The Specialty Equipment Market Association is pushing forward with a trade show in November but will require exhibitors and attendees to wear facemasks and take other precautions to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

SEMA is planning to hold the SEMA Show in Las Vegas even as many associations postpone or cancel their events for the remainder of the year. In a statement Thursday, the group acknowledged the show "will be one of the most challenging events" it has produced but said its members have made clear the event is essential for their businesses.

"As we go through our planning, our No. 1 priority is the health, safety and well-being of all our attendees," Tom Gattuso, SEMA's vice president of events, said in a video posted on the event's website.

The SEMA Show is scheduled to take place Nov. 3-6 in Las Vegas. Last year's event brought in 162,000 people, and the group held an afterparty event for consumers that attracted some 20,000 people.

This year all attendees will be required to wear facemasks or face shields. They will also be required to confirm they are not displaying COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to anyone who has the virus.

Other precautions include:

• Thermal cameras to screen visitors at entrances and exits.

• Reducing the number of people standing in line at on-site registration by promoting preregistration and mailing of badges.

• Controlling traffic flow by designating one-way aisles where possible.

• Installing hand sanitizer stations on the show floor, 200 feet apart.

Las Vegas has largely resisted calls to close down businesses and meetings venues during the pandemic given tourism is the city's primary economic driver. However, groups that were scheduled to hold events in Vegas have voluntarily canceled their conferences, including ASAE, which is holding its annual meeting as a virtual event in August.

MORE CEO DATELINE

• Report: U.S. Chamber ‘missing in action' this election season
• Association-backed campaign to address joblessness decried as tone deaf
• Medical associations defend Fauci from Trump attacks
• Consumer Technology Association scraps Asia trade show
• New association to represent independent radio broadcasters