By Carr Winn and Juan Torres

Jacob Neuenschwander, 22, will travel to Las Vegas in a few months to compete in one of the industry’s most prestigious vehicle build competitions—the 2017 SEMA Battle of the Builders—after winning the Young Guns category at the 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals in Lima, Ohio.

The SEMA News team was on site at the Allen County Fairgrounds to capture highlights from the Jamboree weekend, including an interview with Neuenschwander moments after he was awarded one of the Young Guns Grand Prize packages.

For his Young Guns victory, Neuenschwander was awarded a spot at the 2017 SEMA Show, October 31–November 3, for his ’04 Dodge Ram pickup, which will now go head-to-head against hundreds of vehicles from some of the world’s top builders in the exclusive competition.

“It’s so awesome to win the SEMA Battle of the Builders Young Guns title. It’s a dream come true to be able to display my truck at the SEMA Show,” said Neuenschwander, who was also awarded an all-expense-paid trip for two and transportation for his truck to the Show. “It’s unreal. It will continue to seem like a dream until I finally get to the SEMA Show and it hits me that I’m actually there.”

In an effort to support young builders and recognize them as the future of the industry, SEMA created the Young Guns regional program this year and partnered with car shows to highlight builders 27 years old or younger, six of whom will be sent to the 2017 SEMA Show.

“We partnered with AutoCon, Bonnier and Goodguys due to the excellence of their shows and to recognize and encourage participation of young builders from around the country,” said SEMA Vice President of Marketing, PR and Communications Ira Gabriel. “The youth are essential to our industry. There are many amazing and talented younger enthusiasts and vehicle builders who can look to the SEMA Show and Battle of the Builders and get excited about our industry.”

SEMA Show builders interested in gaining national exposure by showcasing their car and parts through the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition can register at www.sema.org/botb. The deadline for entry is September 1.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the SEMA Show’s YouTube Channel to see the latest builder interviews and more leading up to the 2017 SEMA Show.

By Carr Winn and Juan Torres

Jacob Neuenschwander, 22, will travel to Las Vegas in a few months to compete in one of the industry’s most prestigious vehicle build competitions—the 2017 SEMA Battle of the Builders—after winning the Young Guns category at the 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals in Lima, Ohio.

The SEMA News team was on site at the Allen County Fairgrounds to capture highlights from the Jamboree weekend, including an interview with Neuenschwander moments after he was awarded one of the Young Guns Grand Prize packages.

For his Young Guns victory, Neuenschwander was awarded a spot at the 2017 SEMA Show, October 31–November 3, for his ’04 Dodge Ram pickup, which will now go head-to-head against hundreds of vehicles from some of the world’s top builders in the exclusive competition.

“It’s so awesome to win the SEMA Battle of the Builders Young Guns title. It’s a dream come true to be able to display my truck at the SEMA Show,” said Neuenschwander, who was also awarded an all-expense-paid trip for two and transportation for his truck to the Show. “It’s unreal. It will continue to seem like a dream until I finally get to the SEMA Show and it hits me that I’m actually there.”

In an effort to support young builders and recognize them as the future of the industry, SEMA created the Young Guns regional program this year and partnered with car shows to highlight builders 27 years old or younger, six of whom will be sent to the 2017 SEMA Show.

“We partnered with AutoCon, Bonnier and Goodguys due to the excellence of their shows and to recognize and encourage participation of young builders from around the country,” said SEMA Vice President of Marketing, PR and Communications Ira Gabriel. “The youth are essential to our industry. There are many amazing and talented younger enthusiasts and vehicle builders who can look to the SEMA Show and Battle of the Builders and get excited about our industry.”

SEMA Show builders interested in gaining national exposure by showcasing their car and parts through the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition can register at www.sema.org/botb. The deadline for entry is September 1.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the SEMA Show’s YouTube Channel to see the latest builder interviews and more leading up to the 2017 SEMA Show.

By Carr Winn and Juan Torres

Jacob Neuenschwander, 22, will travel to Las Vegas in a few months to compete in one of the industry’s most prestigious vehicle build competitions—the 2017 SEMA Battle of the Builders—after winning the Young Guns category at the 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals in Lima, Ohio.

The SEMA News team was on site at the Allen County Fairgrounds to capture highlights from the Jamboree weekend, including an interview with Neuenschwander moments after he was awarded one of the Young Guns Grand Prize packages.

For his Young Guns victory, Neuenschwander was awarded a spot at the 2017 SEMA Show, October 31–November 3, for his ’04 Dodge Ram pickup, which will now go head-to-head against hundreds of vehicles from some of the world’s top builders in the exclusive competition.

“It’s so awesome to win the SEMA Battle of the Builders Young Guns title. It’s a dream come true to be able to display my truck at the SEMA Show,” said Neuenschwander, who was also awarded an all-expense-paid trip for two and transportation for his truck to the Show. “It’s unreal. It will continue to seem like a dream until I finally get to the SEMA Show and it hits me that I’m actually there.”

In an effort to support young builders and recognize them as the future of the industry, SEMA created the Young Guns regional program this year and partnered with car shows to highlight builders 27 years old or younger, six of whom will be sent to the 2017 SEMA Show.

“We partnered with AutoCon, Bonnier and Goodguys due to the excellence of their shows and to recognize and encourage participation of young builders from around the country,” said SEMA Vice President of Marketing, PR and Communications Ira Gabriel. “The youth are essential to our industry. There are many amazing and talented younger enthusiasts and vehicle builders who can look to the SEMA Show and Battle of the Builders and get excited about our industry.”

SEMA Show builders interested in gaining national exposure by showcasing their car and parts through the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition can register at www.sema.org/botb. The deadline for entry is September 1.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the SEMA Show’s YouTube Channel to see the latest builder interviews and more leading up to the 2017 SEMA Show.

By SEMA Editors

Exhibitors can take advantage of the New Products Showcase by entering a qualified product for free.

While more than 3,000 credentialed members of the media attend the SEMA Show each year, standing out from among 2,000-plus exhibitors and getting the attention of reporters who are overworked and on tight deadlines can be challenging. A good media strategy, along with a well-executed trade-show plan, can generate increased product awareness and lead to profitable sales.

Of course, every exhibitor is unique, and results will vary from company to company. Nevertheless, key strategies for SEMA Show exhibitors include:

• Posting press releases in the SEMA Show Online Media Center: By posting news releases in the SEMA Show Online Media Center, you ensure that reporters looking for Show-related news do not miss out on your story. Posting to the Online Media Center can also generate coverage from SEMA’s publications and social media outlets. Post your release today.

• Entering the New Products Showcase: Exhibitors can take advantage of the New Products Showcase by entering a qualified product for free. Providing a detailed description of that product can generate additional exposure and drive traffic to the booth. The Showcase often generates additional coverage in SEMA publications and online. Enter a product now.

• Having someone dedicated to media efforts: Having an outside agency/consultant has many benefits, especially since they typically have media-relations experience and resources. However, exhibitors can still be successful by keeping their media relations in-house. The key is to assign someone the responsibility of managing the media program and to not treat it as a secondary thought. While your primary business is getting the product ready and selling to buyers, making the media a priority will lead to top results.

• Targeted media outreach: Media at the SEMA Show cover an array of market segments, including motorsports, off-road, mobile electronics and more. Reach out to media targeted to your market and industry. Conduct web-based research and audit to identify relevant media who covered the SEMA Show in previous years and reporters who would potentially be interested in their story.

• Pitches to media before the SEMA Show opens: Reporters are often contacted months before the SEMA Show and offered story ideas, images, facts and access to high-level company executives. Invite publications that are planning special SEMA Show editions, under embargo, to individual briefings with company executives in advance of the Show opening.

• Creating a comprehensive press kit: Knowing that thousands of media outlets will be at the SEMA Show, develop a comprehensive press kit to distribute onsite at the event. In addition to having press kits available to reporters in the booth, exhibitors are able to place press kits and releases in the official SEMA Show Media Center at no cost.

To learn more about all of the PR opportunities available for exhibitors, visit the Exhibitor Services Manual or contact an account rep at sales@sema.org or 909-396-0289.

By SEMA Editors

Exhibitors can take advantage of the New Products Showcase by entering a qualified product for free.

While more than 3,000 credentialed members of the media attend the SEMA Show each year, standing out from among 2,000-plus exhibitors and getting the attention of reporters who are overworked and on tight deadlines can be challenging. A good media strategy, along with a well-executed trade-show plan, can generate increased product awareness and lead to profitable sales.

Of course, every exhibitor is unique, and results will vary from company to company. Nevertheless, key strategies for SEMA Show exhibitors include:

• Posting press releases in the SEMA Show Online Media Center: By posting news releases in the SEMA Show Online Media Center, you ensure that reporters looking for Show-related news do not miss out on your story. Posting to the Online Media Center can also generate coverage from SEMA’s publications and social media outlets. Post your release today.

• Entering the New Products Showcase: Exhibitors can take advantage of the New Products Showcase by entering a qualified product for free. Providing a detailed description of that product can generate additional exposure and drive traffic to the booth. The Showcase often generates additional coverage in SEMA publications and online. Enter a product now.

• Having someone dedicated to media efforts: Having an outside agency/consultant has many benefits, especially since they typically have media-relations experience and resources. However, exhibitors can still be successful by keeping their media relations in-house. The key is to assign someone the responsibility of managing the media program and to not treat it as a secondary thought. While your primary business is getting the product ready and selling to buyers, making the media a priority will lead to top results.

• Targeted media outreach: Media at the SEMA Show cover an array of market segments, including motorsports, off-road, mobile electronics and more. Reach out to media targeted to your market and industry. Conduct web-based research and audit to identify relevant media who covered the SEMA Show in previous years and reporters who would potentially be interested in their story.

• Pitches to media before the SEMA Show opens: Reporters are often contacted months before the SEMA Show and offered story ideas, images, facts and access to high-level company executives. Invite publications that are planning special SEMA Show editions, under embargo, to individual briefings with company executives in advance of the Show opening.

• Creating a comprehensive press kit: Knowing that thousands of media outlets will be at the SEMA Show, develop a comprehensive press kit to distribute onsite at the event. In addition to having press kits available to reporters in the booth, exhibitors are able to place press kits and releases in the official SEMA Show Media Center at no cost.

To learn more about all of the PR opportunities available for exhibitors, visit the Exhibitor Services Manual or contact an account rep at sales@sema.org or 909-396-0289.

By SEMA Editors

Exhibitors can take advantage of the New Products Showcase by entering a qualified product for free.

While more than 3,000 credentialed members of the media attend the SEMA Show each year, standing out from among 2,000-plus exhibitors and getting the attention of reporters who are overworked and on tight deadlines can be challenging. A good media strategy, along with a well-executed trade-show plan, can generate increased product awareness and lead to profitable sales.

Of course, every exhibitor is unique, and results will vary from company to company. Nevertheless, key strategies for SEMA Show exhibitors include:

• Posting press releases in the SEMA Show Online Media Center: By posting news releases in the SEMA Show Online Media Center, you ensure that reporters looking for Show-related news do not miss out on your story. Posting to the Online Media Center can also generate coverage from SEMA’s publications and social media outlets. Post your release today.

• Entering the New Products Showcase: Exhibitors can take advantage of the New Products Showcase by entering a qualified product for free. Providing a detailed description of that product can generate additional exposure and drive traffic to the booth. The Showcase often generates additional coverage in SEMA publications and online. Enter a product now.

• Having someone dedicated to media efforts: Having an outside agency/consultant has many benefits, especially since they typically have media-relations experience and resources. However, exhibitors can still be successful by keeping their media relations in-house. The key is to assign someone the responsibility of managing the media program and to not treat it as a secondary thought. While your primary business is getting the product ready and selling to buyers, making the media a priority will lead to top results.

• Targeted media outreach: Media at the SEMA Show cover an array of market segments, including motorsports, off-road, mobile electronics and more. Reach out to media targeted to your market and industry. Conduct web-based research and audit to identify relevant media who covered the SEMA Show in previous years and reporters who would potentially be interested in their story.

• Pitches to media before the SEMA Show opens: Reporters are often contacted months before the SEMA Show and offered story ideas, images, facts and access to high-level company executives. Invite publications that are planning special SEMA Show editions, under embargo, to individual briefings with company executives in advance of the Show opening.

• Creating a comprehensive press kit: Knowing that thousands of media outlets will be at the SEMA Show, develop a comprehensive press kit to distribute onsite at the event. In addition to having press kits available to reporters in the booth, exhibitors are able to place press kits and releases in the official SEMA Show Media Center at no cost.

To learn more about all of the PR opportunities available for exhibitors, visit the Exhibitor Services Manual or contact an account rep at sales@sema.org or 909-396-0289.

By SEMA Editors

Exhibitors can take advantage of the New Products Showcase by entering a qualified product for free.

While more than 3,000 credentialed members of the media attend the SEMA Show each year, standing out from among 2,000-plus exhibitors and getting the attention of reporters who are overworked and on tight deadlines can be challenging. A good media strategy, along with a well-executed trade-show plan, can generate increased product awareness and lead to profitable sales.

Of course, every exhibitor is unique, and results will vary from company to company. Nevertheless, key strategies for SEMA Show exhibitors include:

• Posting press releases in the SEMA Show Online Media Center: By posting news releases in the SEMA Show Online Media Center, you ensure that reporters looking for Show-related news do not miss out on your story. Posting to the Online Media Center can also generate coverage from SEMA’s publications and social media outlets. Post your release today.

• Entering the New Products Showcase: Exhibitors can take advantage of the New Products Showcase by entering a qualified product for free. Providing a detailed description of that product can generate additional exposure and drive traffic to the booth. The Showcase often generates additional coverage in SEMA publications and online. Enter a product now.

• Having someone dedicated to media efforts: Having an outside agency/consultant has many benefits, especially since they typically have media-relations experience and resources. However, exhibitors can still be successful by keeping their media relations in-house. The key is to assign someone the responsibility of managing the media program and to not treat it as a secondary thought. While your primary business is getting the product ready and selling to buyers, making the media a priority will lead to top results.

• Targeted media outreach: Media at the SEMA Show cover an array of market segments, including motorsports, off-road, mobile electronics and more. Reach out to media targeted to your market and industry. Conduct web-based research and audit to identify relevant media who covered the SEMA Show in previous years and reporters who would potentially be interested in their story.

• Pitches to media before the SEMA Show opens: Reporters are often contacted months before the SEMA Show and offered story ideas, images, facts and access to high-level company executives. Invite publications that are planning special SEMA Show editions, under embargo, to individual briefings with company executives in advance of the Show opening.

• Creating a comprehensive press kit: Knowing that thousands of media outlets will be at the SEMA Show, develop a comprehensive press kit to distribute onsite at the event. In addition to having press kits available to reporters in the booth, exhibitors are able to place press kits and releases in the official SEMA Show Media Center at no cost.

To learn more about all of the PR opportunities available for exhibitors, visit the Exhibitor Services Manual or contact an account rep at sales@sema.org or 909-396-0289.

By Katie Carson

The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) will conclude its series of general membership meetings at the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association event taking place August 24 in Pleasanton, California.

These meetings serve as a great opportunity to connect with the council that represents your company in the hot-rod industry. Learn about the latest initiatives and projects the council is working on and let your voice be heard by bringing your ideas to the table. Select committee members and SEMA staff will be on-site to network and discuss opportunities to become more involved.

HRIA General Membership Meeting-Pleasanton, California
Thursday, August 24
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Alameda County Fairgrounds, Palm Pavilion
Register now!

By Katie Carson

The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) will conclude its series of general membership meetings at the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association event taking place August 24 in Pleasanton, California.

These meetings serve as a great opportunity to connect with the council that represents your company in the hot-rod industry. Learn about the latest initiatives and projects the council is working on and let your voice be heard by bringing your ideas to the table. Select committee members and SEMA staff will be on-site to network and discuss opportunities to become more involved.

HRIA General Membership Meeting-Pleasanton, California
Thursday, August 24
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Alameda County Fairgrounds, Palm Pavilion
Register now!

By Juan Torres

Ryan Basseri, a 2015 top 10 SEMA Battle of the Builders (BOTB) contestant, shares what his company, Rywire, is planning for the 2017 SEMA Show, and the details that have gone into this one-of-a-kind build. From a fully customized Mugen body kit, Rays wheels, custom sheet-metal interior, cage, custom electronics system, seats and more, find out why he competes in SEMA Battle of the Builders:

Russ Taylor of Fusion of Ideas Motorsports is bringing a full carbon-fiber conversion Z28 that races in the NASA Super Touring Series, SCCA and Speed Ventures to the 2017 SEMA Show. On the cutting edge of technology, Taylor integrates an iPad into the dash. Find out what else he’s doing to prepare the vehicle for the premier automotive trade show, and why he believes it will be a contender in the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition:

Subscribe to the SEMA Show’s YouTube Channel to see the latest builder interviews and more leading up to the 2017 SEMA Show.

SEMA Show builders interested in gaining national exposure by showcasing their cars and parts through the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition can register at www.sema.org/botb. The deadline for entry is September 1.