The New Products Showcase is consistently voted as the No. 1 destination by SEMA Show buyers and media. The first product entered in one category is free; each additional entry costs $150.

In addition, the New Products Showcase will expand to include two new product categories. Showgoers will find products related to electric vehicles (EV) and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), along with products in 16 other categories, in what is the world’s largest display of new automotive aftermarket products.

Accessible exclusively to SEMA Showgoers, November 1–4, the New Products Showcase is the automotive aftermarket industry’s most comprehensive collection of new and trending products. SEMA Show attendees visit the area to discover and see parts and accessories before they hit the market. A Featured Products component includes items that may not qualify as new; the product may have been on the market for more than a year but is among an exhibitor’s top products.

“Through the SEMA Show New Products Showcase, buyers, retailers and distributors can easily discover and learn about all the hot products that they may want to carry,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “They will find details about the products, including the exhibitor’s booth number. They can then connect directly with the manufacturer on the Show floor to learn more. It’s no surprise that SEMA Show buyers rely on the New Products Showcase to help them stock their shelves.”

Details on all the products from the Showcase are also included in the SEMA Show mobile app, giving attendees a year-round resource to help them after the Show. The mobile app’s product-scanning feature enables attendees to flag items of interest and create custom lists of noteworthy products. At the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, attendees will be able to connect with all product experts from exhibiting companies for quality one-on-one discussions, demos and presentations.

Participation in the New Products Showcase, available as a benefit to SEMA Show exhibitors, is easy and affordable. All exhibitors qualify to submit one product entry at no cost. Subsequent entries cost $150 each, and there is no limit to the number of entries. New this year is an on-site freight-delivery service to make it easier than ever for exhibitors in West, North and Central Halls to participate.

Through the new service, exhibitors drop off their products at a nearby designated area in their respective hall, and then coordinate to meet the product at the New Products check-in area in South Hall.

Qualifying products may also be recognized as a Best New Product. Winners and runners-up in 18 categories—including the new EV and ADAS categories—will be announced and presented at the Kickoff Breakfast, Tuesday, November 1, just before the official opening of the SEMA Show. Additionally, all products in the Showcase are professionally photographed. The photos are often used by outside media and help brand awareness.

“Exhibitors that participate in the New Products Showcase report much higher success than those that do not participate,” said Gattuso. “Research tells us that exhibitors with products in the Showcase see more buyers in their booths and receive more media coverage than those that do not participate in the Showcase.”

A nearby transportation hub that includes taxi and shuttle drop-off, as well as an entry point for the Las Vegas Convention Center underground tunnel, makes it easy for attendees to visit the Showcase. More than 2,000 product entries are expected to be included in this year’s Showcase.

“You can have a 10x10-ft. booth and be up against booths that are 100 times bigger, but in the New Products Showcase, you’re the same size. If you come up with something great, it’s going to get noticed there.”

—Jim Flowers, president, Florida-based Bubba Rope

Exhibitors can enter the SEMA Show New Products Showcase by visiting www.semashow.com/new-products-rules. To register to attend the SEMA Show, visit www.semashow.com/register.

By Della Domingo

As the SEMA Show concludes on Friday, November 4, iconic cars and trucks will emerge from the Las Vegas Convention Center and make their way to the West Hall Parking Lot for SEMA Ignited—the official SEMA Show after-party—where enthusiasts will see some of the hottest custom vehicles in the world that debuted earlier in the week.

General admission tickets allow access into SEMA Ignited and are available at www.SEMAIgnited.com. Enthusiasts can purchase upgraded tickets for reserved seating to watch the SEMA Cruise and performances from Formula DRIFT and the Urias Globe of Death—daredevil motorcycle riders who perform jaw-dropping stunts in a mesh sphere ball. A limited number of Friday Experience packages are available for general admission into SEMA Ignited, as well as entrance into the SEMA Show on Friday, November 4, and come with a one-year SEMA Individual Membership. The SEMA Friday Experience ticket price is $70 if purchased by October 28, after which, it will increase to $100.

“The SEMA Ignited Friday Experience is a rare opportunity for gearheads to experience the trade-only SEMA Show, and engage with the industry as SEMA Individual Members,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “Through the Friday Experience, enthusiasts will get a behind-the-scenes look at what industry professionals are doing at the SEMA Show and witness the trends as they are happening.”

Now in its eighth year, SEMA Ignited is a combination of a car show, parade, music, food, entertainment and exhibitions all rolled into what becomes the ultimate automotive celebration. It’s where consumers see, hear and, in some cases, get up close and connect with award-winning vehicles and their owners. With more vendors and exhibitors than ever before, the 2022 SEMA Ignited is where enthusiasts will be able to discover the newest trends, learn about new products, meet industry celebrities and experience the excitement of the growing aftermarket.

All SEMA Showgoers will be able to attend SEMA Ignited with their Show credentials. For more information about SEMA Ignited, visit www.SEMAIgnited.com. To learn more about the SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.   

SEMA Show exhibitors and attendees preparing for the 2022 SEMA Show can lock in the guaranteed lowest hotel rate now by booking in the SEMA Show Block.

Making hotel reservations in the Block provides you with the most affordable and convenient options for a wide range of hotels located on and off the Strip.

The Golden Nugget Las Vegas Hotel & Casino is among several hotels in the SEMA Show Block with nightly rates less than $200.

All of the hotels available through the SEMA Show Block come with a low-price guarantee. To help ensure that your price remains the lowest, SEMA will price-match lower advertised rates, even after your reservations are set. Whether you're looking for your favorite place to stay, or for a hotel within close proximity to the Show, you can book with confidence knowing you will get the rooms you need at the the most affordable price available.

The SEMA Show also provides shuttle service to and from the Show for the hotels listed that are not within walking distance to the Las Vegas Convention Center.

There are more than 45 hotels available in the block, 16 of which cost less than $200 per night. For more information on the hotels listed below, including rating, price per night and distance from the Las Vegas Convention Center, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

The following hotels in the SEMA Show Block have nightly rates less than $200:

• Bally’s Las Vegas: $176
• Circus Circus Hotel: $122
• Downtown Grand Las Vegas: $126
• Excalibur: $122
• Flamingo: $166
• Golden Nugget Las Vegas Hotel & Casino: $138
• Harrah’s Hotel and Casino Las Vegas: $180
• Luxor: $136
• MGM Grand Hotel & Casino: $191
• New York-New York: $191
• OYO Hotel and Casino Las Vegas: $119
• Palace Station: $115
• Park MGM: $191
• The LINQ Hotel: $185
• The STRAT Hotel: $129
• Tropicana Las Vegas: $125

Book your hotel now!

To reserve your booth for the 2022 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

By SEMA Editors

Dates and locations have been scheduled for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest jobs posted to the website.

Latest Jobs Added to SEMA Career Center

Sales Manager, Motorsports
QA1

QA1 is seeking a seasoned manager of motorsport sales with a comprehensive understanding and passion for the motorsports industry to be part of the management team. This position will be responsible for leading all channel sales activities for QA1 motorsports products, including strategy, planning, organization and team development to deliver business goals. Candidates should be a big-picture thinker who develops the sales channel and key account strategies to be executed on by the sales team. Ten to 15 years’ related automotive or powersports aftermarket experience is required. 

Manufacturing Process Engineer
Cognito Motorsports Inc.

Cognito Motorsports Inc. is hiring a manufacturing process engineer directly responsible for improving the processes, documentation and efficiencies applied at each stage of the product production cycle, from building-to-packaging-to-shipping. Additional responsibilities include working with cross-functional teams, including engineering, manufacturing, assembly/packaging, marketing and contract manufacturers to establish and refine production processes and workflows. This position will concurrently develop, review and improve detailed bills of operations (DBOO) for new and existing products with focus on manufacturing and assembly efficiency, quality control, repeatability and timely completion.

Automotive Technical Sales Manager
SPA Performance

SPA Performance is hiring an automotive technical sales manager to establish and maintain business standards for accuracy, productivity and reliability; manage the daily functions of the business; prepare annual performance review and reevaluate processes; ensure regulatory, compliance and legal rules are followed; manage budget to align with goals of business; develop new business; follow sales indicators; provide customer service; carry out commercial and sales force incentive actions; and obtain and process sales orders.

  Registration for the 2022 SEMA Show, the premier gathering for the automotive specialty-equipment industry, is now open at www.semashow.com/register.

Taking place November 1–4 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the 2022 SEMA Show will build upon the positive momentum following last year’s event, which successfully connected the $47.8 billion industry in person in what was the largest automotive trade show in North America since the pandemic shut everything down in 2020.

“The SEMA Show is where industry professionals go to grow existing relationships, create new ones and push their businesses forward,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “Exhibitors are eager to showcase their products and services to the tens of thousands of qualified professionals in attendance.”

Anticipation for this year's SEMA Show ramped up in recent weeks as exhibitors selected their booth locations during Priority Space Selection, a weeks-long process that took place May 2–18.

“Enthusiasm for the 2022 Show continues to exceed last year’s, with more than 1 million sq. ft. of exhibitor space already committed for the 2022 SEMA Show and confirmed spaces running 25% above last year,” said Warren Kosikov, SEMA vice president of sales.

Attendees at the 2022 SEMA Show will learn about the latest products, trends and technology in the industry from manufacturers exhibiting throughout the entire Las Vegas Convention Center, including the surrounding parking lots. Educational seminars led by industry experts and networking events that bring market niches together will also be available during the four-day trade event.

“Our industry continues to thrive despite current challenges in the marketplace, and last year’s event proved that the value of conducting business and networking face-to-face can never be replaced,” said Gattuso. “Our mission is to help continue that momentum by providing an unparalleled experience that builds meaningful business relationships.”

Registration for the 2022 SEMA Show is offered in three categories—attendee, exhibitor and media—and everyone must qualify to attend. Attendees are encouraged to register early at www.semashow.com/register so they can secure their credentials and receive updates on breaking news from the 2022 SEMA Show.

Attendees are encouraged to check the floorplan to see where the companies they need to interact with will be located at the 2022 SEMA Show.

For more information about qualifying documents and the 2022 SEMA Show, log on to www.semashow.com.

By SEMA Editors

Bill Carlton and the cast of “Texas Metal” will be interviewed by TV personality Cristy Lee, Thursday, November 3, at 9:30 a.m., on the SEMA Show Out Front Stage. Carlton and the crew have invented and crafted some of the world’s most creative automotive builds and earned dozens of awards, tons of fans and too many magazine covers to list.

Carlton and cast will take the SEMA Show Out Front Stage—located outside the Grand Central Lobby entrance of the Las Vegas Convention Center—for a special keynote presentation with Lee that will entertain and inspire Show attendees. Well known in the aftermarket community for her time hosting Barrett-Jackson Live and as co-host of “All Girls Garage,” Lee will interview Carlton and team to uncover what it takes to launch and operate a business with the reputation for crafting beautiful builds, innovative problem solving and meeting tight timelines in building everything on wheels, from muscle cars to monster trucks.

The Carlton and crew presentation is just one of the special events featured on the stage during the Show as attendees will be energized all week with music, special events and vehicle displays. What originally began as a location for pre-Show networking and an opportunity for exclusive media coverage has transformed into a week-long celebration of automotive culture.

“The SEMA Show Out Front Stage is an entertaining way for attendees to engage with Bill Carlton and ‘Texas Metal’ and hear their stories in-person,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “Their presentation is one example of the expanded features available out front of the Las Vegas Convention Center in 2022.”

The action on the SEMA Show Out Front Stage begins Monday, October 31, with the SEMA Show Monday Reveal, a pre-Show celebration that offers a glimpse of the high-profile vehicle projects and the aftermarket’s most advanced equipment that will shine throughout the halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The SEMA Show Monday Reveal also features the presentation of the SEMA Awards, which spotlight new vehicles on the market for personalization and are voted on by SEMA Show exhibiting manufacturers. The awards are presented to automakers for the SEMA Car of the Year, SEMA Truck of the Year, SEMA 4x4-SUV of the Year, SEMA Sport Compact of the Year, SEMA Powersports Vehicle of the Year and SEMA EV of the Year. Representatives from the winning automakers will be on-site to accept the prestigious awards.

More information about the 2022 SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com.

Fredric Aasbo Wins Third Formula DRIFT Driver’s Title

Papadakis Racing Toyota teammates Fredric Aasbo (left) and Ryan Tuerck. Aasbo won the 2022 Formula Drift championship title Saturday, while Tuerck scored third. The duo also celebrated a win for Toyota in the Manufacturer's Cup and Nitto Tire won the Tire Cup. (Image: Larry Chen Photo)

The Papadakis Racing Toyota team earned a one–two finish at the Irwindale Speedway season finale to lock in the 2022 Formula DRIFT Championship title for Fredric Aasbo in the Rockstar Energy Toyota GR Supra and third in the points for Ryan Tuerck in the Rain-X/Nitto Tire Toyota GR Corolla. The team also celebrated a Manufacturer’s Cup victory for Toyota and a win for Nitto Tire in the Tire Cup.

Aasbo ran a perfect weekend, earning the top spot on Friday’s qualifying ladder and a critical three points to enter Saturday’s main event just 11 points off the lead. To win the title, Aasbo needed to finish one competition round ahead of rival Matt Field.

The pressure was on as a downpour swept through the area immediately before competition began, putting Aasbo in the difficult position of being first to test the wet track in the Round of 16. A sighting lap revealed patchy grip and puddles of standing water. Aasbo and the team opted to take a conservative strategy and run a lower line, which paid off when championship leader Field crashed out of the competition with a spin on the slick high line and opened the door for Aasbo to win the 2022 crown.

Aasbo’s top 16 opponent Kyle Mohan also got caught out in the slick conditions and Aasbo advanced to the Great 8 to lock in his third career Formula DRIFT title. The Rockstar Energy Toyota GR Supra driver joins an elite pair to have earned three titles in the series. Chris Forsberg and James Deane have also earned three championships each.

With the championship title secure in the Round of 16, the night became a victory run for Aasbo, who climbed the competition ladder to defeat Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis, then Adam LZ and join his Papadakis Racing Toyota teammate Tuerck in the Finals.

Tuerck qualified seventh on Friday and advanced past Alec Robbins in the Top 16 to vault from fifth to third in the championship points standings. Then, he won a one-more-time match-up with Branden Sorensen in the Great 8 and faced down Jeff Jones in the Final 4. From there, it was a guaranteed Papadakis Racing Toyota team 1–2 result as teammates squared off at the House of Drift. Aasbo took the event win to cap his championship winning season, while Tuerck earned second and locked in third place in the driver’s championship.

Between them, teammates Aasbo and Tuerck achieved seven podium results in eight rounds of competition, with Tuerck winning the season opener in Long Beach and Aasbo topping the podium at Round 2 in Atlanta and again at the Irwindale finale.

Ashley, Capps, Enders and Arana Jr. Pick Up Huge Playoff Wins at Texas NHRA FallNationals

Top Fuel’s Justin Ashley extended his points lead last Sunday, rolling to an impressive win at the Texas Motorplex for the second straight year at the 37th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals. Ron Capps (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won at the 20th event in the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season and the fourth of six races in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

After struggling in qualifying, Ashley more than made up for it on Sunday, going 3.688 seconds at 329.24 mph in his 11,000hp Phillips Connect Toyota dragster to defeat Austin Prock in the championship round, extending his lead to 82 points over Brittany Force in the process. Prock moved to seventh in points.

In Funny Car, Capps also won for the second straight year in Dallas, also inching closer to the points lead after defeating Matt Hagan in the final round with his run of 3.911 at 327.18 in his 11,000hp NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra, bringing him to within 10 points of leader Robert Hight with two races remaining. Hagan trails Hight by 78 points heading to Vegas.

Enders had one of her finest showings this weekend in Dallas, capping it off with a victory on the strength of a 6.537 at 209.63 in the finals in her Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro. It gave her the win over rival Greg Anderson, extending an already huge points lead and putting her in position to clinch her fifth world title in Las Vegas. Enders will take a 166-point lead to Vegas.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Arana Jr. grabbed his first victory since 2019 with a run of 6.822 at 196.35 on his Team Arana Buell to beat Jerry Savoie in the final round. With two races remaining, Matt Smith now holds a 51-point lead over Joey Gladstone.

The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series returns to action on October 27–30 with the NHRA Nevada Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

For more racing news, visit Performance Racing Industry’s (PRI) website.

By Ashley Reyes

Finalists for SEMA Awards recognizing individuals for their contributions and accomplishments in the industry have been announced:

GEN-III Innovator of the Year – recognizing a young, entrepreneurial individual, 40 years old or younger who is creating new innovative breakthroughs within the area(s) of industry opportunities, advancement, best business practices, technology and/or trends.

• Mike Burns, CEO, ValvoMax
• Alex Kay, founder, RestorFX International   
• Dustin Woolf, owner, Woolfpack Racing

The Gen-III Innovator of the Year award recognizing a young, entrepreneurial individual, 40 years old or younger who is creating new innovative breakthroughs within the area(s) of industry opportunities, advancement, best business practices, technology and/or trends.

Influencer of the Year – recognizing a content creator for their outstanding contributions to automotive culture and for creating a positive impact with automotive enthusiasts.

• Larry Chen
• ChrisFix
• TJ Hunt
• Adam LZ
• Alex Taylor

Award winners will be announced as part of the 2022 SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet, Thursday, November 3. The celebration will include cocktails, dinner, awards and entertainment. Exhibitors can secure complimentary tickets and purchase additional tickets through their registration dashboard, while attendees can purchase tickets here.  

Ford Performance and Late Model Engines Join Forces with Power Automedia to Give Away a 1,000-HP Godzilla Engine

Building on the success of last year’s engine giveaway, Power Automedia has announced the latest partnership with Ford Performance Parts and Late Model Engines (LME). LME will be charged with building a 1,000hp turbo Godzilla engine live on the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show floor. Enthusiasts will have a chance to see a powerful example of this exciting new platform come together before their eyes and maybe even take it home.

The Godzilla is a 7.3L V8 engine with a more traditional pushrod design, and is the largest displacement gasoline engine offered by Ford Motor Company. This year, LME will start with a stock Godzilla crate engine from Ford Performance Parts, do a baseline dyno test and then work its magic to hold high boost. Following the engine assembly at the PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis, December 8–10, the engine will be dyno-tested again to verify its four-digit power as the winner is selected.

For additional build details and giveaway updates, follow EngineLabs.com. To enter the contest, go to EngineLabsGiveaway.com.

Oracle Lighting Grows; Adds Grant LeJeune to Operations Team

Oracle Lighting has announced it has added Grant LeJeune to its operations team.

“As Oracle Lighting continues to advance, we decided to add new talent in the form of an Operations Coordinator to assist in managing our growth and expansion,” said Sandy Crespo-Mossi, Oracle Lighting director of operations. “Grant has the education and work experience to be a successful and integral part of helping Oracle Lighting’s marketing, sales and warehouse teams with their operational needs as we continue to develop and grow as a company.”

RealTruck Inc. Promotes Christine Barringer to Chief Accounting Officer

RealTruck has announced the promotion of Christine Barringer as its first chief accounting officer. In her new role, Barringer will be responsible for overseeing the company’s strategic direction of the corporate accounting organization, financial-close processes, reporting and continuous improvements in the accounting function to support the growth objectives of RealTruck. Previously, Barringer was the vice president, corporate controller for RealTruck. She will continue to report directly to Ted McCormick, who joined the company as chief financial officer in November 2021.

Since Barringer joined the RealTruck team just over seven years ago, she’s built a corporate accounting team, implemented common accounting policies enterprise wide and led the business combination accounting and integration for 11 acquisitions. She was also a key contributing member of the management team that successfully executed two sale processes. Barringer has more than 20 years of private and public-company experience. Prior to RealTruck, she held positions at HHI Group Holdings, TRW Automotive, Hayes Lemmerz and KPMG.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA News. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.