The Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) announced the winners of four awards at its annual reception during the 2015 SEMA Show. The reception provided an opportunity for members of PRO to mingle, discuss issues important to the industry and enjoy the camaraderie of colleagues and friends.

The Light Truck Accessory Alliance (LTAA) hosted its annual award ceremony at the 2015 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The event offered current and prospective LTAA members with networking opportunities and honored outstanding members of the light-truck industry. Two awards were presented: LTAA Hall of Fame and LTAA Retailer of the Year.

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund is dedicated to fostering the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators. Scholarship awards range from $2,000 to $3,000, with $5,000 going to the top student. Applications for the 2016–2017 academic year will launch November 1, 2015. A full year of tuition, valued up to $29,400, will be awarded to one student attending Ohio Technical College (OTC). Assistance is available for career paths in 12 automotive industry disciplines, including accounting, engineering, race car driving/crew administration, information technology, sales/marketing, advertising, manufacturing, design/graphics/photography and transportation.

The Young Executives Network (YEN) has a full slate of meetings and networking opportunities on tap at the 2015 SEMA Show for both current and prospective members. YEN is open to employees of SEMA-member companies who are under the age of 40. The network provides the chance to meet with and learn from key influencers in the industry while also getting to know and mingle with industry peers from all areas of the automotive specialty-equipment market.

It’s been a busy year for the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN), and the group is very pleased to welcome its incoming select committee members. Taking the reins as chair is Erin Gilhuly of Toyota Motor Sales. The new chair-elect is Camee Edelbrock of ProMedia. Both have served on the select committee for a number of years and are excited to bring new programs to the membership.

The SEMA Manufacturers’ Representative Network (MRN) will host a collection of business-critical discussions moderated by industry experts exclusively for manufacturers’ representatives on Sunday, November 1, 3:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m., Las Vegas Convention Center, Upper North Hall, N256. The Rep Roundtable, powered by the MRN, will provide attendees with the opportunity to ask questions and receive practical solutions to real-world manufacturer rep opportunities and issues. The cost is $25 for SEMA members and $35 for non-members.

Welcome to the new Emerging Trends and Technology Network (ETTN), an organization where engineers, programmers, designers and those affected by the fast pace of ever-changing automotive technology can come together as a community. The mission of ETTN is to “identify, understand and communicate emerging trends and technologies to help members improve.” There is a real need within SEMA for individuals to understand and be prepared for upcoming changes to the industry, most of which are based on technological advancements.

A common interest exists between the Tire Industry Association (TIA) and the SEMA Wheel & Tire Council (WTC). That commonality is fully expressed each year in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), when the hall serves as the temporary home to the Global Tire Expo and the Wheels & Accessories section of the SEMA Show. In addition to the resources available on the Show floor, TIA and WTC have collaborated to present a joint educational seminar entitled “Aftermarket Wheels and Tires—Right Sale, Right Fit.” The seminar will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m., in LVCC room N252.

Independent automobile dealerships have a new resource to help them connect with restylers and aftermarket accessory manufacturers. To help dealers understand the restyling industry, the SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) collaborated with the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA) to produce videos that expose its membership of more than 17,000 independent dealerships to the incredible diversity of products and services available through the aftermarket.

The Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) will once again share a booth with the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) at the 2015 SEMA Show. The shared space, booth #23395, will open at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning, November 3, and will be located in Central Hall at the corner of Hot Rod Alley and Restoration Marketplace.