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SEMA Council & Network News: Can’t-Miss SEMA Show Panels, Unveilings, Receptions and Contests

Strengthen Your Company Through Community

No matter what niche you're in—rods, restoration, racing, restyling, trucks or wheels and tires—there’s a SEMA council or professional network that's right for your company. SEMA councils and networks offer members a variety of market-specific programs and activities designed to provide educational and networking opportunities while promoting their particular industry segment.


ARMO Logo
Visit ARMO's website.

Resto Mod Unveiling at the ARMO Booth

Don’t miss the unveiling of the newest project from Bobby Alloway of Alloway’s Hot Rods in Louisville, Tennessee! This is one of the most anticipated hot rods of the 2016 SEMA Show. The unveiling will take place at the corner of Hot Rod Alley and Restoration Marketplace at ARMO Booth #23395, Tuesday, November 1, at 11:00 a.m.

Since 1991, Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop has been known to produce timeless hot rods by forging musclecar attitude with hot-rod craftsmanship. Many of the cars built by Alloway have gone on to win awards at automotive events throughout the country, and become recognizable icons within the automotive aftermarket industry. Join Alloway as he pulls the cover off his latest build in the ARMO/HRIA booth. Even the owner hasn’t yet seen the finished car.

The Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) will once again share a booth with the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) at the 2016 SEMA Show. Six cars will be on display inside the booth. Three will represent the restoration market, while the other three will represent the hot-rod segment. The cars were selected to showcase different trends and styles in each segment and to showcase both up-and-coming builders and the “best of the best.”

For more information, contact SEMA’s Director of Councils Jim Skelly at 909-978-6690 or jimsk@sema.org.

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ettn
Visit ETTN's website
falls
Bruce Falls

Automotive Engineer Bruce Falls Will Discuss the Future of Electric Vehicle (EV) Technologies During SEMA ETTN Quick Talks Session

By Tim Sayers

Bruce Falls, director of engineering for AVL, will lead a discussion on the future of electric vehicle (EV) technologies during the Emerging Trends and Technology (ETTN) inaugural Quick Talks – Experts Talk Vehicle Technology, Thursday, November 3, at 9:00 a.m., in room N258 in the Upper North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center at the 2016 SEMA Show.  

In his presentation, Falls will consider the breakthroughs and challenges facing vehicle electrification. Falls’ presentation, “Electric Vehicle EV Technologies,” will be one of four 15-minute Quick Talk sessions scheduled for the Show.

Operating solely on electricity, EVs are propelled by one or more rechargeable packs. Falls will discuss how EVs have various advantages over internal combustion engines (ICEs): energy efficiency, environmentally friendly, performance benefits and reduced energy dependence. The challenges of EVs, include driving range, recharge time, battery cost and size and weight of battery packs, will also be covered during his session. 

Register now!

Falls joined AVL in October 2007 as the director of the AVL California Technology Center. He has 30 years of experience in automotive engineering, mostly in powertrain development and vehicle systems integration. He has concentrated on the areas of base engine development, electronic controls, emissions development, alternative fuels applications and vehicle electrification.

Falls is a graduate of the University of Texas, and began his career at the General Motors Technology Center. He was involved in developing advanced emissions-control hardware and software control strategies, which led to a calibration release engineer position at the Milford Proving Grounds. In 1988, he joined McLaren USA to work with electronic controls and calibration on prototype powertrains and racing applications. Falls joined Quantum Technologies in 1999 as the director of the Advanced Vehicle Concept Center, which specialized in prototype and low-volume production alternative-fuel vehicle programs, including hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle system integration and refueling products to support demonstration fleets. In this position, he was responsible for the engineering activities and testing laboratories.

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Unveiling at the HRIA Show Booth

Bring your cameras! The latest creation from Craig Wick of Wicked Fabrication in Auburn, Washington, is set to be revealed at the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) booth #23395, Tuesday, November 1, at 11:00 a.m.

A native of Auburn, Wick worked in different shops after high school and spent seven years as an engineer before returning to the hot-rod scene by establishing Wicked Fabrication. Since then, he has expanded not only his staff and services, but also turned out high-quality builds. Being selected to reveal a brand-new build in the HRIA/ARMO booth at the 2016 SEMA Show is proof that Wicked Fabrication is a force to be recognized in the hot-rod scene.

The shared Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) and Automotive Restoration Market Association (ARMO) booth at the SEMA Show is sometimes referred to as “Central Park” because it’s a gathering point showcasing the entries in the annual HRIA Builders Challenge. Hot-rod builders (and now manufacturers) spend hours creating pinewood cars that are raced at the NSRA Nationals, then auctioned off on Wednesday night, November 2, at the HRIA reception, benefitting SEMA Cares charities.

For more information, contact SEMA’s Council Director Jim Skelly at 909-978-6990 or jimsk@sema.org.

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Visit TORA's website.
camo
CamoLiner Inc. ’15 Jeep Wrangler 4D
flo
FLO Airride Mfg. ’58 Chevy Apache
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Hellwig Products ’68 Ford Bronco
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IRON CROSS ’17 Ford F-350
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Zero to 60 Designs/Ford Bronco Brothers ’75 Ford Bronco
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Richies Truck and Auto ’13 GMC Sierra Denali HD 3500
voodoo
Voodoo Customs LLC ’15 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Extended Cab

TORA Feature Vehicles Announced

The Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) will have seven feature vehicles scattered throughout the 2016 SEMA Show, two of which will be in the TORA Booth #34183 in upper south hall. TORA feature vehicles will be identified by a special tag. Be on the lookout for the following highlighted truck and Jeep builds:

CamoLiner Inc.
’15 Jeep Wrangler 4D

FLO Airride Mfg.
’58 Chevy Apache

Hellwig Products
’68 Ford Bronco

IRON CROSS
’17 Ford F-350

Richies Truck and Auto
’13 GMC Sierra Denali HD 3500

Voodoo Customs LLC
’15 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Extended Cab

Zero to 60 Designs/Ford Bronco Brothers
’75 Ford Bronco

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mrn
Visit MRN's website.
mrn
The Manufacturers Rep Network (MRN) will visit first-time exhibitors in the Performance Pavilion and Westgate to share their expertise on successfully handling and following up on SEMA Show leads.

Rep Match Gives You Leads

The Manufacturers Rep Network (MRN) will visit first-time exhibitors in the Performance Pavilion and Westgate to share their expertise on successfully handling and following up on SEMA Show leads. Taking place immediately prior to the start of the Show on Friday, November 4, from 8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m., they will also pass out bagels and Red Bull to exhibitors for a morning boost. Additionally, the MRN will share insights on the benefits of working with independent sales reps and their latest manufacturer benefit—the RepMatch program. 

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PRO Logo
Visit PRO's website.

Join PRO for Happy Hour!

The Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) is hosting a happy hour in their booth #12579 in North Hall, Wednesday, November 2, from 4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity to take a mid-week break and mingle with motivated restyling buyers and exhibitors. Get to know the PRO select committee. Dozens of PRO members will be on hand to share what the council has to offer and discuss opportunities to get more involved. The booth will serve as a destination point throughout the Show for PRO members to network and learn about the latest council initiatives.

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Visit SBN's website.

Women at the Wheel in Racing-Driving STEM Careers: Powered by SBN

The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network has curated an informative event regarding exciting new career opportunities within the industry. This session, to be held November 2, from 10:15 a.m.–11:00 a.m., in LVCC Room N253, will feature accomplished racer, mentor and coach Lyn St. James, and one of today’s fastest next-gen racers and rising stars, Julia Landauer. St. James and and Landauer will address the industry’s talent crisis and offer frontline insights for winning and bridging the skills gap between technology and racing through recruitment, retention and advancement of women in the industry.    

Register for this seminar and check out all of SBN’s events happening at the SEMA Show.

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wtc
Mingle with the select committee and learn about opportunities to get more involved at the Wheel and Tire Council reception.
Don’t miss the Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) Industry Reception for your chance to network with fellow industry professionals and honor one WTC member being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
 
WTC Reception
 
The Wheel & Tire Council is hosting its annual industry reception at the 2016 SEMA Show. Enjoy an evening of networking with fellow wheel and tire industry professionals, along with a bite to eat and a drink. Mingle with the select committee and learn about opportunities to get more involved. The council will hold an awards ceremony to honor influential wheel and tire professionals.
 
The reception will be held Tuesday, November 1, from 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m., at the Renaissance pool deck.

WTC General Membership Meeting

The Wheel and Tire Council is hosting a General Membership Meeting at the SEMA Show. All WTC members and companies that specialize in manufacturing, distributing and selling wheels and tires are encouraged to come. Learn about the latest council initiatives and resources that the WTC provides through membership. Mix and mingle with the select committee and SEMA staff, and learn how you can become more involved in the industry.

The meeting will take place Monday, October 31, from 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m., at the Renaissance, Paramount Room.

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Meet SEMA Launch Pad Finalists at the SEMA Show

The SEMA Launch Pad top-10 finalists will pitch their new automotive products and services in front of a live audience, Wednesday, November 2, in room N258, from 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Show attendees are encouraged to come out and see who will be named the 2016 SEMA Launch Pad winner, which will be determined by a panel of judges. However, this live event isn’t the only place where you can catch the contestants at the Show. New this year, each contestant’s business will have its own Kiosk-style booth called the “Launch Pad Corral,” located within the New Products Showcase in Skybridge Room S231.
 
The Launch Pad Corral is an exclusive opportunity for Show attendees to meet each finalist and learn more about their products, ask questions and discuss potential partnerships. You can visit the SEMA Launch Pad finalists in the Launch Pad Corral, Tuesday–Friday during Show hours.
 
Visit the following companies and meet the Launch Pad contestants:
  • Any Level Lift, Aaron Aldrich
  • Mogol Inc., Richard Baverstock
  • V12 LS, Matt Corish
  • Metal Conditioner Squared LLC, John Paul Gusewelle
  • Plasma Glide LLC, Amanda Holbert
  • Grip Clean, Bryce Hudson
  • Gigabit Games LLC, Wesley Jurica
  • Exomotive LLC, Kevin Patrick
  • Turnberry Innovations, Sarah Powell
  • Hudway LLC, Irina Slavina