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.

Showgoers can save more than $200 per night at several Las Vegas hotels, including Encore, by booking through the SEMA Show block.

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. 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.

SEMA has negotiated exclusive, discounted nightly rates at the best hotels in Las Vegas. However, you can only get the discounted rates when you book through the SEMA Show’s official hotel provider. Save more than $200 a night at the following SEMA Show hotels:

• ARIA
• Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
• Encore
• Las Vegas Hilton at Resorts World
• SpringHill Suites
• The Venetian Resort Las Vegas

Book your hotel now!

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

Milwaukee Tool Starts Construction of New Facility in Grenada, Mississippi

Milwaukee Tool is investing more than $60 million into advanced technology and manufacturing equipment at its new 563,000-sq.-ft. Grenada location.

Milwaukee Tool has announced construction on its newest facility in Mississippi. Located in Grenada County, Milwaukee’s latest expansion will accommodate the company’s growing power-tool accessories and power-tool business, and will also serve as a centralized repair facility. The new location is projected to create more than 800 new jobs, and is planned to open in mid-2023.

Milwaukee is investing more than $60 million into advanced technology and manufacturing equipment at its new 563,000-sq.-ft. Grenada location. The facility will house critical accessory manufacturing capabilities, and will join the company’s other service hub in Greenwood, Indiana, as one of Milwaukee Tool’s main axis points for service operations. In Mississippi, the company has invested more than $209 million in domestic expansion projects over the last five years and employs 4,400 people.

Voyomotive and Shop-Ware Launch Advanced Telematics Partnership

Voyomotive and Shop-Ware have announced a partnership to bring telematics to independent shops and their customers. This first-of-its-kind integration posts remote vehicle data directly into a Shop-Ware account including:

• Service-related PIDS and alerts such as remaining oil life, odometer, tire pressure, battery health and check engine light status.
• Scan tool level diagnostics, including freeze-frame data.
• Third-party predictive analytics.

For more information, visit Voyomotive and Shop-Ware online.

Meyer Distributing Names 2021 Vendors of the Year and Agency of the Year

CSM was named Meyer Distributing’s 2021 Manufacturer Representative Agency of the Year.

Meyer Distributing has named Highway Products, Fleece Performance, Method Race Wheels, Gen-Y Hitch and Fab Fours as 2021 Vendor of the Year in their respective categories; CSM as 2021 Manufacturer Representative Agency of the Year.

AAM Names Outstanding Supplier, Contributors at Annual Meeting

Lippert won the Partnership Award.

The AAM Group presented awards to nine supplier partners at its recent annual membership meeting, held May 10–12 in Frisco, Texas. Highlighted by the Partnership and Group Impact Awards, the categories also included Data Quality, Fastest Growing, Manpower Excellence, Marketing Support, Product Innovation, Profit Generator and Shipping Excellence.

Supplier Winners:

• Lippert accepted the Partnership Award, which honors the supplier that demonstrated outstanding overall performance across all the award categories. AAM brands under the Lippert umbrella include ARIES, CURT, LUVERNE, Ranch Hand and UWS.
• The Group Impact Award went to Westin Automotive for its contributions to the success and growth of AAM headquarters, members and resellers.
• Presented with the Data Quality Award, LUVERNE earned special recognition for the quality and completeness of its product data.
• Retrax took home the Fastest Growing Award for achieving the largest sales growth as measured as a percentage over the previous year.
• Air Lift accepted the Manpower Excellence Award for fielding the most robust outside sales presence, including actively maintaining strong relationships with retailers and warehouses.
• The Marketing Support Award, which honors the supplier that exhibited exceptional marketing concepts and execution, went to DECKED.
• The Elevate rack system won the Product Innovation Award.
• The Profit Generator Award, presented to Big Country/Go Rhino, recognized the supplier partner that generated the greatest opportunity for profit across distribution and retail.
• The Shipping Excellence Award went to ARC Lighting, which demonstrated the best overall purchase order fulfillment rate.

AAM also named six recipients of the Ambassador Award, given to key individuals who provided unique and extraordinary support of member distributors:

• John Gleason (United Sales Associates)
• Brad Goodfellow (WARN)
• Larry Lyon (Bestop)
• Shane McNallie (Lippert)
• Brian Schmidt (Putco)
• Andrew Schroeder (Truck Hero)

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.

Here’s a first look at the next-generation Mach 1 while testing on the streets of Dearborn.

The current Mach 1 debuted back in 2020 as a ’21 model year. The Mach 1 packs 480 hp and 420 lb.-ft. of torque, and features an aggressive fascia, unique paint job and borrows performance components from the GT350 and GT500. Power for the next-gen Mach 1 is unknown at this point, but expect a slight boost in power and some other performance-oriented tweaks.

The next-gen Mach 1 has wider wheels and tires and features the same quad-exhaust configuration as the current model. The vast amount of camo covers up the rest of the pony very well, but the front fascia is more aggressive than any other prototype we’ve seen thus far.

Expect more detail as the camo drops from the Mach 1.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

  Exhibiting at the SEMA Show and entering at least one product in the New Products Showcase puts your latest products in front of thousands of qualified buyers from every segment of the specialty-equipment industry. The best part: the first product you enter is free!

The New Products Showcase is considered by many media and buyers to be the No. 1 destination to discover what’s new at the SEMA Show.

Entry Fees:

• The first product entered in one category in the New Products Showcase is FREE!
•  Additional $75 per product category before October 7.
•  After October 7, the cost is $150 per entry.
•  No refunds provided after October 7.
•  Entries submitted on-site will be accepted on a space availability basis.

The New Products Showcase is considered by many media and buyers to be the No. 1 destination to discover what’s new at the SEMA Show. Even if a product does not qualify as “new,” exhibitors are able to enter it as a featured product and still attract eyeballs to the item. All submissions are also professionally photographed in a mock studio on a white seamless background. The photos are shared and used by media in SEMA Show coverage and are also available to exhibitors to use for marketing purposes.

Exhibitors may enter as many products into the Showcase as they would like, and because every exhibitor qualifies to submit one entry at no cost, there is absolutely no reason for an exhibitor not to participate. The free product entry is one example of how exhibiting at the SEMA Show delivers great ROI. SEMA Show organizers offer many programs and services targeted to small businesses. Dedicated account reps are available to help exhibitors navigate the process, and the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit is a free, two-day workshop designed to teach exhibitors how to get the most out of the SEMA Show.

Enter your new products now!

For more information on New Products Showcase display guidelines, visit www.semashow.com/esm.

  By SEMA Editors

It’s not too late for exhibitors who want to participate in the 2022 SEMA Show to submit a booth space application. Attendees are encouraged to check the floorplan throughout the week to see where the companies they need to interact with will be located at the 2022 SEMA Show.

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

For more information about exhibiting, refer to the Exhibitor Service Manual, where you will find information about deadlines, booth and feature vehicle applications, Show guidelines, booth services, target times for freight and more.

The 2022 SEMA Show is scheduled for Tuesday–Friday, November 1–4, in Las Vegas.

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

Registration for the 2022 SEMA Show, taking place November 1-4 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, 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 prepared to select their booth locations during Priority Space Selection, a weeks-long process taking place May 2–18 that will lay the foundation for this year’s floorplan. Access to the Priority Space Selection process is available at www.semashow.com, with floorplan updates happening every 10–15 minutes.

“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.

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

By SEMA Editors

Latest Jobs Added to SEMA Career Center

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.

Aftermarket Wheel and Tire Salesperson
Wheel-1 is hiring an aftermarket wheel and tire salesperson to sell company products in accordance with company requirements and customer needs; deliver sales presentations to customers in coordination with company marketing and sales strategy; and provide information regarding products, account inquiries and order status via phone or email. Candidates must have prior sales experience and be willing to travel. Bilingual (Spanish/English) is preferred.

Senior Staff Accountant
EBS Consulting is hiring an experienced senior staff accountant responsible for accurately preparing and maintaining records in the areas of financial reporting, business operations and payroll. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance and more than five years related job experience preferably in a corporate environment.

Content Creator
TMI Products is hiring a content creator to write, photograph, video and publish several types of pieces for the company’s web pages, blogs, articles, literature, ads and social-media posts. Candidates must understand the company’s branding and implement within copywriting, have thorough knowledge and understanding of mainstream vehicles and segments and proven work experience as a content creator, copywriter or similar role.

By SEMA Editors

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

Dave McClelland, 85, the voice of the NHRA through the ’70s, ’80s and early ’90s, both on television and at the racetrack, passed away May 22 of natural causes. He was surrounded by his family at the time of his passing, which was quiet and peaceful. 

For many years, Dave McClelland served as emcee for the annual SEMA Awards Gala and SEMA Show Banquet.

McClelland, whose skills, talent, and charm reached all corners of the motorsports world and was always everyone’s first choice as an emcee—including several years as emcee for the annual SEMA Awards Gala and SEMA Show Banquet—was honored with hall of fame enshrinements and awards that spanned his more than 60 years in the broadcasting business. He was inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame in 1994.

McClelland continued to be a master of ceremonies and do voice-over work for clients, including NHRA, SEMA, NASCAR, ISCA, AARWBA, PWA, Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, R.J. Reynolds, Petersen Automotive Museum, International Drag Racing Hall of Fame, Championship Auto Shows, Petersen Publishing Company, Emap, Primedia, ProMedia, General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Castrol, Mopar, Toyota, Shelby Automobiles, Meguiar’s, The California Highway Patrol 11-99 Foundation, Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital and many other organizations.

McClelland was enshrined in the SEMA Hall of Fame in 1994.

Away from the microphone, McClelland’s motorsports career runs the gamut from track operator to founder of the Super Chevy shows to serving as the NHRA’s director of communications. He has been involved with drag racing since 1955; a racer himself, his dragster is in the NHRA museum. Additionally, he has served on the board of directors and as chairman for Racers for Christ, and was a recipient of the SEMA Industry Icon Award and the Car Craft All-Star Drag Racing Team Award, as well as the NHRA Good Hand Award, Don Prudhomme Award, Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Association Award and Goodguys Hot Rod Hero.

McClelland is survived by his wife of 64 years, Louise; son Kevin and his wife Lisa; son Mike and his wife Laurie; daughter Melissa Knight and her husband Tony; granddaughters Ashley and Sara McClelland; grandsons David McClelland and his wife Brittiney; Daniel McClelland and his wife Shirley; Matthew and Ryan Knight; and great granddaughters Alana and Mylah Knight.

McClelland was inducted into the SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Hall of Fame in 2012.

Services will be private, but a celebration of life is being planned. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Racers for Christ or the Drag Racing Association for Women (DRAW).

Results of the 2022 SEMA Board of Directors election are in, with Rich Butler of R&R Marketing Consultants, Norris Marshall of BluePrint Engines, Kathryn Reinhardt of 4WP/Pro Comp and Melanie White of Hellwig Products elected to serve on the Board. Reinhardt and White are current SEMA Board members who were re-elected onto the group, and Butler and Marshall will join as new SEMA Board Members, replacing outgoing Board members Chris Douglas of Edelbrock Group and Les Rudd of Bob Cook Sales

SEMA Board members are industry representatives who volunteer their time to lead and guide the association. They are elected by SEMA-member companies and represent the key membership categories: manufacturers, distributors/retailers, manufacturers’ rep and services.

The SEMA Board of Directors for 2022–2023 will be as follows:

Manufacturer:

• Norris Marshall – CEO, BluePrint Engines
• Kathryn Reinhardt – director of retailer marketing, 4WP/Pro Comp
• Melanie White – president, Hellwig Products

Manufacturer Rep:

• Rich Butler – CEO, R&R Marketing Consultants

2022–2023 SEMA Board of Directors:

Board Officers:

• Chairman – James Lawrence, CEO, Power Automedia
• Chair-elect – Kyle Fickler, director of sales and new business development, Driven Racing Oil
• Immediate Past-Chair/Secretary – Tim Martin, CEO, Aftermarket Advisors
• Treasurer – Les Rudd, president – Bob Cook Sales

Board Members:

• Rich Butler – CEO, R&R Marketing Consultants
• Lindsay Hubley – managing partner, Lodestone Events LLC
• Norris Marshall – CEO, BluePrint Engines
• Larry Montante – vice president, category management, Keystone Automotive Operations
• Kim Pendergast – CEO, Magnuson Superchargers
• Brian Reese – president and CEO, T Sportsline
• Kathryn Reinhardt – director of retailer marketing, 4WP/Pro Comp
• Ted Wentz III, CEO – Quadratec Inc.
• Steve Whipple – director of private-label sourcing, Jegs High Performance
• Melanie White – president, Hellwig Products

Outgoing Board Members:

• Chris Douglas, Edelbrock Group
• Les Rudd, president, Bob Cook Sales

The entire 2022–2023 SEMA Board of Directors and outgoing Board members will be honored and recognized during the 2022 SEMA Awards Gala, July 29, in Anaheim, California. All SEMA members and industry professionals are invited to join the celebration by purchasing tickets at www.sema.org/gala.