SEMA News—March 2020

REQUIRED READING

By Juan Torres

By SEMA Editors

YEN’s next live chat features entrepreneur Tate Morgan, owner and creator of the Gambler 500.

SEMA YEN presents a live chat with entrepreneur, owner and creator of the Gambler 500, Tate Morgan.

This live chat is an open Q&A where you will have a chance to communicate directly with Morgan as he answers questions regarding how he successfully created the Gambler 500 and off-roading cars for fun and profit.

Join the live chat on YEN’s Facebook page and come ready with questions to tap into Morgan’s expertise!

Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Time: 12:00 p.m.–12:15 p.m. PST
Location: YEN Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/SEMAYEN)
Contact: Bryan Harrison, Director of Councils & Networks

By SEMA Editors

Companies that submit their booth space application and deposit for the 2020 SEMA Show by Friday, March 27, are eligible to participate in May’s Priority Space Selection process. Buying a booth now guarantees your company’s eligibility for the booth selection process, while creating the opportunity to plan early and take advantage of the early-bird savings available on Show services on everything from electricity to drayage.

The 2020 SEMA Show Priority Space Selection takes place May 4–20. During the selection process, exhibitors use their SEMA Show seniority to choose the best locations for their Show displays at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.

When it’s time to pick a location, a SEMA Show account representative will contact (via telephone) the exhibitor’s primary SEMA Show contact and help locate and assign the space that best suits the company’s needs.

The 2020 SEMA Show is scheduled for Tuesday–Friday, November 3–6, in Las Vegas. To participate in the Priority Space Selection Process, reserve a booth space by visiting www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

By SEMA Editors

Companies that submit their booth space application and deposit for the 2020 SEMA Show by Friday, March 27, are eligible to participate in May’s Priority Space Selection process. Buying a booth now guarantees your company’s eligibility for the booth selection process, while creating the opportunity to plan early and take advantage of the early-bird savings available on Show services on everything from electricity to drayage.

The 2020 SEMA Show Priority Space Selection takes place May 4–20. During the selection process, exhibitors use their SEMA Show seniority to choose the best locations for their Show displays at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.

When it’s time to pick a location, a SEMA Show account representative will contact (via telephone) the exhibitor’s primary SEMA Show contact and help locate and assign the space that best suits the company’s needs.

The 2020 SEMA Show is scheduled for Tuesday–Friday, November 3–6, in Las Vegas. To participate in the Priority Space Selection Process, reserve a booth space by visiting www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

By SEMA Editors

Ray Flugger

Ray Flugger, 79, founder of Flowmaster Inc., The Exhaust Technology Co., passed away February 8, at his home in Santa Rosa, California.

An inventor, innovator and entrepreneur, Flugger is best known as the designer of the Flowmaster scavenging muffler that was to reinvent the performance muffler category worldwide, opening the market to more than a dozen new company names. A classic hot rodder at heart, Flugger was a chiefly self-taught engineer who designed his first successful muffler, the Hushpower design, in his Petaluma, California-based Flugger Engineering facility. Less known successes include helping to write the California Lane Splitting recommendations in the ’70s, developing half of Midas Muffler’s initial operating manual and a high-output corn plant for fuel and animal feed purposes.

A popular muffler with VW performance fans, Flugger’s success with Hushpower would lead to the 1983 opening of Flowmaster in Santa Rosa. His scavenging muffler design increased engine horsepower, torque and mileage over open exhaust in race cars and street vehicles. His mufflers, when used on race cars, helped them meet the sound requirements for a wide range of racetracks where sound limits had become an issue.

Flugger’s contribution to the performance world was validated when Hot Rod magazine awarded Flowmaster the induction into the Speed Parts Hall of Fame in 2007. Flowmaster was also the first company to offer cat-back and axle-back systems for street vehicles.

Flugger left Flowmaster in 2011 when he sold the company to B&M Racing. The company he started in 1983 continues today producing high-quality mufflers and other assorted exhaust system products for race and street applications.

Flugger is survived by his wife Winnie Flugger, daughters Jacki Flugger and Larinda Merkins, and his son Jarrett (JC) Flugger.

A celebration of his life will be held in April in Sonoma County. In the meantime, friends and family members are encouraged to share their love, memories and condolences at www.rayflugger.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

By Ashley Reyes

The TORA meet-up is an opportunity for industry professionals to connect with select-committee members, discuss the latest council initiatives, learn about new truck and off-road trends and find out what volunteer opportunities are available in the industry.

The SEMA Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) will host its second meetup of the year at the Adventure Expo in Costa Mesa, California, Saturday, March 7, from 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.

All TORA members and truck and off-road professionals are encouraged to attend. This is a great chance for industry professionals to connect with select-committee members, discuss the latest council initiatives, learn about new truck and off-road trends and find out what volunteer opportunities are available in the industry.

If you live in the SoCal area, and you’re a current TORA member or interested in getting more involved, RSVP today and join TORA for an evening of light refreshments and engaging conversation with fellow colleagues.

For more information, contact SEMA Vice President of Councils and Membership Nathan Ridnour at nathanr@sema.org.

By Ashley Reyes

The TORA meet-up is an opportunity for industry professionals to connect with select-committee members, discuss the latest council initiatives, learn about new truck and off-road trends and find out what volunteer opportunities are available in the industry.

The SEMA Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) will host its second meetup of the year at the Adventure Expo in Costa Mesa, California, Saturday, March 7, from 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.

All TORA members and truck and off-road professionals are encouraged to attend. This is a great chance for industry professionals to connect with select-committee members, discuss the latest council initiatives, learn about new truck and off-road trends and find out what volunteer opportunities are available in the industry.

If you live in the SoCal area, and you’re a current TORA member or interested in getting more involved, RSVP today and join TORA for an evening of light refreshments and engaging conversation with fellow colleagues.

For more information, contact SEMA Vice President of Councils and Membership Nathan Ridnour at nathanr@sema.org.

By Ashley Reyes

Chris Kersting, SEMA’s president and CEO, has been selected to present the keynote address to open the 2020 BIG Show at the Gaylord Texan Resort Hotel and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas.

Kersting, who has been CEO of the trade association for the past 18 years, will share his uniquely qualified perspective into trends and patterns that provide insight about where the automotive industry is heading.

“When selecting a keynote speaker, we looked for an individual that would exemplify this year’s theme: Our Vision for Serving the Aftermarket,” said Keystone Automotive Operations President Bill Rogers. “Chris is an industry advocate, and as he leads SEMA into the new decade, he plays a vital role in many aspects of the automotive aftermarket. We couldn’t think of a better way to kick off The 2020 BIG Show and we’re looking forward to hearing Chris’ insights.”

Kersting will discuss several factors and how they are impacting the future of the automotive industry, including the increase in electrified and alternative-fuel vehicles, interest from the youth market and the ever-evolving regulatory landscape. Keynote attendees will learn more about what will power our vehicles in the future, how interested the next generation is in cars and how government regulations will affect the automotive industry. As he connects the dots between past, present and future indicators, Kersting will paint a realistic picture of disruptions and opportunities in the automotive aftermarket.

The BIG Show opens March 27 with Kersting’s keynote address presented by LEER, followed by a preview of the show floor and more than 250 suppliers and brands showcasing their products. With more than 75 featured vehicles, in addition to innovative product displays and technology throughout the 180,000-sq.-ft. convention center, The BIG Show is a premier automotive aftermarket industry event.

“There are few individuals who possess the insight into the opportunities and challenges facing the automotive aftermarket than Chris Kersting,” said John Aleva, president and COO, Truck Accessories Group/LEER. “As SEMA CEO, he has an important viewpoint on these timely topics that will resonate with BIG Show attendees. We are proud to be sponsoring this informative and educational keynote address.”

The Keystone BIG Show, presented by Weatherguard, brings together leading suppliers and manufacturers in the specialty automotive parts and accessories industry. The relaxed and interactive environment offers customers and exhibitors opportunities to connect, share and discover.

Attendees will also be treated to an opening night concert and a closing reception.

For more information on The BIG Show, visit www.keystoneBIGshow.com.

By SEMA Editors

The Las Vegas Convention Center’s exhibit space, halls, sections and operations for the 2020 SEMA Show will remain the same as last year.

SEMA Show management has announced that the Las Vegas Convention Center's (LVCC) exhibit space, halls, sections and operations for the 2020 SEMA Show will remain the same as last year (2019).

The LVCC is currently in Phase II of the planned construction, which is scheduled to be complete by January 2021.

For the 2021 SEMA Show, the newly expanded hall, located adjacent to the LVCC, will contain 600,000 sq.-ft. of exhibit space. The SEMA Board of Directors and Show staff are currently working on a process to create a smooth transition to the new space.

For more information about the 2020 SEMA Show, taking place Tuesday–Friday, November 3–6, visit www.SEMAShow.com. To exhibit, get started at www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

By SEMA Editors

The Las Vegas Convention Center’s exhibit space, halls, sections and operations for the 2020 SEMA Show will remain the same as last year.

SEMA Show management has announced that the Las Vegas Convention Center's (LVCC) exhibit space, halls, sections and operations for the 2020 SEMA Show will remain the same as last year (2019).

The LVCC is currently in Phase II of the planned construction, which is scheduled to be complete by January 2021.

For the 2021 SEMA Show, the newly expanded hall, located adjacent to the LVCC, will contain 600,000 sq.-ft. of exhibit space. The SEMA Board of Directors and Show staff are currently working on a process to create a smooth transition to the new space.

For more information about the 2020 SEMA Show, taking place Tuesday–Friday, November 3–6, visit www.SEMAShow.com. To exhibit, get started at www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.