The SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) is accepting nominations for its coveted Design & Innovation Award and Evolution of Hot-Rodding Award recognizing exceptional hot rods at the 2025 SEMA Show.
- Design & Innovation Award: This award is presented to a builder or shop in recognition of a vehicle that exemplifies the meaning of an exceptional hot rod. The build will be judged on details in the design, craftsmanship and engineering that represent the passion and skill of the builder and the creativity of their innovative mind.
- Evolution of Hot-Rodding Award: This 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. The vehicle will be judged on exceptional quality, creative design, innovative technology and features that advance and expand the definition of a hot rod.
To enter, builders must post a photo of their vehicle on Instagram using the hashtag #SEMAHRIA2025. The caption must include the year, make and model of the vehicle, as well as the builder’s name, shop name and booth number or relative location (i.e., silver lot) of the vehicle at the SEMA Show.
The vehicle must be present at the Show and it must be the vehicle’s first year at the SEMA Show; however, the vehicle does not have to be debuted at the SEMA Show.
Judges consisting of hot rod industry experts will view the entries on the SEMA Show floor. All entries will be considered for both awards at the discretion of the judges. Winners will be announced and celebrated at the HRIA Reception. We’d love to see you there on Wednesday night, November 5 from 5:15 p.m.-7:30 p.m. in the Westgate Hotel Ballroom A.
Questions can be directed to HRIA Director Marcy Yanus at Marcy@sema.org.