SEMA
Awards
History

It takes dedication, hard work and drive to build and grow an automotive specialty-equipment business. Even more so to grow an entire industry. Yet to help its members succeed and prosper, SEMA relies on individuals from every industry segment to step forward and bring their own vision and initiative. Consequently, it seems only fitting once a year to celebrate those whose contributions best embody this SEMA mission.

These awards are among the trade association’s highest honors and recognize the recipient’s outstanding contributions to the specialty equipment industry over a year-long period. For consideration, an honoree must exhibit professionalism, service, integrity, and ethics that help propel the industry forward.

Person of the Year

This award has been established to honor a person for their outstanding contribution to the industry during the past twelve (12) months corresponding with the SEMA fiscal year, July 1 through June 30. Achievements made following or prior to this time period are not to be taken into account as part of the awards' process.

 

A candidate must meet all of the following requirements to be considered for the SEMA Person of the Year Award:

  • The candidate must be from our industry and employed by a member company. SEMA staff or persons working contractually for SEMA are precluded from consideration as a Person of the Year candidate.
  • The candidate should be nominated for his outstanding contribution to the industry during the past twelve (12) months corresponding with the SEMA fiscal year, July 1 through June 30.
  • An individual can win the award more than one (1) time provided that person qualifies for a second nomination; however, three (3) to five (5) years should elapse before an individual is nominated for a second time.
  • A person should not be nominated for previous industry contributions (Task Force are reminded that the SEMA Hall of Fame Award salutes veterans of the industry and their contributions of years past).

Manufacturer of the Year

The SEMA Manufacturer of the Year Award has been established to honor a manufacturing company for their outstanding contribution to the industry during the past twelve (12) months corresponding with the SEMA fiscal year, July 1 through June 30. Achievements made following or prior to this time period are not to be taken into account as part of the awards' process.

A candidate must meet all of the following requirements to be considered for the SEMA Manufacturer of the Year Award:

  • The manufacturing company must be from the automotive aftermarket industry.
  • SEMA Involvement (e.g., utilizes association benefits, service of councils/networks, task forces, committees, board, etc.).
  • a. Membership in SEMA b. SEMA Show exhibitor in the prior and current fiscal years c. New Products Showcase participant
  • Demonstrates outstanding business practices.
  • Has established innovative processes and products.
  • Exhibits a high degree of corporate responsibility, by investing in and contributing to both their local community (e.g., philanthropic activities) and industry (e.g., advertising, creating awareness).
  • Displays workforce excellence and invests in the well-being of their employees.
  • Provides outstanding service to their customers (e.g., training and outside sales support, product delivered on time, inventory available, consistent lead times, etc.).
  • Demonstrates high quality retail displays and packaging.
  • Has complete and high quality product data and provides new product data sets in a timely manner.
  • Does an outstanding job protecting their brand equity.

WD of the Year

The SEMA WD of the Year Award has been established to honor a Warehouse Distributor for their outstanding contribution to the industry during the past twelve (12) months corresponding with the SEMA fiscal year, July 1 through June 30. Achievements made following or prior to this time period are not to be taken into account as part of the awards' process.

Gen-III Innovator of the Year

The SEMA Gen-III Innovator of the Year Award has been established to honor a person for his/her outstanding contribution to the industry. A "Gen-III Innovator" is defined as a young individual from the industry who is making breakthroughs in the areas of new products, new approaches to business, or setting new trends. The individual must be under 40 years of age as of December 31, 2021.

*Self-nominations are accepted.

 

A candidate must meet all of the following requirements to be considered for the SEMA Gen-III Innovator of the Year Award:

  • The candidate must work in the Automotive Aftermarket industry.
  • The candidate must be under 40 years of age as of December 31, 2021.
  • An individual can win the award more than one (1) time provided that person qualifies for a second nomination.

SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet

The SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet is the annual celebration of the specialty-equipment industry and is highlighted by top-flight entertainment. It also provides the backdrop for the presentation of industry awards that include the Manufacturer of the Year, Person of the Year, WD of the Year and Gen-III Innovator of the Year. In addition, the SEMA Hall of Fame inductees will be honored for their contributions to the industry.

Contact Information

Jamie Eriksen
(909) 978-6737
jamiee@sema.org

Videos

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2015 Videos