By SEMA News Editors

Registration is open for this year's SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit, July 24-25, Las Vegas, West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The valuable event is organized by SEMA Show management for exhibitors of the 2024 SEMA Show, November 5-8, Las Vegas. Registration is available for up to two company representatives who want to take advantage of this complimentary program, and SEMA will provide housing and several meals during the event.

While undoubtedly valuable for first-time exhibitors, the Summit is also geared toward returning and long-time exhibitors of the SEMA Show. If you think you "know it all" about the Show, you'd be surprised by how much relevant business-boosting information is distributed during the program. Just take it from Josepth Ripienski, director of marketing services for Lippert, who attended last year's SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit. He shared the event allowed the company to "hear from all of the experts on what's going on with the Show this year and years into the future. [SEMA Show Vice President of Events] Tom Gattuso is such a great presenter," said Ripienski. "It was great to get out to Las Vegas for the 2023 SEMA Exhibitor Summit. A big thanks to SEMA for putting us up in a hotel for two nights, plus providing meals and a sweet OGIO bag!" 

Indeed, the road to the SEMA Show begins with the Exhibitor Summit, the education-packed program featuring everything a company needs to deliver the best ROI from its SEMA Show experience. 

This year's Summit, now in the Las Vegas Convention Center's West Hall, will feature new-for-2024 information straight from the people responsible for the industry-topping automotive specialty-equipment trade show.

The SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit is the best way to learn how to:

• Take advantage of SEMA value-added programs.
• Use proven strategies to attract buyers to your booth.
• Save money and resources on Show costs, such as material handling, electrical and related Show expenses.
• Work one-on-one with Show experts to maximize your ROI.
• Learn to plan appropriately and budget expenses.
• Explore promotional opportunities through sponsorships and other methods.

Register for the 2024 SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit here. For more information, visit semashow.com/exhibitor-summit. Note: You are officially registered once you receive a confirmation email from the SEMA Show staff.

2024 SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit
(Complimentary for all 2024 exhibitors; hotel and several meals provided by SEMA.)
July 24-25, 2024
West Hall Las Vegas Convention Center
Las Vegas, Nevada
Register here.

Exhibitors: Submit your ESRA application online today (more exhibitor resources here). And, hotel reservations for the 2024 SEMA Show are open online here. Registration is also open for all badge types; click here to get started. Register by Friday, June 28 for the best rates!

Keep an eye on SEMA News and semashow.com for the latest deadlines, updates and opportunities for the 2024 SEMA Show.

By SEMA News Editors

Industry Mourns Former Promoter, Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage, 65

Former Promoter and Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage has passed away. He was 65. 

Gossage was named the first general manager of Texas Motor Speedway when it was built in 1996, leading the Fort Worth facility for 25 years until his retirement in 2021. He spent 32 years promoting events for Speedway Motorsports, both at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway. 

To read the full announcement, visit texasmotorspeedway.com.

NASCAR All-Star Race to Return to North Wilkesboro Speedway in 2025

Speedway Motorsports announced that the NASCAR All-Star Race will return to North Wilkesboro Speedway in 2025. It will mark the third consecutive year the marquee exhibition event will run on the hallowed grounds in the North Carolina foothills.

The 2025 event--scheduled for May 18, 2025--will mark the 41st All-Star Race in NASCAR history with prior hosts being Charlotte Motor Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway.

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will also return to North Wilkesboro in 2025 for a Saturday night race prior to Sunday's main event.

For more information, visit nascar.com.

Andrew McDougall Wins 2024 Louis Schwitzer Award

Cummins and Valvoline have presented Andrew McDougall with the 2024 Louis Schwitzer Award for his Xtrac Electric Servo Actuator, which is used in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. 

In addition to the award, Cummins, Valvoline Global and the Indiana Section of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International presented McDougall with a $10,000 prize. 

The award is presented annually to individuals and teams behind innovative concepts introduced to the motorsport industry. 

McDougall was recognized for the Electric Servo Actuator, a new gear change system for sequential shift transmissions. The benefits of the system, according to Xtrac, include faster shifts, reduced weight, fewer components, and increased efficiency. 

For more information, visit cummins.com.

Got racing industry news? Releasing a new product? Contact editors@performanceracing.com.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) has named Emma Sauve, creative director of Mobsteel/Detroit Steel Wheel Co., as the network's newest #SheIsSEMA spotlight member.  

Get to know Sauve 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?  

Emma Sauve: Technically 17 because I grew up at the shop helping my dad with his large-scale metal sculptures that he fabbed at Mobsteel. I officially started in 2015 running the @detroitsteelwheelco social platforms while the Mobsteel History Channel show was running. Now, I'm a one-woman show handling all the content-generating, distribution, press releases, brand representation at shows and leading workshops on our marketing techniques. 

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

ES: I like to take a step back and remember in the world of social media, a lot of the time it should be judged on quality and not quantity. Sometimes the engagement numbers don't reflect the amount of time and effort put into creating content, but I always take a step back and assess if we are meeting our goals. 

SN: How many years have you been in the industry, and what was your first industry job?   

ES: This is my first industry job, besides helping my dad with our Sauve Art Foundation. Art and Automotive go hand in hand, that's just a fact. What we create is regarded as art, which goes by any definition that invokes a feeling. Let's just put 17 years to appear wise beyond my now 29 years. 

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

ES: Work ethic, being good to people and never being afraid to learn something new. I'm self-taught for photography and videography/editing. I went to school for advertising and specialized in graphic design, work ethic and being good to people opened me up to lots of invitations and opportunities in school. Having conversations with like-minded individuals always leads to something positive and exciting! 

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

ES: Typically, men talk over me or don't take me seriously. Sometimes men think they can talk to me unprofessionally in my professional settings. Car shows and events that mix with booze don't help, but I'm not afraid to address a situation that makes me uncomfortable or back up my ideas for bettering our industry when they are disregarded. Like I said, being good to people and listening to what they have to say will take you way further than shutting someone down. 

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

ES: My boss Adam Genei for sure; he's always been supportive because he aims to create the highest value in our employees. The lovely ladies of MotorTrend who have supported me: Bogi, Cristy Lee, Amanda Busick, Alex Taylor, Karen Echavarria, Betsy Bennett. There are so many! Karen and Betsy host this incredible networking event during SEMA that is one of my favorite stops. Emily Reeves really set the pace for me in the realm of content creation, her and Aaron have built something special. And of course, Theresa Contreras and Sara Morosan, just trailblazers for women in automotive, and especially on the education side through SEMA. There's a reason why Sara was SEMA Person of the Year! I have to give a huge shout-out to my friend Solomon Lunger too, he is one of the hardest-working people I know and he's built his brands from the ground up. He's just a good person who also always looks for people to connect together to build something amazing, whether it's brands or builds. 

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

ES: Never tell someone to do something that you don't know how to do yourself. My boss Adam Genei told me that when I first started working at Mobsteel and Detroit Steel Wheel. I think that really established a level of respect immediately within our workflow, and applying that in my personal life gives me a level of authority without coming off as, well, a phony jerk. 

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

ES: I'd say I've always wanted to create and tell stories. My world opened up when I dove into automotive and aftermarket manufacturing. What keeps me here is there is always something going on, something new, something old that we are revisiting, so many people to meet and partner with, it's all never-ending. I also absolutely love covering shows and repping our brands! 

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

ES: My dad; My whole life he's always pushed me to reach out and get involved in anything I was interested in. I'll admit, at times it was annoying, haha he knows that, but it was and is always needed. He's my number-one fan, and I'm his. 

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.   

By SEMA News Editors

SEMA Show exhibitors can expand their reach, product exposure and Show-floor presence through the exclusive Products for Project-Vehicle Builders program, which is now open at semashow.com/projectvehicle.

The Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list is designed for builders looking to collaborate and seek product offers straight from confirmed SEMA Show exhibitors.

Qualified builders interested in obtaining a product should contact exhibitors directly with the provided contact information. All product-placement decisions, negotiations and agreements are the responsibility of the exhibiting manufacturer and the builder, with each project vehicle on display at the SEMA Show required to be supported by a current 2024 SEMA Show exhibitor.

The list is open to exhibitors of the 2024 SEMA Show only. To be included in the list, complete the form at semashow.com/projectvehicle.

Qualified builders are encouraged to frequently check the 2024 Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list, as it is updated when submissions come in.

Note: Submissions appear on a first-come, first-served basis. The Project-Vehicle Builders form must be used by exhibitors to participate in the program; email submissions will not be included in the list. Participation in the list does not guarantee product or vehicle placement at the 2024 SEMA Show. It is the responsibility of the exhibitor to confirm the builder is affiliated with and working on a vehicle that will be on display at the SEMA Show. For more information about the list, contact Laura Pitts at projectvehicles@sema.org or call 949-373-9210.

By SEMA News Editors

SEMA News sources recently caught new images of the Lamborghini Temerario, the plug-in hybrid set to succeed the Huracan. 

Spotted in Southern Italy, the front camouflage includes elements similar to the headlamps of the Gallardo, the Huracan’s predecessor. Additional lights are mounted on either side of the central air intake, and the car features a double-bubble roof and large vents behind the doors to channel air to the internal combustion engine located behind the seats.

At the rear, fake stickers make the taillights appear more prominent, and a multi-faceted diffuser attached to the bumper seems incomplete. The car also sports centrally mounted tailpipes housed within the new trim between the taillights. The wheels are big and wide, with visible components between the rear wheels that seem to be part of the passive aerodynamics.

While technical specifications are yet to be confirmed, insiders have reported that it will be powered by a twin-turbo V8 engine, a departure from the naturally aspirated V12 engine with electric motor assistance in the Revuelto, which replaced the Aventador. The power output of the Lamborghini Temerario is still unknown, but it is expected to feature one or more electric motors, sources said, likely with a charging port on the right quarter-panel opposite the fuel filler cap.

Lamborghini plans to unveil the Temerario at the end of 2024.

By Ashley Reyes

Customers often prefer a one-stop shop where they can get everything they need in a single purchase. When it comes to wheel, tire, suspension and brake products, selling compete solutions, as opposed to piecemealing products in a do-it-yourself style, not only provides convenience to the customer but helps them ensure that all vehicle components are compatible with each other.

SEMA members are invited to attend the Wheel, Tire, Suspension & Brake Council (WTSBC) Coffee and Conversation online networking event on June 6 at 9:00 a.m. PST, to learn the benefits of selling complete solutions.

Attendees will hear from Mike Messina, general manager of the racking division at Brembo North America, and learn how companies are utilizing experts to recommend to the customer what products work together.

WTSBC Coffee and Conversations are monthly networking events that bring together industry professionals to discuss business opportunities in the wheel, tire, suspension and brake segments. During this session, participants will have an opportunity to engage with Messina, grow their professional network, and learn from others. 

Register today!

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

The SEMA New York Rally, hosted in Albany on May 14, brought together businesses within the automotive aftermarket industry to amplify their voices and advocate for policies conducive to industry growth and protection of business interests.  

Attendees engaged with influential New York lawmakers, leveraging their collective voice to champion policies supporting industry growth, addressing tax policies beneficial to small businesses and navigating challenges posed by producer responsibility laws.  

Barry Alt of Motorhead Digital (left), Cora Jokinen of Torq-Masters Industries (middle), met with New York Senator Pam Helming (right) during the SEMA New York Rally to discuss policies supporting industry growth.

The specialty automotive aftermarket industry's significant contribution to New York's economy was highlighted, with more than $10 billion contributed, supporting 38,000 jobs, $3.72 billion in wages and benefits, and $1.52 billion in taxes paid. This underscores the industry's vital role in the state's economic landscape. 

At a luncheon during the event, Paul Zuber, executive vice president of the Business Council of New York State, delivered a compelling address highlighting the intersection of business interests and legislative initiatives impacting the automotive aftermarket in New York. 

Christian Robinson, SEMA's senior director of state government affairs and grassroots, emphasized the importance of member engagement in events like the SEMA New York Rally. "Member participation is crucial in amplifying our collective voice and shaping policies that directly impact our industry," Robinson said. "Events like these provide a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration, driving positive change and ensuring a vibrant future for the automotive aftermarket in New York." 

For more information, reach out to Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.  

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

The SEMA New York Rally, hosted in Albany on May 14, brought together businesses within the automotive aftermarket industry to amplify their voices and advocate for policies conducive to industry growth and protection of business interests.  

Attendees engaged with influential New York lawmakers, leveraging their collective voice to champion policies supporting industry growth, addressing tax policies beneficial to small businesses and navigating challenges posed by producer responsibility laws.  

Barry Alt of Motorhead Digital (left), Cora Jokinen of Torq-Masters Industries (middle), met with New York Senator Pam Helming (right) during the SEMA New York Rally to discuss policies supporting industry growth.

The specialty automotive aftermarket industry's significant contribution to New York's economy was highlighted, with more than $10 billion contributed, supporting 38,000 jobs, $3.72 billion in wages and benefits, and $1.52 billion in taxes paid. This underscores the industry's vital role in the state's economic landscape. 

At a luncheon during the event, Paul Zuber, executive vice president of the Business Council of New York State, delivered a compelling address highlighting the intersection of business interests and legislative initiatives impacting the automotive aftermarket in New York. 

Christian Robinson, SEMA's senior director of state government affairs and grassroots, emphasized the importance of member engagement in events like the SEMA New York Rally. "Member participation is crucial in amplifying our collective voice and shaping policies that directly impact our industry," Robinson said. "Events like these provide a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration, driving positive change and ensuring a vibrant future for the automotive aftermarket in New York." 

For more information, reach out to Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.  

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

The Louisiana legislature approved SEMA-supported legislation (HB 515) to ensure consumers' choice of vehicle powerplants and fuel technology by preventing a state agency from limiting access to certain power sources.   

Having passed both chambers, the bill now awaits final approval or veto by Governor Jeff Landry. 

"HB 515 is a pro-consumer, pro-innovation and pro-business piece of legislation," said Colby Martin, SEMA’s director of state government affairs. "SEMA urges the governor to support this bill and allow the automotive industry to continue delivering the freedom and choice that Louisianans deserve." 

Louisiana is among several states seeking similar proposals. SEMA believes that Louisianans, not the government, should decide what vehicles are best for them and their families. This effort promotes consumer choice, fosters innovation and protects jobs. 

Use this link to send a letter to lawmakers supporting this pro-industry legislation. 

For more information, please contact Colby Martin at SAN@sema.org. 

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

The Louisiana legislature approved SEMA-supported legislation (HB 515) to ensure consumers' choice of vehicle powerplants and fuel technology by preventing a state agency from limiting access to certain power sources.   

Having passed both chambers, the bill now awaits final approval or veto by Governor Jeff Landry. 

"HB 515 is a pro-consumer, pro-innovation and pro-business piece of legislation," said Colby Martin, SEMA’s director of state government affairs. "SEMA urges the governor to support this bill and allow the automotive industry to continue delivering the freedom and choice that Louisianans deserve." 

Louisiana is among several states seeking similar proposals. SEMA believes that Louisianans, not the government, should decide what vehicles are best for them and their families. This effort promotes consumer choice, fosters innovation and protects jobs. 

Use this link to send a letter to lawmakers supporting this pro-industry legislation. 

For more information, please contact Colby Martin at SAN@sema.org.