By Ashley Reyes

Members of the SEMA Truck & Off-Road Alliance (TORA) and SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN) are invited to a cross-council mixer on Saturday, October 16 at the Holcomb Valley Ranch Archery Range in Big Bear, California.   

This event is the ideal opportunity for members to meet new contacts and strengthen existing connections while winding down from a busy day at the Overland Adventure Festivus event. Attendees will learn about resources available in the industry, openly network with other professionals and connect directly with select committee members who can help them get more involved in the industry.  

Overland Adventure Festivus attendees who are not current YEN or TORA members but are interested in getting more involved are invited to attend, as it is a great way to introduce yourself and learn about what SEMA Councils and Networks have to offer.   

Registration, although not required, is encouraged so that the councils can plan accordingly. Drinks and barbecue will be available.

Learn more and RSVP here. 

By Ashley Reyes

Changes to this year’s SEMA Show Student Program will give participating exhibitors and students more quality connections and value than ever before.

Through the Student Program Industry Networking Breakfast, Thursday, November 4, from 8:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m., exhibitors will host a networking table where they will engage in quality, intimate conversations with a limited number of students. Host companies will build connections by sharing their expertise, helping students explore career opportunities and inspiring students in their career paths.

“The focus on the Student Networking Breakfast is on quality connections, rather than quantity connections,” said Byron Bergmann, SEMA project manager, member services. “Whether companies are hiring or not, members have a vast amount of knowledge to share and can be a great resource for students.”

Exhibiting companies are encouraged to participate in the program. Participation, which is free to exhibiting companies, simply requires one-and-a-half hours from one company representative. No setup time or marketing materials are required.  

Register your company.

By Ashley Reyes

Watch as 15 semi-finalists compete in the 2021 SEMA Launch Pad competition, where they appear in front of industry icons with a one-minute pitch in hopes of securing a prize package worth $100,000.

The video series consists of five 20-minute episodes, in which entrepreneurs, inventors and business owners share the stories of their innovative products. Viewers will watch as competitors pitch their products in a lighting-fast round, listen in as the judges hash out their thoughts about the pitch, and even watch behind-the-scenes footage from the competitors as they share stories about the evolution of their businesses.

Serving as judges are industry veterans and experts Myles Kovacs, co-founder of DUB magazine and TIS Wheels; Jared Hare, founder of Addictive Desert Designs; Alex Parker, owner and CMO of Redline Detection; and Chip Foose, founder of Foose Design.

In episode one, which is now available on YouTube, viewers will get to know eight of the competitors: Jonathan Hurley, ToolBox Widget; Monika Kalenski, MEK Magnet; Adam Gruener, Off Road In Mind; Brendan McGrath, Dyme Performance Systems Inc.; Cameron Crummie, MDV; Alan Reyes, Xtrusion Designs LLC; DJ Potter, Sawtooth; and Robert McKeirnan, Stratos Meccanica LLC. New episodes will be released each Tuesday on the SEMA Show YouTube channel, with the final episode in the series concluding with the top-five competitors being named.

While all 15 competitors will be at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, November 2–5, the top five will compete on-site during the Show for the grand prize valued at $100,000.

Learn more about SEMA Launch Pad at www.sema.org/launchpad.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Automotive Restoration Organization (ARMO) continues its live video interview series with top builders in the industry on October 7, with an unedited and candid conversation with Kyle Tucker, president of Detroit Speed. As part of the ARMO Builder Series, the session will be hosted by Sabra Johnson of City Classic Cars and feature Tucker sharing stories about his career journey and lessons learned along the way.

In addition to starting Detroit Speed, a company that manufactures aftermarket chassis and suspension components for American musclecars and builds highly-customized vehicles, Tucker is a racer who has won numerous championships on the Goodguys Autocross and Optima USCA GTV Series. This event is the ideal time to tap into Tucker’s insight and connect directly with a recipient of the 2017 Goodguys Trendsetter award and 2017 HRIA Industry Recognition award.

Register here for the ARMO Builder Series live webinar featuring Kyle Tucker, president of Detroit Speed.

By AJ Carney

SEMA members looking for place to reconnect, refuel and recharge at the SEMA Show can choose between three new Member Lounges that provide a place to host a meeting, connect with industry leaders and snag a cup of coffee.*

Add the three Member Lounges to your Show schedule:

• Members Lounge – North (N251)
• Members Lounge – West (#58065)
• Members Lounge – Lower South (#49031)

Each lounge will have meeting space available. The meeting rooms can accommodate small groups (10 or fewer) and are available at no charge to member exhibitors and buyers.**

Reserve your meeting room prior to the Show, or to check room availability during the Show, visit the meeting room check-in counter located inside the Members Lounge.

*While supplies last.
**Non-exhibiting manufacturers and members otherwise eligible to exhibit are not permitted to use the meeting rooms.

Members Lounges are a convenient place to grab a hot or cold lunch, network with other SEMA members, access a computer with a printer and internet service, or charge your cell phone. All three Member Lounges will be open during Show hours. In Members Lounge – North only, a hot lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. daily. All three lounges will offer cold grab ‘n go meals that can be purchased any time during Show hours.

SEMA membership has its rewards! Contact SEMA’s Membership Director AJ Carney at 909-978-6697 or andreac@SEMA.org.

By Ashley Reyes

Finding the right employee to fit your company culture is important, but identifying a candidate’s personality and compatibility based off a résumé and single interview can be difficult. Discover what questions you can ask to understand a candidate’s core, if tests or team interviews might be right when screening for specific roles, and when it makes sense to utilize a professional recruiter.   

Join the live webinar on Wednesday, October 7, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT), where participants will hear real-life stories from an HR expert about challenges she has encountered and how she resolved the problems.   

The webinar is moderated by Allison Harding of Vintage Air, who is joined by speaker Cherie Johnson, HR manager, who has more than 15 years of HR experience, including owning her own business, and holds a Masters Business Administration (MBA), Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and is a Certified Myers & Briggs Type Indicator facilitator.  

The webinar includes a breakout session where participants will be guided through real-life situations and receive tips that have works for other managers.  

Register here for “Identify the Right Candidate.”

By Della Domingo

Find out what to expect from SEMA Show exhibitors by visiting the SEMA Show Online Media Center, where exhibitors have posted press releases announcing their Show-related news. The site is filled with releases highlighting the new products that will debut, vehicle that will be unveiled and more.

Below are some of the latest announcements you will find in the Online Media Center:

• Best Nano Car Paint Protection Nasiol NL272
• Maintenance Tips That Will Extend The Life Of Your Customer’s Car
• The Best Performance Brake For Trucks, SUVs and Jeeps
• PPE Develops a New Rear Differential Cover for the GM (L5P) Duramax Diesel
• The GM 10L80 Trans Gets an Extra Gallon With PPE New Pan
• CTEK To Supply Automobili Pininfarina With EV Charging Technology

All exhibitor Press releases can be found at www.semashow.com/press.

Exhibitors are welcome to upload releases free of charge.

By Juan Torres

Leading journalists from around the world are attending the 2021 SEMA Show in search of products that will resonate with enthusiasts and markets in their respective countries.

“I am looking for products that I think will do well in my home market (the UK and Europe),” said Mike Rysiecki, feature writer at Fast Ford, Auto Italia and Retro Ford magazines. “Not only am I looking for new and innovative products, but also from established vendors. New products from fledgling startups are just as important as those from established companies.”

Journalists rely on the New Products Showcase—the No. 1 destination at the SEMA Show—to find exhibitor products. Products that are entered into the Showcase receive added exposure, drive traffic to the exhibitor’s booth and are eligible to win a New Product Award and Global Media Award.

“The Global Media Awards program increases the brand awareness of exhibitors participating in the New Products Showcase,” said Linda Spencer, SEMA senior director of international and government affairs. “It is an added benefit that enables exhibitors to create relationships that could lead to business in new markets. Exhibitors are invited to attend the International Happy Hour taking place Wednesday, November 3, where they will have the opportunity to meet with the all of the international GMA journalists as well as top international buyers.”

Now in its 17th year, the GMA program helps SEMA Show exhibitors identify business opportunities in emerging international markets and build connections that can help expand their market reach.  

As part of this year’s program, journalists from a number of countries and regions, including Canada, Latin America and the Middle East, will visit the New Products Showcase during the opening day of the SEMA Show, and each will select 10 standout products to recognize with a GMA award.

“I’ve had the opportunity to be a GMA judge for 15 years, and I always look forward to identifying 10 new products that can be of use and benefit to my readers, followers and automotive business partners in Venezuela,” said Henry Pierini, director of Auto Zulia magazine. “I’m looking forward to seeing all the new products at this year’s SEMA Show and identifying those that address important aspects for us, such as safety, innovation, and feasibility.”

“I am delighted to discuss the reasons behind their award with the winners,” added Rysiecki, who serves as a GMA judge. “This can lead to deeper and ongoing follow-up discussions and the gathering of additional market insights to support an international business expansion case for winning products.”

For more information on the New Products Showcase and other ways to increase exposure at the SEMA Show, exhibitors can visit www.semashow.com/esm or contact their sales representative.

By SEMA Editors

The official 2021 SEMA Show mobile app is now available for download from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store or via the QR code below.

A great tool to maximize your time at the Show, the official SEMA Show app contains detailed exhibitor information, interactive floorplans and up-to-date event and education information—all from the convenience of your mobile device. This year, the SEMA Show app will feature a scanning function that will allow attendees to quickly capture product and exhibitor information from feature vehicles on display throughout the Show as well as the ability to scan and save products from the New Products Showcase. The app puts the entire SEMA Show in your pocket.

2021 SEMA Show mobile app features include:

• Interactivity: Users can receive detailed information about feature vehicles displayed throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center. By simply scanning a vehicle’s QR code, located on a feature vehicle sticker attached to the vehicle during check-in, the app will display the vehicle’s year, make and model; information on the exhibitor displaying the vehicle; and a list of products used on the vehicle. The app also allows users to access a list of exhibitors from 2019 and any saved product information.
• Turn-By-Turn Directions: Find the quickest route from one place to another without the need of a GPS or data service. Simply enter an exhibitor name or room nearest to you and where you want to go, and the app will provide directions.
• My Schedule: Create a schedule to keep track of the events you wish to attend.
• New Products Showcase: View all of the products entered into the New Products Showcase, complete with detailed information and photos, exactly where within the Showcase the product is displayed, and directions to the exhibitor’s booth on the Show floor.
• Product Scanner: Use your smartphone as a scanner at the New Products Showcase to create a list and map of the scanned products.
• Maps: View floorplans of all SEMA Show halls and how/where they connect to make passage from hall to hall as easy as possible.
• Exhibitors: Look up all 2021 SEMA Show exhibitors by name, Show section or product category.
• Events, Celebrity Appearances and Speakers: See lists of all the events, seminars, conferences, celebrity appearances and speakers, including day, time and location.
• Social Media: Keep up with the feeds of the official SEMA Show social media accounts, including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
• Ground Transportation: Find the best way to arrive at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Obtain information on the Las Vegas Monorail, rideshare and hotel shuttles, including pickup locations.
• SEMA eNews: Stay up to date with the latest news before, during and after the Show.

For more information about the 2021 SEMA Show, taking place November 2–5, in Las Vegas, visit www.semashow.com.

This is the ’22 Expedition ST with even less camo while towing. This prototype features twin exhaust tips, 22-in. rims and red calipers.

Looking at the Ford lineup, you’ll notice that other than the Mustang and Mustang Mach-E, the only other vehicles to brandish red calipers are the Explorer ST and the Edge ST. It appears that Ford might apply the same technique with ST as they did with the King Ranch and Timberline, which is copy and paste to any vehicle that starts with “Ex”.

When the Expedition does make it to market as an ST, power is expected to sit somewhere between 450hp–475hp and be mated to a 10-speed automatic. This boost in power would easily give the Expedition ST a 0–60 in the five-second range.

Expect an official Expedition debut in the coming months with what appears to be a heavily revised lineup.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde