SEMA Show 2026 booth cost estimate
SEMA Show 2026 runs Nov 3–6, 2026 at Las Vegas Convention Center. Exhibiting there with a 10×20 custom or hybrid booth typically costs $40.8k – $83.6k all-in, and with a 20×20 island $66.4k – $137k, based on Las Vegas Convention Center's published rates. These are market estimates, not Purple Exhibits prices.
- DatesNov 3–6, 2026
- VenueLas Vegas Convention Center
- Labor$97–$185/hr
- Drayage$71–$210 per 100 lb
What exhibiting at SEMA Show 2026 costs
Totals include the exhibit, drayage, installation and dismantle labor, electrical, round-trip freight, floor space, travel for three people, lead retrieval and a 10% contingency.
| Booth size | Rental exhibit | Custom or hybrid | Open in calculator |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10×10 inline | $16.2k – $38.1k | $26.4k – $53.1k | Adjust |
| 10×20 inline | $27.7k – $60k | $40.8k – $83.6k | Adjust |
| 20×20 island | $44.2k – $94.5k | $66.4k – $137k | Adjust |
| 20×30 island | $64.6k – $136k | $96k – $199k | Adjust |
These are typical market costs, worked out from published venue and show rates and industry price benchmarks. They are not Purple Exhibits prices. They cover everything it takes to exhibit, and much of the total is paid to the show organizer, its contractors, airlines and hotels: floor space, drayage, union labor, electrical and travel. In a 10×20 custom or hybrid budget, the exhibit itself is about $21.6k – $43.2k. For Purple Exhibits' own price on your booth, ask for a quote.
Planning for SEMA Show 2026
SEMA Show 2026 (automotive aftermarket) runs 4 days, Nov 3–6, 2026, at Las Vegas Convention Center.
From the SEMA Show exhibitor kit
- General contractor
- Freeman Official
- Booth space
- $24.95 per sq ft for SEMA/TIA members, $39.95 non-members; islands +$4,500, peninsulas +$1,500 (2026) Official
- Move-in
- Oct 29 – Nov 2, 2026, by freight target times Official
- Advance warehouse
- Opens Sep 25; last day without penalty Oct 22, 2026; Freeman advance-rate orders by Oct 1, 2026 Official
- Exhibit hours
- Nov 3–5, 9 AM–5 PM; Nov 6, 9 AM–4 PM Official
The SEMA Show is the automotive specialty-equipment industry's annual event, known for custom vehicle builds alongside parts, accessories, tools and wheels. Attendees are buyers, shop owners, builders and media.
What drives the cost at SEMA Show 2026
- Vehicles on display need special move-in procedures, fuel and battery rules, and sometimes floor protection. These add labor and handling costs.
- Parts displays and wheel walls are heavy. Drayage is billed by weight, so plan crate weights carefully.
- SEMA week fills Las Vegas hotels. Book rooms as soon as your space is confirmed.
Dates and travel
- Discount deadlines. The exhibitor-kit dates are listed above. Ordering labor, electrical and freight after the discount deadline usually costs 20–50% more.
- Hotel nights. 4 exhibit days plus a day each for move-in and move-out is about 6 nights per person. The estimate budgets $1,500–$3,000 per traveler.
- Also in Las Vegas around the same dates: NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (Oct 20–22, 2026), FABTECH (Oct 21–23, 2026), MCON (Oct 23–25, 2026), Dayforce Discover (Oct 26–29, 2026), TrustWeek (Nov 2–5, 2026). Book hotels early when large events overlap.
Where the money goes
Each line links to the document the number comes from. Official means published by the venue or show.
10×20 custom or hybrid
| Exhibit10×20 custom / hybrid: structure, graphics, flooring, lighting, AV, design | $21.6k – $43.2k | Industry guide |
|---|---|---|
| Drayage (material handling)1,800 lb at $71–$210 per 100 lb | $1.3k – $3.8k | Official |
| Installation & dismantle16–28 crew hours at $97–$185/hr | $1.6k – $5.2k | Official |
| Electrical2–3 500-watt outlets at $99–$160 each | $198 – $480 | Industry guide |
| Freight shippingRound trip, cross-country | $2.7k – $5.7k | Estimate |
| Lead retrievalBadge-scanning app license or device | $299 – $705 | Official |
| Floor space200 sq ft at $24.95–$39.95/sq ft | $5k – $8k | Official |
| Travel & staffing3 people | $4.5k – $9k | Industry guide |
| Contingency (10%)Change orders, rush fees, surprises | $3.7k – $7.6k | Industry guide |
| Total | $40.8k – $83.6k | |
20×20 custom or hybrid island
| Exhibit20×20 custom / hybrid: structure, graphics, flooring, lighting, AV, design | $36k – $72k | Industry guide |
|---|---|---|
| Drayage (material handling)3,600 lb at $71–$210 per 100 lb | $2.6k – $7.6k | Official |
| Installation & dismantle32–56 crew hours at $97–$185/hr | $3.1k – $10.4k | Official |
| Electrical2–4 20-amp drops at $173–$350 each | $346 – $1.4k | Industry guide |
| Freight shippingRound trip, cross-country | $3.6k – $7.8k | Estimate |
| Lead retrievalBadge-scanning app license or device | $299 – $705 | Official |
| Floor space400 sq ft at $24.95–$39.95/sq ft | $10k – $16k | Official |
| Travel & staffing3 people | $4.5k – $9k | Industry guide |
| Contingency (10%)Change orders, rush fees, surprises | $6k – $12.5k | Industry guide |
| Total | $66.4k – $137k | |
Show services at Las Vegas Convention Center
The rates this estimate uses. Electrical, internet, sales tax and the venue's work rules are on the Las Vegas Convention Center cost page.
- Installation & dismantle labor
- $97–$185 per hour, straight time Official
- Drayage (material handling)
- $71–$210 per 100 lb, round trip, 200 lb minimum Official
- Floor space
- Published 2026 booth space price: $24.95–$39.95 per sq ft. Official
How Las Vegas Convention Center compares
Published rates at the 28 US venues that publish their own.
SEMA Show 2026 booth cost questions
How much does a booth at SEMA Show 2026 cost?
Plan on $16.2k – $38.1k for a 10×10 rental booth and $40.8k – $83.6k for a 10×20 custom or hybrid booth. A 20×20 island runs $66.4k – $137k. Totals include the exhibit, drayage, installation and dismantle labor, electrical, round-trip freight, floor space, travel for three people, lead retrieval and a 10% contingency.
How much is drayage at SEMA Show 2026?
Drayage at Las Vegas Convention Center runs $71–$210 per 100 lb, round trip, with a 200 lb minimum. A 10×20 custom booth ships about 1,800 lb, so drayage comes to about $1.3k – $3.8k. Your show's exhibitor kit has the exact rate.
When should I order show services for SEMA Show 2026?
SEMA Show 2026 opens Nov 3–6. Most exhibitor kits close the lower prices for labor, electrical and advance-warehouse freight three to four weeks before move-in, which for SEMA Show 2026 is around October 6, 2026 to October 13, 2026. Ordering after the deadline usually costs 20–50% more. The show's exhibitor kit has the exact dates.
Are these Purple Exhibits prices?
No. These are typical market costs, worked out from published venue and show rates and industry price benchmarks. They are not Purple Exhibits prices. They include floor space, drayage, union labor, electrical and travel, which are paid to the show and its contractors, not to the booth builder. For Purple Exhibits' own price on your SEMA Show 2026 booth, ask for a quote.
More booth cost pages
- All booth costs at Las Vegas Convention Center
- Las Vegas Convention Center exhibitor guide
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- PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2027 booth cost
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- Trade show booth costs in Las Vegas
- Drayage and labor rates by venue
- Booth cost calculator: all 2,300 US shows
Numbers updated October 2026 from published exhibitor kits and price lists. Rates are set per show, so your exhibitor kit has the final prices.
Want Purple's price for SEMA Show 2026?
The numbers on this page are market estimates. Send us your booth size and we'll quote our own price, line by line, within 24 hours.
