By SEMA Editors

The top five vote-getters will earn a chance to pitch their products during the SEMA Launch Pad Live event, November 4, at the 2019 SEMA Show.

Young entrepreneurs, students and business owners looking for an opportunity to launch their products into the $43 billion automotive aftermarket industry can apply now for the SEMA Launch Pad program. The deadline to enter the 2019 SEMA Launch Pad, presented by the Young Executives Network (YEN), and compete for a top prize that includes $10,000 and exhibit space at the SEMA Show is April 14.

“Since 2013, the SEMA Launch Pad program has given more than 200 young entrepreneurs an opportunity to pitch their businesses to a panel of experts and a chance to bring their groundbreaking product ideas into the automotive aftermarket,” said Nathan Ridnouer, SEMA vice president of councils and membership. “We’re excited to see a new group of young leaders and innovative products emerge from this year’s program.”

Fifteen applicants will be awarded a complimentary one-year membership to the 2019 SEMA Show, as well as registration and airfare (up to $500) to attend the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit in Las Vegas—a two-day conference in June for exhibitors. The 15 Launch Pad participants will learn new business strategies and film a short video that will be used for an online voting competition.

The public will be able to view the 15 videos online and cast their votes for the business they would like to advance to the next round. From there, 10 finalists will receive a complimentary kiosk booth at the 2019 SEMA Show, with the top five vote-getters earning a chance to pitch their products during the SEMA Launch Pad Live event, November 4, at the SEMA Show.

“The top five finalists will pitch their businesses to a panel of iconic industry judges, who will determine the winner of the top prize of $10,000, a turnkey exhibit space with premium placement at the 2020 SEMA Show, free promotional support and more,” said Ridnouer. “SEMA Launch Pad is an amazing opportunity to help bring a product to market and create business exposure."

Applicants do not need to be members of SEMA or YEN to participate, but must hold stake within the company. Students who meet the qualifications are invited to apply as well.

To apply or for more information, visit www.sema.org/launchpad before April 14.

By SEMA Editors

The top five vote-getters will earn a chance to pitch their products during the SEMA Launch Pad Live event, November 4, at the 2019 SEMA Show.

Young entrepreneurs, students and business owners looking for an opportunity to launch their products into the $43 billion automotive aftermarket industry can apply now for the SEMA Launch Pad program. The deadline to enter the 2019 SEMA Launch Pad, presented by the Young Executives Network (YEN), and compete for a top prize that includes $10,000 and exhibit space at the SEMA Show is April 14.

“Since 2013, the SEMA Launch Pad program has given more than 200 young entrepreneurs an opportunity to pitch their businesses to a panel of experts and a chance to bring their groundbreaking product ideas into the automotive aftermarket,” said Nathan Ridnouer, SEMA vice president of councils and membership. “We’re excited to see a new group of young leaders and innovative products emerge from this year’s program.”

Fifteen applicants will be awarded a complimentary one-year membership to the 2019 SEMA Show, as well as registration and airfare (up to $500) to attend the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit in Las Vegas—a two-day conference in June for exhibitors. The 15 Launch Pad participants will learn new business strategies and film a short video that will be used for an online voting competition.

The public will be able to view the 15 videos online and cast their votes for the business they would like to advance to the next round. From there, 10 finalists will receive a complimentary kiosk booth at the 2019 SEMA Show, with the top five vote-getters earning a chance to pitch their products during the SEMA Launch Pad Live event, November 4, at the SEMA Show.

“The top five finalists will pitch their businesses to a panel of iconic industry judges, who will determine the winner of the top prize of $10,000, a turnkey exhibit space with premium placement at the 2020 SEMA Show, free promotional support and more,” said Ridnouer. “SEMA Launch Pad is an amazing opportunity to help bring a product to market and create business exposure."

Applicants do not need to be members of SEMA or YEN to participate, but must hold stake within the company. Students who meet the qualifications are invited to apply as well.

To apply or for more information, visit www.sema.org/launchpad before April 14.

By SEMA Editors

The top five vote-getters will earn a chance to pitch their products during the SEMA Launch Pad Live event, November 4, at the 2019 SEMA Show.

Young entrepreneurs, students and business owners looking for an opportunity to launch their products into the $43 billion automotive aftermarket industry can apply now for the SEMA Launch Pad program. The deadline to enter the 2019 SEMA Launch Pad, presented by the Young Executives Network (YEN), and compete for a top prize that includes $10,000 and exhibit space at the SEMA Show is April 14.

“Since 2013, the SEMA Launch Pad program has given more than 200 young entrepreneurs an opportunity to pitch their businesses to a panel of experts and a chance to bring their groundbreaking product ideas into the automotive aftermarket,” said Nathan Ridnouer, SEMA vice president of councils and membership. “We’re excited to see a new group of young leaders and innovative products emerge from this year’s program.”

Fifteen applicants will be awarded a complimentary one-year membership to the 2019 SEMA Show, as well as registration and airfare (up to $500) to attend the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit in Las Vegas—a two-day conference in June for exhibitors. The 15 Launch Pad participants will learn new business strategies and film a short video that will be used for an online voting competition.

The public will be able to view the 15 videos online and cast their votes for the business they would like to advance to the next round. From there, 10 finalists will receive a complimentary kiosk booth at the 2019 SEMA Show, with the top five vote-getters earning a chance to pitch their products during the SEMA Launch Pad Live event, November 4, at the SEMA Show.

“The top five finalists will pitch their businesses to a panel of iconic industry judges, who will determine the winner of the top prize of $10,000, a turnkey exhibit space with premium placement at the 2020 SEMA Show, free promotional support and more,” said Ridnouer. “SEMA Launch Pad is an amazing opportunity to help bring a product to market and create business exposure."

Applicants do not need to be members of SEMA or YEN to participate, but must hold stake within the company. Students who meet the qualifications are invited to apply as well.

To apply or for more information, visit www.sema.org/launchpad before April 14.

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.

Planning Manager — MagnaFlow is hiring a planning manager responsible for overseeing all production management planning activities within the organization to achieve excellent customer service and optimal inventory levels; maintaining an efficient production schedule; and supporting and sustaining key performance indicator controls within all departments, including safety, quality, customer service and efficiency to achieve customer quality and delivery demands. Bilingual Spanish-speaking candidates are highly desirable.

Mechanical Design Engineer — Cognito Motorsports is hiring a mechanical design engineer to lead and assist in the development of new aftermarket suspension-related products for passenger trucks, SUVs and UTVs. The ideal candidate will possess excellent communication skills in addition to a comprehensive knowledge of engineering topics, including strength of materials, fatigue behavior, stresses, fits and interference and weld joint design. Qualified candidates should have a B.S. in mechanical engineering or equivalent and a minimum four years’ related design experience in a manufacturing environment.

Salesperson — The Wheel Group is hiring an aftermarket wheels and tires salesperson to sell products in accordance with company requirements and customer needs; deliver sales presentations to customers in coordination with company marketing and sales strategy; provide information regarding products, account inquiries and order status via phone or email; and keep track of old leads, new leads and research for new customers. Qualified candidates should have prior sales experience and be willing to travel. Bilingual Spanish-speaking candidates and aftermarket wheel industry experience are preferred.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA eNews highlights SEMA-member companies’ websites weekly through the Hot Links to Cool Sites section. SEMA members: To be included in Hot Links to Cool Sites, email your company name and website to enews@sema.org. Note: Make sure to include “Hot Links” in the subject line of the email.

• AIRAID
• Air Lift
• Alloy USA
• American Car Craft
• AMP Research
• ARIES Off Road
• Auer Automotive
• Auto Custom Carpets Inc.
• Auto Meter
• Auto Ventshade

By SEMA Editors

The Priority Space Selection, which takes place this year April 29–May 14, is when companies decide the best location for their booth at the 2019 SEMA Show. The order in which companies select their booths is based on exhibitor seniority.

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 2019 SEMA Show is scheduled for Tuesday–Friday, November 5–8, in Las Vegas. To participate in the Priority Space Selection Process, secure your booth space for 2019 by visiting www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

The 2018 SEMA Show drew more than 70,000 domestic and international buyers. The displays are segmented into 12 sections, and a New Products Showcase featured nearly 3,000 newly introduced parts, tools and components.

Complete information about the 2019 SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com.

By SEMA Editors

The Priority Space Selection, which takes place this year April 29–May 14, is when companies decide the best location for their booth at the 2019 SEMA Show. The order in which companies select their booths is based on exhibitor seniority.

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 2019 SEMA Show is scheduled for Tuesday–Friday, November 5–8, in Las Vegas. To participate in the Priority Space Selection Process, secure your booth space for 2019 by visiting www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

The 2018 SEMA Show drew more than 70,000 domestic and international buyers. The displays are segmented into 12 sections, and a New Products Showcase featured nearly 3,000 newly introduced parts, tools and components.

Complete information about the 2019 SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com.

By SEMA Editors

The Priority Space Selection, which takes place this year April 29–May 14, is when companies decide the best location for their booth at the 2019 SEMA Show. The order in which companies select their booths is based on exhibitor seniority.

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 2019 SEMA Show is scheduled for Tuesday–Friday, November 5–8, in Las Vegas. To participate in the Priority Space Selection Process, secure your booth space for 2019 by visiting www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

The 2018 SEMA Show drew more than 70,000 domestic and international buyers. The displays are segmented into 12 sections, and a New Products Showcase featured nearly 3,000 newly introduced parts, tools and components.

Complete information about the 2019 SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com.

By SEMA Editors

Last year’s SEMA Young Guns winner Kyle Kuhnhausen in his ’72 Datsun.

The nationwide search for aspiring, up-and-coming young vehicle builders comes to Southern California, as the SEMA Young Guns Regional Program joins Formula DRIFT in Long Beach, California, April 6.  

As the second stop of the 2019 SEMA Young Guns Regional Program, the Formula DRIFT event will feature 10 builders age 27 or younger competing for a chance to participate in the 2019 SEMA Battle of the Builders program and showcase their vehicles at the SEMA Show, November 5–8, in Las Vegas.

Since 2014, the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition has served as the automotive industry’s premier vehicle competition. Open exclusively to builders with vehicles on display at the SEMA Show, the competition expanded in 2017 to provide exposure for a limited number of rising young builders. This year’s program includes partnerships with nine venues, with one winner from each venue awarded an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the 2019 SEMA Show, transportation of the winner’s vehicle, a designated feature spot at the Show and entry into SEMA Battle of the Builders.

“We’re excited to have the SEMA Young Guns Program join us at our season kickoff of the Formula DRIFT Black Magic PRO Championship, April 5–6,” said Jim Liaw, president of Formula DRIFT. “Supporting and discovering new, young talent in the industry is an important initiative that we’re proud to be part of.”

As part of Formula DRIFT’s O'Reilly Auto Parts Streets of Long Beach presented by Permatex, vehicles from 10 young builders will be on display as the builders compete for a chance to advance to the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition in Las Vegas. The 10 participants will be selected from applicants who enter the Young Guns regional competition at www.semayoungguns.com before March 30, 2019.  

“As our only Southern California stop, Formula D’s Long Beach event will be one of the most exciting of the season,” said Ira Gabriel, SEMA vice president of marketing, PR and communications. “The region has a long history of vehicle customization, and we’re looking forward to discovering some amazing talent at this event.”

For additional details, visit www.semayoungguns.com or contact marketing@semaignited.com.