After going to a virtual format for 2020, the SEMA Show was back at the Las Vegas Convention Center for 2021, running from November 2-5.

Highly anticipated, the four-day event began with an industry breakfast featuring Jay Leno and a customized Ford Mustang built for country music star Keith Urban.

According to data from SEMA, more than 1,300 exhibitors were in attendance, along with over 51,000 buyers.

The 2021 SEMA Show also represented the first full-facility event to be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result, there was a great deal of pent-up demand and anticipation for this, one of the biggest events on the aftermarket and performance calendar.

Speaking from the show floor on the first morning, SEMA’s Vice President of Events, Tom Gattuso said, “buyers are excited to see what’s new in the industry, and manufacturers are anxious to showcase what they’ve been working on for the past two years. The energy and passion on the show floor is tremendous.”

As in past years, there multiple vehicles displayed indoors and outside, with key themes this year being a special corral playing tribute to legendary custom vehicle designer and builder Chip Foose, as well as a special off-road Baja 1000 Experience, plus interactive driving demos in both the Ford Out Front experience and the Hoonigan Burnyard Bash.

A SEMA Electrified area, SEMA Overland Experience and West Coast Customs displays were other key highlights.