SEMA, AAPEX auto trade shows expected to draw 140,000 to Las Vegas — PHOTOS

Las Vegas Review-Journal

10 years ago

Patrica Still talks on a phone while sitting in a cardboard cutout of a Ford Mustang in the AMS Oil booth during the Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show in the Las Vegas Convention Center on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015. An estimated 2,400 exhibitors including 500 companies are at SEMA for the first time. Jeff Scheid/ Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @jlscheid

Personnel unveil the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado Kid Rock concept pickup during the Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show in the Las Vegas Convention Center on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015. An estimated 2,400 exhibitors including 500 companies are at SEMA for the first time. Jeff Scheid/ Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @jlscheid

People view vintage and new vehicles at the Ford booth during the Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show in the Las Vegas Convention Center on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015. An estimated 2,400 exhibitors including 500 companies are at SEMA for the first time. Jeff Scheid/ Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @jlscheid

A drafting demonstration is seen in the parking lot of the Las Vegas Convention Center during the Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015. An estimated 2,400 exhibitors including 500 companies are at SEMA for the first time. Jeff Scheid/ Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @jlscheid

People view engines, which will produce 4,000 horsepower, in a 1962 For Econoline Truck during the Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show in the Las Vegas Convention Center on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015. An estimated 2,400 exhibitors including 500 companies are at SEMA for the first time. Jeff Scheid/ Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @jlscheid

Men view the concept 4-Runner Tonka off road vehicle at the Toyota booth during the Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show in the Las Vegas Convention Center on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015. An estimated 2,400 exhibitors including 500 companies are at SEMA for the first time. Jeff Scheid/ Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @jlscheid

People view the Aquarius custom built by Rick Dore Kustoms during the Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show in the Las Vegas Convention Center on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015. An estimated 2,400 exhibitors including 500 companies are at SEMA for the first time. Jeff Scheid/ Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @jlscheid

Abdullah Alketbi looks at gauged in the Dakota Digital booth during the Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show in the Las Vegas Convention Center on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015. An estimated 2,400 exhibitors including 500 companies are at SEMA for the first time. Jeff Scheid/ Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @jlscheid

Men look at vehicle exhaust tips in the Different Trend booth during the Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show in the Las Vegas Convention Center on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015. An estimated 2,400 exhibitors including 500 companies are at SEMA for the first time. Jeff Scheid/ Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @jlscheid

The carbon-fiber constructed Ford Gt on display at the Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show in the Las Vegas Convention Center on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015. An estimated 2,400 exhibitors including 500 companies are at SEMA for the first time. Jeff Scheid/ Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @jlscheid

People view vehicles outside the Las Vegas Convention Center during the Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015. An estimated 2,400 exhibitors including 500 companies are at SEMA for the first time. Jeff Scheid/ Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @jlscheid

Hundreds of people gather while Ford unveils new products during the Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show in the Las Vegas Convention Center on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015. An estimated 2,400 exhibitors including 500 companies are at SEMA for the first time. Jeff Scheid/ Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @jlscheid

A man wipes down a car outside the Las Vegas Convention Center during the Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015. An estimated 2,400 exhibitors including 500 companies are at SEMA for the first time. Jeff Scheid/ Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @jlscheid

People view a 2016 Harley Davidson Road Guide custom motorcycle built by Camtech Custom Baggers during Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015. Jeff Scheid/ Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @jlscheid

People mingle around the booth during the Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show in the Las Vegas Convention Center on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015. An estimated 2,400 exhibitors including 500 companies are at SEMA for the first time. Jeff Scheid/ Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @jlscheid

Thousands pack the Las Vegas Convention Center during the Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015. An estimated 2,400 exhibitors including 500 companies are at SEMA for the first time. Jeff Scheid/ Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @jlscheid

An exhaust system for a Toyota Tundra is seen at the Doug Thorley Headers booth during the Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show in the Las Vegas Convention Center on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015. An estimated 2,400 exhibitors including 500 companies are at SEMA for the first time. Jeff Scheid/ Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @jlscheid

Las Vegas is hosting two major trade shows this week that will draw more than 140,000 people to Southern Nevada.

The four-day Specialty Equipment Market Association show at the Las Vegas Convention Center and the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo at the Sands Expo and Convention Center both opened Tuesday.

An estimated 2,400 exhibitors representing the $36 billion automotive aftermarket industry, including 500 companies here for the first time, will appear at SEMA, and 2,200 manufacturers will have their products on display at the Sands Expo and Convention Center.

Both shows deal in the automotive aftermarket, but AAPEX is considered a market for replacement products, and SEMA is more about vehicle customization.