With an overall emphasis on advanced safety technologies and efficiency improvements, the LA Auto Show set the stage for new-model debuts and concept vehicles from top OEMs. Here’s a look at what’s new and specifically relevant for the specialty-equipment market.

A partnership now eight years in the making, WD-40 Co. and SEMA Cares have again teamed to create a one-of-a-kind build, with SEMA Cares’ partner charities—Childhelp and the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund—as the beneficiaries. Over the years, WD-40 has produced vehicles representing a variety of niches, partnering with automotive aftermarket companies to help turn ideas into reality.

The annual Global Tire Expo (GTE), powered by the Tire Industry Association (TIA), ran within the 2017 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. As it does every year, the GTE brought in large crowds as it continued to build on its mission to further its goals of education, industry advocacy and professionalism.

More than 3,000 automotive aftermarket professionals gathered on day three of the 2017 SEMA Show for the industry’s preeminent awards ceremony, the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, held at the Westgate Hotel in Las Vegas. The annual Thursday-evening banquet is where specialty-equipment business is set aside for a moment to allow innovators, leaders and legends to take center stage as they are recognized for their contributions to the $42 billion industry.

Nearly 500 members of the automotive specialty-equipment industry attended the 2017 SEMA Installation and Gala, themed “Leaders & Legends,” at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center in Pomona, California, July 28, to pay tribute to the specialty-equipment industry’s pioneers and dedicated volunteers.

For the third consecutive year, the 2017 Pinewood Builders Challenge—previously held during SEMA’s Installation Gala—featured head-to-head racing last summer at the National Street Rod Association Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky. In addition to the Builders Challenge, a Manufacturers’ Shootout was staged for the third time ever for participating members of the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA).

The Official SEMA Show Press Conference Schedule helps journalists and media attend the news events that are important to their readers. Whether it’s an OEM debut, a project-vehicle reveal or an award presentation, there is plenty happening during the week to cater to all audiences. The schedule will serve as a guideline for credentialed media, providing them with the dates, times, locations and details of all the exhibitors hosting press conferences.

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund awarded $160,000 to 60 individuals this year, including 53 SEMA scholarships to current students and seven loan forgiveness awards to employees of SEMA-member companies.

For attendees of the 2017 SEMA Show, preparation is already well underway. It’s now time for buyers to begin acquainting themselves with the online floorplan (www.SEMAShow.com/floorplan) and researching exhibitors. The best place to start is with the following listing of first-time exhibitors—more than 230 companies that are potential leads for new products and business opportunities.

The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit once again showcased a variety of new vehicles we’ll see coming down assembly lines in the next six to 12 months. And while there was a lot of chatter on future trends such as autonomous vehicles and ride sharing at this year’s show, it was the latest sheetmetal and a peek under the hood that everyone wanted to see and touch. With that, here’s what the aftermarket should expect and be gearing up for in the not-too-distant future.