Canadian Motor Show wants to be the SEMA of the North

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A first-ever automotive aftermarket trade show is scheduled to be held this fall at the Tradex Centre in Abbotsford, B.C., an hour east of Vancouver. Modeled after the giant annual SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) trade show in Las Vegas, which attracts 2,400 vendors and more than 160,000 visitors, the Canadian Motor Show (CMS) is designed to include any and all things industry-related. The three-day event is scheduled for the end of September.

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By connecting those involved in the aftermarket industry, the Canadian Motor Show aims to showcase modified cars, trucks, and SUVs while appealing to small businesses and shops, along with larger automotive companies and suppliers; organizers hope to make for a place for industry leaders to connect, build a resource hub for businesses to expand into the Canadian market, and introduce a space for attendees to experience what the industry is all about.

“There being no show of its kind in Canada, this will be much more than a trade show,” says show organizer Craig Schouten. “People don’t realize how much aftermarket automotive parts and equipment is available. We want to create a place for gearheads to connect for sharing their knowledge and experience.”

Schouten grew up on a Fraser Valley potato farm and built custom cars with his father and brother, and says that experience inspired him to do a ground-up restoration on his 2000 Dodge 2500 pickup during the pandemic. “I found it difficult to connect with businesses and relied heavily on word-of-mouth to find quality shops and suppliers in the area. I wished there was something like CMS available to me,” he says.

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Schouten reports getting interest from small and large companies located in B.C., Alberta, Washington, and Oregon, and he is expecting up to 100 major exhibitors. He believes the show will draw many high-end custom-car builders to display their creations, along with automotive parts suppliers, manufacturers, and service providers.

Along with the trade show with business exhibitors, industry-expert presentations and seminars are planned, as are multiple special events, including a show-and-shine, contests, and a CMS cruise.