About 500 members of the automotive specialty-parts industry attended the 2019 SEMA Installation & Gala, themed “Recognizing Leaders and Legends,” at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, California, on July 26, to pay tribute to the specialty-equipment industry’s pioneers and dedicated volunteers.

The future seems bright for the 41 high-school teams competing to be a part of the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow (HROT) Engine Challenge Elite Eight playoff rounds. The finalists last year secured $3.78 million in scholarships. The competition gives students the opportunity to begin careers in the automotive industry; scholarships are just one of the benefits. During the competition, they are exposed to potential future employers and industry experts at a young age. That opens the door to various opportunities in the automotive trade.

From cars to stars, part of the annual SEMA Show excitement is the opportunity to meet celebrities and industry heroes amid the vast array of iconic vehicles displayed throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center. This year, the Show will again draw a slew of famous personalities from both motorsports and the entertainment media who are eager to interact with Show attendees. The following are scheduled appearances for this year’s Show, with listings current as of September 16, 2019. Visit the listed booths for updates and to confirm times.

The ability of car enthusiasts to enhance their vehicles—regardless of the year, make or model—is constantly challenged by new laws and regulations. Allies are needed on all fronts. During the 2019 SEMA Show, you can boost your industry’s political horsepower by stopping by the Members Lounge (Room N251 in the Las Vegas Convention Center) and supporting SEMA’s Political Action Committee (PAC) and the SEMA Action Network (SAN).

On your mark. Get set. Go! It’s time to grab your smartphone, comfy footwear and plan now to make the most of your SEMA Show experience. Whether you’re a returning Showgoer or a first-timer, there’s no better place to explore the possibilities. But what exactly can you expect to find?

Anticipation is building as attendees descend on Las Vegas for the 2019 SEMA Show, November 5–8. And why not? Post-Show surveys from last year’s event reported sky-high levels of buyer satisfaction. Among the top attendee objectives were seeing new products (84%), getting ideas (74%), keeping up to date on industry trends (69%), and finding new vendors (58%). Most significant, however, was that an overwhelming majority rated the event as worth the time and cost of attending.

The bulk of the action at the SEMA Show may occur on the exhibit floor, but there are also a host of after-hours SEMA council and network receptions to attend that connect clients and colleagues and celebrate the achievements of industry leaders in a relaxed, collegial atmosphere. Here’s a brief guide to this year’s activities.

Grabbing a good meal during the SEMA Show is important to maintaining the energy you need for a successful Show, and luckily, there are plenty of food options. The trick is to find something that fits the amount of time allotted for you to eat.

As the single largest gathering of small businesses in America, the 2019 SEMA Show is expected to draw nearly 170,000 industry professionals to the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), November 5–8. This year, the Show benefits from several ground-transportation improvements, making a commute to the LVCC easier than ever. For more information about any of the following services, visit www.SEMAShow.com/ground-transportation.

More than 170,000 automotive specialty-equipment professionals from all over the world—including 60,000 buyers—are expected to attend the 2019 SEMA Show, November 5–8, in Las Vegas. This year’s Show promises to deliver several new features and opportunities for exhibitors and buyers to connect across the more than 1 million sq. ft. of exhibit space inside and around the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). SEMA Vice President of Events Tom Gattuso offered attendees a preview of what to expect this year as well as tips on how they can make the most efficient use of their time on the Show floor.