By Carr Winn and Clint Simone

The SEMA Garage recently had a special request to help design some accessories for a jolly guy with a tight deadline. He needed some special upgrades to fit a very unique application and it had to be completed by December 24. Here’s a look at how the SEMA Garage helped get this client ready for the holidays.

The SEMA Garage was developed to assist members with new-product development. From research to 3D prototyping and emissions testing, as well as the creation of marketing material, the Garage is a world-class design facility for all manufacturers.

The SEMA Garage features the following:

• A fully equipped installation center with measuring tools, vehicle lift and other items needed to work on any project vehicle.
• A tech transfer program with OEM-provided CAD files to help the development and fitment of newly produced products.
• 3D printing and scanning services to test the form, fit and function with prototype models of new parts.
• Hands-on access to new vehicles through measuring sessions.
• An emissions and dyno lab for EO/CARB certification.
• A vehicle and product photography studio with infinity walls and adjustable overhead lighting.
• A training center for conducting product reveals or training sessions.

For complete information about the SEMA Garage, read the SEMA Garage FAQ.

By Gavin Knapp

SEMA’s new “Specialty-Equipment Consumer Purchase Journey” report examines how the industry’s most engaged consumers go from finding inspiration to actually purchasing a product.

For many businesses, the end of the year means evaluating past performance and refining strategies to boost future sales. Do you know how to reach high-value customers? SEMA’s new “Specialty-Equipment Consumer Purchase Journey” report examines how the industry’s most engaged consumers go from finding inspiration to actually purchasing a product. Read about some of the key paths enthusiasts take to help better understand opportunities to engage them.

The report contains information regarding the size of the specialty-equipment market and the types of consumers who purchase products, but most importantly, it provides insight into how enthusiasts go about shopping for and purchasing parts. Understanding these touchpoints can help professionals decide where and how to connect with enthusiasts during their shopping process. 

Find the report online.

More great research is coming in the new year, including a report on the U.S. racing market and a special look at online vs. brick-and-mortar shopping. Stay tuned!

By Gavin Knapp

SEMA’s new “Specialty-Equipment Consumer Purchase Journey” report examines how the industry’s most engaged consumers go from finding inspiration to actually purchasing a product.

For many businesses, the end of the year means evaluating past performance and refining strategies to boost future sales. Do you know how to reach high-value customers? SEMA’s new “Specialty-Equipment Consumer Purchase Journey” report examines how the industry’s most engaged consumers go from finding inspiration to actually purchasing a product. Read about some of the key paths enthusiasts take to help better understand opportunities to engage them.

The report contains information regarding the size of the specialty-equipment market and the types of consumers who purchase products, but most importantly, it provides insight into how enthusiasts go about shopping for and purchasing parts. Understanding these touchpoints can help professionals decide where and how to connect with enthusiasts during their shopping process. 

Find the report online.

More great research is coming in the new year, including a report on the U.S. racing market and a special look at online vs. brick-and-mortar shopping. Stay tuned!

By Juan Torres

Register for the 2017 MPMC Media Trade Conference, Tuesday–Thursday, January 24–26, 2017, at the Embassy Suites Orange County Airport North in Santa Ana, California.

Described by reporters as the year’s best opportunity to interview and connect with motorsports manufacturers, the 2017 MPMC Media Trade Conference is on track to include hundreds of journalists from throughout the country. Media who have not yet signed up may still do so. Space is still available and schedules will be created as applications are received.

Those who signed up before the priority registration deadline should have received an email earlier this week with updates and information about the upcoming conference. As noted in the email, schedules will be sent by January 10, 2017, to those who registered before the priority registration deadline.

Media who signed up and did not receive the email earlier this week are urged to contact Della Domingo at dellad@sema.org or Juan Torres at juant@sema.org immediately, as personalized schedules are in the process of being created.

By Juan Torres

Register for the 2017 MPMC Media Trade Conference, Tuesday–Thursday, January 24–26, 2017, at the Embassy Suites Orange County Airport North in Santa Ana, California.

Described by reporters as the year’s best opportunity to interview and connect with motorsports manufacturers, the 2017 MPMC Media Trade Conference is on track to include hundreds of journalists from throughout the country. Media who have not yet signed up may still do so. Space is still available and schedules will be created as applications are received.

Those who signed up before the priority registration deadline should have received an email earlier this week with updates and information about the upcoming conference. As noted in the email, schedules will be sent by January 10, 2017, to those who registered before the priority registration deadline.

Media who signed up and did not receive the email earlier this week are urged to contact Della Domingo at dellad@sema.org or Juan Torres at juant@sema.org immediately, as personalized schedules are in the process of being created.

By Juan Torres

For nearly 20 years, Cam Miller has helped car builders complete their projects by doing custom paint and airbrush at his shop, HS Customs in Logan, Utah. Six years ago, however, he decided to branch out and give car modification a try. Among his first builds was a ’69 Camaro that took three years to complete. It’s also the vehicle that was displayed at the 2016 SEMA Show Mothers booth and entered into the 2016 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition.

Miller loved the pointiness of the Camaro’s front end and wanted to extend that look to the back, so he cut off the entire back end and hand-formed a new one so that everything in the back, including the taillights, “peaked out.” The car features a recessed tail pan, billet glove box with USB ports for engine management, a flush-mounted iPad to run the Infinitybox electrical system, and a back-up camera. In addition, the quarterpanels were widened 2 in. and the dash/AC ducts were made to look like the headlight/grille area.

Miller couldn’t believe that his first SEMA Battle of the Builders entry was named to the Top 10. “I’m just proud to be here, to be a part of such a great event,” he said. “All these people I look up to so much. I can’t believe I’m in the same environment.”

Behind-the-scenes footage, interviews and stories of the 2016 Battle of the Builders competition will be showcased in an hour-long TV special that will air February 6, 2017, on the Velocity Network, so mark your calendars, set your DVRs, and tell your friends not to miss the show. For more information, visit www.semashow.com/botb.

By Juan Torres

For nearly 20 years, Cam Miller has helped car builders complete their projects by doing custom paint and airbrush at his shop, HS Customs in Logan, Utah. Six years ago, however, he decided to branch out and give car modification a try. Among his first builds was a ’69 Camaro that took three years to complete. It’s also the vehicle that was displayed at the 2016 SEMA Show Mothers booth and entered into the 2016 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition.

Miller loved the pointiness of the Camaro’s front end and wanted to extend that look to the back, so he cut off the entire back end and hand-formed a new one so that everything in the back, including the taillights, “peaked out.” The car features a recessed tail pan, billet glove box with USB ports for engine management, a flush-mounted iPad to run the Infinitybox electrical system, and a back-up camera. In addition, the quarterpanels were widened 2 in. and the dash/AC ducts were made to look like the headlight/grille area.

Miller couldn’t believe that his first SEMA Battle of the Builders entry was named to the Top 10. “I’m just proud to be here, to be a part of such a great event,” he said. “All these people I look up to so much. I can’t believe I’m in the same environment.”

Behind-the-scenes footage, interviews and stories of the 2016 Battle of the Builders competition will be showcased in an hour-long TV special that will air February 6, 2017, on the Velocity Network, so mark your calendars, set your DVRs, and tell your friends not to miss the show. For more information, visit www.semashow.com/botb.

By Juan Torres

For nearly 20 years, Cam Miller has helped car builders complete their projects by doing custom paint and airbrush at his shop, HS Customs in Logan, Utah. Six years ago, however, he decided to branch out and give car modification a try. Among his first builds was a ’69 Camaro that took three years to complete. It’s also the vehicle that was displayed at the 2016 SEMA Show Mothers booth and entered into the 2016 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition.

Miller loved the pointiness of the Camaro’s front end and wanted to extend that look to the back, so he cut off the entire back end and hand-formed a new one so that everything in the back, including the taillights, “peaked out.” The car features a recessed tail pan, billet glove box with USB ports for engine management, a flush-mounted iPad to run the Infinitybox electrical system, and a back-up camera. In addition, the quarterpanels were widened 2 in. and the dash/AC ducts were made to look like the headlight/grille area.

Miller couldn’t believe that his first SEMA Battle of the Builders entry was named to the Top 10. “I’m just proud to be here, to be a part of such a great event,” he said. “All these people I look up to so much. I can’t believe I’m in the same environment.”

Behind-the-scenes footage, interviews and stories of the 2016 Battle of the Builders competition will be showcased in an hour-long TV special that will air February 6, 2017, on the Velocity Network, so mark your calendars, set your DVRs, and tell your friends not to miss the show. For more information, visit www.semashow.com/botb.

By Juan Torres

For nearly 20 years, Cam Miller has helped car builders complete their projects by doing custom paint and airbrush at his shop, HS Customs in Logan, Utah. Six years ago, however, he decided to branch out and give car modification a try. Among his first builds was a ’69 Camaro that took three years to complete. It’s also the vehicle that was displayed at the 2016 SEMA Show Mothers booth and entered into the 2016 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition.

Miller loved the pointiness of the Camaro’s front end and wanted to extend that look to the back, so he cut off the entire back end and hand-formed a new one so that everything in the back, including the taillights, “peaked out.” The car features a recessed tail pan, billet glove box with USB ports for engine management, a flush-mounted iPad to run the Infinitybox electrical system, and a back-up camera. In addition, the quarterpanels were widened 2 in. and the dash/AC ducts were made to look like the headlight/grille area.

Miller couldn’t believe that his first SEMA Battle of the Builders entry was named to the Top 10. “I’m just proud to be here, to be a part of such a great event,” he said. “All these people I look up to so much. I can’t believe I’m in the same environment.”

Behind-the-scenes footage, interviews and stories of the 2016 Battle of the Builders competition will be showcased in an hour-long TV special that will air February 6, 2017, on the Velocity Network, so mark your calendars, set your DVRs, and tell your friends not to miss the show. For more information, visit www.semashow.com/botb.

The deadline to submit your company’s Exhibit Space Rental Application and deposit is March 31, 2017, to participate in the 2017 SEMA Show Early Space Selection, which will take place May 1–19, 2017.