By AJ Carney

SEMA Town Hall meetings enable personal interactions to take place that help business owners share the challenges and opportunities they face.

SEMA invites industry professionals to its Town Hall Meeting in Chicago where members and prospective members will gather at Heidts Automotive Group, Tuesday, May 9, from 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m., for an evening of networking with local industry leaders and the SEMA team.

Register for the Town Hall in Chicago.

SEMA’s Town Hall Meetings highlight SEMA’s current programs and objectives with current and prospective SEMA members. With a collection of automotive aftermarket professionals from the same geographic region, personal interactions take place that help business owners share the challenges and opportunities they face. As SEMA staff interacts with attendees, they also gain valuable feedback, which helps identify how current benefits can enhance member business operations to better meet their needs.

For more information on the 2017 Town Hall Series or to register, visit SEMA’s Town Hall Meetings website or contact Kristen Fregoso at 909-978-6681 or kristenf@sema.org.

This is the ’19 Chevy Camaro, caught while testing in Colorado.

The Camaro will get a mid-cycle lift next year. Based on the camo on this prototype, the front and rear of the standard models will get some comprehensive changes from the A-pillar forward and at the rear.

To keep pace with the Ford Mustang, expect minor engine enhancements and more widespread use of the 10-speed automatic that is now offered on the ZL1. More technology features lifted from the Cadillac ATS are also likely to appear.

There is still the rumor of the return of the Z/28 on the sixth-generation Camaro, too.

Expect to see the revised Camaro next year.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’19 Chevy Camaro, caught while testing in Colorado.

The Camaro will get a mid-cycle lift next year. Based on the camo on this prototype, the front and rear of the standard models will get some comprehensive changes from the A-pillar forward and at the rear.

To keep pace with the Ford Mustang, expect minor engine enhancements and more widespread use of the 10-speed automatic that is now offered on the ZL1. More technology features lifted from the Cadillac ATS are also likely to appear.

There is still the rumor of the return of the Z/28 on the sixth-generation Camaro, too.

Expect to see the revised Camaro next year.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’19 Chevy Camaro, caught while testing in Colorado.

The Camaro will get a mid-cycle lift next year. Based on the camo on this prototype, the front and rear of the standard models will get some comprehensive changes from the A-pillar forward and at the rear.

To keep pace with the Ford Mustang, expect minor engine enhancements and more widespread use of the 10-speed automatic that is now offered on the ZL1. More technology features lifted from the Cadillac ATS are also likely to appear.

There is still the rumor of the return of the Z/28 on the sixth-generation Camaro, too.

Expect to see the revised Camaro next year.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’19 Chevy Camaro, caught while testing in Colorado.

The Camaro will get a mid-cycle lift next year. Based on the camo on this prototype, the front and rear of the standard models will get some comprehensive changes from the A-pillar forward and at the rear.

To keep pace with the Ford Mustang, expect minor engine enhancements and more widespread use of the 10-speed automatic that is now offered on the ZL1. More technology features lifted from the Cadillac ATS are also likely to appear.

There is still the rumor of the return of the Z/28 on the sixth-generation Camaro, too.

Expect to see the revised Camaro next year.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’19 Chevy Camaro, caught while testing in Colorado.

The Camaro will get a mid-cycle lift next year. Based on the camo on this prototype, the front and rear of the standard models will get some comprehensive changes from the A-pillar forward and at the rear.

To keep pace with the Ford Mustang, expect minor engine enhancements and more widespread use of the 10-speed automatic that is now offered on the ZL1. More technology features lifted from the Cadillac ATS are also likely to appear.

There is still the rumor of the return of the Z/28 on the sixth-generation Camaro, too.

Expect to see the revised Camaro next year.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’19 Chevy Camaro, caught while testing in Colorado.

The Camaro will get a mid-cycle lift next year. Based on the camo on this prototype, the front and rear of the standard models will get some comprehensive changes from the A-pillar forward and at the rear.

To keep pace with the Ford Mustang, expect minor engine enhancements and more widespread use of the 10-speed automatic that is now offered on the ZL1. More technology features lifted from the Cadillac ATS are also likely to appear.

There is still the rumor of the return of the Z/28 on the sixth-generation Camaro, too.

Expect to see the revised Camaro next year.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’19 Chevy Camaro, caught while testing in Colorado.

The Camaro will get a mid-cycle lift next year. Based on the camo on this prototype, the front and rear of the standard models will get some comprehensive changes from the A-pillar forward and at the rear.

To keep pace with the Ford Mustang, expect minor engine enhancements and more widespread use of the 10-speed automatic that is now offered on the ZL1. More technology features lifted from the Cadillac ATS are also likely to appear.

There is still the rumor of the return of the Z/28 on the sixth-generation Camaro, too.

Expect to see the revised Camaro next year.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By SEMA Editors

Following are dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

• SEMA Town Hall Meeting, May 9, 2017, Heidts, Lake Zurich, Illinois

• SEMA Washington Rally, May 17, 2017, Washington, D.C.

• YEN Regional Networking Event at the 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals, May 19, 2017, Allen County Fairgrounds, Lima, Ohio

• 2017 SEMA Australia Regional Business Development Conference, May 23–27, 2017, Melbourne, Australia

• SEMA Virtual Career Fair, June 1, 2017, 12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. (EDT)

• Jeep Heritage Expo, June 3, 2017, Omix-ADA/Rugged Ridge Headquarters, Suwanee, Georgia

• HRIA General Membership Meeting, July 6, 2017, Goodguys PPG Nationals, Columbus, Ohio

• TORA General Membership Meeting, June 9, 2017, Ontario Truck & Jeep Fest, Ontario, California

• PRO General Membership Meeting, June 15, 2017, Detroit Metro Airport Marriott, Detroit

• Alex Xydias 95th Birthday Bash, June 17, 2017, Petersen Garage at Fairplex, Pomona, California

• SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit, June 19–20, 2017, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas

• SEMA Town Hall Meeting, July 11, 2017, Competition Specialties, Auburn, Washington

• Collector Car Appreciation Day, July 14, 2017

• 2017 SEMA Export Fair, July 25–26, 2017, SEMA Garage, Diamond Bar, California

• SEMA Installation Gala, July 28, 2017, Sheraton Fairplex Conference Center, Pomona, California

• HRIA General Membership Meeting, August 24, 2017, Goodguys Rod & Custom Association, Pleasanton, California

• 2017 SEMA China Business Development Program, September 6–10, 2017, Shanghai, China

• Manufacturing Day, October 6, 2017

• 2017 SEMA Show, October 31–November 3, 2017, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas

• 2017 PRI Trade Show, December 7–9, 2017, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstore.com) at Travel Store USA, 949-930-9268.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA News is looking to highlight top-tier talent in the automotive aftermarket industry who are age 35 and younger.

For the fifth consecutive year, SEMA News is looking to highlight top-tier talent in the automotive aftermarket industry age 35 and younger. If you know a leader in that age range as of September 1, 2017—whether they’re in manufacturing and design, marketing, retail, events and media, or distribution—SEMA News would like to hear from you.

It is very likely that SEMA members are currently working with creative and talented young professionals who are already moving the industry in new and different directions. They’re also the ones who have played major roles in leveraging new and emerging technologies—in areas that include marketing and product development—with a traditional automotive aftermarket business to expand company reach and customer interaction.

They could be budding superstars at an established company, entrepreneurs building their own brands or innovators who have launched companies that are sure to become big names in the future. What they’ll have in common are fresh ideas, enthusiasm, charisma and the drive to succeed. These are people who know what’s going on at the ground level, who see opportunities that are now forming and who travel in circles that may be very different from those of our “old-school” industry leaders.

Winners will be chosen based on their business successes, contributions to their organizations, industry knowledge and community involvement. We’ll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org.

Nominate a candidate now for the 2017 SEMA News 35 Under 35. Nominations are due May 31, 2017.