By SEMA Editors
 Omix-ADA's Off Road Success Center will feature a display of several historic Jeep prototypes from Willys, Bantam and Ford, and an on-site Jeep build interpreting what a modern-day military Jeep might look like. | |
Omix-ADA's 20th anniversary of all things Jeep and off-road will be celebrated at the 2013 SEMA Show, November 5–8, in Las Vegas. Following its debut last year, Omix-ADA will again host its Off Road Success Center, located in the Upper South Hall Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center, using it as the headquarters for a variety of attractions, including:
- Three separate $50,000 check presentations to charity.
- A ’13 Jeep Wrangler giveaway.
- Autograph sessions with special guest celebrity R. Lee Ermey, also known as “The Gunny.”
- A display of several historic Jeep prototypes from Willys, Bantam and Ford.
- A live on-site radio show featuring special guests and industry VIPs.
- An on-site Jeep build interpreting what a modern-day military Jeep might look like.
Charity Donations and Jeep Giveaway
Omix-ADA will make a total of $150,000 in donations distributed across three separate charities at this year’s SEMA Show. Recipients for this year’s donations include SEMA Cares, the Rugged Ridge Trail Access Program and one of four national health organizations—the Breast Cancer Association, American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association or National Multiple Sclerosis Society—chosen by Omix-ADA consumers over the course of the year by popular vote. In addition to donating to charity, Omix-ADA will also present a ’13 Jeep Wrangler to the winner of its year-long giveaway sweepstakes.
- Tuesday, November 5, 4:00 p.m. – National Health Organization check presentation and consumer Jeep giveaway winner announcement.
- Wednesday, November 6, 5:30 p.m. – Rugged Ridge Trail Access Program announcement and check presentation.
- Thursday, November 7, 4:30 p.m. – SEMA Cares check presentation, unveiling of military-inspired Jeep build.
“For our anniversary celebration, we wanted to do something that benefitted and recognized three important segments of our business—our consumers, the off-road hobby as a whole, and the aftermarket industry,” said Henk Van Dongen, director of marketing at Omix-ADA. “Without the support of these three groups, Omix-ADA wouldn’t have succeeded in the way that it has for 20 years.”
Rugged Ridge Trail Access Program
On Wednesday, November 6, Omix-ADA will announce the creation of the Rugged Ridge Trail Access Program—a grant program dedicated to providing non-profit organizations grants to keep public land open and advance the off-road hobby. The grant will be provided with an initial $50,000 donation by Omix-ADA to help fund organizations fighting land-use battles within government and defray expenses related to trail maintenance.
“SEMA gives us a chance to connect and network with the media and our consumers,” said Van Dongen. “The media and the off-road industry peer companies have just as much interest in keeping land accessible and open as we do. No off-road access means no off-road hobby, and no hobby means no need for off-road magazines or companies like us.”
Military-Inspired On-Site Jeep Build
On Thursday, November 7, ahead of its $50,000 SEMA Cares check donation, Omix-ADA will unveil the completed ’13 JK Rubicon that was built over the previous three days, live at the Off Road Success Center. The Jeep is designed to be a modern interpretation of what a military Jeep might look like today. The build team will consist of students from technical schools across the country, veterans and Omix-ADA employees.
“Our reception Thursday afternoon gives us a chance to thank SEMA Cares, and the schools that have been involved in the build, so we are not only thanking them, but we’re thanking the industry as a whole,” Van Dongen said.
Off Road Success Center
Omix-ADA’s Off Road Success Center is designed to provide networking opportunities and brainstorming ideas to like-minded people in the automotive industry. Open to all attendees, in addition to the events above, the Success Center will serve as the display area for three early Jeep prototypes—a Ford GP, a Bantam BRC40 and a Willys MA—as part of Omix-ADA’s celebration of Jeep military history.
Omix-ADA will also host a live radio show from the Success Center. Emceed by industry veteran Joe Sebergandio, the talk show will cover multiple topics ranging from insightful stories and conversations about individual Jeep experiences, to live coverage of the Jeep giveaway and charity donations on-site. Guests for the show include respected off-road media personalities, representatives from Jeep Jamboree USA, select members of Chrysler-Jeep and many more.
Throughout the week, special guest celebrity R. Lee Ermey, also known as “The Gunny,” will also hold several autograph sessions at the Success Center.