By Chad Simon

Nearly 400 members of the automotive specialty-parts industry attended the 2016 SEMA Installation and Gala, themed “Leaders & Legends,” at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center in Pomona, California on July 29, to pay tribute to the specialty-equipment industry’s pioneers and dedicated volunteers. Honorees included the SEMA Hall of Fame class of 2016—Matt Agosta, Chip Foose and Gary Hooker. Dennis Pittsenbarger and Jessi Combs filled the void as emcee—a position in which the “Voice of the NHRA” Dave McClelland was entrenched for so many years.

The festivities were kicked-off by the Pinewood Drag Races—an annual fundraiser for SEMA Cares charities, including Childhelp and Victory Junction. The races are made up of Stock, Build-It-For-Me (BIFM) and Unlimited classes. Children living at the Childhelp facilities and Victory Junction campers built the vehicles for the BIFM class and donors sponsored their racecars for $95.

A reception followed shortly after the races ended, where SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting took the stage to personally recognize outgoing SEMA Board members: Jeff Bates of Bob Cook Sales and Tim Watts of Superlift Suspension, and newly elected members: Chris Douglas of COMP Performance Group and Les Rudd of Bob Cook Sales.

Here’s a look at the pinewood leaderboard:

Build It For Me Class (cars and trucks built by kids)

1st Place: Retrax (Truck)
2nd Place: Lund (Truck)
3rd Place: SEMA (Car-Mustang)

Stock Class

1st Place: Dave Williams, Go Rhino Products (Car-Mustang)
2nd Place: AAM Total Truck Centers (Truck) Honoring Hall of Fame Inductee Matt Agosta
3rd Place: AAM Performance Corner (Truck) Honoring Hall of Fame Inductee Gary Hooker

Unlimited Class

1st Place: Perfect Circle/Duffus best time 2.938 seconds
2nd Place: Motovicity Radio Flyer Wagon, second best time 3.081
3rd Place: Christopher Witherspoon, StarFire Race Plugs, third Best time 3.122

While the racing is over, it’s not too late to make a direct donation to Childhelp and Victory Junction via SEMA Cares.

The following photos showcase activities and events from the 2016 SEMA Installation Gala.

Prior to the gala program beginning, guests connected during the event’s reception, featuring live music.		Themed “Leaders & Legends,” the 2016 Installation and Gala was held at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center in Pomona, California.
The gala was emceed by industry personalities Jessi Combs (right) and Dennis Pittsenbarger.		The SEMA Pinewood Drag Races, held in conjunction with the Installation Gala, raises money for the charities supported by SEMA Cares.
New board members, such as Chris Douglas of COMP Performance Group (middle), are formally introduced during the gala. Flanking Douglas are SEMA President Chris Kersting (left) and SEMA Chairman of the Board Doug Evans.		2016 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Matt Agosta.
2016 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Chip Foose.		2016 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Gary Hooker.

By Chad Simon

Nearly 400 members of the automotive specialty-parts industry attended the 2016 SEMA Installation and Gala, themed “Leaders & Legends,” at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center in Pomona, California on July 29, to pay tribute to the specialty-equipment industry’s pioneers and dedicated volunteers. Honorees included the SEMA Hall of Fame class of 2016—Matt Agosta, Chip Foose and Gary Hooker. Dennis Pittsenbarger and Jessi Combs filled the void as emcee—a position in which the “Voice of the NHRA” Dave McClelland was entrenched for so many years.

The festivities were kicked-off by the Pinewood Drag Races—an annual fundraiser for SEMA Cares charities, including Childhelp and Victory Junction. The races are made up of Stock, Build-It-For-Me (BIFM) and Unlimited classes. Children living at the Childhelp facilities and Victory Junction campers built the vehicles for the BIFM class and donors sponsored their racecars for $95.

A reception followed shortly after the races ended, where SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting took the stage to personally recognize outgoing SEMA Board members: Jeff Bates of Bob Cook Sales and Tim Watts of Superlift Suspension, and newly elected members: Chris Douglas of COMP Performance Group and Les Rudd of Bob Cook Sales.

Here’s a look at the pinewood leaderboard:

Build It For Me Class (cars and trucks built by kids)

1st Place: Retrax (Truck)
2nd Place: Lund (Truck)
3rd Place: SEMA (Car-Mustang)

Stock Class

1st Place: Dave Williams, Go Rhino Products (Car-Mustang)
2nd Place: AAM Total Truck Centers (Truck) Honoring Hall of Fame Inductee Matt Agosta
3rd Place: AAM Performance Corner (Truck) Honoring Hall of Fame Inductee Gary Hooker

Unlimited Class

1st Place: Perfect Circle/Duffus best time 2.938 seconds
2nd Place: Motovicity Radio Flyer Wagon, second best time 3.081
3rd Place: Christopher Witherspoon, StarFire Race Plugs, third Best time 3.122

While the racing is over, it’s not too late to make a direct donation to Childhelp and Victory Junction via SEMA Cares.

The following photos showcase activities and events from the 2016 SEMA Installation Gala.

Prior to the gala program beginning, guests connected during the event’s reception, featuring live music.		Themed “Leaders & Legends,” the 2016 Installation and Gala was held at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center in Pomona, California.
The gala was emceed by industry personalities Jessi Combs (right) and Dennis Pittsenbarger.		The SEMA Pinewood Drag Races, held in conjunction with the Installation Gala, raises money for the charities supported by SEMA Cares.
New board members, such as Chris Douglas of COMP Performance Group (middle), are formally introduced during the gala. Flanking Douglas are SEMA President Chris Kersting (left) and SEMA Chairman of the Board Doug Evans.		2016 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Matt Agosta.
2016 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Chip Foose.		2016 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Gary Hooker.

By Chad Simon

Nearly 400 members of the automotive specialty-parts industry attended the 2016 SEMA Installation and Gala, themed “Leaders & Legends,” at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center in Pomona, California on July 29, to pay tribute to the specialty-equipment industry’s pioneers and dedicated volunteers. Honorees included the SEMA Hall of Fame class of 2016—Matt Agosta, Chip Foose and Gary Hooker. Dennis Pittsenbarger and Jessi Combs filled the void as emcee—a position in which the “Voice of the NHRA” Dave McClelland was entrenched for so many years.

The festivities were kicked-off by the Pinewood Drag Races—an annual fundraiser for SEMA Cares charities, including Childhelp and Victory Junction. The races are made up of Stock, Build-It-For-Me (BIFM) and Unlimited classes. Children living at the Childhelp facilities and Victory Junction campers built the vehicles for the BIFM class and donors sponsored their racecars for $95.

A reception followed shortly after the races ended, where SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting took the stage to personally recognize outgoing SEMA Board members: Jeff Bates of Bob Cook Sales and Tim Watts of Superlift Suspension, and newly elected members: Chris Douglas of COMP Performance Group and Les Rudd of Bob Cook Sales.

Here’s a look at the pinewood leaderboard:

Build It For Me Class (cars and trucks built by kids)

1st Place: Retrax (Truck)
2nd Place: Lund (Truck)
3rd Place: SEMA (Car-Mustang)

Stock Class

1st Place: Dave Williams, Go Rhino Products (Car-Mustang)
2nd Place: AAM Total Truck Centers (Truck) Honoring Hall of Fame Inductee Matt Agosta
3rd Place: AAM Performance Corner (Truck) Honoring Hall of Fame Inductee Gary Hooker

Unlimited Class

1st Place: Perfect Circle/Duffus best time 2.938 seconds
2nd Place: Motovicity Radio Flyer Wagon, second best time 3.081
3rd Place: Christopher Witherspoon, StarFire Race Plugs, third Best time 3.122

While the racing is over, it’s not too late to make a direct donation to Childhelp and Victory Junction via SEMA Cares.

The following photos showcase activities and events from the 2016 SEMA Installation Gala.

Prior to the gala program beginning, guests connected during the event’s reception, featuring live music.		Themed “Leaders & Legends,” the 2016 Installation and Gala was held at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center in Pomona, California.
The gala was emceed by industry personalities Jessi Combs (right) and Dennis Pittsenbarger.		The SEMA Pinewood Drag Races, held in conjunction with the Installation Gala, raises money for the charities supported by SEMA Cares.
New board members, such as Chris Douglas of COMP Performance Group (middle), are formally introduced during the gala. Flanking Douglas are SEMA President Chris Kersting (left) and SEMA Chairman of the Board Doug Evans.		2016 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Matt Agosta.
2016 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Chip Foose.		2016 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Gary Hooker.

By Jason Catullo

The 2016 SEMA Show’s Deadline Checklist is a quick reference for due dates and deadlines, several of which offer money-saving advanced rates for confirming prior to the deadline.

To stay ahead of Show planning and take advantage of discounts, SEMA Show exhibitors are encouraged to use the 2016 SEMA Show’s Deadline Checklist located in the Exhibitor Services Manual (ESM). The checklist is a quick reference for the Show's due dates and deadlines, several of which offer money-saving advanced rates for confirming prior to the deadline.

Below is a list of exhibitor deadlines for August. To access the ESM, visit www.SEMAShow.com/esm. Access the complete Deadline Checklist in PDF form.

August 14    
Exhibitor Product Training Session Application: Promote and demonstrate the technical applications of your products by conducting a Product Training Session. All topics must be technical in nature, and the sessions will be conducted in the New Products section of the Show. Applications must be received by August 14 to be included in the Show’s printed material.

August 23
Show Directory Advertising Space Reservations: There are a wide range of sponsorship, advertising and marketing opportunities available to 2016 SEMA Show exhibitors. Access the SEMA Show Sponsorship Brochure to learn more.

August 26
Show Directory Listing Information Due: The SEMA Show Directory is the main tool that buyers and media use to learn about companies and locate them at the Show. SEMA Show management encourages exhibitors to ensure that company information, such as city and state, is up to date, and that the product categories selected correctly identify the company’s main business. Only an exhibitor’s product category will be included in the printed 2016 SEMA Show Directory. Additional Show Directory Update instructions are available at www.SEMAShow.com/show-directory-instructions.

August 29
Hot Works Permit Applications Due to Clark County: Clark County Fire Department (CCFD) requires a “Hot Works Permit” if an exhibitor plans any welding, cutting, open torches, open flames, brazing, soldering, thermal spraying, grinding, and/or any other similar activity in an exhibitor’s booth or anywhere on the property.

For more information on the SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

By Jason Catullo

The 2016 SEMA Show’s Deadline Checklist is a quick reference for due dates and deadlines, several of which offer money-saving advanced rates for confirming prior to the deadline.

To stay ahead of Show planning and take advantage of discounts, SEMA Show exhibitors are encouraged to use the 2016 SEMA Show’s Deadline Checklist located in the Exhibitor Services Manual (ESM). The checklist is a quick reference for the Show's due dates and deadlines, several of which offer money-saving advanced rates for confirming prior to the deadline.

Below is a list of exhibitor deadlines for August. To access the ESM, visit www.SEMAShow.com/esm. Access the complete Deadline Checklist in PDF form.

August 14    
Exhibitor Product Training Session Application: Promote and demonstrate the technical applications of your products by conducting a Product Training Session. All topics must be technical in nature, and the sessions will be conducted in the New Products section of the Show. Applications must be received by August 14 to be included in the Show’s printed material.

August 23
Show Directory Advertising Space Reservations: There are a wide range of sponsorship, advertising and marketing opportunities available to 2016 SEMA Show exhibitors. Access the SEMA Show Sponsorship Brochure to learn more.

August 26
Show Directory Listing Information Due: The SEMA Show Directory is the main tool that buyers and media use to learn about companies and locate them at the Show. SEMA Show management encourages exhibitors to ensure that company information, such as city and state, is up to date, and that the product categories selected correctly identify the company’s main business. Only an exhibitor’s product category will be included in the printed 2016 SEMA Show Directory. Additional Show Directory Update instructions are available at www.SEMAShow.com/show-directory-instructions.

August 29
Hot Works Permit Applications Due to Clark County: Clark County Fire Department (CCFD) requires a “Hot Works Permit” if an exhibitor plans any welding, cutting, open torches, open flames, brazing, soldering, thermal spraying, grinding, and/or any other similar activity in an exhibitor’s booth or anywhere on the property.

For more information on the SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

By Washington, D.C., Staff

The Voter Information tool at www.semaSAN.com/SEMAvotes has information on voting dates and deadlines.

We’ve come a long way since that frigid February night in Iowa when Republicans and Democrats gathered at churches and in school gymnasiums to cast the first votes in this year’s presidential election. What started with more than a dozen candidates has been narrowed to two: businessman Donald Trump, the Republican, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Democrat. With the finish line in sight, it’s time to make our voices heard.

Election Day is just around the corner. If you are not able to make it to the polls on November 8, you likely have the option to vote early or by absentee ballot. The Voter Information tool on www.semaSAN.com/SEMAvotes provides you with information on your state’s voting dates and deadlines.

Don’t delay. Make your plan to vote today! Be a part of our democracy and make your voice heard in November’s election.

To learn more, contact SEMA PAC & Congressional Relations Director Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.

By Washington, D.C., Staff

The Voter Information tool at www.semaSAN.com/SEMAvotes has information on voting dates and deadlines.

We’ve come a long way since that frigid February night in Iowa when Republicans and Democrats gathered at churches and in school gymnasiums to cast the first votes in this year’s presidential election. What started with more than a dozen candidates has been narrowed to two: businessman Donald Trump, the Republican, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Democrat. With the finish line in sight, it’s time to make our voices heard.

Election Day is just around the corner. If you are not able to make it to the polls on November 8, you likely have the option to vote early or by absentee ballot. The Voter Information tool on www.semaSAN.com/SEMAvotes provides you with information on your state’s voting dates and deadlines.

Don’t delay. Make your plan to vote today! Be a part of our democracy and make your voice heard in November’s election.

To learn more, contact SEMA PAC & Congressional Relations Director Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.

By Washington, D.C., Staff

The Voter Information tool at www.semaSAN.com/SEMAvotes has information on voting dates and deadlines.

We’ve come a long way since that frigid February night in Iowa when Republicans and Democrats gathered at churches and in school gymnasiums to cast the first votes in this year’s presidential election. What started with more than a dozen candidates has been narrowed to two: businessman Donald Trump, the Republican, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Democrat. With the finish line in sight, it’s time to make our voices heard.

Election Day is just around the corner. If you are not able to make it to the polls on November 8, you likely have the option to vote early or by absentee ballot. The Voter Information tool on www.semaSAN.com/SEMAvotes provides you with information on your state’s voting dates and deadlines.

Don’t delay. Make your plan to vote today! Be a part of our democracy and make your voice heard in November’s election.

To learn more, contact SEMA PAC & Congressional Relations Director Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.

By Brendan Gillespie

The New Products Showcase is a top buyer and media destination, making it a must for companies seeking additional product exposure and company outreach.

With less than 90 days before the opening of the 2016 SEMA Show, exhibitors are encouraged to enter products now for the New Products Showcase.

The New Products Showcase is a top buyer and media destination, making it a must for companies seeking additional product exposure and company outreach. SEMA Show management reports that more than half of SEMA Show buyers are influenced to visit an exhibitor after seeing their product in the New Products Showcase.

As one of the most cost-effective ways for companies to build on their Show investment and generate more publicity, the New Products Showcase pays dividends year-round. All of the products in the Showcase are photographed and featured in SEMA News and on www.SEMAphotos.com. Every product entered in the showcase features detailed product information, as well as traditional descriptive signs, adding a layer of convenience for buyers and media. They will also be promoted to the media and utilized for the product information available to buyers at the Show.

In addition to highlighting the industry’s newest releases, the New Products Showcase includes a Featured Products category for exhibitors to highlight their signature products or best sellers. Featured Products may be previously introduced products and do not need to qualify as new.

The best part is that your first product entry in the New Products Showcase is free! All additional entries are $75 per product category if entered by Friday, October 7, after which, the fee is $150 per product category.

For more information about the SEMA Show New Products Showcase, visit the SEMA Show website. To register for the SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com/register.

By Brendan Gillespie

The New Products Showcase is a top buyer and media destination, making it a must for companies seeking additional product exposure and company outreach.

With less than 90 days before the opening of the 2016 SEMA Show, exhibitors are encouraged to enter products now for the New Products Showcase.

The New Products Showcase is a top buyer and media destination, making it a must for companies seeking additional product exposure and company outreach. SEMA Show management reports that more than half of SEMA Show buyers are influenced to visit an exhibitor after seeing their product in the New Products Showcase.

As one of the most cost-effective ways for companies to build on their Show investment and generate more publicity, the New Products Showcase pays dividends year-round. All of the products in the Showcase are photographed and featured in SEMA News and on www.SEMAphotos.com. Every product entered in the showcase features detailed product information, as well as traditional descriptive signs, adding a layer of convenience for buyers and media. They will also be promoted to the media and utilized for the product information available to buyers at the Show.

In addition to highlighting the industry’s newest releases, the New Products Showcase includes a Featured Products category for exhibitors to highlight their signature products or best sellers. Featured Products may be previously introduced products and do not need to qualify as new.

The best part is that your first product entry in the New Products Showcase is free! All additional entries are $75 per product category if entered by Friday, October 7, after which, the fee is $150 per product category.

For more information about the SEMA Show New Products Showcase, visit the SEMA Show website. To register for the SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com/register.