By Ashley Reyes
Nominations are open for the 2026 SEMA Content Creator of the Year Award, which will be presented at the 2026 SEMA Show, taking place November 3-6 in Las Vegas. Now in its fifth year, the award honors a content creator for their significant impact on the automotive aftermarket industry during the past year.
In an industry built on passion, performance and personalization, automotive content creators significantly support and build enthusiasm for the automotive aftermarket and car culture. The Content Creator of the Year Award recognizes a creator's efforts that have not only elevated the discourse around automotive passions but have also inspired a deeper appreciation for art and innovation within the industry.
Award Criteria
Nominees must:
- Create original, entertaining and informative automotive media content.
- Have a loyal and substantial following of passionate and engaged automotive enthusiasts––whether established or up-and-coming.
- Have used their platform over the last year to promote positive automotive content, messaging and/or entertainment that benefits the automotive aftermarket and automotive culture.
To be considered, the nominee's contributions must fall within the timeframe of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. The nominee must also be an identified individual––not an anonymous or non-identified influencer brand or channel.
Do you know a content creator––or consider yourself one––making a meaningful impact on the automotive industry? Submit a nomination before the Monday, August 17, deadline at www.sema.org/awards.
SEMA is also accepting nominations for other industry awards, including Channel Partner of the Year, Manufacturer of the Year, Person of the Year and the Visionary 8.
2026 SEMA Show to Celebrate the Industry's Best
SEMA Show festivities shift into gear on Tuesday, November 3, with the Kickoff Breakfast, where 15 products will be recognized with New Product Awards alongside top honors for Channel Partner of the Year and Manufacturer of the Year.
On Thursday, November 5, the highly anticipated Visionary 8 and SEMA's Best Engineered Vehicle of the Year winner will be announced live at SEMA Central. The momentum will continue during SEMA Industry Honors, celebrated at the iconic Fontainebleau. This red-carpet-style gathering brings together the industry's biggest names to spotlight standout achievements, including Content Creator of the Year and Person of the Year.
Entries for Best Engineered Vehicle of the Year––a SEMA Industry Award that recognizes exceptional quality of engineering on a vehicle build––will open in August. Learn more at www.sema.org/awards.
