SEMA Show

Rutledge Wood to Join Bear Grylls on Main Stage, Plus Career-Boosting Sessions at SEMA Show

By SEMA News Editors

In addition to the thousands of brand booths teeming with new innovations and trends on the Show floor, the 2024 SEMA Show, November 5-8 in Las Vegas, will once again feature a comprehensive education program designed to upskill and elevate the industry's workforce. (View the program online here).

Bear Grylls to Be Joined By Rutledge Wood on SEMA Main Stage

Thursday, November 7, 2:00 p.m. PST
SEMA Show Main Stage, West Hall

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Bear Grylls headshot SEMA Show Main Stage


Bear Grylls, host of "Man vs. Wild," "Running Wild With Bear Grylls," and "You vs. Wild," will host a keynote named "The Power of Resilience—Never Give Up, Featuring Bear Grylls" as part of SEMA Show's professional development experience. And now, SEMA has confirmed Grylls will be joined by Rutledge Wood, auto racing analyst and TV host, to reflect on Grylls' experiences and lessons learned.

"I'm looking forward to guiding the audience through a journey to understand how to overcome hurdles and adversity and to learn from failures," said Grylls. "I hope my stories of resilience will inspire, uplift and empower SEMA Show attendees to face their own challenges."

Connecting Women, Empowering Futures With This Full-Day Program

Wednesday, November 6, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. PST
West Hall, Room W326

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SEMA Show Women Symposium


Tailored exclusively for women in the industry is the SEMA Women's Leadership Symposium: Connecting Women, Empowering Futures, Powered by SBN, a dynamic gathering uniting trailblazing women from all corners of the automotive industry. This empowering event serves as a platform for women leaders to convene, collaborate and catalyze change in their respective fields and communities. Participants will engage in thought-provoking keynotes, interactive skill-building workshops, fireside chats, the "Circle of Women" networking luncheon and the popular C-suite Insights panel discussion covering a wide range of topics in leadership development. This year, there will be a celebration of the exceptional achievements and contributions of women in the automotive sector, with the first annual "Shining the Spotlight on Women." This prestigious event recognizes the trailblazing women who have made significant strides in various facets of the automotive industry, from engineering and design to leadership and innovation. Whether you're a seasoned executive, an emerging leader, an entrepreneur, or a changemaker, the SEMA Women's Leadership Symposium provides invaluable resources and support to help you thrive professionally and personally with actionable learning that you will leverage all year long.

There is a $199 fee to attend this event.

Discover Management Essentials for Leaders, Presented by Dale Carnegie

Tuesday, November 5
9:00 a.m. PT - 3:00 p.m. PT

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Wednesday, November 6
9:00 a.m. PT - 3:00 p.m. PT

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Bright minds from Dale Carnegie tailor-made a program exclusively for SEMA Show attendees with one six-hour class encompassing three sessions. The skill-building class blends three interactive workshops with a range of presentations from multiple industry decision-makers to hone a professional's abilities to lead with assurance, empower their teams and achieve tangible results.  

Participants will also develop the confidence, communication prowess and strategic mindset necessary to excel in leadership roles within the automotive sector. Whether aiming to lead a dealership, manage a manufacturing plant, or spearhead marketing initiatives, this program is designed to equip individuals with the tools and strategies needed to thrive in the fast-paced world of automotive leadership.

There is a $225 fee to attend this event.

Several Dedicated Collision-Repair Education Sessions Await SEMA Showgoers

Industry professionals have the opportunity to participate in and learn from a collision-repaired-focused education series—plus events specifically created for the collision-repair industry—thanks to dedicated programs by the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS).

Repairer-Driven Education at the SEMA Show: SCRS Set to Present an Exciting Mix of Seminars

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SCRS at SEMA Show


The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) will once again wow attendees with a total of 20 seminars, including the highly anticipated OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit. Scheduled for Thursday, November 7, the OEM Summit will consist of three distinct sessions featuring companies and individuals with rich histories of producing sophisticated advancements in the automotive and collision-repair fields.

The event will highlight architectural and technological developments in modern vehicles, with a focus on emerging trends that influence vehicle repairability and collision industry preparation.

Session I: The Value of OEM Repair Information
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Session II: How Telematics Technologies Are Evolving the Customer Experience
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Session III: Laser Welding in Automotive and Aerospace Manufacturing, and Developing Technologies for Repair Solutions
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I-CAR Gears Up for SEMA 2024: A Commitment to Collision Repair Excellence

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I-CAR at SEMA Show


At the 2024 SEMA Show, I-CAR will present a series of specialized courses designed to advance professional skills and knowledge. These in-person learning opportunities include: 

  • "MIG Welding Technology & Applications": This course explores advanced MIG welding techniques and applications, covering the latest advancements in welding technology and their effective use in collision repair. 
  • "Electric Vehicle (EV) Overview & Considerations": Participants will gain a thorough understanding of EV technology, including unique repair considerations and best practices for handling these increasingly common vehicles. 
  • "Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Overview & Considerations": This session provides an in-depth look at ADAS technology, focusing on repair and calibration techniques necessary for accurate and safe vehicle repairs. 
Learn Dealer 'Secrets' and More During Tire Education by TIA

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The Tire Industry Association (TIA) will present several sessions at this year's SEMA Show, including topics covering automotive tire service training, truck tire inflation safety, tire dealer "secrets," tire pressure monitoring systems (TMPS), retail tire risk management and more.

Empower Your Brand With Small Business Strategy Sessions

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Small-business owners and professionals will find value in the 16 sessions geared toward small-business strategy and covering topics, including networking tips, strategies to grow your business, expanding diversity, attracting talent, economy updates and more.

To view the full 2024 SEMA Show Education Program, which includes 80 seminars across seven learning tracks, visit semashow.com/educationStill need a 2024 SEMA Show badge? Attendee, buyer and media registration for the 2024 SEMA Show is open at semashow.com/register.