Fuel Your Future: Regional Education Series - Attendee

SEMA is bringing networking together with technical and business education to the Midwest with the pilot SEMA Fuel Your Future Regional Series, hosted by BluePrint Engines in Kearney, Neb., Sept. 25-26.

Built for shop owners & employees, builders and automotive professionals, this two-day event will cover practical topics to help you sharpen your skills and strengthen your business. We’ll even set aside time for networking and visiting relevant industry vendors.

What you’ll learn:

• Technical insights relevant to today’s automotive shops
• Practical business strategies provided by Forvis Mazars
• Insights and ideas you can bring back to your shop
• Priceless industry connections through SEMA and Blueprint Engines

Event Details:

Sept. 25-26, 2026

BluePrint Engines | Kearney, Neb.

Friday, Sept 25

• 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM | Tours of Blueprint Engines
• 5:30 PM | Burgers and Brews at The American Automobile Experience Museum | 3600 US-30 B, Kearney, NE 68847

Saturday, Sept 26

• 8:00 AM | Breakfast at Blueprint Engines
• 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM | Session: Modern Powertrain Integration

Speaker: Jason Noel – CEO, Fender Garage

• 10:00 AM | Vendors Open
• 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM | Session: High Tech. Hand Built: Advanced Manufacturing Meets Craftsmanship

Technology is changing how custom automotive components can be designed and manufactured, but it does not have replace the skill and experience of the people who build them. Chuck MacDougall of Lemons Headers will explore how traditional craftsmanship can be strengthened through modern tools such as 3D scanning, CAD engineering, CNC-assisted manufacturing and 3D printing. Using custom header fabrication as a real-world example, the session will demonstrate how digital technology can improve accuracy, solve complex fitment challenges and make one-of-a-kind components available to customers regardless of location—all while preserving the hands-on craftsmanship, quality and attention to detail upon which the performance automotive industry was built.

Speaker: Chuck MacDougall – General Manager, Lemons Headers


• 11:45 AM | Vendors Open
• 12:15 PM | Lunch
• 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Session: Workforce Development: Your Next Hire Is Still in School!

Where will the next generation of skilled technicians come from, and how can your business reach them before everyone else does? Instead of simply discussing the skilled labor shortage, this session gives hot rod, restoration, fabrication, and aftermarket businesses actionable ways to build their own workforce pipeline by connecting directly with automotive education. George Arrants of the ASE Education Foundation and Cindy Barlow of WyoTech will bring both the industry and education perspectives to the conversation, helping you and your business understand what today's students are looking for, how to compete for talented young technicians, and why recruiting should begin long before you have a position to fill.

Speakers:

George Arrants – Vice President, ASE Education Foundation



Cindy Barlow – Director of Industry Relations, WyoTech

• 2:00 PM | Vendors Open
• 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Industry Panel: The State of the Hot Rod & Restoration Industry – What's Changing and What's Next?
• 4:00 PM | Program Conclusion

Guest Registration: $50 | includes reception, breakfast & lunch

Vendor Registration: $500 | Includes an 8-foot table and three attendee badges

Join SEMA and fellow aftermarket professionals for education and connection, right in the Midwest.