 "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks provided musical entertainment for the 2013 SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet. | |
By Jason Catullo
The 2013 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet at last week's SEMA Show was a celebration of the commitment and contributions of the professionals that comprise the specialty-equipment market. "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks, along with comedians John Heffron and Jon Reep, provided entertainment throughout the night as volunteers were honored for their service to the SEMA organization and the industry at large.
In addition to entertainment and celebration, the banquet paid tribute to the newest members of the SEMA Hall of Fame—industry pioneers, volunteers and personalities that helped to pave the way and shape a specialty automotive marketplace that is $30 billion strong. The 2013 Hall of Fame inductees are George Barris, Eric Grant, Wade Kawasaki and Joe Schubeck.
Automotive icon Ed Iskenderian, one of the founding members of SEMA, was also brought on stage and honored with a special tribute for his dedication and service to the industry. Prior to the banquet, SEMA produced a video featuring Iskenderian and his famous Isky Roadster Model T built in 1940. (View the video.)
The annual celebration includes an awards program where SEMA's Person of the Year, Manufacturers' Rep Agency of the Year and WD of the Year honors are presented. The winners are:
- GEN-3 Innovator Award – Todd Petersen, MSD Performance
- Manufacturers' Rep Agency of the Year – Michael A. Kunzman & Associates
- WD of the Year – Motovicity Distribution
The accolades continued throughout the evening as the Performance Warehouse Association (PWA) announced the winners of two of its top honors—PWA Manufacturer of the Year and PWA Person of the Year. The PWA Manufacturer of the Year—which recognizes a manufacturer for outstanding contributions, dedication and support—was presented to AMP Research. PWA presents its Person of the Year annually in recognition of the commitment on an individual. The 2013 Person of the Year is Jerry Nunez.
 2013 SEMA Hall of Fame Member George Barris (left) at the SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet with emcee Dave McClelland. |  2013 GEN-3 Innovator Award winner Todd Petersen of MSD Performance addressing the crowd. |
 The team from Michael A. Kunzman & Associates takes the stage to accept the 2013 SEMA Manufacturers' Rep Agency of the Year Award. |
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