A platinum anniversary is an occasion not to be taken lightly. Significant measures are required to craft a fresh concept from nothing and make it last for two decades. To remain relevant, a new program must be built with enough purpose, stamina and heart to hold ongoing relevance. Changes in technologies can render obsolete even the most well-intentioned projects. Thankfully for fans of cars and trucks, there is a dedicated legion that has steadily grown and positioned itself as a legislative force in advocating for fair automotive laws throughout the United States and Canada. For those who have followed its progress, it may come as a surprise that the accomplishments of the SEMA Action Network (SAN) now span 20 years.

A platinum anniversary is an occasion not to be taken lightly. Significant measures are required to craft a fresh concept from nothing and make it last for two decades. To remain relevant, a new program must be built with enough purpose, stamina and heart to hold ongoing relevance. Changes in technologies can render obsolete even the most well-intentioned projects. Thankfully for fans of cars and trucks, there is a dedicated legion that has steadily grown and positioned itself as a legislative force in advocating for fair automotive laws throughout the United States and Canada. For those who have followed its progress, it may come as a surprise that the accomplishments of the SEMA Action Network (SAN) now span 20 years.

Almost 70,000 SEMA members and supporters have asked congress to support the RPM Act—and it’s making a difference. Nearly 180 members of Congress are now cosponsoring the legislation to save our race cars. Click here to learn about this important motorsports bill, and tell your elected officials to support it. 

Almost 70,000 SEMA members and supporters have asked congress to support the RPM Act—and it’s making a difference. Nearly 180 members of Congress are now cosponsoring the legislation to save our race cars. Click here to learn about this important motorsports bill, and tell your elected officials to support it. 

Almost 70,000 SEMA members and supporters have asked congress to support the RPM Act—and it’s making a difference. Nearly 180 members of Congress are now cosponsoring the legislation to save our race cars. Click here to learn about this important motorsports bill, and tell your elected officials to support it. 

Almost 70,000 SEMA members and supporters have asked congress to support the RPM Act—and it’s making a difference. Nearly 180 members of Congress are now cosponsoring the legislation to save our race cars. Click here to learn about this important motorsports bill, and tell your elected officials to support it. 

By SEMA Editors

SEMA Chairman of the Board Wade Kawasaki announced a new initiative with the Petersen Automotive Museum for the preservation of the Petersen Publishing archives, which chronicle the history of American car culture from the late ’40s through the ’90s.

SEMA Chairman of the Board Wade Kawasaki announced a new initiative with the Petersen Automotive Museum for the preservation of the Petersen Publishing archives, which chronicle the history of American car culture from the late ’40s through the ’90s. The announcement begins a multi-year project to digitize and metatag more than one million photo frames.

“SEMA, Petersen Publishing and the automotive aftermarket are inexorably linked with roots tracing back to the ’40s, and we are proud to support this important project that documents and preserves our heritage,” said SEMA Chairman Wade Kawasaki. “From the early days of land speed and drag racing to technical articles to coverage of the first SEMA Shows, it’s all there in these archives, and we are excited to work with the Petersen [Automotive Museum] to share this history with the public and our members.”

Late publishing magnate Robert E. Petersen founded Petersen Publishing in 1947, helped build one of the largest publishing empires in America, and was instrumental in founding the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), SEMA and the Petersen Automotive Museum. The new archive will be housed in the Robert E. Petersen Research Library, thanks to a grant provided by the Petersen Family Trust.

The Petersen Publishing archives first made their way to the Petersen Museum thanks to The Enthusiast Network (TEN), the successor to Petersen Publishing and current owner of its marquee titles, including Hot Rod and Motor Trend. TEN CEO Scott Dickey worked with leadership teams from both SEMA and the Petersen Museum to ensure this program came to fruition.

“Thanks to SEMA, we will be able to preserve the past and document our history,” said Petersen Museum Executive Director Terry L. Karges.

By Zane Clark

Featured Guest Speaker: Ray Evernham, NASCAR Hall of Fame class of 2018 inductee.

Leading automotive performance technology experts will share the latest advancements in the racing industry during the 28th annual Advanced Engineering Technology Conference, to be held December 5–6, in conjunction with the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show in Indianapolis.

Open to owners, engine builders and design engineers of performance parts manufacturing businesses, as well as to media and racers in the industry, this year’s conference features Ray Evernham, Hendrick Motorsports and NASCAR Hall of Fame crew chief; Jon Kaase, Jon Kaase Racing Engines; Keith Dorton, Automotive Specialists; and the voice of NHRA Alan Reinhart, among others.

“We’re excited that the Advanced Engineering Technology Conference is once again in Indy during the week of the PRI Show,” said PRI General Manager Bill Miller. “Understanding and knowing the latest in advanced technology is crucial to the motorsports industry. This top-rated conference focuses on these important topics, and attending the event will be easy and convenient.”

The two-day program includes one-on-one time with presenters, raffle prizes and breakfasts and lunches. Registration is $399.95 at www.aetconline.com or by calling 909-978-6743. Save $100 with early-bird registration through October 1.

By Zane Clark

Featured Guest Speaker: Ray Evernham, NASCAR Hall of Fame class of 2018 inductee.

Leading automotive performance technology experts will share the latest advancements in the racing industry during the 28th annual Advanced Engineering Technology Conference, to be held December 5–6, in conjunction with the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show in Indianapolis.

Open to owners, engine builders and design engineers of performance parts manufacturing businesses, as well as to media and racers in the industry, this year’s conference features Ray Evernham, Hendrick Motorsports and NASCAR Hall of Fame crew chief; Jon Kaase, Jon Kaase Racing Engines; Keith Dorton, Automotive Specialists; and the voice of NHRA Alan Reinhart, among others.

“We’re excited that the Advanced Engineering Technology Conference is once again in Indy during the week of the PRI Show,” said PRI General Manager Bill Miller. “Understanding and knowing the latest in advanced technology is crucial to the motorsports industry. This top-rated conference focuses on these important topics, and attending the event will be easy and convenient.”

The two-day program includes one-on-one time with presenters, raffle prizes and breakfasts and lunches. Registration is $399.95 at www.aetconline.com or by calling 909-978-6743. Save $100 with early-bird registration through October 1.

By Chad Simon

Show and booth services provided by Freeman, a SEMA Show vendor, include shipping, material handling, carpet, chairs and tables, utilities, furnishings, signs and graphics and cleaning.

The easiest way for exhibitors to save money on Show expenses is to take advantage of advance rates. Show and booth services provided by Freeman, a SEMA Show vendor, include shipping, material handling, carpet, chairs and tables, utilities, furnishings, signs and graphics and cleaning.

According to Freeman, almost half of exhibitors do not utilize the savings offered to them by ordering before the advance rate deadlines.

“The advance rates help reduce Show costs, and are available to all exhibitors as early as May,” said SEMA Trade Shows Director Tom Gattuso. “Companies that wait until after the advance rate deadlines have passed before securing their booth services are leaving money on the table.”

Many of the discounted rates are available for services up until the beginning of October, with the exception of the internet/telephone service deadline, which is September 30.

The following services are available to exhibitors through Freeman at discounted rates if they place their orders online before their deadlines:

September 30: Internet/Telephone Orders
October 2: Rental Exhibit Order
October 9: Utilities: Air/Water/Drain Order (Westgate Exhibits)
October 13: Carpet and Booth Cleaning Order
October 13: Electrical Order (LVCC exhibits)
October 13: Exhibit Accessories
October 13: Exhibit Furnishings
October 13: Labor – Hanging Sign/Banner, Truss, Chain Hoist
October 13: Special Signs and Graphics
October 13: Utilities: Air/Water/Drain Order (LVCC Exhibits)

Complete Deadlines Checklist – Take advantage of early-bird rates—order before the deadlines!

The Deadlines Checklist provides a breakdown of all of the deadlines for booth orders, rentals, booth vehicle applications, celebrity appearance notifications and much more.

Budget Checklist – Double check your Show prep.

The budget checklist form allows exhibitors to keep track of all their costs and ensure that they are adequately prepared for their experience at the SEMA Show.

Access all of the exhibitor forms through the Exhibitor Services Manual. More information on the 2017 SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com.