By SEMA News Editors
The 2026 SEMA Leaders & Legends Gala in Newport Beach, California, marked a 50th anniversary milestone of the cherished event.
Last week, industry leaders, innovators and enthusiasts gathered at the Renaissance Newport Beach to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the SEMA Leaders & Legends Gala, a tradition originating in 1976. The event comes 63 years after SEMA was founded in 1963.
The evening, hosted by industry voice Kevin Oeste, honored the SEMA Hall of Fame Class of 2026, recognized industry leadership, reflected on another year of advocacy victories and looked ahead to the future of the automotive aftermarket as part of the theme, "The Next 63 Years, Engineering the SEMA of Tomorrow."
SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola opened the evening by recognizing the volunteers, members and leaders whose dedication has fueled the association for more than six decades while paying tribute to SEMA co-founder and first president Ed Iskenderian, who passed away earlier this year at the age of 104.
The SEMA Leaders & Legends Gala begins with a cocktail hour to network and socialize.
"Sixty-three years ago, Ed and a small group of volunteers didn't just start a trade association. They helped build a global industry," Spagnola said. "That founding generation created an incredible legacy. Now it is up to all of us to build the next 63 years."
Spagnola also highlighted several milestones that continue to strengthen the specialty-equipment industry, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's formal recognition of the SEMA Certified-Emissions Program as a reliable pathway for demonstrating federal emissions compliance, providing manufacturers with a clearer path to bring compliant performance products to market.
Among SEMA's recent initiatives is a new focus on powersports and motorcycles, including the introduction of a new Powersports/Side-by-Side (SxS)/Lifestyle section set for debut at the 2026 SEMA Show, November 3-6, in Las Vegas. In addition, the Show-favorite Battle of the Builders presented by Mothers Polish introduces a new side to the competition this year: the Battle of the Builders: Bike Builder Shootout as a dedicated motorcycle category.
During the Gala, Spagnola also let attendees in on a secret: a dedicated powersports and motorcycle organization will join SEMA's councils and networks sometime in the near future.
The evening's centerpiece, however, was the induction of four industry icons into the SEMA Hall of Fame. The class of 2026 recognized individuals whose decades of leadership, innovation and volunteer service have left a lasting mark on the automotive aftermarket.
SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Doug Dwyer's six-decade career was celebrated during the 2026 SEMA Leaders & Legends Gala.
Doug Dwyer was honored for a career spanning six decades across wheels and tires, motorsports marketing and brand development, as well as his longstanding commitment to SEMA volunteer leadership and industry service.
Jay Leno, SEMA Hall of Fame inductee, was honored for spreading a passion for vehicles and also his advocacy work with "Leno's Law" in California.
Jay Leno was recognized for using his global platform to champion automotive culture, enthusiast rights and the specialty-equipment industry. Beyond sharing his passion for vehicles on "Jay Leno's Garage," Leno has worked with SEMA and the SEMA Action Network to advocate for California Senate Bill 712, known as "Leno's Law," a bill designed to modernize the state's smog-check process for collector vehicles.
SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Ellen McKoy was celebrated for her 50-year-career and many contributions to the SEMA community.
Ellen McKoy was celebrated for nearly 50 years of leadership as an entrepreneur, journalist, consultant, SEMA executive and volunteer. Her contributions include helping establish the SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) and founding the SEMA Businesswomen's Network, organizations that continue to strengthen the industry today.
Attendees at the 2026 SEMA Leaders & Legends Gala celebrated SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Dennis Overholser for his decades of contributions to the hot rod and racing communities. Unable to attend the event, Overholser was represented by his son Lance, who accepted the honor on his behalf.
Dennis Overholser was inducted in recognition of his career as founder of Painless Performance Products and his decades of service advancing the hot-rod and racing communities through SEMA leadership, legislative advocacy and volunteerism.
SEMA Chair Melanie White reflected on the association's momentum over the past year, highlighting accomplishments in government advocacy, workforce development and vehicle technology through her G.Y.T. initiative, which stands for Government, Youth and Technology.
Among the year's achievements, White celebrated the continued progress protecting motorsports and enthusiast rights, expanded student scholarships and workforce initiatives and growing investments in advanced vehicle technology through the SEMA Garage.
Newly elected SEMA Board member Jeff Hermann was honored during the 2026 SEMA Leaders & Legends Gala.
White also recognized current Board members and outgoing Board member Ted Wentz, who served SEMA for six years. White also welcomed newly elected Board member Jeff Hermann before congratulating the Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
"This group represents decades of leadership, innovation and passion that have shaped our industry," White said. "Your contributions continue to inspire all of us, and we are proud to honor you as part of SEMA's legacy."
The beloved tradition of the pinewood derby race, the Industry Cup Challenge benefiting SEMA Cares, combines friendly competition with giving back.
The annual Industry Cup Challenge pinewood derby once again raised awareness and support for SEMA Cares, the association's charitable arm, continuing a Gala tradition that combines friendly competition with giving back.
As the SEMA Leaders & Legends Gala celebrated its golden anniversary, the evening served as both a tribute to the pioneers who built the aftermarket and a reminder that the industry's future will continue to be driven by innovation, advocacy and the people committed to advancing it together.
SEMA will continue the celebrations during the 2026 SEMA Industry Honors event on Thursday, November 5, at the iconic Fontainebleau in Las Vegas, as part of the SEMA Show week. Learn more at semashow.com and semashow.com/industry-honors.
The 2026 SEMA Show is set for November 3-6, in Las Vegas. Interested exhibitors can buy a booth and learn more at semashow.com/exhibitor. Attendee and buyer registration is now open online. For more information, visit semashow.com.
SEMA Fest has been confirmed for Friday, November 6, and industry members will get the lowest rate on tickets through the registration portal and Attendee Resource Center. Sign up for updates at semafest.com.
