The Young Executives Network (YEN) is poised to host events designed to energize and inspire young automotive professionals during this year’s SEMA Show—opportunities for its members to not only connect with and learn from one another but also interact with YEN leadership as well as more experienced industry pros.

The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) is a dynamic group representing more than 550 professional women employed in the aftermarket industry and has set its sights on hosting multiple women-driven networking and educational opportunities at the 2019 SEMA Show.

In the summer of 1993, three SEMA committees became the first niche-market councils: the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA, known then as the Street Rod Market Alliance), the Professional Restylers Organization, and the Automotive Restoration Market Alliance (ARMO). In the decades since, ARMO has earned a reputation for delivering programs and resources to help advance the restoration industry.

The Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN) is a community within SEMA dedicated to providing a forum for technology-centered aftermarket professionals to connect, collaborate, learn and advance their careers. With that focus in mind, ETTN has centered its attention on presenting professional-development and career-enhancing opportunities at this year’s  SEMA Show.

Every year, scores of industry professionals from throughout the specialty-equipment marketplace make their annual pilgrimage to the SEMA Show. And while they are primarily there to take advantage of buy-and-sell opportunities, many fail to dig deeper to find out what else SEMA has to offer.

Not many years ago, the term automotive restoration typically conjured images of vintage vehicles lovingly restored and brought back to life true to their original condition. Recently, modern technology and innovation have made inroads into the restoration marketplace, spawning a growing interest in restomods upfitted with modern-day modifications yet still retaining their classic look.

A quick search of the SEMA website (www.sema.org) reveals an abundance of member benefits covering a range of business resources and solutions. In fact, no matter a company’s membership category—manufacturer, distributor, manufacturers’ rep, retailer or installer—there are tools and resources to help companies make smarter business decisions; be more strategic; save money; and expand their network among like-minded colleagues and industry leaders.

Manufacturers’ representatives are key channel partners. They are in the unique position to connect with virtually every aspect of the supply chain. From sales calls to warehouse distributors, retailers and installers in the territories they represent to their in-depth product and industry knowledge and sales expertise, reps provide valuable professional services to the manufacturers they represent.

Walk around the SEMA Show or attend any industry meeting or event anywhere, and you’ll cross paths with scores of businesswomen engaged in all aspects and at all levels of the automotive specialty-equipment industry. That wasn’t always the case.