Once again in May, SEMA-member companies will be communicating directly with their elected representatives about the issues that concern our industry. Only it will be different this year—and, in certain ways, better.
One of our top priorities for 2021 is to reinforce the automotive specialty aftermarket’s presence in Washington, D.C., and state capitals around the country. We know regulatory activity will be on the rise, especially in light of recent federal elections. Success over the next few years will require dedicated effort along with support from the industry. With sustained effort, we can prevail.
In a year that delivered a lot of obstacles, it’s been a challenge for enterprises of all types to stay focused and deliver on long-term goals and objectives. Here at SEMA, our team has been intent on making adjustments but also working with the industry to keep valuable, long-term programs and benefits on track. An example is the annual Battle of the Builders program, a show-car competition involving SEMA and the industry’s talented builders that helps energize people everywhere to engage and enjoy the automotive lifestyle.
SEMA360 was launched as a means to give companies desiring an opportunity to connect and do business a chance to do just that. Leveraging technology in this way was something nobody in the SEMA realm had done before, but in the end, we found ways to network, celebrate our industry luminaries, spotlight 330 builders around the country, conduct 30 educational sessions, and expose thousands of new products to buyers all over the world.
For most folks in the racing industry, this past year has seen far more than a fair share of cancellations. When the team at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) made the announcement in September that the 2020 PRI Trade Show could not take place this year, the racing community was going to have to do without a key annual business gathering that helps set the stage for success in the year ahead.
We are quickly approaching the launch of SEMA360, introduced this year to help fill the void left by the absence of the 2020 SEMA Show. By now, hundreds of industry manufacturers, from the most prominent to the newest upstarts, have loaded the SEMA360 platform with this year’s new products, Show vehicles and contact information to connect supplier personnel with SEMA’s extensive list of qualified industry resellers. It all kicks off the morning of November 2, and it will be an exciting moment for many reasons.
The decision to forego the SEMA Show in 2020 has been disruptive to all in the industry, but without assurance that the Las Vegas Convention Center would be available for our Show dates, moving forward was no longer feasible.
SEMA is a member-driven organization that is governed by a Board of Directors who are elected by member companies. In this way, the industry guides its own strategic direction, sets priorities, and balances goals and opportunities.
Catalysts for growth in 2021 include bringing the industry a productive SEMA Show in November and the PRI Trade Show in December. As this issue of the magazine goes to print, both shows are coming together as planned, with the vast majority of businesses indicating determination and plans to set themselves up for a strong 2021 bounce-back.