Get ready to wrap up the SEMA Show in style with a night of heart-pounding live music at the SEMA Fest concert featuring live performances by Cage the Elephant, Sublime, Fitz and the Tantrums and Petey! Tickets to the 2024 SEMA Fest go on sale tomorrow, Friday, July 19, at SEMAFEST.com.
Last year, we introduced SEMA Fest, a one-of-a-kind festival that seamlessly blended motorsports, music and car culture. Now, in 2024, we're taking it up a notch by merging SEMA Fest's musical vibes with the automotive attractions of the SEMA Show, creating a truly unique and unforgettable experience for car and music lovers alike on Friday, November 8, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
2024 SEMA Fest ticket options include:
SEMA Fest Concert General Admission (GA): Entry to all SEMA Fest concert GA viewing areas; does not include access to the Las Vegas Convention Center SEMA Show exhibit halls.
SEMA Fest Concert VIP Access: Exclusive access to the VIP viewing area with premium sightlines; VIP bars and washrooms; separate entrance for VIP pass holders at the entrance; device charging stations; does not include access to the Las Vegas Convention Center SEMA Show Exhibit Halls.
In addition, exclusive tickets are available for the "SEMA Show Friday Enthusiast Experience" for those who do not qualify to attend the SEMA Show. For more details and to secure tickets to SEMA Fest, visit SEMAFEST.com!
Still need to register for the 2024 SEMA Show, November 5-8, in the Las Vegas Convention Center? Visit the SEMA Show registration form here. Attendees can maximize their ROI by registering early and taking advantage of travel discounts (more details here) and Show badge discounts.Registration is only $60 for qualified attendees who register by Friday, September 27. Deadlines and fees for other registration categories can be found at semashow.com/register.
Matt Daigle has joined SEMA as director, communications for public and government affairs. He will be based in Washington, D.C.
Daigle is a seasoned communicator with more than 20 years of experience and leadership in advocacy and member communications. He has served on Capitol Hill, in a consulting company and in-house at multiple professional associations.
"We're very excited to have Matt join SEMA's D.C. team. He brings a wealth of experience in media relations and advocacy communications," said Karen Bailey-Chapman, SEMA senior vice president of public and government affairs. "Matt's expertise will help bolster SEMA and PRI's brand in Washington, D.C., and state capitols and better elevate the important issues we advocate for on behalf of our industry every day."
Daigle joins SEMA from the American Hospital Association where, as director of advocacy and member communications, he collaborated with the policy, federal government relations and legal departments on developing public- and member-facing messaging reflecting the goals and mission of the association for hospitals and health systems, Congress, government agencies and the public.
In his new role, Daigle coordinates communications strategies and executions with the association's marketing, councils, membership, political action committees (PACs) and other internal teams. He supports the development and execution of public relations that help shape the views of voters and opinion leaders about the automotive aftermarket industry, its products and its leadership in the public policy arena.
"I'm excited to join SEMA at such a pivotal time for the automotive aftermarket," said Daigle. "Our members make a tremendous contribution to the American economy, and I'm looking forward to sharing their accomplishments and driving positive change for the industry."
A native of South Orleans, Massachusetts, Daigle received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Marist College and a Master of Science degree in Journalism from Northwestern University.
Matt Daigle has joined SEMA as director, communications for public and government affairs. He will be based in Washington, D.C.
Daigle is a seasoned communicator with more than 20 years of experience and leadership in advocacy and member communications. He has served on Capitol Hill, in a consulting company and in-house at multiple professional associations.
"We're very excited to have Matt join SEMA's D.C. team. He brings a wealth of experience in media relations and advocacy communications," said Karen Bailey-Chapman, SEMA senior vice president of public and government affairs. "Matt's expertise will help bolster SEMA and PRI's brand in Washington, D.C., and state capitols and better elevate the important issues we advocate for on behalf of our industry every day."
Daigle joins SEMA from the American Hospital Association where, as director of advocacy and member communications, he collaborated with the policy, federal government relations and legal departments on developing public- and member-facing messaging reflecting the goals and mission of the association for hospitals and health systems, Congress, government agencies and the public.
In his new role, Daigle coordinates communications strategies and executions with the association's marketing, councils, membership, political action committees (PACs) and other internal teams. He supports the development and execution of public relations that help shape the views of voters and opinion leaders about the automotive aftermarket industry, its products and its leadership in the public policy arena.
"I'm excited to join SEMA at such a pivotal time for the automotive aftermarket," said Daigle. "Our members make a tremendous contribution to the American economy, and I'm looking forward to sharing their accomplishments and driving positive change for the industry."
A native of South Orleans, Massachusetts, Daigle received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Marist College and a Master of Science degree in Journalism from Northwestern University.
The SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) has named Baily Soto, curriculum specialist at Legacy EV, as the network's newest #SheIsSEMAspotlight member.
Get to know Soto in her interview with SEMA News below.
SEMA News: How many years have you been with your current company and what do you enjoy most about working there?
Baily Soto: I have worked at Legacy EV for a little over a year now. I think the most rewarding thing about working here is upskilling mechanics, so they can thrive in an industry with both internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and electric vehicles (EVs) on the road.
SN: What is the most challenging part of your business or job?
BS: The most challenging part of developing EV technician training is the lack of standardization. No one has done this yet, and if they have, they aren't sharing it with anyone! So, we have to rely on our own expertise and other EV pioneers to demonstrate safe best practices for all of us.
SN: How many years have you been in the industry and what was your first industry job?
BS: I have been working in the industry for only this past year, so this is my first industry job. However, being born and raised in Motor City, I have spent my life in a garage; every member of my family works for the big three. As the youngest of six children, my older brother’s version of babysitting me was putting me to work with them under a hood.
SN: What three qualities got you to where you are today?
BS: Determination, resilience and high personal expectations. When I was twelve, I went to the “bring your kid to work day” at my parent’s assembly plant in Flatrock, Michigan. Of course, seeing the build process of the new Mustangs was really cool, but knowing and living the long hours and hard work my parents and older siblings experienced as assembly line workers and service techs, I became determined to get a college education. Also, becoming an adult during the peak of the ‘08 financial crisis and seeing many of my friends’ families lose their jobs and default on mortgages, I wanted to ensure I was choosing a career path that would protect me from these hardships.
Setting these high expectations for myself and having the resilience to move away from home to become the first in my family with a degree in higher ed motivated me to pursue a career path that helps other young people from blue-collar families.
SN: Being a woman in the industry, what have been your biggest challenges and accomplishments?
BS: In just a single year, the education team at Legacy EV has created the first certified EV technician program, the first college-accredited EV technician course, the first EV Technician Education Council of EV Industry Leaders, the first EV technician education standards, the first High-Voltage Safety Certification Training, and have led numerous, successful EV technician trainings.
As for challenges, of course, being a woman in a male-dominated industry can be frustrating and getting the attention of the industry on the need for high-voltage safety and EV education is anything but glamorous. I remember one conference in particular where I realized this--I was leading an EV safety seminar in our booth and I realized my audience was unengaged and walking away. To my surprise, I looked over to where they were gathering and it was an audio system booth, who was promoting subwoofers and sound systems with women proactively dancing. EV Safety just can’t compete with that, and I had to laugh at myself. Frustrating, yes, but we at Legacy EV are doing groundbreaking work in workforce development training, and I won’t let a little provocative promotion get in the way of delivering high-quality EV education to whoever will listen.
SN: Who are your role models or mentors in the industry?
BS: I have to give credit to my Legacy EV team members here. Joining the team, I was one of the oldest employees and I am barely in my 30s! But I am glad I didn’t judge them by their ages, because learning and collaborating with the young innovation of our team has been inspiring. They all have such diverse backgrounds and I love to work with them and absorb their knowledge. Particularly, the EV industry is really new, and seeing the complex trials and tribulations of our application engineers designing EV powertrain kits, or mapping out safe battery boxes, motivates me to push the boundaries of our industry and workforce training.
SN: What is the best career advice you have received?
BS: When I made the jump to leave public education and join Legacy EV, my friend Vanessa, an awesome woman pioneering in the Web3 world, told me to accept failing at work every day. Innovators, pioneers, thought-leaders, developers, we fail every day.
This advice has been instrumental as we build workforce training for EV technicians, because teaching new technology is hard, and exciting adult learners about learning is even harder. So, building a community through hands-on, skills-based training that defies traditional education and prepares and upskills auto technicians is a challenge worth accepting to me.
SN: Have you always wanted to work in the automotive industry? What keeps you here?
BS: No, but when I left my position as a high school teacher to join the Legacy EV team, and when I think about how hard it was to leave my students behind, I am reminded of the difference we are making here at Legacy EV. Not only are we upcycling classic vehicles and cutting emissions in the process, but we are providing workforce development and education that will fuel a healthy middle class.
I come from humble means, and supporting blue-collar and minority families, like my own, was the reason I became a high school teacher in the first place. Now, at Legacy EV I get to help those young parents who are mechanics upskill and stay relevant in the industry; I get to train educators, so they can get their students excited about the auto industry, and I get to bring people together to enjoy some really cool rides. That is what I love about the EV industry.
SN: Who was the most influential person on your career goals?
BS: My success is the result of a village, and my five older siblings have been my ultimate cheerleaders. One of my sisters dropped out of school in the 10th grade. Both, watching her thrive as she grew her own business and seeing her struggle without a quality education motivated me to pursue college and ultimately be a high-quality educator for at-risk youth and now, blue-collar adults.
Fill out a #SheIsSEMA spotlight form to submit a self-nomination or nominate a colleague and highlight how you or she is contributing to the specialty-equipment industry. Selected candidates are automatically eligible to be considered for SBN's #SheIsSEMA Woman of the Year award, featured on SBN's social media, SEMA News and recognized on the sema.org/she-is-sema website.
George Poteet, the legendary land speed record-setter and hot-rodding icon, has passed away at the age of 75. He was known for his record-breaking land speed piston-powered streamliner, "The Speed Demon 715," which secured a new land speed record of 470.015 MPH in August 2020. SEMA and PRI send their condolences to the Poteet family.
While many people assume that lawmakers aren't working when Congress is not in session, most members are out visiting businesses that are run by the people they were elected to represent. Earlier this week, Hellwig Products, a SEMA and PRI member company, took advantage of the Congressional recess week by hosting U.S. Representative Jim Costa (D-CA). Hellwig provided Rep. Costa a tour of their 57,000-sq.-ft. location in Visalia, California and conversation with their employees.
"Hosting Rep. Costa at our business further solidified the relationship that we have forged over the years with the Congressman," said Hellwig Products CEO and Owner Melanie White. "I encourage SEMA member companies to take the opportunity to invite your elected representatives to visit your business. It's the best way to educate your lawmakers on our industry and its policy needs. We thank Congressman Costa for taking the time to interact with our team and for recognizing the important role that specialty automotive aftermarket businesses like Hellwig play in the local economy."
Rep. Costa, who represents California's 21st congressional district spanning from Fresno to Visalia, has been supportive of the industry. Of note, he voted in support of the SEMA-supported Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act (H.R. 1435), a bill that would stop California's Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) regulation from taking effect, thereby halting a requirement that all new vehicles sold in the state must be zero-emissions vehicles (ZEV) by 2035. Hellwig Products was founded in 1946 by Rudy Hellwig and his son and has remained family-owned and operated to this day. It manufactures sway bars, suspension components, and steel products in California's Central Valley. Vice President Mark Hellwig and CEO Melanie White represent the third and fourth generations leading the company today.
Hosting a site visit with your member of Congress and their staff is a compelling way to provide them a first-hand look at what you and your team do while discussing the challenges and opportunities your business and the industry face. If you are interested in hosting your elected officials for a tour of your business, SEMA will assist you in coordinating the event. The government relations team can provide important resources to help your business prepare for the meeting, including local/state/national industry economic impact infographics and talking points on relevant policy issues. SEMA staff can draft and send an invitation to your lawmakers, coordinate the visit by providing a briefing before the event, and manage day-of logistics in coordination with you and your company. Use this link to let SEMA's government affairs staff know that you want to explore hosting your member of Congress.
For more information, contact Tiffany Cipoletti at tiffanyc@sema.org.
The African American Automotive Association (AAAA) has formed its inaugural board of directors to lead the organization.
Christopher Harris, founder of the organization and seasoned executive with more than a decade of experience in the motorsports industry, will lead the board.
Joining Harris on the board are Kellie Crawford, Pamela Brown-Matthis, Kyle Mayers, Jeremey Miller, Dystany Spurlock and Larnelle Haynes.
The AAAA board will be committed to making the automotive industry more diverse and inclusive, according to the organization, and its mission is to build the foundations that foster diversity and change the makeup of decision-makers, allowing new ideas to grow within the automotive world. By transforming the industry's leadership to be truly representative of all people, AAAA aims to drive innovation and create a dynamic future for the automotive sector, the organization said in a statement announcing the inaugural board of directors.
For more information on the board and its first members, visit aaaassoc.com.
Turn 14 Distribution Announces Leadership Team Promotions
Turn 14 Distribution has announced several promotions in its leadership team.
Mike Hall, a 14-year veteran of the company, has been named the Horsham, Pennsylvania-based parts distributor's vice president of operations. He most recently served as director of operations and helped create new efficiencies in warehouse operations, the company said. With his promotion to vice president of operations, Hall will expand his oversight to include distribution optimization and transportation.
Mike Malloy has been promoted to vice president of purchasing. Malloy is approaching his 10-year anniversary at Turn 14 Distribution and recently managed a distribution arrangement resulting from the dismantling of Transamerican Wholesale and oversaw the negotiation and onboarding of over 100 vendor relationships through the Tucker acquisition.
Sabrina Usonis was also named the vice president of finance. Usonis has made a swift impact during her first year at Turn 14 Distribution, playing a key role in the Tucker acquisition and rising financial reporting expectations, according to the company.
Stellantis Opens New Mopar Parts Distribution Center in Ontario
Stellantis North America recently commemorated the opening of a new Mopar Parts Distribution Center in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The $18.2-million, 513,000-sq.-ft. facility will employ more than 170 Canadian workers and support Stellantis dealerships and customers in Ontario, Quebec and Eastern Canada. It will house close to 55,000 parts and has the capacity to ship up to an estimated 2 million orders annually.
The new Mopar PDC in Brampton is the first Stellantis facility in North America to use the AutoStore automated storage and retrieval system. The AutoStore system in Brampton uses 27 robots equipped with advanced picking functions to navigate tracks built above a 16-foot-tall grid stocked with parts. The robots retrieve various parts from one of 43,000 bins stacked within 11,700 square feet of storage space. The robots transport the chosen parts directly to various production stations where PDC employees pack and process the final shipments.
Adriana Cisneros Elected to Ford Board of Directors
The Ford Motor Company board has elected Adriana Cisneros as a director, effective immediately. Her addition expands the board to 15 directors.
Cisneros was appointed CEO of Cisneros Group in 2013. Founded in 1929 in Venezuela as a material transport business, Cisneros Group has grown and diversified significantly over the past 95 years. Adriana Cisneros assumed leadership from her father, Gustavo Cisneros, and under her guidance the company has become a global leader in digital advertising, media and entertainment and real estate, Ford said.
Cisneros will serve on the Ford board's Nominating and Governance and Sustainability, Innovation and Policy committees.
Meyer Distributing Announces Winner of Mustang Giveaway
Meyer Distributing has announced that Midwest Aftermarket, a retailer for aftermarket auto parts in Litchfield, Illinois, has won its Mustang Giveaway.
Sponsored by Holley, Air Lift and Mickey Thompson, the '23 Mustang GT Premium in Grabber Blue is outfitted with a 6-speed manual transmission with Hurst shifter, Recaro seats, 9-in. Brembo brakes with painted-to-match calipers, active exhaust with Flowmaster Outlaw catback, Carroll Shelby wheels, Mickey Thompson Street Comp tires, raised wing rear spoiler and full Air Lift Performance suspension with 3P and dual compressor setup.
"My relationship with the Cooper brothers has grown tremendously," said Zach Wood, sales manager at Meyer Distributing. "They are hardworking, good people with a strong vison in sight. They are more-than-deserving winners of the Mustang Giveaway."
"The car is way above expectations. I loved to get to meet Austin to hear about all the different aspects of the vehicle and appreciate his willingness to take time out of his day to deliver," said Zac Cooper, owner of Midwest Aftermarket. "My relationship with Meyer and Zach is amazing. I would have never expected a company the size of Meyer to be such a personal partner and go above and beyond every day to make sure my account is a priority. Relationships in business have become a thing of the past with most companies, but not with Meyer Distributing."
The SEMA Wheel, Tire, Suspension and Brake Council (WTSBC) is hosting a free online networking event on Thursday, August 1at 9:00 a.m. PDT/12:00 p.m. EDT to help industry members establish valuable business connections.
All SEMA business members are invited to attend the Coffee and Conversation, where the aftermarket's hottest topics and issues will be discussed. During the meeting, participants will meet the "who's who" of the wheel, tire, suspension and brake markets, gain insight into opportunities and challenges that other businesses are experiencing and discuss the latest industry trends and innovations.
"WTSBC Coffee and Conversations offer a collaborative platform where members can share their experiences, exchange ideas and build valuable business relationships," said WTSBC Council Director Nicole Bradle. "Through this method of information sharing, attendees can further their career or company goals."
Organizers will introduce a discussion topic to start the conversation; however, attendees are encouraged to bring a talking point that impacts their business personally.
SEMA members have until Friday, August 2, to nominate candidates for the 2024 SEMA Council and Network Awards that honor industry professionals and businesses who have made significant contributions to their industry segments over the past year.
Winners will be announced and celebrated at the 2024 SEMA Show, highlighting the recipients' positive impact on the industry, outstanding accomplishments, or exceptional business practices.
Nomination categories include:
Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO): Business of the Year, Person of the Year
Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN): Engineer of the Year
Future Leaders Network (FLN): Vanguard Award, Professional of the Year Award
Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA): Hall of Fame, Industry Recognition Award, Business of the Year (Design & Engineering Award and Evolution of Hot Rodding Award entries will open closer to the SEMA Show).
Professional Restylers Organization (PRO): Manufacturer of the Year, Nat Danas Person of the Year, Restyler of the Year, Jim Borré Lifetime Achievement Award
SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN): #SheIsSEMA Woman of the Year
Truck & Off-Road Industry Alliance (TORA): Hall of Fame, Retailer of the Year, Jessi Combs Ambassador Award
Wheel, Tire, Suspension & Brake Council (WTSBC): Hall of Fame
Nominating for a SEMA Council or Network Award is a great way to elevate the profile of an industry trailblazer, as well as honor their hard work, innovation and dedication. In addition to being honored at the SEMA Show, winners gain recognition on SEMA marketing channels and post-SEMA Show announcements, which can enhance brand image and reputation, as well as help winners to stand out in a competitive market.
View a detailed description of each award and submit your nomination before the August 2 deadline at www.sema.org/cn-awards.
*Nominees must be a member of the council or network they are being nominated for. If you are unsure, please contact the SEMA membership team at 909-610-2030 for assistance.
With exhibiting brands on pace to top 2,400--and hundreds of them participating as first-timers--enthusiasm continues to build for the 2024 SEMA Show, slated for November 5-8, at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). In all, this year's Show will encompass millions of square feet of exhibitor and vehicle displays, new product introductions, live-action demonstrations, educational events and seminars, and special sections highlighting the latest trends and innovations reshaping the specialty automotive market.
"The SEMA Show is the ultimate gathering for our industry," states SEMA Vice President of Events Tom Gattuso. "For attendees, it is the best place to discover new products and trends, make new business connections, strengthen existing ones, and take their professional careers and businesses from good to great."
While the Show is fast approaching, there is still time to register at semashow.com/register. Attendees can also maximize their Show investment by taking advantage of housing and travel discounts found at the SEMA Show website.
Of course, what an attendee gets out of the Show depends on what you put into it. To truly boost your ROI, you'll want to arrive with a game plan for leveraging the many Show features tailored for attendee success. And that begins with grasping the Show's unique advantages to you and your business.
"The Show presents a once-a-year opportunity to immerse yourself in the industry and see what's happening in the marketplace," explains SEMA Trade Show Director Andy Tompkins. "With thousands of new products being introduced at the Show, you can see where innovation is headed, spot trends and understand what's coming next. But more than that, you can connect face-to-face with the vendors you're currently doing business with, new vendors that you could be doing business with, and other like-minded business professionals in your field. It's the ideal place to tap into different markets, exchange ideas, cross-pollinate concepts, and really move your operation forward."
Building Relationships for Success
The SEMA Show offers unmatched opportunities for meeting face-to-face with more than 2,400 exhibitors representing every industry category--all under one roof in a single week.
"The SEMA Show is unique because we've got industry manufacturers, distributors and end users all in one place at one time," underscores Gattuso. "Business happens at a dynamic, quick pace, so it puts you on the cutting edge. The Show is literally about what you're going to be selling to your customers in the months to come."
To facilitate potential connections, save time on the Show floor, and map your daily itinerary, the official SEMA Show mobile app is the ideal pre-planning tool. Downloadable from your native app store, it features an exhibitor directory, the Show's roster of New Products Showcase entries, and listings for feature vehicles, events, outdoor activations and educational seminars, along with a host of other features, including LVCC maps and directions for navigating the Show.
In addition, the SEMA Show website features a My Show Planner tool. After providing it with some basic profile information, the planner will help you customize your Show experience according to your specific interests. Attendees can peruse exhibitors and select those they wish to visit, as well as education programs and other Show features and events they want to attend. The planner also syncs to the mobile app and many calendar apps.
Both these tools allow attendees to arrive in Las Vegas with a ready list of the exhibitors and activities they most want to engage with and a logistical plan for getting to them. In addition, attendees should take into account that there's extremely limited parking space at the LVCC, so public transit like the Las Vegas Monorail or buses, taxis, and rideshare apps like Uber or Lyft are the best options for getting to and from the Show. (The SEMA Show website includes comprehensive information about all these options.)
With seemingly countless innovations introduced each year, the New Products Showcase ranks among the Show's top attendee destinations. The products carry scannable QR codes to lead attendees straight to their exhibitors on the Show floor.
Finally, every pre-Show plan should include a scheduled visit to the New Products Showcase, which most veteran attendees will tell you is their number-one destination and often their first stop upon arrival at the LVCC. The Showcase contains hundreds of new and featured products from every Show category, along with scannable QR codes for every product. These codes enable attendees to capture vital information about each item and its maker in the SEMA Show app, and then map a route to the corresponding exhibitor(s).
In other words, "if you leverage it right, the Show is a highly efficient way to build your business," observes Gattuso. "With one plane ticket or car trip, one hotel room, and a single week's work, you can talk with as many as 2,400 companies in one venue. That's a lot of conversations with key decision makers and influencers who can shape your business's future sales and revenues."
At its core, SEMA Week is all about relationships--building new connections and reinvigorating existing ones. Although meeting with exhibitors on the Show floor will often be an attendee's main focus, the SEMA Show also offers numerous other high-quality networking events and opportunities. First, there's the Show's annual Tuesday-morning Kickoff Breakfast, featuring New Products, Manufacturer and Channel Partner of the Year Awards. This year, the Show will also introduce its first-ever industry party on Tuesday evening, featuring music, entertainment and industry camaraderie. Throughout Show Week, there are also a variety of SEMA council and network mixers highlighting different industry categories where attendees can relax, forge new relationships and trade insights.
Of course, the Show's highpoint gathering is the Thursday-night Industry Awards Banquet at the Westgate Resort, which is immediately preceded by a cocktail reception. Highly anticipated each year, the event includes networking, entertainment, a glimpse of industry trends, dinner and awards, and other surprises.
"One of the great things about our industry's people is the camaraderie they experience in hanging out together--you see it at races and every type of automotive event," observes Gattuso. "The SEMA Show is no exception. We're creating a platform where everyone can come together, enjoy each other's company, do business, build and preserve our industry's future, and be excited by it all."
"We've also seen that those who come to our Show are unique in their networking expectations," adds Tompkins. "They're looking to continuously network and build community throughout the Show in non-traditional ways. So we build our Show floor, events and outdoor areas to accommodate that. Even our mobile app connects attendees and exhibitors in a manner that facilitates follow-up."
A Nonstop Immersive Experience
Outdoor activations exude the thrills and excitement of the specialty automotive marketplace while demonstrating industry product in action.
The SEMA Show is often described as an immersive experience--a venue where attendees can escape their businesses for a few days to experience new products, trends and innovations first hand. In fact, the entire Show environment is specifically designed to stimulate the senses, promote extensive industry interactions, and impart learning.
Of course, the Show floor teems with product demonstrations. Meanwhile, approximately 1,400-plus display vehicles can be found throughout the LVCC halls and in specially designated outdoor locations. More than simply "show cars," the builds illustrate real-life applications of specialty performance and appearance parts and accessories. Feature vehicles also carry QR codes that can be scanned with the Show's mobile app for detailed information about the products used in the build and where their manufacturers reside on the Show floor.
Popular outdoor attractions also include Optima Village, the Toyo Treadpass, the Overlanding Experience and the Shell Performance zone, among others. But it's the outdoors vehicular action that takes the immersive nature of the Show to a whole other dimension. Through activations ranging from ride-and-drives to drifting and other performance demonstrations, attendees get to see industry products put through their paces.
"Even the SEMA Cruise that closes the Show on Friday has become a time-honored experience," says Gattuso. "The SEMA Show is constantly in motion and these and other activations represent great educational experiences where you can observe trends and products in action."
Really that phrase "constantly in motion" is an apt description of the entire SEMA Show. No two Shows are the same, and SEMA continues to evolve the signature trade event to meet the changing needs
of the specialty automotive community.
"We're staying on top of the many trends in our workforce," Gattuso explains. "Its average age is getting younger, and right now Millennials outnumber any other group. Like other generations, they want to see and touch new products, but they're also into experiential marketing and events, and our Show is reflecting that shift."
An Educational Investment
The Show's world-class education program is designed to enhance your personal and professional skills and knowledge, with experts delivering practical and proven tips for growing every type of automotive business.
Take for example the Show's education program, which has grown to encompass a powerfully diverse range of speakers and topics, with learning opportunities spread throughout the LVCC.
"Attending the SEMA Show is an investment in your business, but it should also be an investment in yourself and your personal and professional growth," Gattuso says. "So we've prioritized some great learning tracks to help you enhance your abilities and talents. We also encourage business owners to leverage our curriculum to help train and transform their staffs."
Tompkins adds that SEMA Education offers a range of skills-advancing seminars, with topics running the gamut from digital marketing to future automotive technologies. "We've also partnered with I-CAR, SCRS and other industry and business leaders to help attendees understand and fill any gaps in their trade and leadership skills and expand their knowledge of emerging trends and best practices."
Tompkins further emphasized that attending the Show is more than an investment in an attendee's future--it's also an investment in their industry since the SEMA Show helps fund the association's many initiatives and programs throughout the year. These include industry and consumer advocacy, business services to SEMA members, educational initiatives, and public and government affairs programs to protect aftermarket and enthusiast-consumer choice.
"Uniting around the SEMA Show platform has a lot of short-term benefits, but it also has the long-term effect of showcasing what's important to us as a collective industry and helping support SEMA's year-round efforts to promote the automotive lifestyle," he explains.
Summing up the SEMA Show, Gattuso says: "A key thing to understand is that our exhibitors are working on new products and innovation all year long, but they often prefer to debut them at the SEMA Show. It may be something on a world-class vehicle build, or an innovation they're showcasing in their booth, but it's what keeps buyers, media and others returning each year in huge numbers. And as an attendee, you're getting in at ground zero of it all."
"I think the continued success of this Show speaks volumes for the resilience of our industry--especially coming out of COVID--and its constant ability to innovate and improve products to keep the automotive aftermarket and lifestyle healthy for decades to come."
Top Reasons to Attend the 2024 SEMA Show
In addition to seeing the latest trends and technology on the Show floor, the 2024 SEMA Show will feature the world's largest display of new automotive aftermarket products at the New Products Showcase, the latest builds, new areas dedicated to the future of electric vehicle (EV) and propulsion and other innovations, and world-class education tracks and seminars that give attendees a best-in-class professional development experience.
Unique events and activations such as a new industry party, the SEMA Show Kickoff Breakfast, vehicle demonstrations and SEMA Fest, a celebration of music and car culture, will provide ample opportunities for the industry to unite. As if all that's not incentive enough, the following are some of the top reasons to attend the Show.
2,400-Plus Exhibitors: With so many brands projected to exhibit, this is where the industry and media gather to see the products and concepts that companies will be delivering to the marketplace in 2025. The event's multifaceted nature generates unmatched ROI while meeting your company's business goals.
Millions of Square Feet Under Roof: The size and scope of the SEMA Show provide your best opportunity to discover new product, increase your awareness of industry trends and innovation, and grow your business in the coming year--and beyond.
12 Product Communities: You'll find a dozen distinct product sections conveniently gathered in one place, bringing ease and efficiency to your search for the brands and innovations most relevant to you and your business. There's a place for everyone at the SEMA Show.
1,400-Plus Vehicles on Display: The Show's wide variety of vehicle displays help familiarize you with the countless new concepts, ideas and products being presented by exhibiting brands--while leading you directly to the booths where you'll find those products on the Show floor.
SEMA Education: The Show offers the largest, most robust, customizable industry education platform for empowering your business, pursuing your own professional development and training/developing your team.
140,000 Attendees, Including 70,000 Buyers and Decision-Makers: The global industry gathers to engage with the entire automotive aftermarket in one location, strengthen and nurture business relationships, generate leads and forge the business connections to be successful. Your competition will be here, shouldn't you be too?
2,500-Plus Media and Content Creators: This massive presence of global media reps whets enthusiast and consumer appetites for the trends and products coming their way--and you can witness first hand what's wowing the crowds and the news being made. This presents a tremendous strategic advantage for your business.
140-Plus Countries/Territories Represented: If you're looking to expand markets beyond the United States, there's no better venue than the SEMA Show.
Matt Daigle has joined SEMA as director, communications for public and government affairs. He will be based in Washington, D.C.
Turn 14 Distribution has announced several promotions in its leadership team.
The Ford Motor Company board has elected Adriana Cisneros as a director, effective immediately. Her addition expands the board to 15 directors.
The SEMA Wheel, Tire, Suspension and Brake Council (WTSBC) is hosting a free online networking event on Thursday, August 1 at 9:00 a.m. PDT/12:00 p.m. EDT to help industry members establish valuable business connections.
