In a blockbuster move that’s already earned praises from some and criticism from others, the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) announced today that it has finalized an agreement to acquire the International Motorsports Industry Show (IMIS) that has been held annually in Indianapolis since 2009.

The IMIS will be consolidated with the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) trade show that was also purchased by SEMA in March and will return to its former home at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis, with a Thursday, Friday, and Saturday schedule, December 12-14, 2013. The acquisition is a move to unify the two motorsports trade shows into one, thus creating the opportunity for exhibitors and buyers to conduct their business at a single show.

“The racing industry needed to have just one motorsports trade show in the U.S. I’m proud to say we’ve accomplished that,” said Scooter Brothers, SEMA chairman of the Board of Directors. “We have all worked toward a common goal, and have succeeded on behalf of the industry. To have a single home for the racing trade show is clearly the best thing for the industry, and working together with Chris Paulsen (co-founder of IMIS), we got it done.”

“We formed IMIS in 2009 to bring a hardcore racing tradeshow back to Indianapolis,” Paulsen said. “We grew a lot faster than we ever could have dreamed of and we couldn’t be happier that a hardcore racing tradeshow will remain in Indianapolis for years to come. SEMA will be great stewards of the hardcore racing industry and I couldn’t be more pleased that Indianapolis will remain the center of motorsports both on and off the track.”
 
“This consolidation is all about helping the racing industry to succeed,” said SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting. “Unifying the racing industry’s trade shows makes it more affordable for all to participate and allows us to focus on providing the greatest value and benefits for the racing segment. Look for the association to be adding resources and services to help participants get maximum value from the PRI Show in Indy.”

The PRI and IMIS trade shows will continue as scheduled for 2012, with the PRI Trade Show in Orlando, Fla., November 29-December 1 just over a week away. The IMIS Trade Show will take place a week later, December 6-8, in Indianapolis. The acquisition of IMIS is set to close in December.