By Ashley Reyes

The Indy Autonomous Challenge is showcasing the transformational impact that automation can have by bringing together academic institutions and challenging students to imagine and invent the next generation of automated vehicle software.

In an interview from the 2019 SEMA Show STAGE, Director of Mobility at Energy Systems Network Matt Peak shared his insight on how technology and design continue to evolve and enhance safety in today’s daily drivers, and gave details about the eagerly-anticipated high-speed autonomous race set to take place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, October 23, 2021.

Not only will the challenge create a new pipeline of innovators and promote STEM education, but according to Peak, it’s also about getting technology into the hands of drivers.

“We know that there are 40,000 accidents a year on highways, and 94% of them are because we’re just doing too many things in the car. We’re distracted, or we just don’t see things in time. [Automated] technologies have a real role to play in enhancing our abilities to drive. Not displacing us—not taking anything out of the way of humans—but really just helping us drive better.”

Check out Peak’s full video and stay tuned to SEMA eNews for additional featured interviews powered by SEMA Education in partnership with the SEMA Wheel and Tire Council (WTC). For the latest news and updates on the STAGE, follow SEMA Education on Facebook and Instagram.

By Ashley Reyes

Learn the “Digital Do’s and Don’ts During Times of Uncertainty” to help your company build stronger relationships and an overall online reputation during SEMA’s Shifting Gears: Back to Business webinar, August 19, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).

The way businesses navigate the next 60-90 days will directly determine the speed at which they are able to rebound from the COVID-19 crisis. Having a list of specific action steps to build trust, credibility and thought-leadership with your local community is more important now than ever before.  

Learn the “Digital Do’s and Don’ts During Times of Uncertainty” to help your company build stronger relationships and an overall online reputation during SEMA’s Shifting Gears: Back to Business webinar, August 19, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).

Presented by SEMA Education in partnership with nationally recognized social media expert Corey Perlman, the virtual workshop will teach participants how to build a larger audience of quality connections, fix online issues that may damage credibility, create a content plan to navigate today’s uncertainty and prepare for getting back to business.  

The webinar is the third in SEMA’s four-part Shifting Gears: Back to Business series that concentrates on tactics and concepts to help businesses emerge from the current economic downturn stronger and more intentional than ever before.

Register today.

Details about the fourth webinar scheduled for September 2, recorded sessions of previous webinars, and resources to help SEMA members navigate their businesses during this uncertain time, are available at www.sema.org/reopen.

By Ashley Reyes

Learn the “Digital Do’s and Don’ts During Times of Uncertainty” to help your company build stronger relationships and an overall online reputation during SEMA’s Shifting Gears: Back to Business webinar, August 19, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).

The way businesses navigate the next 60-90 days will directly determine the speed at which they are able to rebound from the COVID-19 crisis. Having a list of specific action steps to build trust, credibility and thought-leadership with your local community is more important now than ever before.  

Learn the “Digital Do’s and Don’ts During Times of Uncertainty” to help your company build stronger relationships and an overall online reputation during SEMA’s Shifting Gears: Back to Business webinar, August 19, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).

Presented by SEMA Education in partnership with nationally recognized social media expert Corey Perlman, the virtual workshop will teach participants how to build a larger audience of quality connections, fix online issues that may damage credibility, create a content plan to navigate today’s uncertainty and prepare for getting back to business.  

The webinar is the third in SEMA’s four-part Shifting Gears: Back to Business series that concentrates on tactics and concepts to help businesses emerge from the current economic downturn stronger and more intentional than ever before.

Register today.

Details about the fourth webinar scheduled for September 2, recorded sessions of previous webinars, and resources to help SEMA members navigate their businesses during this uncertain time, are available at www.sema.org/reopen.

By Ashley Reyes

Learn the “Digital Do’s and Don’ts During Times of Uncertainty” to help your company build stronger relationships and an overall online reputation during SEMA’s Shifting Gears: Back to Business webinar, August 19, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).

The way businesses navigate the next 60-90 days will directly determine the speed at which they are able to rebound from the COVID-19 crisis. Having a list of specific action steps to build trust, credibility and thought-leadership with your local community is more important now than ever before.  

Learn the “Digital Do’s and Don’ts During Times of Uncertainty” to help your company build stronger relationships and an overall online reputation during SEMA’s Shifting Gears: Back to Business webinar, August 19, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).

Presented by SEMA Education in partnership with nationally recognized social media expert Corey Perlman, the virtual workshop will teach participants how to build a larger audience of quality connections, fix online issues that may damage credibility, create a content plan to navigate today’s uncertainty and prepare for getting back to business.  

The webinar is the third in SEMA’s four-part Shifting Gears: Back to Business series that concentrates on tactics and concepts to help businesses emerge from the current economic downturn stronger and more intentional than ever before.

Register today.

Details about the fourth webinar scheduled for September 2, recorded sessions of previous webinars, and resources to help SEMA members navigate their businesses during this uncertain time, are available at www.sema.org/reopen.

By Jay Carpio

The SEMA Video Archives is about re-living special moments in our industry’s history. From interviews with industry legends to SEMA Show recaps and more, these videos offer viewers a chance to watch our SEMA Family doing what it does best—working hard, pushing the limits and having a little bit of fun, too.

This week’s video features interviews with Battle of the Builder contestant Christian Borucki and legendary builder Bobby Alloway unveiling his project at the 2015 SEMA Show.

By Ashley Reyes

Created to celebrate accomplishments from the previous fiscal year, each award represents the winner’s commitment to excellence for 2020 and acknowledges a year of hard work and perseverance.

SEMA members have until August 14 to submit their nominations for the prestigious SEMA Industry Awards. Created to celebrate accomplishments from the previous fiscal year (July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020), each award represents the winner’s commitment to excellence for 2020 and acknowledges a year of hard work and perseverance.

Do you know of a company or a person who has made a significant impact on the specialty-equipment market industry within the past year? Nominate them for one of the following SEMA Industry Awards:

• Person of the Year
• Manufacturer of the Year
• Rep Agency of the Year
• Warehouse Distributor of the Year
• Gen-III Innovator of the Year

“The SEMA Industry Awards are presented to a highly distinguished group of people and companies who have demonstrated proven contributions, leadership and integrity,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. "We look forward to recognizing this year’s winners who have helped to inspire and motivate the entire industry to greatness."

To nominate an honoree and learn more about the SEMA Industry Awards, visit www.sema.org/awards or contact Lindsay Bianco at lindsayb@sema.org.

By Ashley Reyes

Created to celebrate accomplishments from the previous fiscal year, each award represents the winner’s commitment to excellence for 2020 and acknowledges a year of hard work and perseverance.

SEMA members have until August 14 to submit their nominations for the prestigious SEMA Industry Awards. Created to celebrate accomplishments from the previous fiscal year (July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020), each award represents the winner’s commitment to excellence for 2020 and acknowledges a year of hard work and perseverance.

Do you know of a company or a person who has made a significant impact on the specialty-equipment market industry within the past year? Nominate them for one of the following SEMA Industry Awards:

• Person of the Year
• Manufacturer of the Year
• Rep Agency of the Year
• Warehouse Distributor of the Year
• Gen-III Innovator of the Year

“The SEMA Industry Awards are presented to a highly distinguished group of people and companies who have demonstrated proven contributions, leadership and integrity,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. "We look forward to recognizing this year’s winners who have helped to inspire and motivate the entire industry to greatness."

To nominate an honoree and learn more about the SEMA Industry Awards, visit www.sema.org/awards or contact Lindsay Bianco at lindsayb@sema.org.

By Ashley Reyes

Kristen Stone

The SEMA Young Executive’s Network (YEN) has named Kirstin Stone of Derive Systems as the network’s latest Spotlight Member. As the current YEN chair, Stone’s leadership has played a vital role in expanding the network, as well as in the growth of other young professionals in the specialty-equipment aftermarket. Learn what keeps her involved in the industry in her Q&A with SEMA.

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Kristen Stone: Jump in head first, especially when it comes to volunteering in the industry. If you wait until you're “ready,” you’ll always be a step behind.

SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?

KS: The love for all things horsepower.

SEMA: Where can you be found on a Saturday?

KS: Working on a project, or driving one.

SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?    

KS: Well caffeinated, with a notepad in hand.

SEMA: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who it would be?     

KS: John Menzler—he unknowingly inspired me when I was brand new in the industry, and I wish I could pick his brain at this point in my career.

By Ashley Reyes

Kristen Stone

The SEMA Young Executive’s Network (YEN) has named Kirstin Stone of Derive Systems as the network’s latest Spotlight Member. As the current YEN chair, Stone’s leadership has played a vital role in expanding the network, as well as in the growth of other young professionals in the specialty-equipment aftermarket. Learn what keeps her involved in the industry in her Q&A with SEMA.

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Kristen Stone: Jump in head first, especially when it comes to volunteering in the industry. If you wait until you're “ready,” you’ll always be a step behind.

SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?

KS: The love for all things horsepower.

SEMA: Where can you be found on a Saturday?

KS: Working on a project, or driving one.

SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?    

KS: Well caffeinated, with a notepad in hand.

SEMA: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who it would be?     

KS: John Menzler—he unknowingly inspired me when I was brand new in the industry, and I wish I could pick his brain at this point in my career.

By Ashley Reyes

Lucas Frank

Lucas Frank of Brandmotion has been named as the SEMA Professional Restylers Organization’s (PRO) newest Volunteer Spotlight Member. In Frank’s Q&A with SEMA, he shares what inspired him to pursue a career in the automotive aftermarket, his experience on the PRO Select Committee and what keeps him involved in the industry.

Frank’s active industry participation and experience has made him a vital contributor to SEMA, and PRO is proud to recognize him for his contributions.

SEMA: What inspired you to pursue a career in restyling/manufacturing?    

Lucas Frank: I love the automotive industry. Coming out of college, I really wanted to be a part of an industry where I could be surrounded by people passionate about what they do. Entering the automotive OEM world, I was amazed at how excited not only my co-workers were, but even more so the customers, vendors, media and everyone else. I love the legacy of the brands, the unique identity that customers have with their favorite brands, the loyalty and all the stories.

SEMA: Why did you decide to volunteer for PRO? How has it or will it impact you?    

LF: I wanted to become involved in a group that was helping to identify and solve everyday problems for individuals in the aftermarket. I have started to understand a much deeper perspective of the aftermarket industry and have met and been influenced by some really great people in PRO already.

SEMA: What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket?    

LF: Embrace the passion. You don't always have to understand it. Whether it's from the designers, the customers, the dealers or the upfitters, there's always something to learn.

SEMA: What is your dream vehicle? Where would we find you in it on any weekend?    

LF: Willys MB. I'd love to just simply drive around the country on a sunny Saturday afternoon enjoying the fresh air or out in Moab.

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?     

LF: “Measure twice, cut once” and “Control the controllable.”

SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?

LF: There’s always a new problem or challenge to solve. This industry is so complex and changing so fast. There's always something new to learn and some challenge to throw yourself into.

SEMA: Where can we find you on a Saturday?

LF: Outside working on a car with my boys, at one of my kids’ ballgames or cutting down trees in the woods.