By SEMA Editors

SEMA Show exhibitors and attendees preparing for the 2023 SEMA Show can lock in the guaranteed lowest hotel rate now by booking in the SEMA Show Block.

Making hotel reservations in the official Block provides attendees with the most affordable and convenient options for a wide range of hotels located on and off the Strip.

All of the hotels available through the SEMA Show Block come with a low-price guarantee. In addition, SEMA will price-match lower advertised rates, even after your reservations are set!

The following hotels are located within one mile of the Las Vegas Convention Center:

• Courtyard by Marriott – Las Vegas Convention Center (0.7 miles)
• Embassy Suites by Hilton – Las Vegas Convention Center (0.6 miles)
• Hilton Grand Vacations – Las Vegas Convention Center (0.7 miles)
• Las Vegas Marriott (0.9 miles)
• Residence Inn by Marriott – Las Vegas Convention Center(0.7 miles)
• Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino (0.1 miles)

Whether you're looking for your favorite place to stay, or for a hotel within close proximity to the Show, you can book with confidence knowing you will get the rooms you need at the most affordable price available.

The SEMA Show also provides shuttle service to and from the Show for the hotels listed that are not within walking distance of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

There are nearly 50 hotels available in the Block. For more information on the hotels listed below, including rating, price per night and distance from the Las Vegas Convention Center, visit SEMAShow.com.

To reserve your booth for the 2023 SEMA Show, visit SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

By Mike Imlay

The news is out: SEMA has secured sports legend Tim Tebow as a SEMA Show keynote speaker. Tebow will address Show participants Thursday afternoon, November 2, as part of the Show's Main Stage Experience. A star athlete, Tebow is globally recognized as a best-selling author, speaker, businessman and car enthusiast. According to SEMA Director of Education Pamela Brown-Matthis, his presentation will embody the world-class education program lined up for the 2023 SEMA Show this October 31-November 3 in Las Vegas.

Tim Tebow Athlete, Entrepreneur and

Automotive Enthusiast

• Thursday, November 2, at 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. •

• SEMA Show Main Stage •

• Media Icon, Global Speaker, Businessman,

Philanthropist, Believer •

Tim Tebow is a two-time national champion, Heisman Trophy winner, first-round NFL draft pick and a former professional baseball player. The five-time The New York Times best-selling author, speaker and football analyst is most passionate about his work with the Tim Tebow Foundation (TTF), whose mission is to bring faith, hope and love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. TTF is currently fighting for people who cannot fight for themselves in more than 70 countries, and counting, through four primary ministry focuses with 16 initiatives. Tebow is married to Demi-Leigh Tebow, a speaker, influencer, entrepreneur and Miss Universe 2017. Tim and Demi live in Jacksonville, Florida, with their three dogs, Chunk, Kobe and Paris.

"We're really excited about bringing Tim Tebow to our Main Stage," said Brown-Matthis. "He is going to resonate with a wide range of attendees. He has a multigenerational message, is an automotive enthusiast and an inspiring thought leader. But he's also a very powerful professional speaker. His ideas will elevate and strengthen an attendee's business strategy because he's a very strong entrepreneur himself."

In addition to Tebow, 2023 Show attendees can expect to see a greatly revised SEMA Education program when they arrive at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). According to Brown-Matthis, it's all part of a new SEMA initiative to create a more robust career- and professional-development program year-round. "We want to support our attendees by offering a customizable learning journey for skill development and competency-based education inclusive of the Show and throughout the rest of the year," she explained. "You'll see that reflected in the comprehensive programming delivered at the Show as well as the virtual education that we're incorporating into SEMA- member-based events throughout the year across the country."

For the Show itself, Brown-Matthis said the SEMA Education team is "focused on creating immersive learning experiences where engagement is high and attendees can see immediate knowledge and skills benefits. We're dedicated to bringing innovation and fresh perspectives to the aftermarket business community."

One important program change for 2023 is the introduction of Monday-afternoon seminars on October 30, prior to the Show's official opening Tuesday morning. The idea is to provide wider access to education on what is usually considered an exhibitor "setup day."

"We've created five feature programs, one of which is our Digital Marketing Bootcamp that launches midday Monday," said Brown-Matthis. "The timing is critical because we want to make sure both attendees and exhibitors can take advantage of professional development and learning opportunities. Our goal is to create content that is relevant, meaningful and valuable for all our Show participants."

THE SEMA EDUCATION SERIES

In keeping with this goal, planners have reorganized the Show's many seminars into six highly focused SEMA Education tracks (streamlined from the 11 of past years). Additionally, the Show will offer five learning series in partnership with Dale Carnegie, Legacy EV, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR), the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) and the Tire Industry Association (TIA).

"We have been very intentional about selecting our 2023 content and the speakers who will deliver it," explained Brown- Matthis. "All of our speakers are subject-matter experts and industry leaders who have the knowledge and ability to inspire change and engage the learner throughout the learning process."

The six SEMA Education tracks are as follows:

• Inside the Shop: Designed for aspiring builders, service technicians and shop owners, this track's presenters include leading builders in the hot- rod, restoration, truck, off-road and restyling markets sharing expertise and experiences from their respective industries. Participants will come away with fresh understanding and practical skills to prepare their shop for new-technology vehicles, including electric vehicles (EVs).
• Aftermarket Updates and Future Trends: This series will dive into automotive aftermarket trends set to impact businesses in 2023 and beyond. Participants will glean new insights into the aftermarket industry and economy—strengthening their brand and better strategizing their business' future.
• Small-Business Strategy: Seminars and featured events in this track examine proven business strategies and best practices to help every company prosper. Topics tackle some of business's hottest issues, including DEI-associated challenges and opportunities, inspiring a team in the office or remote, increasing revenue, understanding private equity, and much more.
• Sales and Marketing: The world of social media and digital marketing is fast-paced and ever-changing. This series will help participants understand and make sense of marketing opportunities within top social- media platforms, changes in the different platforms, the latest digital marketing trends, and how to grow with them.
• Vehicle Technology and Electric Vehicles: With the EV market and vehicle technologies on the rise, this highly informative track is for entrepreneurs seeking insight into these emerging spaces and the challenges and opportunities they present. Leading experts will address advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), electric and autonomous vehicles, business strategies and more.
• Legal and Regulatory: From local to state and federal levels, the auto aftermarket is faced with greater legislative and regulatory challenges than ever before. In this track, experts will present the latest developments in emissions compliance and certification, patents and trademarks, and how to meet current requirements while advocating for change.

PARTNERED EDUCATION

The popular SCRS OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit returns for 2023. It’s one of many Show seminars offered in partnership with leading industry professional associations.

The SEMA Show's five partnered education tracks include the following:

• Leadership Essentials for Today, Presented by Dale Carnegie: Delivered as a six-part series by executive coaches from the world-renown Dale Carnegie Program, these 90-minute, interactive workshop-style sessions are designed to enhance the leadership skills that can take a business to the next level.
• Electric Vehicles 101, Presented by Legacy EV: This up-skill course pro- vides brand-agnostic, hands-on training for automotive techs to understand and work with EV powertrains. The one-day training focuses on fundamental powertrain functions and key high-voltage safety practices. Working with real EV powertrains, tooling and training benches, attendees who complete the course will receive EV101 certification from Legacy EV. The course is one, seven-hour day split into two sessions; one in the morning, the other in the afternoon. The cost for this extremely comprehensive program is $600, and space is limited. For full details of the certification, including all the core ideas and skills covered, visit SEMAShow.com.
• I-CAR Collision Repair Training:
• The I-CAR training series includes a MIG welding classroom and hands-on demonstrations for collision repairers and builders/rebuilders. Classes cover electronic system calibration, repair process coordination and managing quality control.
• SCRS: Repairer Driven Education (RDE): The RDE series pro- vides SEMA Show attendees access to world-class education addressing core issues faced in today's collision repair businesses. Led by renowned industry experts, the program is designed to re-energize a business with implementable solutions to real challenges. The series includes classroom sessions Monday, October 30, through Wednesday, November 1; the OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit on Thursday, November 2; and the popular IDEAS Collide Showcase on Friday, November 3.
• TIA: Tires represent a unique set of challenges for the automotive aftermarket. TIA's educational track focuses on the tire and TPMS issues that must be addressed in the shop and management issues related to the best practices in operation, marketing and risk management for companies that sell and service tires.

Among the programs, Brown-Matthis believes this year's Show attendees will find several particularly relevant. They include the Digital Marketing Boot Camp, the EV 101 Certification program, the SEMA Women in Automotive Symposium, the Renewable Fuels Panel, the Dale Carnegie Leadership Essentials program, and Main Stage Experience sessions.

"I'm especially excited about the SEMA Women in Automotive Symposium being delivered on Wednesday, Novem- ber 1, from 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.," said Brown-Matthis. "It has three strong components. One, it kicks off with a dynamic keynote speaker. Then the second part of the program offers a Micro Learn- ing Lab Experience consisting of four professional-development workshops. In the third part of the day, it culminates with a C-Suite Insights Panel comprised of key executives and industry leaders who address the obstacles, challenges and career journeys of successful women in the automotive industry." 

Last year's emerging tech and EV seminars were extremely well-attended. This year, the SEMA Show will add its first-ever EV certification program to the education lineup.

"I'm also excited about the Legacy EV course, which will be the first certification-based program ever delivered at the SEMA Show," she added. "It features highly skilled, highly credentialed facilitators and offers an amazing hands-on training opportunity for automotive techs to get an up-skill understanding of EV anatomy and electrical theory. Attendees will also apply their learning to EV speciFications, tooling and safety right there in the learning space."

OUT OF THE CLASSROOM

This year's SEMA Show attendees will notice an expansion of learning venues as well, with a growing number of SEMA Education programs getting "out of the classroom and onto the Show floor." Brown-Matthis says the strategy is to provide interesting new education experiences that can reach and pique the interest of attendees across the LVCC campus.

"Our goal is to engage Showgoers by creating high-energy, sort-of pop-up learning situations throughout the Show environment," she explained. "We'll also leverage more of the space outside of the convention center's North Hall, creating educational opportunities that are delivered in various formats, whether they be 'fireside chats,' workshops, Main Stage Experiences or celebrity showcases."

RETURN ON INVESTMENT

Brown-Matthis noted that SEMA Show education has become widely recognized within the industry as a "rewarding professional-development investment." With a broad spectrum of seminars to choose from, the multiple tracks give attendees the flexibility to build individualized pro- grams tailored to their needs. Moreover, most of the seminars are free to attend. In fact, many companies encourage their employees to take advantage of the Show's education, furthering the return on their Show investment.

"That's yet another reason why we want to make certain that every single learning experience includes an opportunity to apply new knowledge," underscored Brown-Matthis. "Our overriding goal is to give all our attendees--whether they are builders, jobbers, or emerging business leaders and executives--access to the best and brightest minds our industry has to offer so that everyone can learn, grow and prosper."

CUSTOMIZED LEARNING FOR YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS

SEMA Show Education delves into the most relevant, top-of-mind business issues and ideas impacting the automotive aftermarket industry with an emphasis on leadership and skill development, networking events, exploration of emerging trends and best practices. The advantages are many: 

• With a wide selection of competency-based programs to choose from, attendees can customize their learning and skills development.
• Seminars allow attendees to leverage industry-specific research and proven solutions to help companies reap the ROI rewards of the industry's latest trends.
• SEMA Show Education is led by industry and thought leaders and recognized subject-matter experts.
• Each seminar provides immediate takeaways focusing on application, immersion, engagement and behavioral changes.

No matter your place in the industry, the Show's education program can help you meet your goals, from personal and professional enrichment to business growth. The Show's education tracks are designed to deliver engaging, best-in-class learning through thought-provoking sessions. To learn more and register for SEMA Show seminars and events, go to SEMAShow.com.

By Juan Torres

Registration for the 2023 SEMA Battle of the Builders, the aftermarket industry's ultimate vehicle competition, is now open at semabotb.com. The program is celebrating 10 years of providing SEMA Show builders a platform to showcase their craftsmanship and skills to a worldwide audience.

"The SEMA Show is synonymous with the most unique vehicles in the world, and for 10 years the Battle of the Builders program has given the builders of these vehicles an opportunity to showcase their imagination, creativity and craftsmanship at an international level," said RJ de Vera, SEMA vice president of marketing. "This year's program will feature the top builders and brands exhibiting at the 2023 SEMA Show as we crown our 10th Battle of the Builders Champion."

Since 2014, Battle of the Builders has catapulted SEMA Show builders to fame through exposure in SEMA's communication and social channels and inclusion in a one-hour television special. The competition recognizes one winner in four different categories--Hot Rod & Hot Rod Truck; 4 Wheel Drive & Off-Road; Sport Compact, Import Performance, Luxury & Exotic; and Young Guns--before crowning and overall Battle of the Builders Champion.

The Young Guns category, open to builders 29 years and younger, is part of SEMA's initiative to support and encourage the next generation of builders in the industry. All Young Guns entries submitted before Tuesday, August 15 have the opportunity to compete in one or more virtual Golden Ticket competitions for the chance to win a prize package that includes transportation of the vehicle to the SEMA Show.

"The SEMA Young Guns competition was the single most powerful tool for me to turn my passion for building cars into a full-time career," said Kyle Kuhnhausen, winner of the 2018 Young Guns title and current Battle of the Builders judge. "The media coverage that followed after winning the category took me from a relatively unknown young builder to self-employment building hot rods full time just months later. I'm still building hot rods, and the phone is still ringing as I continue feeling the benefits of the competition and now get to judge that category."

The 2023 SEMA Show, taking place October 31-November 3 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, is the ultimate business gathering for the automotive specialty-equipment industry. It is the place to discover new products and trends, make new business contacts, strengthen existing ones, and help professionals take their careers from good to great. Participation in the SEMA Show is easy, affordable and provides the greatest return on investment.

"SEMA remains committed to showcasing the hard work and stories behind the amazing builds that are displayed every year at the SEMA Show," added de Vera. "From established builders to the next generation of modifiers, the 2023 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition will reflect the broad range of vehicles and talent in the industry."

For more information on the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition or to register, visit semabotb.com. The deadline to register is October 13.

By SEMA Editors

General Motors (GM) has announced that it has acquired substantially all the assets of Israel-based battery software startup ALGOLiON Ltd. for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition was led by the newly formed Technology Acceleration and Commercialization (TAC) organization, a group within GM that works to identify emerging technology that can support GM through investments, acquisitions or partnerships.

ALGOLiON, which received early support from the Israeli Innovation Authority, was founded in 2014 by Niles Fleischer, Ph.D., and Alex Nimberger, Ph.D. The company has developed sophisticated software that uses data streams from electric vehicle (EV) battery management systems to help identify anomalies in cell performance to ensure proper vehicle health management and provide early detection of battery hazards, including thermal runaway propagation events.

In related news, GM has named Norm de Greve as senior vice president and chief marketing officer. De Greve joins GM from CVS Health, where he has served as chief marketing officer since 2015.

By SEMA Editors 

Dragonfly Energy, the Reno, Nevada-based maker of Battle Born Batteries and one of the industry leaders in energy storage, has announced that its lithium-ion batteries will be standard equipment in all nuCamp RV travel trailer and truck camper products beginning in the model-year '24. Battle Born Batteries have been offered as an upgrade option for nuCamp customers since 2022, and this agreement expands that partnership to fully integrated power systems, including lithium-ion batteries, inverters and additional necessary components. 

Beginning in Q3 2023, the '24 nuCamp model-year products will begin shipping with Battle Born Batteries power systems as standard equipment. Power systems provided will include lithium-ion batteries, inverters, solar charge controllers and all other necessary components. Base packages include 100Ah power systems, with optional upgrades up to 810Ah, offering customers boondocking-ready trailers to fit any style of camping.

"The nuCamp team prioritizes quality, craftsmanship and providing the best experience for their customers. They were quick to see how Dragonfly Energy power systems can help them reach that goal. We started out testing by providing some full-power systems on a small scale, and the response from their customers was very positive, which we believe has led to making Battle Born Batteries power systems standard for nuCamp," said Wade Seaburg, chief revenue officer for Dragonfly Energy.

In addition, Dragonfly Energy has also announced it will be awarded a new patent covering the overall look and design of the assembly case of the company's GC3 12V 270Ah LiFePO4 deep-cycle battery, which is designed for more flexible solutions and increased energy density compared to traditional lead acid and lithium battery form factors. The announcement is based on a notice of allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for U.S. Patent Application No. 29/858,079.

For more information, visit dragonflyenergy.com.

By Ashley Reyes

Product and service providers have until Tuesday, August 1, to sign up for the 2023 Networking, Education, Resources and Development (N.E.R.D.) Symposium, a dynamic event where they will create beneficial connections with aftermarket engineers who are actively seeking resources to streamline their product development.

By signing up for the event, taking place August 16-18 at the SEMA Garage in Detroit, Michigan, businesses will be able to:    

• Showcase how their product or service can help engineers be more effective and efficient.  
• Meet one-on-one with engineers to explore possibilities for collaboration and co-innovation.  
• Take part in networking sessions that will provide opportunities to build connections and trust.  
• Gain firsthand knowledge of market demands and customer pain points, helping businesses to align their services with industry needs.  
• Learn about advancements in alternative internal combustion engine (ICE) technology, vehicle communication standards, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and more through high-powered education sessions. 

Product and service providers are identified as companies that resell final products to the mass consumer market (i.e., companies offering rapid prototyping, simulation, consulting, etc.) and those that offer tools or services to companies that support the development of hard parts, manufacturing processes, consumables or research and development (R&D).

View the program schedule or list of the currently registered providers.

To learn more about the N.E.R.D. Symposium and opportunities to create partnerships that grow your business, and to sign up, visit sema.org/nerd.  

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) is gearing up to host its fourth annual SEMA Show PRO Cup Challenge and is looking for automotive restylers who can develop a unique vehicle package to be featured in the PRO booth.  

The PRO Cup Challenge is designed to encourage the customization of new-model vehicles and raise awareness of the benefits of vehicle accessorization to the general public. Through the competition, restylers benefit from gaining exposure for their company and skills by developing an accessory package that is both profitable and easy to replicate.  

The vehicle package must have maximum labor hours of 40 hours per package installed, a wholesale cost of no more than $12,500 to the dealer and inspire mainstream consumers, dealers and restylers to customize their vehicles.

Six competitors will be selected to have their vehicles displayed in the PRO booth in the West Hall at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, October 31-November 3. Judges will select a PRO Cup Challenge-winning vehicle based on mass appeal, ease to replicate and potential profitability. SEMA Showgoers will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite accessory package and recognize it with the People's Choice Award. 

Applications are due Friday, August 11. Don't miss your chance to solidify your reputation as a top-tier restyler in the automotive industry. Submit your PRO Cup Challenge application today. 

Hear from 2022 PRO Cup Challenge Winner Hannah Coulter about her experience in this video:

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Truck & Off-Road Alliance (TORA) has opened applications for its 2023 SEMA Show Feature Vehicle Program.

The program, open exclusively to TORA member companies, is a unique opportunity for builders to gain exposure for their vehicles by having them displayed as part of the TORA Feature Vehicle Trail. The trail is outside the Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall, where thousands of industry buyers pass by daily during the 2023 SEMA Show, October 31-November 3.

By showcasing their vehicle in a premier location, selected participants can highlight the products installed on their build and have their vehicle voted on by Showgoers for a chance to win the TORA Best in Show award.

Applications are due August 23. The cost to participate is $1,500, with $500 of that donated to SEMA Cares, the association's fundraising arm that supports various children's charities. Get your name out there as a builder; submit your application today.

Not a TORA member? Apply here.

By Ashley Reyes

SEMA and PRI Business Members can gain access and export comprehensive product data from the aftermarket industry's largest database of manufacturer brands by claiming their SEMA Data member benefit.

Available to reseller members for $25 a month--a $50 savings off the $75 non-member monthly subscription--the SEMA Data member benefit provides access to convenient, user-friendly features such as a Reseller Portal for data requests, fast export setups and four eCommerce plugins to help online parts stores go to market. This unique approach allows resellers to access data exports in precisely the proper format for their systems, whether it be XMLs, loadsheets or APIs, custom price sheets and buying guides or simplifying data onboarding for eCommerce with plugins for Shopify, X-Cart and more.

"Our SEMA Data specialists work with manufacturers to provide the best product data possible for our members," said Gigi Ho, SEMA Data vice president of operations. "Our infrastructure and solutions are designed to scale with our members, help them save time and money, and fuel their businesses."

In today's competitive market, having high-quality product data is critical for consumer engagement and confidence. Learn how SEMA Data is committed to providing its reseller members with the desired tools and solutions needed to thrive in business today by visiting semadata.org.

Questions about the monthly subscription service can be directed to datasubscription@semadata.org.

By Marissa Guajardo 

With only two weeks until the deadline, exhibitors that plan to make breaking news announcements that will interest a large number of media at the 2023 SEMA Show are encouraged to submit a press conference application here. The deadline to be included in the official 2023 SEMA Show Press Conference Schedule is August 4.

Once an application is submitted, exhibitors will receive an automatic email confirming their application was received. Those who do not receive a confirmation email or experience a technical problem are encouraged to reach out to pr@sema.org for assistance.

Since media are not required to attend press conferences, many exhibitors also choose to reach out to media through an alternative means, such as submitting a press release through the Exhibitor Online Media Center.  

To learn more about press conferences, the online media center or other PR resources available to SEMA Show exhibitors, contact pr@sema.org.