SEMA News—November 2016

EVENTS

By John Stewart

50 Years Later: The Pioneers

A major factor in the vitality and growth of the association was the advent of the annual SEMA Show. In 1965 and 1966, Noel Carpenter, publisher of Speed Equipment Directory, produced an industry-wide exposition that was initially promoted as a chance for the speed-equipment manufacturers to showcase new products. While the shows were not sponsored by SEMA, the association did receive a share of the profits from the 1966 gathering.

Meanwhile, rival publisher Robert E. Petersen of Petersen Publishing Company had started his own equipment expo, promoting the event in his Hot Rod Industry News, as well as in Hot Rod and Car Craft. Petersen ultimately won SEMA’s backing and produced what historically has been considered the first SEMA Show in 1967 under the banner of Hot Rod Industry News (edited by Alex Xydias), with Dick Wells producing the Show as an employee of Petersen’s Special Events Division. That first SEMA Show was held under the cold and damp grandstands of Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles while the organizers awaited the completion of the Anaheim Convention Center, where the exposition was moved in 1968. The exhibitors who participated in the 1967 event, known as the “High Performance & Custom Trade Show,” are listed here, as documented in the pages of Hot Rod Industry News. Fifty years later, some are still with us, some are gone, but these pioneers were among the early companies that built the industry we know today.

SEMA News—November 2016

EVENTS

By John Stewart

50 Years Later: The Pioneers

A major factor in the vitality and growth of the association was the advent of the annual SEMA Show. In 1965 and 1966, Noel Carpenter, publisher of Speed Equipment Directory, produced an industry-wide exposition that was initially promoted as a chance for the speed-equipment manufacturers to showcase new products. While the shows were not sponsored by SEMA, the association did receive a share of the profits from the 1966 gathering.

Meanwhile, rival publisher Robert E. Petersen of Petersen Publishing Company had started his own equipment expo, promoting the event in his Hot Rod Industry News, as well as in Hot Rod and Car Craft. Petersen ultimately won SEMA’s backing and produced what historically has been considered the first SEMA Show in 1967 under the banner of Hot Rod Industry News (edited by Alex Xydias), with Dick Wells producing the Show as an employee of Petersen’s Special Events Division. That first SEMA Show was held under the cold and damp grandstands of Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles while the organizers awaited the completion of the Anaheim Convention Center, where the exposition was moved in 1968. The exhibitors who participated in the 1967 event, known as the “High Performance & Custom Trade Show,” are listed here, as documented in the pages of Hot Rod Industry News. Fifty years later, some are still with us, some are gone, but these pioneers were among the early companies that built the industry we know today.

SEMA News—November 2016

EVENTS

By John Stewart

50 Years Later: The Pioneers

A major factor in the vitality and growth of the association was the advent of the annual SEMA Show. In 1965 and 1966, Noel Carpenter, publisher of Speed Equipment Directory, produced an industry-wide exposition that was initially promoted as a chance for the speed-equipment manufacturers to showcase new products. While the shows were not sponsored by SEMA, the association did receive a share of the profits from the 1966 gathering.

Meanwhile, rival publisher Robert E. Petersen of Petersen Publishing Company had started his own equipment expo, promoting the event in his Hot Rod Industry News, as well as in Hot Rod and Car Craft. Petersen ultimately won SEMA’s backing and produced what historically has been considered the first SEMA Show in 1967 under the banner of Hot Rod Industry News (edited by Alex Xydias), with Dick Wells producing the Show as an employee of Petersen’s Special Events Division. That first SEMA Show was held under the cold and damp grandstands of Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles while the organizers awaited the completion of the Anaheim Convention Center, where the exposition was moved in 1968. The exhibitors who participated in the 1967 event, known as the “High Performance & Custom Trade Show,” are listed here, as documented in the pages of Hot Rod Industry News. Fifty years later, some are still with us, some are gone, but these pioneers were among the early companies that built the industry we know today.

By AJ Carney

SEMA members attending the Show as buyers this year will have access to the Member Buyer Rewards (MBR) program perks. Those who wear their MBR cards and lanyards during the 2016 SEMA Show will be recognized as MBR members.

Buyers at the Show are encouraged to stop by SEMA Central, join the association and be part of the Member Buyer Rewards program. Once a member, buyers will receive exclusive access to the following:

• The MBR Lounge (located in the SEMA Members Lounge in the Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall, Room N251): Complimentary coffee and a place to rest your feet Tuesday–Friday during Show hours.
• Dedicated MBR Taxi Lines: Located at both taxi areas, Tuesday–Thursday, from 2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m., and Friday, from 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
• SEMA Banquet Tickets: Access to the best seats at the SEMA Industry Banquet, held Thursday night of the Show. Spend the night with industry friends, SEMA Hall of Fame inductees and top entertainer, Larry the Cable Guy. Tickets are required for this event, and seating is limited. So, bring your MBR card with you to pick up your tickets by close of Show, Wednesday, November 2, in SEMA Central, located in the Grand Lobby.

MBR cards will be mailed in late October.

SEMA membership has its rewards! To learn more, contact AJ Carney at 909-978-6697 or andreac@SEMA.org.

In addition to the perks provided by the MBR program, SEMA members have access to an array of business tools and resources. Learn more about SEMA member benefits.

By AJ Carney

SEMA members attending the Show as buyers this year will have access to the Member Buyer Rewards (MBR) program perks. Those who wear their MBR cards and lanyards during the 2016 SEMA Show will be recognized as MBR members.

Buyers at the Show are encouraged to stop by SEMA Central, join the association and be part of the Member Buyer Rewards program. Once a member, buyers will receive exclusive access to the following:

• The MBR Lounge (located in the SEMA Members Lounge in the Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall, Room N251): Complimentary coffee and a place to rest your feet Tuesday–Friday during Show hours.
• Dedicated MBR Taxi Lines: Located at both taxi areas, Tuesday–Thursday, from 2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m., and Friday, from 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
• SEMA Banquet Tickets: Access to the best seats at the SEMA Industry Banquet, held Thursday night of the Show. Spend the night with industry friends, SEMA Hall of Fame inductees and top entertainer, Larry the Cable Guy. Tickets are required for this event, and seating is limited. So, bring your MBR card with you to pick up your tickets by close of Show, Wednesday, November 2, in SEMA Central, located in the Grand Lobby.

MBR cards will be mailed in late October.

SEMA membership has its rewards! To learn more, contact AJ Carney at 909-978-6697 or andreac@SEMA.org.

In addition to the perks provided by the MBR program, SEMA members have access to an array of business tools and resources. Learn more about SEMA member benefits.

By AJ Carney

SEMA members attending the Show as buyers this year will have access to the Member Buyer Rewards (MBR) program perks. Those who wear their MBR cards and lanyards during the 2016 SEMA Show will be recognized as MBR members.

Buyers at the Show are encouraged to stop by SEMA Central, join the association and be part of the Member Buyer Rewards program. Once a member, buyers will receive exclusive access to the following:

• The MBR Lounge (located in the SEMA Members Lounge in the Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall, Room N251): Complimentary coffee and a place to rest your feet Tuesday–Friday during Show hours.
• Dedicated MBR Taxi Lines: Located at both taxi areas, Tuesday–Thursday, from 2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m., and Friday, from 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
• SEMA Banquet Tickets: Access to the best seats at the SEMA Industry Banquet, held Thursday night of the Show. Spend the night with industry friends, SEMA Hall of Fame inductees and top entertainer, Larry the Cable Guy. Tickets are required for this event, and seating is limited. So, bring your MBR card with you to pick up your tickets by close of Show, Wednesday, November 2, in SEMA Central, located in the Grand Lobby.

MBR cards will be mailed in late October.

SEMA membership has its rewards! To learn more, contact AJ Carney at 909-978-6697 or andreac@SEMA.org.

In addition to the perks provided by the MBR program, SEMA members have access to an array of business tools and resources. Learn more about SEMA member benefits.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Throughout the week, you can visit SEMA Central and check out Jhonnattan Castro’s formula drift car—an example of a vehicle and equipment that would be protected by the RPM Act.

Don’t forget to make time in your SEMA Show schedule to take advantage of opportunities to support the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act—better known as the RPM Act, which makes it clear that modifying a street vehicle used solely for competition is legal and beyond the reach of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations.

• All week: Visit Michele Abbate’s SCCA Championship-winning Scion FR-S at the SEMA Action Network (SAN) booth #60003 (outside Central Hall). Abbate’s car  represents an example of a vehicle and equipment that would directly benefit from enactment of the RPM Act into law.
• All week: Visit SEMA Central and check out Jhonnattan Castro’s formula drift car—another example of a vehicle and equipment that would be protected by the RPM Act.
• All week: Stop by the SEMA PAC lounge (N243) or the SAN booth to contact your members of Congress and learn more about efforts to fight unfair automotive laws and regulations.

• Thursday, November 3 (12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.): Meet automotive media personality and racing fan Courtney Hansen at the SAN booth.

For more about the SEMA Show, visit the official website. Contact Colby Martin at san@sema.org for additional information.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Throughout the week, you can visit SEMA Central and check out Jhonnattan Castro’s formula drift car—an example of a vehicle and equipment that would be protected by the RPM Act.

Don’t forget to make time in your SEMA Show schedule to take advantage of opportunities to support the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act—better known as the RPM Act, which makes it clear that modifying a street vehicle used solely for competition is legal and beyond the reach of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations.

• All week: Visit Michele Abbate’s SCCA Championship-winning Scion FR-S at the SEMA Action Network (SAN) booth #60003 (outside Central Hall). Abbate’s car  represents an example of a vehicle and equipment that would directly benefit from enactment of the RPM Act into law.
• All week: Visit SEMA Central and check out Jhonnattan Castro’s formula drift car—another example of a vehicle and equipment that would be protected by the RPM Act.
• All week: Stop by the SEMA PAC lounge (N243) or the SAN booth to contact your members of Congress and learn more about efforts to fight unfair automotive laws and regulations.

• Thursday, November 3 (12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.): Meet automotive media personality and racing fan Courtney Hansen at the SAN booth.

For more about the SEMA Show, visit the official website. Contact Colby Martin at san@sema.org for additional information.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Throughout the week, you can visit SEMA Central and check out Jhonnattan Castro’s formula drift car—an example of a vehicle and equipment that would be protected by the RPM Act.

Don’t forget to make time in your SEMA Show schedule to take advantage of opportunities to support the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act—better known as the RPM Act, which makes it clear that modifying a street vehicle used solely for competition is legal and beyond the reach of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations.

• All week: Visit Michele Abbate’s SCCA Championship-winning Scion FR-S at the SEMA Action Network (SAN) booth #60003 (outside Central Hall). Abbate’s car  represents an example of a vehicle and equipment that would directly benefit from enactment of the RPM Act into law.
• All week: Visit SEMA Central and check out Jhonnattan Castro’s formula drift car—another example of a vehicle and equipment that would be protected by the RPM Act.
• All week: Stop by the SEMA PAC lounge (N243) or the SAN booth to contact your members of Congress and learn more about efforts to fight unfair automotive laws and regulations.

• Thursday, November 3 (12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.): Meet automotive media personality and racing fan Courtney Hansen at the SAN booth.

For more about the SEMA Show, visit the official website. Contact Colby Martin at san@sema.org for additional information.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Throughout the week, you can visit SEMA Central and check out Jhonnattan Castro’s formula drift car—an example of a vehicle and equipment that would be protected by the RPM Act.

Don’t forget to make time in your SEMA Show schedule to take advantage of opportunities to support the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act—better known as the RPM Act, which makes it clear that modifying a street vehicle used solely for competition is legal and beyond the reach of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations.

• All week: Visit Michele Abbate’s SCCA Championship-winning Scion FR-S at the SEMA Action Network (SAN) booth #60003 (outside Central Hall). Abbate’s car  represents an example of a vehicle and equipment that would directly benefit from enactment of the RPM Act into law.
• All week: Visit SEMA Central and check out Jhonnattan Castro’s formula drift car—another example of a vehicle and equipment that would be protected by the RPM Act.
• All week: Stop by the SEMA PAC lounge (N243) or the SAN booth to contact your members of Congress and learn more about efforts to fight unfair automotive laws and regulations.

• Thursday, November 3 (12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.): Meet automotive media personality and racing fan Courtney Hansen at the SAN booth.

For more about the SEMA Show, visit the official website. Contact Colby Martin at san@sema.org for additional information.