SEMA 2025 Journal: Daily Highlights and Insights from the Show Floor

SEMA Show is officially underway, and the energy here in Las Vegas is unreal. You can hear the roar of engines before you even get through the doors – drift rides, burnout arena action, and big reveals happening all around. SPARQ and Hoonigan are turning up the heat this year, and it’s clear SEMA’s motorsports scene has never been bigger.

This show truly brings the industry together – more than 2,300 brands, 160,000 people from 140 countries, and 500 first-time exhibitors all packed into the Las Vegas Convention Center. It’s an incredible reminder of how much innovation and collaboration drive the automotive world forward.

Day 0 – November 3: We’re All Set and Ready to Roll!

As for X-Cart, Day 1 was all about setup. Booth construction took a bit (as always), but we’re now locked in and ready at Booth #11223. The atmosphere is buzzing, and even before the official start, you can feel that unmistakable SEMA spirit in the air. 

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Day 1 – November 4: Meeting Businesses and Building Partnerships

Coffee, fortune cookies, and plenty of conversations about new X-Cart technologies and tools kicked off our first day at SEMA. We had the chance to meet new business owners, exchange insights, and discuss future plans with long-time customers and partners.

One highlight was catching up with our valued partners at Turn 14 Distribution, where we talked about the power of seamless integrations, making it easier for businesses to access data, streamline operations, and grow in the competitive auto parts eCommerce market. Meeting partners in person always brings valuable feedback and fresh ideas for how we can continue improving together.

On the show floor, ADAS integrations clearly stood out as a key trend. Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems are taking center stage this year, reflecting the industry’s focus on safety, innovation, and evolving vehicle technologies. Exhibitors showcased solutions helping shops keep pace with modern vehicle platforms and customer expectations.

And of course, it wouldn’t be SEMA without incredible builds and head-turning cars – the perfect reminder of why we all love being part of this industry.

Day 2 – November 5: Connecting with Customers and Exploring New Opportunities

Even though several customers wrote to say they couldn’t make it to the SEMA Show this year due to the economic slowdown (which might explain the smaller turnout overall), we’re still getting great face time with those who did.

Jeff from Borgeson and Keith from Truck Outfitters Plus stopped by – Keith mentioned he was finally able to leave the store for a week without worrying about missing sales, which says a lot about how well his online operations are running.

What’s been especially rewarding is seeing how surprised visitors are when they discover how detailed our catalog import process really is:  from the ability to disable specific fields you don’t want updated to adding brand IDs to SKUs and more. For many, that level of control is exactly what they’ve been searching for.

Day 3 – November 6: More Meetings, More Takeaways

We’ve been catching up with great people at SEMA. One of them is Kyle from ICI, who stopped by – always great to see happy customers! They’ve been in the truck accessories game since the mid-’90s, now working with over a thousand dealers nationwide. Along with their strong B2B presence, they’ve built out their B2C side and even sell on Amazon.

Another enjoyable part of SEMA is seeing what others in the industry are doing, exchanging ideas, connecting with automotive suppliers and manufacturers, and having genuine conversations about potential collaborations. Every year, those talks turn into new partnerships that help our clients grow and diversify their product lines.

And of course, no SEMA experience is complete without a few shots of the incredible cars that bring the show to life – we’ve already shared some, and here are a few more to enjoy.

Day 4 – November 7: SEMA 2025 in Review

This year’s show felt a bit slower than last year’s, maybe a sign of economic headwinds or just general industry fatigue. Still, SEMA remains the premier place for specialty parts, custom rides, and the trends driving the aftermarket forward. It’s also the hub for enthusiasts and businesses, contributing to networking, collaboration, and industry growth.

It’s always exciting to see what the industry has in store, and we can’t wait to see what next year’s SEMA will bring! In the meantime, check out more photos, moments, and highlights on YouTube to experience it all up close.