only get bigger and more fast paced. There are many nameplates converging together under one banner and floor space of the likes of[LUND](http://www.lundinternational.com/) and Truck Hero, just might rival that of the footprint of GM or Ford next year. And the rush to retail is growing among the nameplates. I am predicting that 2017 will be a weird year for "hook ups" in the industry.

Did you go to SEMA? What were your observations?

 

 

 

[View full post](https://www.insigniagroup.com/blog/sema16-reflections-upup)

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