By SEMA Editors

	George Lathouris was named 2013 SEMA Person of the Year.

It’s that time of the year for awards nominations. SEMA members have the opportunity to select nominees for the 2014 SEMA Person of the Year, Rep Agency of the Year and WD of the Year Award. These awards have been established to honor worthy candidates for their outstanding contribution to the industry during the past 12 months corresponding to the SEMA fiscal year, July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2014.

Take a moment to review the SEMA Awards website and review the criteria and listing of past honorees before providing a brief statement, including comments as to why, based on the award criteria, your choice is deserving of this award. Due Friday, July 25, 2014, all completed nominations forms are confidential and vital to helping the Task Force make their selections.

By Della Domingo

	The SEMA Garage is equipped with a FaroArm, which is used to take precise 3D measurements for manufacturing parts.

Join hundreds in the industry at the first-ever SEMA Garage Open House taking place Thursday, July 17, 2014, from 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. at SEMA Headquarters in Diamond Bar, California.

“The recent completion of the Photo Studio marks the completion of the fourth component of the SEMA Garage–Industry Innovations Center, and represents a key milestone,” said Mike Spagnola, vice president of OE and product development. “The SEMA Garage now includes all the tools and resources needed for members to develop products from beginning to end.”

The evening will feature a tour of the state-of-the-art 15,000-sq.-ft. facility that includes the following four components:

• Installation Center: Includes two vehicle lifts, a portable coordinate measuring machine (CMM), a 3D printer, digital race car scales and more. In collaboration with automakers, new model vehicles are often available to help manufacturers develop products and have them ready for sale when the vehicles are made available to the public.

• Dyno and Emissions Lab: Fully certified Executive Order (EO) aftermarket-part certification lab. Working in conjunction with the Automobile Club of Southern California's Automotive Research Center, members are able to obtain certifications at an affordable, low cost.

• Photo Studio: Includes two coves, including one large enough to fit a fullsize vehicle and complete with a 30x10-ft. adjustable light box. The studio includes an abundance of lighting equipment, strobes and umbrellas.

• Training Facility: Ideal for sales meetings or training demonstrations, the room includes a high-tech video monitor with Internet access and more.

Guests of the SEMA Garage Open House will be able to have their photo taken next to the iconic Barris Batmobile and other custom vehicles on display; enjoy food, drinks and music; and mingle with industry celebrities. In fact, shortly after the Photo Studio was completed earlier this year, the SEMA Garage hosted rock guitarist Billy Gibbons and his project car, which SO-CAL Speed Shop is preparing for the 2014 SEMA Show.

“The SEMA Garage is the ultimate production facility,” said Spagnola. “The building was purpose-built to include state-of-the-art equipment specific to auto-parts manufacturers. We’ve further filled the SEMA Garage with tools and equipment, so that members simply need to show up and do what they do best.”

If you have a cool custom car you want to show off, SEMA has limited space available. Vehicles must arrive between 3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. and be approved in advance.

The next Measuring Session to be held at the SEMA Garage will be July 15, featuring the ’15 Ford Mustang and F-150. Register now!

RSVP online for the SEMA Garage Open House. Don't miss this one-of-a-kind event!

For details or to RSVP to attend the SEMA Garage Open House or display your custom vehicle at the event, contact Rachael Salazar at rachaels@sema.org. For more information about the SEMA Garage, contact Mike Spagnola at mikes@sema.org.

By Della Domingo

	The SEMA Garage is equipped with a FaroArm, which is used to take precise 3D measurements for manufacturing parts.

Join hundreds in the industry at the first-ever SEMA Garage Open House taking place Thursday, July 17, 2014, from 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. at SEMA Headquarters in Diamond Bar, California.

“The recent completion of the Photo Studio marks the completion of the fourth component of the SEMA Garage–Industry Innovations Center, and represents a key milestone,” said Mike Spagnola, vice president of OE and product development. “The SEMA Garage now includes all the tools and resources needed for members to develop products from beginning to end.”

The evening will feature a tour of the state-of-the-art 15,000-sq.-ft. facility that includes the following four components:

• Installation Center: Includes two vehicle lifts, a portable coordinate measuring machine (CMM), a 3D printer, digital race car scales and more. In collaboration with automakers, new model vehicles are often available to help manufacturers develop products and have them ready for sale when the vehicles are made available to the public.

• Dyno and Emissions Lab: Fully certified Executive Order (EO) aftermarket-part certification lab. Working in conjunction with the Automobile Club of Southern California's Automotive Research Center, members are able to obtain certifications at an affordable, low cost.

• Photo Studio: Includes two coves, including one large enough to fit a fullsize vehicle and complete with a 30x10-ft. adjustable light box. The studio includes an abundance of lighting equipment, strobes and umbrellas.

• Training Facility: Ideal for sales meetings or training demonstrations, the room includes a high-tech video monitor with Internet access and more.

Guests of the SEMA Garage Open House will be able to have their photo taken next to the iconic Barris Batmobile and other custom vehicles on display; enjoy food, drinks and music; and mingle with industry celebrities. In fact, shortly after the Photo Studio was completed earlier this year, the SEMA Garage hosted rock guitarist Billy Gibbons and his project car, which SO-CAL Speed Shop is preparing for the 2014 SEMA Show.

“The SEMA Garage is the ultimate production facility,” said Spagnola. “The building was purpose-built to include state-of-the-art equipment specific to auto-parts manufacturers. We’ve further filled the SEMA Garage with tools and equipment, so that members simply need to show up and do what they do best.”

If you have a cool custom car you want to show off, SEMA has limited space available. Vehicles must arrive between 3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. and be approved in advance.

The next Measuring Session to be held at the SEMA Garage will be July 15, featuring the ’15 Ford Mustang and F-150. Register now!

RSVP online for the SEMA Garage Open House. Don't miss this one-of-a-kind event!

For details or to RSVP to attend the SEMA Garage Open House or display your custom vehicle at the event, contact Rachael Salazar at rachaels@sema.org. For more information about the SEMA Garage, contact Mike Spagnola at mikes@sema.org.

Displaying at the SEMA Show is a big investment; maximizing the opportunity requires a fair amount of thought and preparation. One important part of that preparation is to explore ways to get buyers and media to your booth. Fortunately, there are quite a few tried-and-true promotional tactics and opportunities that can make a big difference when it comes to directing traffic to your booth.
 
The SEMA Show Daily is a print magazine with a daily circulation of 10,000 copies during the SEMA Show. It includes media announcements, live coverage of the Show, special booth promotions, product displays and other useful information for buyers. The first issue of the SEMA Show Daily is mailed to 40,000 industry buyers October 1, about 30 days prior to the Show, so it is an especially important communications tool and promotional opportunity. All four issues of the SEMA Show Daily are open for timely press release submissions and offer an opportunity to advertise your presence.  
 
The deadline for the first SEMA Show Daily issue is August 3. For additional deadlines and information on advertising in the SEMA Show Daily, contact John Stewart at johns@sema.org.
 
Another opportunity for exhibitors is to submit new product information for the October "Pre-Show Edition" of SEMA News magazine. This issue showcases new products that will be featured by exhibitors at the Show. Upload a press release that includes a product description, photo and booth number no later than August 10.
 
For additional information, please contact Carr Winn at carrw@sema.org.

Displaying at the SEMA Show is a big investment; maximizing the opportunity requires a fair amount of thought and preparation. One important part of that preparation is to explore ways to get buyers and media to your booth. Fortunately, there are quite a few tried-and-true promotional tactics and opportunities that can make a big difference when it comes to directing traffic to your booth.
 
The SEMA Show Daily is a print magazine with a daily circulation of 10,000 copies during the SEMA Show. It includes media announcements, live coverage of the Show, special booth promotions, product displays and other useful information for buyers. The first issue of the SEMA Show Daily is mailed to 40,000 industry buyers October 1, about 30 days prior to the Show, so it is an especially important communications tool and promotional opportunity. All four issues of the SEMA Show Daily are open for timely press release submissions and offer an opportunity to advertise your presence.  
 
The deadline for the first SEMA Show Daily issue is August 3. For additional deadlines and information on advertising in the SEMA Show Daily, contact John Stewart at johns@sema.org.
 
Another opportunity for exhibitors is to submit new product information for the October "Pre-Show Edition" of SEMA News magazine. This issue showcases new products that will be featured by exhibitors at the Show. Upload a press release that includes a product description, photo and booth number no later than August 10.
 
For additional information, please contact Carr Winn at carrw@sema.org.

Displaying at the SEMA Show is a big investment; maximizing the opportunity requires a fair amount of thought and preparation. One important part of that preparation is to explore ways to get buyers and media to your booth. Fortunately, there are quite a few tried-and-true promotional tactics and opportunities that can make a big difference when it comes to directing traffic to your booth.
 
The SEMA Show Daily is a print magazine with a daily circulation of 10,000 copies during the SEMA Show. It includes media announcements, live coverage of the Show, special booth promotions, product displays and other useful information for buyers. The first issue of the SEMA Show Daily is mailed to 40,000 industry buyers October 1, about 30 days prior to the Show, so it is an especially important communications tool and promotional opportunity. All four issues of the SEMA Show Daily are open for timely press release submissions and offer an opportunity to advertise your presence.  
 
The deadline for the first SEMA Show Daily issue is August 3. For additional deadlines and information on advertising in the SEMA Show Daily, contact John Stewart at johns@sema.org.
 
Another opportunity for exhibitors is to submit new product information for the October "Pre-Show Edition" of SEMA News magazine. This issue showcases new products that will be featured by exhibitors at the Show. Upload a press release that includes a product description, photo and booth number no later than August 10.
 
For additional information, please contact Carr Winn at carrw@sema.org.