Honor members who make a difference.

Nominations are closed and will re-open in June of 2024.

In honor of the dedication that drives the automotive aftermarket industry, SEMA's annual council and network awards are presented to leading companies and individuals who have made exceptional contributions to their niche industry segments. Each year, SEMA's nine councils and networks respectively select outstanding members and honor them with these prestigious awards. Award recipients are part of an elite group that includes the most distinguished members of the automotive aftermarket community.

To be considered for an award, you and/or your company must be an existing member of at least one of SEMA's nine councils and networks.

Click on a council or network to learn more.

ARMO
Automotive Restoration Market Organization

ARMO Business of the Year

The ARMO Business of the Year award is presented to a company who has demonstrated exceptional contributions to the restoration industry during the past year.

ARMO Person of the Year

The ARMO Person of the Year award is presented to an individual (not a company) who has made an exceptional contribution or impression on the restoration industry during the past year.

ARMO Business of the Year

Criteria

  • Company may be a manufacturer, retailer, warehouse distributor, publisher, builder or service provider.
  • Company must do at least 50% of their business in the restoration industry and promotes the restoration niche.
  • Company must have demonstrated exceptional service, integrity and business ethics.
  • Company must currently be in business and have conducted business for a minimum of five years.
  • Company should have made some commendable contribution and/or has had a positive impact in the restoration industry.
  • Company may not have received this award in the past 5 years.
  • Companies owned by or employing a current ARMO Select Committee member are not eligible for the Business of the Year Award. Please check the ARMO Select Committee roster prior to submitting nomination.

ARMO Person of the Year

Criteria

  • Individual must be an owner or employee of a member company in good standing with the Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO)
  • Must have made a substantial contribution to the restoration industry within the past year
  • Must have an ongoing record of service and support to the restoration industry
  • Must be a member of both SEMA and ARMO in good standing
  • Can be from any membership category
  • Current ARMO Select Committee members are not eligible for this award

ETTN
Emerging Trends & Technology Network

Engineer of the Year

The Emerging Trends and Technology Network has a new award "Engineer of the Year." This award will be bestowed upon someone that has made great engineering achievements within the automotive aftermarket field for the previous fiscal year.

Engineer of the Year

  1. The Engineer of the Year is someone who is solving problems in the automotive aftermarket, whether within their business or in the industry at large.
  2. Their new innovative breakthroughs can be within these areas, but not necessarily limited to these of:
    1. New advancements within our industry
    2. New industry trends
    3. New industry technology
  3. The candidate must present the reasoning as the "what" makes their respective product, approach to business or trend to be considered "innovative"
  4. SEMA staff, and/or persons working, contractually for SEMA, are precluded from consideration.

FLN
Future Leaders Network

Vanguard Award

The Future Leaders Network Vanguard Award is presented to the individual, business, organization or sanctioning body that has had a positive effect on a young executive's career within the automotive industry.

Professional of the Year Award

The Professional of the Year Award is presented to an individual who has had a positive impact on the industry.

Professional of the Year Award

Criteria

  • Must be a member of the Future Leaders Network and not a current member of the FLN Select Committee.
  • Must have demonstrated exceptional service, integrity, professional growth and business ethics throughout the last 12 months.
  • Must have demonstrated exemplary performance and/or provided growth for his/her company or industry through his/her actions, visions and/or contributions for the present and future.

Vanguard Award

Criteria

  • Must be a current or past member of SEMA (no age requirement).
  • Must have demonstrated exceptional service, integrity and business ethics.
  • The Vanguard Award is presented to a person, company or sanctioning body that has influenced the professional growth, and/or cultivation of talent for future executives through its actions, mentoring, visions and/or contributions for the past, present and future.

HRIA
Hot Rod Industry Alliance

HRIA Design & Innovation Award

The Design & Innovation Award is presented to a builder or shop in recognition of a vehicle that exemplifies the meaning of an exceptional hot rod. Judges will be looking for details in the design, craftsmanship, and engineering that represent the passion and skill of the builder and the creativity of their innovative mind.

HRIA Evolution of Hot Rodding Award

The Evolution of Hot Rodding Award is presented to a builder or shop in recognition of a vehicle that pushes the boundaries of tradition and embodies the evolving trends in the hot rod industry. Judges will be looking for exceptional build quality, creative design, innovative technology, and features that advance and expand the definition of a hot rod.

HRIA Hall of Fame

HRIA Hot Rod Hall of Fame was founded to honor and recognize those outstanding individuals in the hot rod industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments on a national basis have enhanced the status of the industry while significantly contributing to its growth.

HRIA Industry Recognition Award

The HRIA Industry Recognition Award is presented to an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to the Hot Rod industry over a period of the past 10 years. Recipient must be an employee or principle of an HRIA member company in good standing.

HRIA Business of the Year

The HRIA Business of the Year award is presented to a company who has made an exceptional contribution to Hot Rod industry. Company must be an HRIA member in good standing.

HRIA Design & Innovation Award

  • These awards are presented in recognition of an exemplary Hot Rod build featured at the SEMA Show
  • The award is presented to the Builder of the vehicle that wins the award.
  • The vehicle must be present at the SEMA Show
  • It must be the vehicles first year at the SEMA Show
    • The vehicle does not have to be debuted at the SEMA Show
  • Any vehicle at the show is eligible to enter
  • Competition entry closes on Sunday, October 29th, 2023 at 11:59pm
  • Formal entry is posting to Instagram with:
    • A photo of the vehicle
    • Proper use of the competition hashtag #SEMAHRIA2023
    • Year/Make/Model of the vehicle
    • Builder Name
    • Shop Name
    • Booth # or relative location (ex. Silver Lot)
      • This can be updated by 10/29/2023 if location is TBD by re-posting this information
  • Judging will be performed by a panel of industry builders at the SEMA Show

Evolution of Hot Rodding Award

  • These awards are presented in recognition of an exemplary Hot Rod build featured at the SEMA Show
  • The award is presented to the Builder of the vehicle that wins the award.
  • The vehicle must be present at the show
  • It must be the vehicles first year at the SEMA Show
    • The vehicle does not have to be debuted at the SEMA Show
  • Any vehicle at the show is eligible to enter
  • Competition entry closes on Sunday, October 29th, 2023 at 11:59pm
  • Formal entry is posting to Instagram with:
    • A photo of the vehicle
    • Proper use of the competition hashtag #SEMAHRIA2023
    • Year/Make/Model of the vehicle
    • Builder Name
    • Shop Name
    • Booth # or relative location (ex. Silver Lot)
      • This can be updated by 10/29/2023 if location is TBD by re-posting this information
  • Judging will be performed by a panel of industry builders at the SEMA Show

HRIA Hall of Fame

Criteria

  • The individual must have made a significant contribution to the Hot Rod/Street Rod hobby or industry.
  • The individual must have demonstrated their effort over a period of not less than 20 years.
  • The individual must be of the highest integrity, character and respect in our industry
  • The individual may not be a sitting member of the HRIA select committee.

HRIA Industry Recognition Award

Criteria

  • This award honors an INDIVIDUAL, not a company
  • The individual must be an owner or employee of a member company in good standing with the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)
  • The individual must have demonstrated a major contribution to the hot rod industry over the past ten (10) years
  • Individual may not have RECEIVED this award within the past three (3) years
  • Seated HRIA Select Committee members or their employees are not eligible for the Industry Recognition Award. (Please check HRIA Select Committee roster prior to submitting nomination.)

HRIA Business of the Year

Criteria

  • This award honors a COMPANY, not an individual
  • Company may be a manufacturer, retailer, warehouse distributor, publisher, service provider or builder
  • Company must do at least 50% of their business in the hot rod industry and promote the hot rod niche
  • Company must have demonstrated exceptional service, integrity and business ethics
  • Company must have conducted business for a minimum of five (5) years and must currently be in business
  • Company should have made some commendable contribution and/or has had a positive impact in the hot rod industry
  • Company may not have RECEIVED this award in the past five (5) years
  • Companies owned by or employing a current HRIA Select Committee member are not eligible for the Business of the Year award. (Please check HRIA Select Committee roster prior to submitting nomination.)

MPMC
Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council

MPMC Hall of Fame Award

The MPMC Hall of Fame permanently acknowledges those individuals who have made a significant contribution to the motorsports parts manufacturing segment of the aftermarket and/or to the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council itself. Thank you for submitting a nomination for one of these deserving individuals.

When submitting a nomination, please provide information that demonstrates the candidate meets as many of the 6 criteria as possible. If nominating more than one individual, please complete a separate form for each nominee.

The MPMC Hall of Fame Award will be awarded at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show in Indianapolis, IN in December during their Hall of Fame Reception

MPMC Hall of Fame Award

Criteria

  • The individual must be, or have been, an employee of a member company or a member of the MPMC. (Non-MPMC individuals may be considered on a case by case basis).
  • The individual must have made a significant contribution to the MPMC through support of, or personal effort in, council activities or by their contributions to the Motorsports Marketplace as a whole.
  • The individual must have demonstrated their effort over a period of not less than 10 years.
  • The individual must be of the highest integrity, character and respect in our industry.
  • The individual may not be a sitting member of the MPMC select committee.
  • The individual may not be on the current year’s Hall of Fame Task Force.

PRO
Professional Restylers Organization

Manufacturer of the Year

The PRO Manufacturer of the Year has been established to honor an outstanding manufacturer in the restyling industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments have enhanced the stature and growth of the industry within the aftermarket community.

Nat Danas Person of the Year

The PRO Person of the Year honors an individual within the restyling industry who has acted with a high degree of integrity and professionalism and has contributed to the general stature of the industry. Membership in and contribution to SEMA and PRO should be a primary consideration, with significant impact on the local level.

Restyler of the Year

The PRO Restyler of the Year recognizes those who have acted professionally and with a high degree of integrity. This award honors those who improve standards and promote trends that benefit the industry. This recipient has demonstrated knowledge of product lines and technical proficiency.

Jim Borré Lifetime Achievement Award

This award honors an outstanding individual in the restyling, trim or light-truck accessory industry who has made significant contributions toward the betterment of the aftermarket industry on both a local and national level. This individual represents the highest level of professionalism, service and integrity.

Manufacturer of the Year

Criteria

  • Manufacturer’s performance has made a significant impact on the national level, in accordance with the purpose above.
  • The manufacturer is currently in the industry and has been involved in the industry for a minimum of 10 years.
  • The manufacturer has acted in the industry with a high degree of integrity and professionalism and has contributed to the general stature of the industry.
  • The candidate has demonstrated knowledge of product lines and, where applicable, has demonstrated technical proficiency and/or pursued new marketing and sales strategies.
  • The manufacturer follows the PRO Code of Ethics.
  • The manufacturer has participated in the industry and continues to provide new products with cutting edge technology, and has a field sales force to work with all restylers on new marketing and sales strategies.
  • Membership in and a contribution to SEMA and PRO should be primary considerations for nomination and selection as an award recipient. However, at its discretion, the Awards Sub-committee may select an individual who is not a current SEMA and/or PRO member

Nat Danas Person of the Year

Criteria

  • Candidate’s contributions and/or candidate’s company performance must have had a significant impact on a local level, in accordance with the purpose above.
  • The candidate is currently in the industry and has been involved in the industry for a minimum of 5 years.
  • The candidate has acted in the industry with a high degree of integrity and professionalism and has contributed to the general stature of the industry.
  • The candidate has demonstrated knowledge of product lines and, where applicable, has demonstrated technical proficiency and/or pursued new marketing and sales strategies.
  • The candidate’s place of business reflects a professional image.
  • Membership in and a contribution to SEMA and PRO should be primary considerations for nomination and selection as an award recipient. However, at its discretion, the Awards Sub-committee may select an individual who is not a current member or SEMA and/or PRO.

Restyler of the Year

Criteria

  • Candidate’s contributions and/or candidate’s company performance must have had a significant impact on a local level, in accordance with the purpose above.
  • The candidate is currently in the industry and has been involved in the industry for a minimum of 5 years.
  • The candidate has acted in the industry with a high degree of integrity and professionalism and has contributed to the general stature of the industry.
  • The candidate has demonstrated knowledge of product lines and, where applicable, has demonstrated technical proficiency and/or pursued new marketing and sales strategies.
  • The candidate’s place of business reflects a professional image.
  • Membership in and a contribution to SEMA and PRO should be primary considerations for nomination and selection as an award recipient. However, at its discretion, the Awards Sub-committee may select an individual who is not a current SEMA and/or PRO member

Jim Borré Lifetime Achievement Award

Criteria

  • Candidate’s contributions, in accordance with the purpose stated above, must extend beyond the local level to the national level.
  • The candidate is, or has been, involved in the industry for a minimum of 10 years.
  • The candidate has made significant contributions toward enhancing technology, professionalism, dignity and the general stature of the industry.
  • The candidate has acted in the industry with a high degree of integrity and professionalism.
  • Membership in and a contribution to SEMA and PRO should be primary considerations for nomination and selection as an award recipient. However, at its discretion, the Awards Sub-committee may select an individual who is not a current SEMA and/or PRO member.

SBN
SEMA Businesswomen's Network

SheisSEMA Woman of the Year Award

The #SheisSEMA Woman of the Year Award recipient should possess leadership, knowledge, expertise, and/or management abilities that have positively impacted the industry, be a mentor and/or role model and have active industry involvement.

Only #SheIsSEMA spotlight submissions are eligible for this award.

To become a candidate, complete a #SheIsSEMA spotlight.

#SheIsSEMA Spotlight

Jessi Combs Rising Star Award

The Jessi Combs Rising Star Award recognizes a woman under the age of 30 who is making significant strides in the advancement of her career in the automotive aftermarket along with paving the way for their peers. SBN will select and announce a winner in September.

SheisSEMA Woman of the Year Award

The #SheisSEMA Woman of the Year Award recipient should possess leadership, knowledge, expertise, and/or management abilities that have positively impacted the industry, be a mentor and/or role model and have active industry involvement. Only #SheIsSEMA spotlight submissions are eligible for this award.

To become a candidate, complete a #SheIsSEMA application below:

#SheIsSEMA Spotlight

Jessi Combs Rising Star Award

Candidate must be under the age of 30.

Must be making significant strides in advancing her career in the automotive aftermarket.

Must demonstrate a motivation to use all resources for career development including networking, education, leveraging the wisdom of others, along with any volunteer efforts within the industry.

TORA
Truck & Off-Road Alliance

TORA Hall of Fame

Truck & Off-Road Alliance (TORA) Hall of Fame recognizes and honors outstanding individuals in the light-truck accessory industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments, on a national/international basis, have enhanced the stature of and significantly contributed to, the light-truck accessory industry's growth.

TORA Retailer of the Year

The TORA Retailer of the Year Award has been established to recognize and honor an outstanding light-truck accessory retailer whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness, professionalism and accomplishments have enhanced the stature and annual growth of the industry within the candidate's community.

The TORA Jessi Combs Ambassador Award

The TORA Jessi Combs Ambassador Award is presented to a TORA member who has demonstrated enthusiasm, awareness, support, and exceptional volunteerism to the industry, more importantly TORA.

TORA Hall of Fame

Criteria

  • Candidate's contributions, in accordance with purpose stated above, must extend beyond the local level and reach throughout the national/international level.
  • The candidate is and/or has been involved in the industry and/or TORA for a minimum of 10 years.
  • The candidate has made significant contributions toward enhancing technology, professionalism, dignity, and/or general stature and growth of the industry.
  • The candidate has acted with a high degree of integrity within the industry
  • The candidate must be at least 40 years of age.

TORA Retailer of the Year

Criteria

  • Candidate's contributions (and/or the candidate's company's performance) have had a significant impact on a local level, in accordance with the purpose above.
  • The candidate is currently in the industry, and has been involved in the industry for a minimum of five (5) years.
  • The candidate has acted with a high degree of integrity and professionalism, has demonstrated a commitment to customer satisfaction, and has contributed to the general stature of the industry.
  • The candidate (where applicable) has demonstrated technical proficiency in retail systems and pursued new marketing/sales opportunities.
  • The candidate's place of business reflects a professional image.
  • A contribution to SEMA and TORA should be an important consideration for nomination. The nominee must come from a TORA member company in good standing.

The TORA Jessi Combs Ambassador Award

Criteria

  • Individual (not a company) who has made an exceptional contribution or impression on the light truck and off-road industry.
  • TORA member who has demonstrated exceptional volunteer contributions or increased membership and awareness of TORA throughout their industry career.
  • Focused on truck and off-road market or emerging markets associated with truck/SUV/off-road.
  • Role model who represents the passion and lifestyle of the light truck and off-road industry.

WTSBC
Wheel, Tire, Suspension, & Brake Council

WTSBC Hall of Fame

The Wheel, Tire, Suspension, and Brake Council (WTSBC) Hall of Fame was founded to honor and recognize those outstanding individuals in the wheel, tire, suspension, and brake industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments on a national basis have enhanced the status of the industry while significantly contributing to its growth, progress, and professionalism.

WTSBC Hall of Fame

Criteria

  • Candidate’s contributions, in accordance with the purpose stated above, must extend beyond the local level to the national level.
  • The candidate is, or has been, involved in the industry for a minimum of 10 years and/or has made a significant impact that has improved the industry as a whole.
  • The candidate has made significant contributions toward enhancing technology, professionalism, dignity and the general stature of the industry.
  • The candidate has acted in the industry with a high degree of integrity and professionalism.
  • Membership in and a contribution to SEMA and WTSBC should be primary considerations for nomination and selection as an award recipient. However, at its discretion, the Awards Sub-committee may select an individual who is not a current SEMA and/or WTSBC member.

Staff
Contact
Information

Byron Bergmann
Project Manager, Member Services
909.378.4859
byronb@sema.org

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