By Chad Simon
The SEMA Garage features a 1,600-sq.-ft. photography studio, a Fortus 450mc 3D printer and FARO 3D scanner, a new state-of-the-art emissions and dyno lab and more. | |
Nearly 400 SEMA members and Performance Warehouse Association (PWA) members attending the PWA annual conference in Anaheim, California, mingled over dinner and cocktails at SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar on Sunday, August 30, during a PWA reception and tour of the newly renovated SEMA Garage.
Several custom vehicles were on display in the parking lot. In the photography studio, members had their pictures taken with the Hot Wheels Darth Vader Car—a fullsize operational version of the Star Wars-themed Hot Wheels car based on a C5 Corvette.
After dinner, SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting welcomed attendees, informed them of how they can utilize the various services offered at the new SEMA Garage and introduced SEMA’s new Chairman of the Board, Doug Evans.
In addition, PWA presented a check for $7,000 to the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, which is dedicated to fostering the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators. Also, the SEMA Garage emissions lab was unveiled for the first time with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Covering 15,000 sq. ft., the SEMA Garage encompasses a 1,600-sq.-ft. photography studio, a Fortus 450mc 3D printer and FARO 3D scanner, a new state-of-the-art emissions and dyno lab, an expanded training center, a Tech Transfer program with OEM-provided CAD files and a fully equipped installation center. The SEMA Garage often hosts domestic and international vehicle Measuring Sessions where members are provided access to vehicles before they hit dealerships.
For more information on how to take advantage of the services offered at the SEMA Garage, visit the SEMA Garage website.
 PWA presented a check for $7,000 to the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund. From L-R: Ken Woomer, PWA chairman of the board; Joel Ayres, executive director, Aftermarket Foundation; Doug Evans, SEMA chairman of the board; and Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. |  Doug Evans (second from right) cuts the ribbon to mark the offical opening of the new SEMA Garage emissions lab. From L-R: Mike Spagnola, SEMA vice president of OEM and product development programs; Don Manvel, chairman and CEO of AVL North America; and Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. | |
 Immediately after the ribbon-cutting ceremony, SEMA Garage staff fired up the dyno. |  SEMA's Daniel Ogden (right) shows the Hot Wheels Darth Vader Car to attendees. | |
 SEMA's Matt Cordato (right) demonstrates how the new Fortus 450mc 3D printer works. |  TV personality Jessi Combs (left) and Theresa Contreras (right) have joined forces as the Real Deal—a collaboration of automotive and industrial women who aim to empower and educate others regarding the positive impact associated with design, speed and passion. |