By Ashley Reyes

The 2023 National Street Rod Association (NSRA) Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky, will allow visitors to participate in high-powered education sessions led by top manufacturers in the hot-rod and automotive restoration segments.

Through the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Education Days, August 3-4, at the NSRA Nationals, hot-rod builders and enthusiasts will join manufacturers as they share valuable insights and tips about their products and systems. Attendees will gain insight into new hot rod trends and innovations, connect directly with the manufacturers and learn about essential processes for modifying or upgrading their own hot-rod projects.

With 12 seminars--six seminars per day--and each presented by a different manufacturer, the HRIA Education Days program provides a one-stop educational opportunity to learn about relevant processes that benefit a hot-rod business. Click here to view the seminar schedule and session descriptions.

This year's presenting manufacturers and sessions are:

• BluePrint Engines: How to Modernize Your Hot-Rod Engine  
• Bowler Performance Transmissions: Transmission Decisions: Is More Gears the Way to Go?  
• Classic Instruments: Providing Your "Finishing Touch"
• Driven Racing Oil: Let's Talk About Oil: All Your Oil Questions Answered With the Expert  
• Edelbrock Superchargers: Modern Supercharges for Street or Race Use 
• Heidts: How to Choose the Best Suspension for Your Hot Rod 
• Painless Wiring: Automotive Electrical Basics  
• QA1: Optimizing Ride Quality and Driveablilty of Your Classic Car  
• Steele Rubber Products: Where the Rubber Meets the Ride  
• Vintage Air: Keeping Your Cool: The Basics of Performance Automotive Air  
• Watson's StreetWorks: Modern Security for Classic Rides 
• Willwood Discbrakes: Brake System Basics  

Also taking place at the Kentucky Expo Center is an HRIA open meeting and social gathering on August 2, at 3:30 p.m. EDT in room B101. The meeting is open to current and prospective HRIA members and will include a chance to network and learn about industry resources for hot-rod business. Drinks and snacks will be provided.

Register for education sessions and the open meeting here.

By SEMA Editors

Registration for the 2023 SEMA Show, October 31-November 3 in Las Vegas, is open at SEMAShow.com/register. Show management is dedicated to making the event as cost-effective as possible for all. Register by June 30 for just $40. Registration is $60 through September 29 and $120 after that date.

Registering early allows attendees to take advantage of the best rates and receive all the necessary information to plan their SEMA Show experience. Early registration also ensures that attendees will receive their badges in the mail before this year's event.

This year's SEMA Show will offer an attendee and buyer experience like no other automotive trade show on the planet. The event is the best place to see thousands of the newest automotive performance products from new and iconic exhibitors, discover the latest product and vehicle trends, and tailor a professional development plan with best-in-class education programs led by subject-matter experts, thought leaders and industry leaders.

Get started on your road to the 2023 SEMA Show by registering today at SEMAShow.com/register!

International Buyers and Attendees

International travelers can request a letter of invitation during the registration process. Unsure if you will require a visa from your country of origin? Use the U.S. Department of State's handy Visa Wizard to determine your needs. In addition, many countries are eligible for the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. If you are traveling from any eligible country, register for your Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval before your travel.

If you have questions or need assistance, contact customer service at 866-229-3687. International callers dial direct +1-224-563-3154 or email aapexsema@csreg.zohodesk.com. Service is available Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. CDT.

By SEMA Editors

Attendees of the 2023 SEMA Show, October 31-November 3 in Las Vegas, have the exclusive opportunity to become electric-vehicle (EV) certified as part of a new SEMA initiative to create a more robust career- and professional-development program year-round.

Electric Vehicles 101 Presented by Legacy EV is a full-day program set for Monday, October 30, allowing early arrivals and exhibitors to upskill themselves with a new understanding of EV powertrains in an intimate, hands-on session capped at 20 participants.

Subject-matter expert Greg Snowden of Revolt Systems will join curriculum specialists Baily Soto and Tom Santilli of Legacy EV to demonstrate how to observe, describe and predict the relationship between volts, ohms and amperes in a variety of electrical circuits; apply principles of Watt's Law; identify tools and equipment required to maintain an electrical system safely; perform a manufacturer high-voltage disconnect procedure; and much more. And attendees will work with real EV powertrains and tooling on Legacy EV training benches.

At the end of the course--broken into two sessions named "Understanding EV Anatomy and Electrical Theory" and "Applications with EV Specifications, EV Tooling, HV Safety"--attendees will receive an EV101 certification from Legacy EV, a study guide and an at-home assessment which will grant attendees seven hours of continuing education credits toward achieving and/or maintaining Legacy EV’s certification.

The cost to attend Electric Vehicles 101 presented by Legacy EV is $600 per attendee. Legacy EV will allow participants to apply the session cost ($600) toward a full Legacy EV Certified Technician certification course. 

Stay tuned for more details on the world-class SEMA Education program for 2023, including the announcement of partner education tracks and the overall keynote speaker program.

SEMA Show management is dedicated to making the event as cost-effective as possible for all. Register at SEMAShow.com/register by June 30 for just $40. Registration is $60 through September 29 and $120 after that date.

By the SEMA D.C. office

The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee's Environment, Manufacturing and Critical Minerals Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R. 1435, the "Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act," a bill designed to protect Americans' right to choose the technology that powers their motor vehicles. Meantime, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), the co-chair of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus, introduced S. 2090, a Senate companion bill to H.R. 1435. SEMA strongly supports both bills, which prohibit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from issuing a waiver for regulations that would ban the sale or use of new motor vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE) by 2035. The bills are essential to stopping California's plan to ban new ICE vehicles, which requires the EPA to waive provisions in the Clean Air Act in order for the mandate to go into effect.

"SEMA believes that vehicle owners should not be directed toward a specific technology, but rather be allowed to choose the type of vehicle that best serves them," said SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola. "The automotive aftermarket has a forward-looking vision that embraces new technology to make vehicles cleaner and more efficient, which includes hydrogen, electric, alternative fuels and continuing to improve the internal-combustion engine (ICE). SEMA thanks Sen. Mullin for introducing this important bill and is encouraged to see the Energy and Commerce Committee conduct a hearing on the legislation."

Restricting the EPA's waiver to California's ICE ban is important because if the regulation is allowed to take effect, it could lead to 17 other states that follow all or part of California's previous clean-car rules to do the same. California requires 35% of new cars, SUVs and small trucks sold to be zero-emissions starting in 2026, increasing to 68% in 2030 and 100% in 2035. In 2022, zero-emissions vehicles made up about 16% of new cars sold in California. The rule also sets durability, warranty and other provisions on zero-emissions vehicles. However, the rule does not impact the sale or use of used diesel- or gas-powered vehicles already on the road. 

Click here to send a letter to your U.S. Senator that asks them to support the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act by cosponsoring the bill. 

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.  

By the SEMA D.C. office

The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee's Environment, Manufacturing and Critical Minerals Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R. 1435, the "Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act," a bill designed to protect Americans' right to choose the technology that powers their motor vehicles. Meantime, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), the co-chair of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus, introduced S. 2090, a Senate companion bill to H.R. 1435. SEMA strongly supports both bills, which prohibit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from issuing a waiver for regulations that would ban the sale or use of new motor vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE) by 2035. The bills are essential to stopping California's plan to ban new ICE vehicles, which requires the EPA to waive provisions in the Clean Air Act in order for the mandate to go into effect.

"SEMA believes that vehicle owners should not be directed toward a specific technology, but rather be allowed to choose the type of vehicle that best serves them," said SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola. "The automotive aftermarket has a forward-looking vision that embraces new technology to make vehicles cleaner and more efficient, which includes hydrogen, electric, alternative fuels and continuing to improve the internal-combustion engine (ICE). SEMA thanks Sen. Mullin for introducing this important bill and is encouraged to see the Energy and Commerce Committee conduct a hearing on the legislation."

Restricting the EPA's waiver to California's ICE ban is important because if the regulation is allowed to take effect, it could lead to 17 other states that follow all or part of California's previous clean-car rules to do the same. California requires 35% of new cars, SUVs and small trucks sold to be zero-emissions starting in 2026, increasing to 68% in 2030 and 100% in 2035. In 2022, zero-emissions vehicles made up about 16% of new cars sold in California. The rule also sets durability, warranty and other provisions on zero-emissions vehicles. However, the rule does not impact the sale or use of used diesel- or gas-powered vehicles already on the road. 

Click here to send a letter to your U.S. Senator that asks them to support the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act by cosponsoring the bill. 

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.  

By the SEMA D.C. office

In a show of support for the specialty-equipment aftermarket, West Virginia state lawmaker and SEMA-member Gary Howell (R-WV) has penned a powerful op-ed piece for the Cumberland, Maryland Times-News. Read it here.

Howell touches on his experience as the owner of Howell Automotive in Keyser, West Virginia, and how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposal to restrict emissions standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles will affect his business and the industry.

As a reminder, the EPA has proposed rules requiring light-duty vehicles to meet increasingly stringent emissions reductions for model-year '27-'32 model year. As a result, the EPA estimates that two-thirds of new passenger vehicles sold in the United States would be electric vehicles (EV) by 2032 under its proposed standards. SEMA opposes the proposed rule as currently written.

"In terms of our economy, small businesses will be the most vulnerable to the disruptions caused by a government-regulated seismic shift to battery-electric vehicles. The automotive industry plays a significant role in West Virginia's economic vitality. In our state alone, the auto industry supports $1.3 billion in labor income and more than 27,000 jobs. The state also benefits from sales taxes on auto parts and services, which would be severely limited if these regulations shift the balance to EVs," Howell said in the article. 

Click here to sign a letter opposing the EPA's proposal, which provides an opportunity to personalize the text and explain how the agency's push to an all-electric future will impact your business.

Click here to read "EPA Emissions Proposal Aren't a Fit for West Virginians" by Gary Howell on the Times-News.com.

By the SEMA D.C. office

In a show of support for the specialty-equipment aftermarket, West Virginia state lawmaker and SEMA-member Gary Howell (R-WV) has penned a powerful op-ed piece for the Cumberland, Maryland Times-News. Read it here.

Howell touches on his experience as the owner of Howell Automotive in Keyser, West Virginia, and how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposal to restrict emissions standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles will affect his business and the industry.

As a reminder, the EPA has proposed rules requiring light-duty vehicles to meet increasingly stringent emissions reductions for model-year '27-'32 model year. As a result, the EPA estimates that two-thirds of new passenger vehicles sold in the United States would be electric vehicles (EV) by 2032 under its proposed standards. SEMA opposes the proposed rule as currently written.

"In terms of our economy, small businesses will be the most vulnerable to the disruptions caused by a government-regulated seismic shift to battery-electric vehicles. The automotive industry plays a significant role in West Virginia's economic vitality. In our state alone, the auto industry supports $1.3 billion in labor income and more than 27,000 jobs. The state also benefits from sales taxes on auto parts and services, which would be severely limited if these regulations shift the balance to EVs," Howell said in the article. 

Click here to sign a letter opposing the EPA's proposal, which provides an opportunity to personalize the text and explain how the agency's push to an all-electric future will impact your business.

Click here to read "EPA Emissions Proposal Aren't a Fit for West Virginians" by Gary Howell on the Times-News.com.

By Kristin Goodwin

Honor the 2023 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees during the SEMA Leaders & Legends Gala, July 21. Pictured above are the 2022 inductees: Walker Evans (first row, second from left), Jack Roush (first row, fourth from left) and Gene Winfield (first row, fourth from right).

The SEMA Leaders & Legends Gala returns to Anaheim, California, Friday, July 21, to honor industry leaders and volunteers and celebrate the newest members of the SEMA Hall of Fame. The Gala is open to all industry members and tickets are available here.

"The SEMA Leaders & Legends Gala is among our association's most iconic events. As the event's name implies, the Gala honors excellence and achievement, especially as embodied in our SEMA Hall of Fame inductees," said SEMA CEO and President Mike Spagnola.

(From left to right) 2023 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees Steve Ames, John Iannotte and Mitch Williams.

Among those to be honored at this year's Gala alongside incoming and outgoing board members are the 2023 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees Steve Ames, John Iannotte and Mitch Williams.

The SEMA Cares Pinewood Drags, a cherished Gala tradition, will also return to offer industry participants the chance to sponsor a child-built pinewood race car or challenge colleagues in head-to-head competition.

Sponsor a child-built pinewood race car and challenge colleagues in head-to-head competition in the cherished SEMA Cares Pinewood Drags tradition.

The races, run throughout the Friday reception and into the evening, support the fundraising of SEMA Cares.

Tickets for the SEMA Leaders & Legends Gala are available here.

Immediately following the Gala, there is a private SEMA PAC reception scheduled. For more information, visit here or contact Alicia Steger at alicias@sema.org or 202-796-2252.

By the SEMA D.C. office

Attendees of the SEMA Leaders & Legends Gala, Friday, July 21, in Anaheim, California, are invited to join the SEMA Political Action Committee (PAC) for networking, cocktails and late-night snacks following the Gala. 

While SEMA provides valuable industry resources and services, the PAC adds a critical dimension to public and government affairs by actively engaging with lawmakers, lobbying for favorable legislation, and safeguarding our future through political involvement. 

By law, SEMA cannot use association funds to impact the electoral process. This is where SEMA PAC comes in. The PAC is a resource allowing SEMA members to pool their personal funds to contribute to candidates and lawmakers supporting our industry.

The suggested contribution for this event is $125 per individual. If you have already contributed to the SEMA PAC in 2023, this event may be complimentary as a part of your PAC Membership Benefits. Interested in attending or have questions? Contact PAC Manager Alicia Steger at alicias@sema.org or 202-796-2252.

Click here to view the full PAC membership benefits. 

By Ashley Reyes

Manufacturers, retailers and builders can gain exposure through sponsorships, but of course, the partnership must benefit both parties. Understanding the give and take of these relationships is essential to a successful experience in sponsoring a vehicle, manufacturer, team, event or other similar avenues.

SEMA members are invited to the SEMA Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) General Membership Meeting and Panel Discussion on Thursday, June 22, at 10:00 a.m. PDT to learn the ins and outs of sponsorships and how to navigate the landscape.

Featuring speakers Amy Fitzgerald (Cool Hand Customs), Kevin Oeste (V8 TV) and Ben Tucker (Camaro Central), the online event will help members gain an understanding of the following:

• Donations of product and labor in turn for exposure in different areas such as print, web, in-person events and television.
• What to expect and how to negotiate deals.
• How to ensure your company gets proper exposure.
• How to protect your investment if the other party does not follow through.
• How to put a deal together, protect both parties and filter out the "I just want free parts" crowd.
• How to set and meet expectations for sponsorships.

Register here.