SEMA has announced that its sixth annual International Auto Salon, the trade and consumer show for the growing sport compact performance segment of

the automotive accessory and special equipment industry, is moving to the Los Angeles

Convention Center this year.

The SEMA International Auto Salon 2003 will be held Friday, April 25, through Sunday, April

27. The company says the show will feature hundreds of customized sport compact cars, plus the latest parts

to make them go faster, handle better, look wilder, sound better and provide a complete

lifestyle and entertainment experience on wheels.

"We're really excited about bringing the SEMA International Auto Salon to Los Angeles,

which is the heart of the sport compact world," said Peter MacGillivray, vice president of

sales and marketing for SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association. "Over the

years, as our International Auto Salon has grown and become more prominent, we've

outgrown the different venues that we've had. Our sport compact show has reached such

critical mass that it really is more than a regional trade and consumer show. It's a world-class

event for the youth performance market."

According to SEMA, the market's target demographics now exceed 30 million nationwide. SEMA estimates retail

sales of accessories and automotive equipment in this market at more than $2 billion for

2002, a growth rate approaching 50 percent.

The company says DaimlerChrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, and

Toyota will be showing off their latest compact cars, including an array of

customized vehicles.

Activities will include several technical and business seminars open to the trade and

consumers.

The International Auto Salon is the only show SEMA produces that is open to consumers

as well as industry personnel. The show will be open to industry professionals only on

Friday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Consumers will be welcome from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday, and on Sunday, April 27, from

11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Vision Entertainment returns as SEMA's consumer marketing partner for the International

Auto Salon for the second consecutive year. Vision will produce and judge an extensive

car show within the Salon, making sure the "best of the best" vehicles are in the spotlight.

The company, which produces the Hot Import Nights and Import Revolution events, also

will be responsible for entertainment, including DJs spinning music and poster signings by

Import Revolution models, during consumer show hours.

To learn more about the show, to purchase tickets or to

reserve booth space, visit www.ias2k3.com.

Vision Entertainment is an integrated marketing and production company providing its

customers and clients with interactive experiences. Vision Entertainment currently produces

more than 26 annual events in the top 20 markets in North America. These events range

from import car shows to skateboard & snowboard expos, to consumer gaming events. For

more information, contact Vision Entertainment at 1360 South Coast Highway, Laguna

Beach, CA, 92651; call 949/376-6942 or visit www.visionevent.com.

SEMA represents the $26 billion specialty automotive industry. Founded in 1963, the trade

association has more than 4,500 member companies. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience

and technology products for passenger cars, minivans, trucks, SUVs and recreational

vehicles. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar,

CA, 91765-3914; call 909/396-0289; or visit www.sema.org or www.enjoythedrive.com.