By Ashley Reyes

Women in the automotive aftermarket industry are invited to grow their network during the SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) Virtual Wine Tasting on Thursday, September 26, at 4:00 p.m. PDT. Register here!

Guided by Cora Jokinen (SBN select committee member and president of Torq-Masters Industries), the wine tasting will provide an opportunity for members to connect with those who will not be at the 2024 SEMA Show, as well as give members who are attending the Show a chance to grow their network. Attendees will learn about wine etiquette techniques, the winemaking process, the difference between noble versus non-noble, wine regions, affordable wines, information about a variety of wines and more.

Prospective SBN members are invited to attend the event, as it is a great way to introduce yourself, meet other women in the industry and learn about the network's resources.

A list of wines to be purchased will be provided prior to the event.

Register here!

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Wheel, Tire, Suspension & Brake Council (WTSBC) will host its next online Coffee and Conversation networking event on Thursday, September 5, at 9 a.m. PDT. Register here.

WTSBC Coffee and Conversations are monthly events that bring together automotive aftermarket professionals to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the wheel, tire, suspension and brake markets. This event will be the last of its kind in 2024 until the series resumes next year, and will feature a discussion led by Andy Tompkins, SEMA trade show director. Tompkins will share an update on the 2024 SEMA Show, particularly Show activations and events targeted to the wheel, tire, suspension and brake segments.  

Following Tompkins' update, WTSBC Select Committee members will guide attendees through an open discussion on the importance of suspension in towing. This will be a great opportunity to gain insight into suspension upgrades for enhanced safety and reliability and expand your professional network.

Register here.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Future Leaders Network (FLN) named Bradley Heine, parts specialist at Rich's Automotive Supply, Inc., as the network's newest spotlight member. 

Get to know Heine in his interview with SEMA News below. 

SEMA News: What is the best advice you have ever received? 

Bradley Heine: Kid, everything looks so much better from the top. And don't forget this: you belong at the top.  

SN: What keeps you in the industry? 

BH: The family-like passion that the aftermarket performance market has to help racers, enthusiasts, etc., keeping the next generation involved and getting more into the sport. 

SN: Where can you be found on a Saturday? 

BH: Typically, out with friends, or occasionally working on a car project at home in the shop.  

SN: How do you prepare for an important meeting? 

BH: I write down and look over the details and rehearse them to be confident that I know what I need to know in the meeting to be productive. 

SN: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who would it be? 

BH: Lee Iacocca. To hear the countless stories that there must've been behind designing several timeless classics, and saving Chrysler in the '80s.  

Fill out an FLN member spotlight form to be eligible to be featured on FLN's social media, SEMA News and FLN member updates. 

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) named Micorp Custom Auto & Truck as the council's newest spotlight member. Get to know the story of the company in the SEMA News interview with Micorp Custom Auto & Truck's Sales Manager Jessica Crossman below.  

SEMA News: Tell us the story of your shop.  

Jessica Crossman: Micorp Custom Auto & Truck started in 1987 and since then has grown to four different shop locations across Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. We have an amazing team of road technicians who travel for most 12V installations.

SN: What was your breakthrough moment?  

JC: I feel as though the company has had so many breakthrough moments, from starting as a 12V company to evolving to a full restyler. We've been lucky to add commercial upfits and key cutting/replacement within the last few years. Having an entire team constantly looking for "the next thing" has truly made the entire company eager to grow. 

SN: Tell us about your business now and the projects that you are working on.  

JC: One of our newest endeavors is vehicle wraps and lettering. We sent one of our shop managers to training with 3M. From partial wraps to commercial vehicles, we would like to be able to assist a client with all of their needs and not have to pass work to another vendor. 

SN: Tell us about a package/product that you are proud of.  

JC: In the last few weeks, we've worked on some fun projects: Tiffany Blue leather from Alea, a white and pink suede RAV4 from Katzkin, and a completely yellow kit in a Honda used in car shows. I think leather in general--and the packages that are out--have given us a chance to stick out amongst our competitors. 

SN: What advice do you have for young professionals contemplating a career in the automotive aftermarket?  

JC: Absolutely give it a go! Don't be afraid to ask questions and learn from everyone around you. Just like any other industry, you'll forever have growing pains. That means you're trying something new! Most of all, network! It's never what you know, it's who you know! 

Fill out a PRO member spotlight form to highlight how you or your company are contributing to the automotive restyling industry. Selected candidates are eligible to be featured on PRO's social media, SEMA News and future PRO-member updates. 

By SEMA News Editors

Images courtesy of Scoot Bloomquist, Facebook.

The legendary dirt late model racer Scott Bloomquist, known for his popular No. 0 late models, has passed away following a plane crash, according to published reports. He was 60.

From Fort Dodge, Iowa, Bloomquist of Scott Bloomquist Racing was a longtime competitor with a racing career spanning more than 40 years. He frequented various touring series, including the World of Outlaws Late Models and the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, as well as stock car series like the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the ARCA Menards Series.

Bloomquist holds nine national championships and several special event titles, including winning the Dirt Late Model Dream eight times and the World 100 four times at Eldora Speedway.
Bloomquist was elected into the Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame in 2002. He also owned the Team Zero Race Cars chassis building business.

SEMA extends its condolences to the Bloomquist family.

By SEMA News Editors

Jump start your 2024 SEMA Show by joining the aftermarket at 2024 Industry Night @ SEMA Featuring The Goo Goo Dolls, an exclusive celebration of car culture, community and collaboration featuring tire-smoking drift demos from OPTIMA and live performances of chart-topping music from The Goo Goo Dolls, as well as O.A.R. and Reignwolf.

Scheduled for Tuesday, November 5, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. (PST), 2024 Industry Night @ SEMA Featuring The Goo Goo Dolls will provide Showgoers with yet another opportunity to come together, celebrate the aftermarket and forge relationships that will drive the industry forward, all after a successful first day of the 2024 SEMA Show.

Open to all SEMA Showgoers and located on the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) campus, Industry Night will bring the aftermarket's many communities together in one place as the association sets the stage for the biggest week of the year, adding to the SEMA Show's already unparalleled slate of opportunities to connect with fellow industry members.

General admission tickets for the event start at just $39 (plus taxes and fees). VIP tickets are $89 (plus taxes and fees). Tickets are available on SEMAShow.com beginning Thursday, August 15 (today!). Don't wait to secure your tickets--prices will increase as the Show approaches. Note: Industry Night @ SEMA tickets do not include access to the Las Vegas Convention Center SEMA Show exhibit halls.

Click HERE to purchase general admission tickets.

Click HERE to purchase VIP tickets.

For more information on Industry Night @ SEMA Featuring The Goo Goo Dolls, visit SEMAShow.com.

Following the conclusion of the SEMA Show, SEMA Fest returns to the same stage at the LVCC on Friday, November 8, to bookend the SEMA Week experience. Open to the public, SEMA Fest will also include live music--highlighted by performances from Cage The Elephant, Sublime, Fitz And The Tantrums and Petey-- and heart-pounding motorsports activations, wrapping up the 2024 SEMA Show in style.

Tickets for SEMA Fest are already on sale. Visit SEMAFest.com for more information or to buy your tickets today.

Follow SEMA social media channels to stay up-to-date on 2024 Industry Night @ SEMA and SEMA Fest announcements.

By SEMA News Editors

Attending the SEMA Show, November 5-8, Las Vegas, is no simple task, and whether you're a first-time attendee or a seasoned veteran, requires an investment of your time and money.

To help you maximize your ROI, SEMA offers numerous ways to save on Show-related expenses, including the guaranteed lowest room rates at hotels across Las Vegas, discounts on airfare and transportation, and reduced fees for early registration.

Learn how you can save money on the 2024 SEMA Show below:

Registration

Did you know you can save on SEMA Show registration by registering early? Registration is only $60 for qualified attendees who register by Friday, September 27. After, the price will increase to $120 per approved badge.

For more information or to register for the 2024 SEMA Show, visit semashow.com/register.

Airline Discounts

Showgoers can claim airline discounts directly from exclusive SEMA Show partners to save big on plane tickets to this year's event.

Available 2024 SEMA Show airline discounts are currently available through Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.

Click here for more details.

Hotels

Make your hotel reservations through SEMA's official hotel provider, onPeak, to receive the lowest possible nightly rates at an extensive list of the best hotels in Las Vegas. Booking your 2024 SEMA Show hotel through the official SEMA Show block also provides flexible booking with no change fees and no full pre-payment. You can make changes or cancel reservations without penalty until October 10, 2024.

Reservations at an official hotel also count toward your hotel loyalty program. Simply enter your rewards number when securing your reservation.

Visit this link for more details.

Transportation

Las Vegas Monorail

Several of the available properties in the official SEMA Show hotel block are connected to the Las Vegas Monorail, the quick and reliable transportation alternative for travelers on the Las Vegas Strip. Directly connected to the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) and with trains arriving every few minutes, the Monorail is an easy, fast and convenient way to get to the SEMA Show and travel the Strip. The Monorail is offering exclusive fare discounts on 24-hour to 7-day passes for SEMA Show attendees. Purchase your discounted tickets at tix.lvmonorail.com/SEMA24. Digital tickets are also available, allowing you to skip the line and scan your phone right at the gate!

Vegas Loop at Las Vegas Convention Center

Vegas Loop at the Las Vegas Convention Center quickly transports passengers throughout the 200-acre LVCC campus in a quick and convenient way, free of charge. The system consists of two tunnels built to accommodate all-electric Tesla vehicles driving at speeds of up to 35 mph. Four passenger stations offer access between the new West Hall and the existing campus (North/Central/South Halls). Typical walk time between the West Hall to the existing North/Central Hall can take up to 25 minutes. The same trip on LVCC Loop takes approximately 2 minutes.

The Vegas Loop also has officially opened the Resorts World Passenger Station, providing direct access to and from the LVCC. However, a valid Vegas Loop ticket will be required for any rides arriving from or departing to any station outside of the LVCC. Visit lvloop.com/tickets to purchase a ticket.

For more information about the 2024 SEMA Show, visit semashow.com. Sign up for updates on SEMA Fest at semafest.com.

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

SEMA and PRI last week filed with the Supreme Court of the United States an amicus brief in the case of Diamond Alternative Energy, LLC v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The brief outlines SEMA's support for a review of the lawfulness of the EPA's decision to grant California the authority to limit the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles. 

Using its EPA waiver, California--and by extension, the 16 states that opt into California's regulations--seeks to adopt Advanced Clean Car II regulations that would limit the sales of ICE vehicles from model years 2017 through 2025, culminating with a complete ban on the sale of ICE vehicles by 2035.

In requesting the court grant review of the case, SEMA argues that California's non-technology-neutral decision to limit sales of ICE vehicles will have a devastating impact on the automotive aftermarket industry, effectively killing, rather than fostering, innovation that can help produce cleaner, safer automobiles.

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

SEMA and PRI last week filed with the Supreme Court of the United States an amicus brief in the case of Diamond Alternative Energy, LLC v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The brief outlines SEMA's support for a review of the lawfulness of the EPA's decision to grant California the authority to limit the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles. 

Using its EPA waiver, California--and by extension, the 16 states that opt into California's regulations--seeks to adopt Advanced Clean Car II regulations that would limit the sales of ICE vehicles from model years 2017 through 2025, culminating with a complete ban on the sale of ICE vehicles by 2035.

In requesting the court grant review of the case, SEMA argues that California's non-technology-neutral decision to limit sales of ICE vehicles will have a devastating impact on the automotive aftermarket industry, effectively killing, rather than fostering, innovation that can help produce cleaner, safer automobiles.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) has named Abby Melcher, quality satisfaction engineer and chief internal auditor at Dee Zee Inc., as the network's newest #SheIsSEMA spotlight member. 

Get to know Melcher 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? 

Abby Melcher: I have been with Dee Zee for about two and a half years and started on this path right out of college. What I enjoy most about working at Dee Zee is the people I get to work with every day. Everyone cares about one another, and I am so lucky to work with such great colleagues who bring me joy throughout my workdays. 

SN: What is the most challenging part of your business or job?  

AM: The most challenging part of my job is effectively communicating the importance of abiding by the required automotive standard. In my current role, I work to ensure we maintain our International Automotive Task Force (IATF) certificate to be able to supply to OEM automotive companies. It can be difficult to effectively communicate this standard, but I try my best to break it down in easy-to-digest pieces and provide a variety of training to teach all levels of the company about the IATF standard. 

SN: What was your first industry job?  

AM: Dee Zee was my first job out of college, but I have been in the manufacturing industry for more than eight years with various internships during high school and college. I had internships at small, family-owned companies, one that specialized in blow-molding plastic, as well as a manufacturing engineer internship at a subsidiary of Toyota making fork trucks and an industrial engineer internship at Boeing. 

SN: What three qualities got you to where you are today?  

AM: Three qualities that got me where I am today are authenticity, reliability and willingness to learn. I have made many great connections in my career by being authentic and showing my personality. It is important to me that people know me for who I really am and always feel like we are on the same team. I am also a reliable person. If someone needs something done and on time, I am the right gal to get it done. This has helped me make large strides to take on larger projects and gain more responsibility, which led me to more of a leadership role. Lastly, my willingness to learn has made me a key asset in my current role. I am always willing to learn new processes or skills--even if they do not directly align with my job duties so I can always be a helping hand or provide fresh insight where needed. 

SN: Being a woman in the industry, what have been your biggest challenges and accomplishments? 

AM: I have been lucky enough that I entered the engineering world at a time when women engineers are more common. Yes, a majority of my classmates and colleagues were/are men, but there is a great mix of women on our team as well. This has made me a lot more comfortable and doesn't feel quite as overwhelming. It can be challenging to be assertive as a woman in the industry, but I have found that being authentic, reliable and personable can get you a long way and make you a great team member, regardless of gender. 

SN: Who are your role models or mentors in the industry?   

AM: My role models in the industry are my direct leaders--Andrew Theobald and Jeremy Kingkade. Jeremy took a chance on me hiring me right out of college with no prior automotive experience and a slight gap to the job description. But they have both encouraged, guided and lifted me up through my two and a half years to shape me into the perfect fit for my current role. They always have my back, encourage me when I may be second-guessing myself and remind me that hard work pays off. 

SN: What is the best career advice you have received?  

AM: The best career advice I have received is understanding hustle versus hustle. There is such a thing as "good" hustle and "bad" hustle. "Bad" hustle is having the mindset of "I had to," versus "good" hustle, which is the mindset of "I want to." "Bad" hustle is putting your own health and wellness on hold, putting your family and friends on hold, and just being busy for the sake of being busy. "Good" hustle is if you think a thing should exist, then build it. If you don't know how to do something, figure it out. You failed? No problem, next idea. Always learning, always grabbing at new opportunities. This has helped me tremendously professionally to not fall into the corporate trap of just being 'busy' and putting my personal life and health on hold. It reminds me every day to be a learner, be my best and not lose my sense of wonder and self-worth. This mindset keeps me positive with a smile on my face, ready to tackle the next hurdle that may be in my way. 

SN: Have you always wanted to work in the automotive industry? What keeps you here? 

AM: All my past internship experiences have been in a wide variety of different manufacturing disciplines. At the end of the day, I don't really care about what we are making, I care that it is a good quality product that we can be proud of. But being in the automotive industry is almost another level of pride because we all drive a vehicle every day and so do our family and friends. It is so fun to show off the accessories we make out in the real world and share that they are made in the heart of Iowa. The never-ending ideas, growth and fast-paced environment is what keeps me in the automotive industry. No day looks the same! 

SN: Who was the most influential person on your career goals?  

AM: The most influential person on my education, career and goals is my fiancé. We met freshman year of college in an introductory engineering course. He has been by my side for all the exams, presentations, job searching, interviews and hard days. I think we have a healthy amount of competition, both graduating with the same degree, which I believe has made us both successful in our roles. Almost trying to always one up another, but in a good way! He always expects me to try my best, doesn't let me downplay my intelligence and always challenges me to take the next step, even if it is uncomfortable. 

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.