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Attendee and media registration for the 2011 SEMA Show is now open at www.SEMAshow.com/register. The annual trade-only event takes place Tuesday-Friday, November 1-4, 2011, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Candidates for the 2011 SEMA Board of Directors election have been announced. In addition to the 17 members vying for a seat on the Board, this year's election includes voting for the Chairman-Elect. The Chairman-Elect plays a critical role in the industry, serving as Chairman-Elect for two years before transitioning to the Chairman of the Board position.

Applications are now available to exhibit at the 2011 SEMA Show, the premier automotive trade event where manufacturers of specialty parts and accessories connect face-to-face with more than 50,000 quality buyers from throughout the world.  The application, also called the Exhibit Space Rental Agreement - or ESRA, is available here.

Nominations are now being accepted for the SEMA Hall of Fame. Created in 1969, the SEMA Hall of Fame is the most prestigious award presented to an individual by the association. It is designed to honor outstanding persons in the industry who have enhanced the stature of, or significantly contributed to, the industry and/or association's growth.

Along with defending the rights of hobbyists across the United States and Canada, the SAN is now making dreams come true with a chance to attend the 2011 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Known as the SAN Challenge, SAN members will have the opportunity to compete for the grand prize, two entry passes to the Show, lodging and airfare to Las Vegas for this otherwise industry-only event.

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), the authoritative source for research, data, trends and market growth information for the specialty auto parts industry, released the results of a new study entitled "Influence of Accessories on New Vehicle Sales." Key findings are that accessories influence more than 1 million new vehicle sales each year, help reinforce customer satisfaction, and can substantially increase sales at the dealership level.  In addition, the study shows that accessorization can influence new car shoppers to choose vehicle platforms that are accessory-friendly, even influencing those who do not actually accessorize their vehicle.

Officials with the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) have signed a memo of understanding with SEMA that recognizes the growing importance of the specialty equipment market in the United Arab Emirates.

The Professional Restylers Organization (PRO), a council of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), will host the 2nd annual Technical Skills & Training Conference (TSTC), a one-day training program where installers and restylers will be able to learn about new products, sharpen installation skills and directly engage with industry manufacturers.

A one-of-a-kind customized vehicle, better known as the WD-40/SEMA Cares Mustang, helped raise more than $200,000 for two children's charities, Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp.

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and its Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) and Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Councils announced July 8, 2011 as “Collector Car Appreciation Day.”  The date marks the second commemoration in what will become an annual event to raise awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society.  SEMA and its councils are now working to secure a Congressional resolution to recognize the day’s significance. 

A dedicated Aftermarket Zone and a rare presentation from the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) will provide attendees at the 2011 National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention & Expo with a chance to discover how relevant and profitable the aftermarket can be for new-car and -truck dealerships.

Several weeks ago, SEMA requested that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suspend its partial waiver to permit the sale of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol (E15) for model year 2007 and newer vehicles.  

SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, is now accepting nominations for its Hall of Fame. Created in 1969, the SEMA Hall of Fame is the most prestigious award presented to an individual by the association. It is designed to honor outstanding persons in the industry who have enhanced the stature of, or significantly contributed to, the industry and/or association's growth.

John Stewart has joined SEMA as editorial director. In this role, he will supervise the monthly SEMA News magazine, the Show publications and SEMA eNews. His responsibilities include managing the SEMA News staff and collaborating with SEMA executive staff to promote and effectively communicate the association's news with members, while also serving as a voice for SEMA member companies.

Students preparing for careers in the automotive industry may be eligible to receive financial awards ranging from $1,000-$4,000 through the 2011 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund (SMSF). The scholarship application, which is due April 1, 2011 and requires college transcripts and letters of recommendation, is now available at www.sema.org/scholarships.

Every year there are a handful of vehicles that become the stars of the SEMA Show. To celebrate these standouts, SEMA officials will announce three SEMA Awards, Hottest Car, Hottest Truck and Hottest 4x4-SUV for the very first time ever.

The inaugural SEMA Award was presented to the Chevrolet Camaro for the Hottest Car, the Ford F-Series for the Hottest Truck and the Jeep Wrangler for the Hottest 4x4-SUV, during the 2010 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, announced the winners of the New Products Showcase Awards at the New Products Awards Breakfast held this week at the 2010 SEMA Show. The event serves as a kickoff just prior to the official opening of the show, and it recognizes the most cutting-edge automotive products either on the market or about to hit the market. This year, there were more than 2,000 new products submitted for consideration.

See what products and accessories are available for today's hottest cars, trucks and SUVs by visiting www.sema.org/semaaward. The website includes a list of SEMA Show exhibitors that make products for the vehicle models most likely to be named the "hottest car," "hottest truck" and "hottest 4x4-SUV" at the 2010 SEMA Show.

Organizers of the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) and the SEMA Show report a 7 percent increase in attendee registrations compared to the same time last year. More than 84,500 registrations have been received to date, an increase of 5,800.

In just a few weeks, the SEMA Show will roll into Las Vegas and exhibitors will introduce their latest innovations including thousands of new products and customized vehicles. But this year, the trade-only event is offering auto enthusiasts an opportunity to test their auto savvy against SEMA Show exhibitors. Consumers are challenged to make their best predictions on which vehicle models will emerge as the industry's hottest vehicles by winning the inaugural SEMA Award.

SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, applauded the signing into law of the “Small Business Jobs and Credit Act” (H.R. 5297), including $12 billion in tax incentives for small businesses and creating a $30 billion resource to activate greater lending to small businesses by community banks.

SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, praised the United States Senate for passing the “Small Business Jobs and Credit Act” (HR 5297). SEMA urged quick ratification by the House of Representatives so that it could then be signed into law by President Obama.