By Jenny Galvan

The Young Executives Network is hosting a meetup in conjunction with the Formula DRIFT Round 3: Road to the Championship competition at Road Atlanta.

SEMA’s Young Executives Network (YEN) is hosting a meetup for local professionals under the age of 40 who work in various sectors of the automotive industry. The meetup will be held in conjunction with the Formula DRIFT Round 3: Road to the Championship competition at Road Atlanta, Friday, May 11, from 7:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.

All YEN members and those interested in learning about opportunities to get involved with SEMA and build industry connections are encouraged to attend. YEN leadership and SEMA staff will be present to discuss the network’s initiatives, volunteer opportunities and additional ways to get more involved.

YEN members who RSVP will receive a complimentary, single-day pass to attend the Formula DRIFT event on Friday.

For those who live in the Atlanta area or will be in town for the Formula DRIFT competition, stop by and enjoy an evening with fellow YEN colleagues. Appetizers and drinks will be served.

RSVP now.

For more information, contact SEMA Director of Networks Bryan Harrison at bryanh@sema.org or 909-978-6691.

By Jenny Galvan

The Young Executives Network is hosting a meetup in conjunction with the Formula DRIFT Round 3: Road to the Championship competition at Road Atlanta.

SEMA’s Young Executives Network (YEN) is hosting a meetup for local professionals under the age of 40 who work in various sectors of the automotive industry. The meetup will be held in conjunction with the Formula DRIFT Round 3: Road to the Championship competition at Road Atlanta, Friday, May 11, from 7:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.

All YEN members and those interested in learning about opportunities to get involved with SEMA and build industry connections are encouraged to attend. YEN leadership and SEMA staff will be present to discuss the network’s initiatives, volunteer opportunities and additional ways to get more involved.

YEN members who RSVP will receive a complimentary, single-day pass to attend the Formula DRIFT event on Friday.

For those who live in the Atlanta area or will be in town for the Formula DRIFT competition, stop by and enjoy an evening with fellow YEN colleagues. Appetizers and drinks will be served.

RSVP now.

For more information, contact SEMA Director of Networks Bryan Harrison at bryanh@sema.org or 909-978-6691.

By Carr Winn and Clint Simone

This pilot project involves a collaboration between SEMA and the Santa Fe Early College Opportunities Applied Science Magnet School (Santa Fe ECO). Santa Fe ECO is a magnet high school that provides applied sciences and tech training along with traditional academic classes. The Jeep build project is with ECO’s Auto Tech School, which features extensive automotive training. The build began in late 2017 with the delivery of a ’15 four-wheel-drive Jeep Wrangler Unlimited to students at Santa Fe ECO Auto Shop Program in Santa Fe, New Mexico. SEMA members have contributed time and accessories to the build since work began last fall. In fact, as Sara Morosan from LGE-CTS explains, she enjoyed reconnecting with the passion and drive that helps start automotive careers.

“We work in such a great industry. I had a blast being able to help inspire young adults that are eager to learn more about the automotive industry,” said Sara Morosan, LGE-CTS Motorsports. “There is nothing like getting on the road, visiting schools and talking to students about what their passions are within the automotive industry. To be honest, it makes me feel like a kid again. I love what I do but sometimes I can treat it like a job and forget how incredibly lucky I am to do what I love every day.”

The following companies provided parts for the Santa Fe ECO Jeep Build.

Atturo Tire B&M Bedrug Bodyguard Truck Accessories Bushwacker Dometic Edelbrock Extreme Terrain Flowmaster Hellwig Products ICON Alloys ICON Vehicle Dynamics K&N Engineering Inc. Lund Metra Electronics & HEISE Rampage Rugged Ridge Seatbelt Planet Sylvania Automotive
For the students at Santa Fe ECO, the opportunity to work on a newer model vehicle and install restyling and performance accessories has been extremely beneficial.

Kelli Mallicote from Bodyguard also volunteered both time and accessories to help the students in Santa Fe. For Mallicote, the time she spent at the school gave her confidence about the future of the industry.

“It was such an honor for me to be part of this project! Being able to step away from my daily routine and share my experience and career path with these students is very rewarding. I’m blessed to be working in an industry I love, and it’s always motivating to be able to give to the generation behind me. These guys and gals will be the next designers, installers, business owners and leaders of our industry and I’m most appreciative to have been able to spend time with them on this trip,” said Kelli Mallicote, vice president, sales and marketing, for Bodyguard.

For information about the Santa Fe ECO Jeep build, visit www.sema.org/jeep-build.

By Carr Winn and Clint Simone

This pilot project involves a collaboration between SEMA and the Santa Fe Early College Opportunities Applied Science Magnet School (Santa Fe ECO). Santa Fe ECO is a magnet high school that provides applied sciences and tech training along with traditional academic classes. The Jeep build project is with ECO’s Auto Tech School, which features extensive automotive training. The build began in late 2017 with the delivery of a ’15 four-wheel-drive Jeep Wrangler Unlimited to students at Santa Fe ECO Auto Shop Program in Santa Fe, New Mexico. SEMA members have contributed time and accessories to the build since work began last fall. In fact, as Sara Morosan from LGE-CTS explains, she enjoyed reconnecting with the passion and drive that helps start automotive careers.

“We work in such a great industry. I had a blast being able to help inspire young adults that are eager to learn more about the automotive industry,” said Sara Morosan, LGE-CTS Motorsports. “There is nothing like getting on the road, visiting schools and talking to students about what their passions are within the automotive industry. To be honest, it makes me feel like a kid again. I love what I do but sometimes I can treat it like a job and forget how incredibly lucky I am to do what I love every day.”

The following companies provided parts for the Santa Fe ECO Jeep Build.

Atturo Tire B&M Bedrug Bodyguard Truck Accessories Bushwacker Dometic Edelbrock Extreme Terrain Flowmaster Hellwig Products ICON Alloys ICON Vehicle Dynamics K&N Engineering Inc. Lund Metra Electronics & HEISE Rampage Rugged Ridge Seatbelt Planet Sylvania Automotive
For the students at Santa Fe ECO, the opportunity to work on a newer model vehicle and install restyling and performance accessories has been extremely beneficial.

Kelli Mallicote from Bodyguard also volunteered both time and accessories to help the students in Santa Fe. For Mallicote, the time she spent at the school gave her confidence about the future of the industry.

“It was such an honor for me to be part of this project! Being able to step away from my daily routine and share my experience and career path with these students is very rewarding. I’m blessed to be working in an industry I love, and it’s always motivating to be able to give to the generation behind me. These guys and gals will be the next designers, installers, business owners and leaders of our industry and I’m most appreciative to have been able to spend time with them on this trip,” said Kelli Mallicote, vice president, sales and marketing, for Bodyguard.

For information about the Santa Fe ECO Jeep build, visit www.sema.org/jeep-build.

By SEMA Editors

Held in conjunction with the SEMA Installation & Gala, the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races will take place Friday, July 20, 2018, at the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City, in Universal City, California.

The 2018 Pinewood Drag Racing season is now open! Each year, hundreds of SEMA-member companies step up to generously sponsor pinewood cars, with 100% of the proceeds going to qualified SEMA Cares charities. To learn more and register, visit www.sema.org/pinewood.

Once again held in conjunction with the SEMA Installation & Gala, the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races will take place Friday, July 20, 2018, at the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City, in Universal City, California. The finals are held during the cocktail reception, shortly before the banquet begins.

SEMA members can race either a car or a truck in three classes: Build It For Me (BIFM), Stock and Unlimited. Members can either sponsor child-built cars and trucks in the Build It For Me (BIFM) or Stock Class, or they can build and enter their own SEMA-supplied stock car or truck. Stock-Class racing usually garners the most entries with a typical speed of 3.2 seconds on a 50-ft. track. For hardcore speed enthusiasts, the Unlimited Class has only one rule—that one item from the stock kit be used. Cars in this class run sub-3 seconds, and many of the past top builders include some of the most recognized names in the industry.

SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races special features include the annual HRIA Builders Challenge and the Council Cup. Watch as some of the biggest names in hot rodding build state-of-the-art custom pinewoods that will be raced and then auctioned off, with all of the proceeds going to SEMA Cares. Council members are invited to come out and challenge their peers for the opportunity to win the coveted Council Cup. The more cars or trucks fielded by each council member, the greater their chances of winning.

If you’re the hands-on type, SEMA invites you to attend the build day at Childhelp Village West in Beaumont, California, Saturday, May 5, where you can help the children sand, paint and assemble cars for the races. Each child will build two cars: one to keep and one reserved for sponsorship by a caring SEMA-member company or individual. Members interested in participating are invited to contact lindsayb@sema.org or visit the SEMA Cares Facebook page.

Proceeds from the races will benefit SEMA Cares charities, including Childhelp and Victory Junction. Childhelp assists abused and neglected children by providing counseling and programs in a safe and secure living environment. Victory Junction provides the camp experience for children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses who otherwise would not be able to go. Sponsoring a SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races car or truck is easy and rewarding. Help a child in need today!

By SEMA Editors

Held in conjunction with the SEMA Installation & Gala, the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races will take place Friday, July 20, 2018, at the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City, in Universal City, California.

The 2018 Pinewood Drag Racing season is now open! Each year, hundreds of SEMA-member companies step up to generously sponsor pinewood cars, with 100% of the proceeds going to qualified SEMA Cares charities. To learn more and register, visit www.sema.org/pinewood.

Once again held in conjunction with the SEMA Installation & Gala, the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races will take place Friday, July 20, 2018, at the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City, in Universal City, California. The finals are held during the cocktail reception, shortly before the banquet begins.

SEMA members can race either a car or a truck in three classes: Build It For Me (BIFM), Stock and Unlimited. Members can either sponsor child-built cars and trucks in the Build It For Me (BIFM) or Stock Class, or they can build and enter their own SEMA-supplied stock car or truck. Stock-Class racing usually garners the most entries with a typical speed of 3.2 seconds on a 50-ft. track. For hardcore speed enthusiasts, the Unlimited Class has only one rule—that one item from the stock kit be used. Cars in this class run sub-3 seconds, and many of the past top builders include some of the most recognized names in the industry.

SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races special features include the annual HRIA Builders Challenge and the Council Cup. Watch as some of the biggest names in hot rodding build state-of-the-art custom pinewoods that will be raced and then auctioned off, with all of the proceeds going to SEMA Cares. Council members are invited to come out and challenge their peers for the opportunity to win the coveted Council Cup. The more cars or trucks fielded by each council member, the greater their chances of winning.

If you’re the hands-on type, SEMA invites you to attend the build day at Childhelp Village West in Beaumont, California, Saturday, May 5, where you can help the children sand, paint and assemble cars for the races. Each child will build two cars: one to keep and one reserved for sponsorship by a caring SEMA-member company or individual. Members interested in participating are invited to contact lindsayb@sema.org or visit the SEMA Cares Facebook page.

Proceeds from the races will benefit SEMA Cares charities, including Childhelp and Victory Junction. Childhelp assists abused and neglected children by providing counseling and programs in a safe and secure living environment. Victory Junction provides the camp experience for children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses who otherwise would not be able to go. Sponsoring a SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races car or truck is easy and rewarding. Help a child in need today!

By SEMA Editors

Held in conjunction with the SEMA Installation & Gala, the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races will take place Friday, July 20, 2018, at the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City, in Universal City, California.

The 2018 Pinewood Drag Racing season is now open! Each year, hundreds of SEMA-member companies step up to generously sponsor pinewood cars, with 100% of the proceeds going to qualified SEMA Cares charities. To learn more and register, visit www.sema.org/pinewood.

Once again held in conjunction with the SEMA Installation & Gala, the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races will take place Friday, July 20, 2018, at the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City, in Universal City, California. The finals are held during the cocktail reception, shortly before the banquet begins.

SEMA members can race either a car or a truck in three classes: Build It For Me (BIFM), Stock and Unlimited. Members can either sponsor child-built cars and trucks in the Build It For Me (BIFM) or Stock Class, or they can build and enter their own SEMA-supplied stock car or truck. Stock-Class racing usually garners the most entries with a typical speed of 3.2 seconds on a 50-ft. track. For hardcore speed enthusiasts, the Unlimited Class has only one rule—that one item from the stock kit be used. Cars in this class run sub-3 seconds, and many of the past top builders include some of the most recognized names in the industry.

SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races special features include the annual HRIA Builders Challenge and the Council Cup. Watch as some of the biggest names in hot rodding build state-of-the-art custom pinewoods that will be raced and then auctioned off, with all of the proceeds going to SEMA Cares. Council members are invited to come out and challenge their peers for the opportunity to win the coveted Council Cup. The more cars or trucks fielded by each council member, the greater their chances of winning.

If you’re the hands-on type, SEMA invites you to attend the build day at Childhelp Village West in Beaumont, California, Saturday, May 5, where you can help the children sand, paint and assemble cars for the races. Each child will build two cars: one to keep and one reserved for sponsorship by a caring SEMA-member company or individual. Members interested in participating are invited to contact lindsayb@sema.org or visit the SEMA Cares Facebook page.

Proceeds from the races will benefit SEMA Cares charities, including Childhelp and Victory Junction. Childhelp assists abused and neglected children by providing counseling and programs in a safe and secure living environment. Victory Junction provides the camp experience for children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses who otherwise would not be able to go. Sponsoring a SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races car or truck is easy and rewarding. Help a child in need today!

By SEMA Editors

The Priority Space Selection process provides exhibitors with the opportunity to choose the best locations for their Show displays.

Companies that submitted booth space applications for the 2018 SEMA Show last month are eligible to participate in the Priority Space Selection process, which begins April 30. The process is based on exhibitor seniority, and provides companies with the opportunity to choose the best locations for their Show displays.

Leading up to the selection process, each company will be contacted via email with their booth selection date and time range. The email will be sent to the person listed as the exhibitor’s primary SEMA Show contact.

About an hour prior to the time to select, exhibitors are encouraged to be prepared by viewing the 2018 Show’s online floorplan. Updated every 30 minutes, exhibitors can see as the Show begins to take shape and monitor their desired section to gain a general idea of where they want to display.

Between April 24–27, each primary contact should take time to check their email, including their “junk” folders. Companies that have not received a correspondence by April 27 or that want to change the primary Show contact listed on the application should email sales@sema.org (or call 909-396-0289).

During the exhibitor’s time to pick, a SEMA Show account representative will call the primary SEMA Show contact and help locate and assign the exhibit space that best suits the company’s needs.

The 2018 SEMA Show is scheduled for Tuesday–Friday, October 30–November 2, in Las Vegas. There’s still time to participate in the Priority Space Selection Process. Reserve a booth space for 2018 now by visiting www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

By SEMA Editors

The Priority Space Selection process provides exhibitors with the opportunity to choose the best locations for their Show displays.

Companies that submitted booth space applications for the 2018 SEMA Show last month are eligible to participate in the Priority Space Selection process, which begins April 30. The process is based on exhibitor seniority, and provides companies with the opportunity to choose the best locations for their Show displays.

Leading up to the selection process, each company will be contacted via email with their booth selection date and time range. The email will be sent to the person listed as the exhibitor’s primary SEMA Show contact.

About an hour prior to the time to select, exhibitors are encouraged to be prepared by viewing the 2018 Show’s online floorplan. Updated every 30 minutes, exhibitors can see as the Show begins to take shape and monitor their desired section to gain a general idea of where they want to display.

Between April 24–27, each primary contact should take time to check their email, including their “junk” folders. Companies that have not received a correspondence by April 27 or that want to change the primary Show contact listed on the application should email sales@sema.org (or call 909-396-0289).

During the exhibitor’s time to pick, a SEMA Show account representative will call the primary SEMA Show contact and help locate and assign the exhibit space that best suits the company’s needs.

The 2018 SEMA Show is scheduled for Tuesday–Friday, October 30–November 2, in Las Vegas. There’s still time to participate in the Priority Space Selection Process. Reserve a booth space for 2018 now by visiting www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

By SEMA Editors

The Priority Space Selection process provides exhibitors with the opportunity to choose the best locations for their Show displays.

Companies that submitted booth space applications for the 2018 SEMA Show last month are eligible to participate in the Priority Space Selection process, which begins April 30. The process is based on exhibitor seniority, and provides companies with the opportunity to choose the best locations for their Show displays.

Leading up to the selection process, each company will be contacted via email with their booth selection date and time range. The email will be sent to the person listed as the exhibitor’s primary SEMA Show contact.

About an hour prior to the time to select, exhibitors are encouraged to be prepared by viewing the 2018 Show’s online floorplan. Updated every 30 minutes, exhibitors can see as the Show begins to take shape and monitor their desired section to gain a general idea of where they want to display.

Between April 24–27, each primary contact should take time to check their email, including their “junk” folders. Companies that have not received a correspondence by April 27 or that want to change the primary Show contact listed on the application should email sales@sema.org (or call 909-396-0289).

During the exhibitor’s time to pick, a SEMA Show account representative will call the primary SEMA Show contact and help locate and assign the exhibit space that best suits the company’s needs.

The 2018 SEMA Show is scheduled for Tuesday–Friday, October 30–November 2, in Las Vegas. There’s still time to participate in the Priority Space Selection Process. Reserve a booth space for 2018 now by visiting www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.