By Becca Butler

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund awarded a total of $168,000 to 61 individuals this year. This includes 50 SEMA scholarships presented to current students, and 11 loan-forgiveness awards presented to employees of SEMA-member companies.

Recipients of these scholarships are currently pursuing degrees in accounting, automotive aftermarket fields, automotive technology, biomedical engineering, business management, chemical engineering, computer and information sciences, electrical engineering, graphic design, hospitality industry, industrial arts, industrial engineering and design, marketing, mechanical engineering, multimedia journalism, petroleum engineering and sports management.

More than $2.1 million has been awarded to over 1,200 deserving students since the program's establishment in 1984. The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund and the SEMA Loan Forgiveness Program are dedicated to fostering the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators by helping them get off to a successful start in their education and automotive aftermarket career.

The online application for next year's awards will be accepted November 1, 2016, through March 1, 2017, at www.sema.org/scholarships.

For questions or additional information, contact Juliet Marshall at 909-978-6655 or email julietm@SEMA.org.

2016 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Award Winners

• Austin Hiebert, McPherson College (Top Student and Jeff Moses-Automotive Restoration Market Organization-ARMO Award Winner)
• Steve Alexander III, Georgia Institute of Technology — Bernie Karp Award
• David Beahr, West Virginia University
• Matthew Bisbee, Lake Superior College
• Joshua Bowman, Pennsylvania State University — Joe Amato Award
• Michael Bowyer, University of Michigan-Dearborn
• Skyler Brungardt, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology  
• Brenden Bungert, University of Minnesota Duluth — Professional Restylers Organization-PRO Award
• Spencer Clark, University of Wisconsin-Madison  
• Gregory Cooke, Georgia Institute of Technology — Bernie Karp Award
• Ernesto Covarrubias, California State University, Los Angeles — K&N Engineering Award
• Benjamin Curtis, Clemson University — Wheel & Tire Council-WTC Award
• Luis de Casenave, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez  
• Nicholas D'Orazio, Georgia Institute of Technology — Bernie Karp Award
• Austin Ellis, Colorado School of Mines — Emerging Trends & Technology Network-ETTN Award
• Dalton Ellis, Aims Community College
• Logan Farmer, University of Northwestern Ohio
• Matt Fuka, University of North Dakota
• Lael Gobble, Georgia Institute of Technology — Bernie Karp Award
• Austin Heinzerling, University of Iowa — Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council-MPMC Award
• Ryan Henderson, Pennsylvania State University
• Benjamin Hoertnagl-Pereira, John Hopkins University
• Josey Hrbek, Kettering University
• Almambet Iskakov, Georgia Institute of Technology — Bernie Karp Award
• Arnav Jain, The University of Texas at Austin
• Alyssa Kawasaki, California State University, Long Beach — Performance Warehouse Association-PWA Award
• Conner Knepley, Western Michigan University
• Caleb Knotts, University of Northwestern Ohio — Joe Hrudka Award
• Daniel Konzelman, Northwest University
• Alyson Kuch, Spring Arbor University
• Adam Lecznar, Kettering University
• Brian Leung, San Diego City College & University of California, San Diego — Louis L. Borick Award
• Charles Mancino, Kettering University
• Gabrielle May, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
• Ian McKibben, Savannah College of Art and Design
• Summer Miller, Brookhaven College — Leo Kagan and SEMA Businesswomen's Network-SBN Award
• John Napa, College of Southern Nevada — Melvin Burton Award
• Jeremy Peterson, University of Wisconsin-Platteville
• Suong Pham, University of Houston
• Trevor Sheehan, Sr., University of Northwestern Ohio — Dan Borre Award
• Samuel Shelhoss, Clemson University — Nat Danas Award
• Sarah Spoto, University of Rochester — Mike Kunzman & Manufacturers Representative Network-MRN Award
• Spencer Steele, Bradley University — Steve Woomer Award
• Austyn Sullivan-Watson, University of Idaho — John Menzler and Hot Rod Industry Alliance-HRIA Award
• Brian Tea, The University of Texas at Austin
• Alex Van Nest, Clemson University
• Cora Veltman, Valparaiso University — Wally Parks Award
• Chase Wilderman, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
• Adreenah Wynn, University of Florida
• Bryan Yap, California State University, Long Beach — Thurston Warn Award

2016 SEMA Loan Forgiveness Award Winners

• Danielle Campbell, WeatherTech — Trudy Thompson Award
• Edward Carter, Motor State Distributing   
• Daniel Dokter, General Motors
• Tate Emerson, A.R.E. Accessories — Harlan Felder and Truck and Off-Road Alliance-TORA Award
• Collin Gentry, Meyer Distributing — Performance Warehouse Association-PWA Award
• Robert Haynes, Holley Performance Products — Young Executives Network-YEN Award
• Robert Martin, Motor State Distributing — Jim A. Borre Award
• Traci Nigon, QA1 Precision Products — Performance Warehouse Association-PWA Award
• Michael Robins, Ford Performance Parts   
• Angel Scharklet, Holley Performance Products
• Heather Wilson, Kahn Media — John Raffa Award

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Show annually includes Education Days—a complete lineup of educational sessions covering topics ranging from customer service and marketing, to cash flow and industry trends. Conducted by industry leaders and business experts from across the globe, the seminars are designed to help attendees sell more, be more productive, and prepare for emerging trends and opportunities.

SEMA Education will include SEMA Biz Tips weekly in SEMA eNews. Many of the experts featured in SEMA Biz Tips videos conducted seminars at the 2015 SEMA Show. In this week’s video, Joanne Lipman explains the importance of understanding unconscious bias and what can be done to overcome it.

The 2016 SEMA Show will be held November 1–4, 2016, in Las Vegas. Exhibitors: buy a booth now!

To learn more about SEMA’s education resources, visit www.sema.org/education. Additional Biz Tips videos are available to view at www.sema.org/biz-tips.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Show annually includes Education Days—a complete lineup of educational sessions covering topics ranging from customer service and marketing, to cash flow and industry trends. Conducted by industry leaders and business experts from across the globe, the seminars are designed to help attendees sell more, be more productive, and prepare for emerging trends and opportunities.

SEMA Education will include SEMA Biz Tips weekly in SEMA eNews. Many of the experts featured in SEMA Biz Tips videos conducted seminars at the 2015 SEMA Show. In this week’s video, Joanne Lipman explains the importance of understanding unconscious bias and what can be done to overcome it.

The 2016 SEMA Show will be held November 1–4, 2016, in Las Vegas. Exhibitors: buy a booth now!

To learn more about SEMA’s education resources, visit www.sema.org/education. Additional Biz Tips videos are available to view at www.sema.org/biz-tips.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Show annually includes Education Days—a complete lineup of educational sessions covering topics ranging from customer service and marketing, to cash flow and industry trends. Conducted by industry leaders and business experts from across the globe, the seminars are designed to help attendees sell more, be more productive, and prepare for emerging trends and opportunities.

SEMA Education will include SEMA Biz Tips weekly in SEMA eNews. Many of the experts featured in SEMA Biz Tips videos conducted seminars at the 2015 SEMA Show. In this week’s video, Joanne Lipman explains the importance of understanding unconscious bias and what can be done to overcome it.

The 2016 SEMA Show will be held November 1–4, 2016, in Las Vegas. Exhibitors: buy a booth now!

To learn more about SEMA’s education resources, visit www.sema.org/education. Additional Biz Tips videos are available to view at www.sema.org/biz-tips.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Show annually includes Education Days—a complete lineup of educational sessions covering topics ranging from customer service and marketing, to cash flow and industry trends. Conducted by industry leaders and business experts from across the globe, the seminars are designed to help attendees sell more, be more productive, and prepare for emerging trends and opportunities.

SEMA Education will include SEMA Biz Tips weekly in SEMA eNews. Many of the experts featured in SEMA Biz Tips videos conducted seminars at the 2015 SEMA Show. In this week’s video, Joanne Lipman explains the importance of understanding unconscious bias and what can be done to overcome it.

The 2016 SEMA Show will be held November 1–4, 2016, in Las Vegas. Exhibitors: buy a booth now!

To learn more about SEMA’s education resources, visit www.sema.org/education. Additional Biz Tips videos are available to view at www.sema.org/biz-tips.

By Becca Butler

Exhibitors who submitted an application should have received an e-mail that confirms their application was received.

The application deadline to host a press conference at the 2016 SEMA Show has passed, and Show management has already begun developing the official schedule. Exhibitors who submitted an application should have received an e-mail that confirms their application was received.

Submitting an application does not guarantee placement on the official schedule. Companies will hear of their application status by mid-August, and dates/times will be assigned by the first week of September.

If you did not receive a confirmation email or have questions regarding press conferences at the SEMA Show, contact Becca Butler at beccab@sema.org.

By Becca Butler

Exhibitors who submitted an application should have received an e-mail that confirms their application was received.

The application deadline to host a press conference at the 2016 SEMA Show has passed, and Show management has already begun developing the official schedule. Exhibitors who submitted an application should have received an e-mail that confirms their application was received.

Submitting an application does not guarantee placement on the official schedule. Companies will hear of their application status by mid-August, and dates/times will be assigned by the first week of September.

If you did not receive a confirmation email or have questions regarding press conferences at the SEMA Show, contact Becca Butler at beccab@sema.org.

By Becca Butler

Exhibitors who submitted an application should have received an e-mail that confirms their application was received.

The application deadline to host a press conference at the 2016 SEMA Show has passed, and Show management has already begun developing the official schedule. Exhibitors who submitted an application should have received an e-mail that confirms their application was received.

Submitting an application does not guarantee placement on the official schedule. Companies will hear of their application status by mid-August, and dates/times will be assigned by the first week of September.

If you did not receive a confirmation email or have questions regarding press conferences at the SEMA Show, contact Becca Butler at beccab@sema.org.

By Washington, D.C., Staff

The SEMA Garage Open House provided racing enthusiasts and SEMA members with a number of opportunities to engage with their lawmakers, customers, families and friends about the RPM Act and the need to protect the future of motorsports.

Hundreds of motorsports manufacturers, racers, celebrities and supporters gathered at the SEMA Garage’s annual Open House last week, where they got a firsthand look at SEMA’s state-of-the-art facility.

The event underscored the ongoing uncertainty regarding how the motorsports industry is regulated. Despite withdrawing a problematic racing regulation in April, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains that it has the authority to regulate street vehicles modified exclusively for the track and the businesses that make those products – despite Congressional intent.

A bipartisan bill now pending in the U.S. Congress, the RPM Act, would make it clear now and in the future that modification of street vehicles for competition is legal and beyond the reach of EPA regulations. The RPM Act addresses any doubts regarding regulation of racecars and gives the public and racecar industry much-needed certainty regarding how the Clean Air Act is applied.

The Open House provided racing enthusiasts and SEMA members with a number of opportunities to engage with their lawmakers, customers, families and friends about the RPM Act and the need to protect the future of motorsports.

If you missed the Open House, check out the digital toolkit provided to attendees: www.sema.org/rpmtools.

The toolkit includes a sample press release, sample letter to the editor, and post for you to share on social media. Questions about how to use the materials? Contact SEMA’s DC team at san@sema.org.

You can learn about additional ways to support the RPM Act and the future of racing here: www.sema.org/epa-act.

About the SEMA Garage

Each year, SEMA members introduce thousands of cutting-edge tools and accessories designed to add enjoyment to vehicle ownership. While some have universal fitments, many have model-specific applications that require significantly more research and development.

The SEMA Garage gives SEMA-member businesses access to the special high-tech tools and equipment needed to get products off the drawing board and into customer hands. It is the only known facility of its kind in the United States.

Covering 15,000 square feet and filled with nearly $2 million of equipment, the SEMA Garage includes all of the tools specialty-product developers could hope for and then some, including two vehicle lifts, a portable coordinate measuring machine (CMM) for 3D scanning, a 3D printer for fast prototyping, digital race car scales for the most precise vehicle weight measurements and a dynamometer for power output measurements.

By Washington, D.C., Staff

The SEMA Garage Open House provided racing enthusiasts and SEMA members with a number of opportunities to engage with their lawmakers, customers, families and friends about the RPM Act and the need to protect the future of motorsports.

Hundreds of motorsports manufacturers, racers, celebrities and supporters gathered at the SEMA Garage’s annual Open House last week, where they got a firsthand look at SEMA’s state-of-the-art facility.

The event underscored the ongoing uncertainty regarding how the motorsports industry is regulated. Despite withdrawing a problematic racing regulation in April, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains that it has the authority to regulate street vehicles modified exclusively for the track and the businesses that make those products – despite Congressional intent.

A bipartisan bill now pending in the U.S. Congress, the RPM Act, would make it clear now and in the future that modification of street vehicles for competition is legal and beyond the reach of EPA regulations. The RPM Act addresses any doubts regarding regulation of racecars and gives the public and racecar industry much-needed certainty regarding how the Clean Air Act is applied.

The Open House provided racing enthusiasts and SEMA members with a number of opportunities to engage with their lawmakers, customers, families and friends about the RPM Act and the need to protect the future of motorsports.

If you missed the Open House, check out the digital toolkit provided to attendees: www.sema.org/rpmtools.

The toolkit includes a sample press release, sample letter to the editor, and post for you to share on social media. Questions about how to use the materials? Contact SEMA’s DC team at san@sema.org.

You can learn about additional ways to support the RPM Act and the future of racing here: www.sema.org/epa-act.

About the SEMA Garage

Each year, SEMA members introduce thousands of cutting-edge tools and accessories designed to add enjoyment to vehicle ownership. While some have universal fitments, many have model-specific applications that require significantly more research and development.

The SEMA Garage gives SEMA-member businesses access to the special high-tech tools and equipment needed to get products off the drawing board and into customer hands. It is the only known facility of its kind in the United States.

Covering 15,000 square feet and filled with nearly $2 million of equipment, the SEMA Garage includes all of the tools specialty-product developers could hope for and then some, including two vehicle lifts, a portable coordinate measuring machine (CMM) for 3D scanning, a 3D printer for fast prototyping, digital race car scales for the most precise vehicle weight measurements and a dynamometer for power output measurements.