Speaker applications are open to present at the 2023 SEMA Show in Las Vegas as well as for SEMA’s year-round virtual education program. Speakers who can deliver valuable presentations, host insightful discussions and inspire automotive specialty-equipment professionals are invited to apply now to share their ideas, technologies and expertise with the industry.
Speakers who can deliver valuable presentations, host insightful discussions and inspire automotive specialty-equipment professionals are invited to apply now to share their ideas, technologies and expertise with the industry.
Below are common questions and details about the speaker selection process:
Who should apply?
SEMA receives many seminar proposals for the various education programs and the selection process is highly selective. Speakers who are bold, visionary and authentic are wanted to deliver the best possible content experience that is relevant to aftermarket businesses and professionals.
What are the most common topics of interest?
Each year, SEMA reviews the topics and issues that are of greatest interest to its members. Topics of greatest interest for the 2023 program include aftermarket updates and future trends; diversity, equity and inclusion; electric vehicles; emerging and executive leadership; legal and regulatory; sales and marketing; small-business strategy; vehicle technology; and specific industry segments.
Who is the program audience?
The program audience includes, but is not limited to, representatives from all segments of the automotive aftermarket industry, including manufacturers, distributors, retailers, builders, installers, automotive small-business owners, managers and employees.
What information am I required to submit with my application?
Speakers who submit an application must be prepared to provide a session description, learning objectives and key takeaways and why they are a great choice to present on their topic.
What is the deadline for speaker applications?
Speaker proposals for the 2023 SEMA Show must be submitted by January 27. Virtual education proposals can be submitted at any time throughout the year.
For more details, visit www.sema.org/speakers or contact Gary Vigil at garyv@sema.org or 909-978-6738.
Working with content creators/social-media influencers can help aftermarket companies reach their business and marketing goals. Effective influencer marketing can help increase brand awareness, reach targeted audiences, build brand credibility, increase conversions and keep consumers engaged through new and organic content.
Presenters Derek Drake and Lisa Cabalquinto.
SEMA members are invited to learn about working with influencers during the “Influencer Marketing for Aftermarket Brands” live webinar, January 17, at 10:00 a.m. (PST). Attendees will hear from industry leaders at DriveShop—an influencer marketing agency specializing in the automotive aftermarket—as they deep-dive into the fundamentals of influencer marketing.
Attendees will discover:
How to integrate influencer marketing into your existing marketing strategy.
How to identify the right influencers to work with and how audience relevancy and story alignment come into play.
How to get the most out of influencer partnerships.
Common mistakes and pitfalls to avoid when choosing an influencer.
Presented by DriveShop CEO Derek Drake and Program Director Lisa Cabalquinto, this online event will teach businesses the best-kept secrets for successfully utilizing social-media influencers. Attendees will participate in a Q&A session with the speakers and get real examples of influencer marketing that are taking off in the aftermarket industry.
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.
The AAM Group is hiring an engine parts product manager to develop and execute private-brand product strategies to maximize return on inventory investment, generate measurable sales growth, manage inventory turns and position the company’s products to generate demonstrable value to customers. This position will be responsible for evaluating, sourcing and ongoing product management of engine parts for domestic and import vehicles, diesel engine parts, high-performance engine applications and parts for heavy duty, agricultural and other special application engine parts.
AMS Performance is hiring a mechanical engineer to design new products for current and future vehicle platforms. This position will be responsible for kicking-off the development process by creating a well-scoped product charter, and once approved, creating CAD parts, assemblies and drawings. Utilizing in-house rapid prototyping and computational simulation resources, you will validate that fit, form and function are aligned with the project intent. With the design work largely complete, you will work with the company’s vendor network to produce sample and production components. In order to gear up for high-volume production, you will leverage the fabrication team’s experience to design and produce fixtures, check jigs and inspection processes that enable sustainable and efficient manufacturing to take place. Engineering support continues after the product is released via design revisions, vendor resourcing and cost-save initiatives.
ProCharger is hiring a second-shift machinist responsible for performing operation and setup, and possible programming of various CNC and HURCO machines; performing setups and inspections for other departments as needed, studying and interpreting drawings or sample parts to determine dimensions and tolerances of finished workpieces; maximizing efficiencies through effective work set-up and transitions; and communicating and reporting non-conforming parts to the supervisor, engineers, production control and/or quality control to resolve the issue. Candidates should have a high-school diploma or GED and three years’ experience on CNC and/or HURCO machines.
Prominent rally racer and action sports star Ken Block passed away after a snowmobile accident in Utah on Monday, January 2, according to a statement posted on the Hoonigan website. He was 55 years old.
“Ken was a visionary, a pioneer, and an icon. And most importantly, a father and husband. He will be incredibly missed," said his team, Hoonigan Racing, in a statement.
Ken Block takes a photo with a fan during an autograph session at the 2022 SEMA Show.
In addition to his autograph sessions and special appearances, Block was a featured speaker at the 2022 SEMA Show Kickoff Breakfast, where he discussed the making of "Electrikhana," a tire-shredding trip on the Las Vegas Strip through the lens of a bespoke, 800-volt, bi-motor, AWD Audi S1, developed and built by Audi.
Block also competed in the American Rally Association (ARA) along with his wife Lucy and 16-year-old daughter Lia, one of three children. Block, a co-founder of the skateboarding brand DC Shoes, was also known for his Gymkhana action videos that received a large following on YouTube and related social media outlets.
The MagnaFlow Group has acquired Camburg Engineering, a leading brand in off-road racing and aftermarket suspension. Founded in 1997, Camburg was built on the philosophy of building durable race-winning technology for challenging off-road environments. The founders of Camburg Engineering, Jerry Zaiden and Jason Campbell, will continue their roles within the business, with their focus on shaping the future of suspension and off-road racing.
Jeep Wrangler High Tide and Limited-Run ‘Jeep Beach’ Models Return for 2023
The Jeep Wrangler High Tide and Wrangler Jeep Beach special-edition models will both return for the ’23 model year.
Jeep brand is once again heading seaside with the Wrangler High Tide and Wrangler Jeep Beach special-edition models, both of which return for the ’23 model year. This year’s Jeep Beach model commemorates the 20th anniversary of Jeep Beach in Daytona Beach, Florida.
“Jeep Beach week in Daytona Beach, Florida, is one of the biggest Jeep vehicle events in America, bringing in more than 200,000 Jeep fans and 20,000 Jeep SUVs in 2022 alone,” said Jim Morrison, senior vice president and head of Jeep brand – North America.
The ’23 Jeep Wrangler High Tide, based on the Sport S model and powered by the 3.6L Pentastar V-6 and eight-speed automatic transmission. Available for order this month to arrive in time for next April’s Jeep Beach week, the ’23 Jeep Wrangler High Tide is priced at a U.S. MSRP of $51,540 (all prices exclude $1,795 destination charge).
Xcite Automotive Launches the Xcite Trade Network
Xcite Automotive has announced the launch of Xcite Trade Network (XTN) to provide dealers a more efficient, effective, and economical way to purchase and sell wholesale vehicles.
Xcite is leveraging new technologies to provide dealers access to over 60,000 vehicle listings in a marketplace designed to allow dealers to buy and sell confidently and with peace of mind. With the launch of XTN, Xcite Automotive provides one centralized solution to assist its 1300+ dealers in the process of selling and acquiring wholesale vehicles.
Wes Wise Joins AACF Board of Trustees
Wes Wise
The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) announced the election of Wes Wise, vice president, professional sales for O’Reilly Auto Parts, to its board of trustees. Wise joined O’Reilly in 1991 as a merchandising specialist at a store in Springfield, MO, where he held many different management positions within the organization. He was promoted to his present position in January 2022.
“Wes has many years of experience from the store level up and is well connected in the automotive aftermarket,” said Larry Magee, president of AACF. “He is passionate about helping people and will bring another strong voice to our growing board of directors. AACF is very fortunate to have Wes contributing his time and talent to the growth of the Foundation.”
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 another look at the ’24 Ford F-150, this time a Lariat SuperCrew (with the Sport appearance package).
The ’21 F-150 debuted in June 2020 with all new looks, and now it’s that time again (just on the heels of the new Tundra). Looking at the ’24 F-150, it will have a revised front end with new headlights, grille and front fascia. Around back, the F-150 should feature a revised tailgate (with optional multi-use feature), bumper and taillights. Inside, expect updates to the gauge cluster and center stack.
Power should come from a four-engine suite, but it’s unknown if there will be upgrades to performance.
The following message is from SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola
Dear SEMA Member:
Nominations for the SEMA Board of Directors are
due on Wednesday, January 4, 2023.
A strong SEMA Board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well. As a member of the Association, we are currently seeking your recommendation of industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors.
The following seats are open for this year’s election:
Chairman-elect (one open seat)
Distributor/Retailer (one open seat)
Please take a moment and tell us whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board member position by completing and submitting a nomination form. To help the vetting process, please include brief information about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements that would make that nominee an outstanding board candidate.
We urge you to take part in the nominations process—our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the Board, but we need you to help bring them to the attention of the Nominating Committee.
Thank you for your attention to this important request.
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.
AMS Performance is hiring a mechanical engineer to design new products for current and future vehicle platforms. This position is responsible for creating a well-scoped product charter and, once approved, create CAD parts, assemblies and drawings. Utilizing in-house rapid prototyping and computational simulation resources, you will validate that fit, form and function are aligned with the project intent. With the design work largely complete, you will work with vendors to produce sample and production components. Engineering support continues after the product is released via design revisions, vendor resourcing, and cost-save initiatives. The ideal candidate must be self-driven, hardworking and have a good understanding of mechanical systems. They must also have the ability to work efficiently and effectively to ensure all details are accounted for during the development process.
Wheel-1 is hiring an aftermarket wheel and tire salesperson with a proven history of “hunting” for new customers. Candidates must thrive in a fast-paced environment and communicate positively with customers and the sales team. Candidates must have experience in the automotive aftermarket wheel industry and be willing to travel. Bilingual (Spanish/English) is preferred.
Hellwig is hiring a director of operations to oversee management of all operations to produce products in the most cost-effective manner within quality standards. Responsibilities include overseeing maximum efficiency in design and production, ensuring inventory and deliverables operate at levels that meet customers’ needs and established financial benchmarks, formulating and recommending policies and programs that guide the company in maintaining and improving its competitive position and the profitability of the operation, and directing activities so that approved deliverables are completed on schedule and within quality standards and cost objectives. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related major or equivalent combination of education and experience; an extensive and diversified background with at least five years of industry experience; and knowledge of the industry, human resources laws and regulations and employee relations skills.
The young man on the floor, Speed Graphic camera in hand, is Robert E. Petersen, circa 1946–1947. Barely in his 20s, Petersen had returned to Los Angeles after serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He wanted to get his job back at MGM Studios, where he had worked in the publicity department. But with so many veterans looking to do the same, MGM couldn’t employ them all, and Petersen was caught up in a round of layoffs. He and another vet in the same situation, Robert Lindsay, decided to form their own PR agency, the Hollywood Publicity Associates. Among their first clients was the Southern California Timing Association.
Formed in 1937 to organize speed trials on Southern California’s dry lakes, the SCTA was facing a crisis: While their members were earnest young men and women in the quest for speed in organized competition, the media at the time were painting a lurid picture of the “Hot Rod Menace:” wheeled delinquents in souped-up jalopies wreaking havoc on public roads. In these newspaper accounts, hot rodders and hoodlums were synonymous terms. The SCTA needed a way to shift public opinion to something far more positive.
Association members came up with an idea to display their race cars in a show as a way to demonstrate that their motivations were far from the outlaw crowd the papers wrote about. They asked the HPA to promote the show, which would take place at the National Guard Armory in Los Angeles in January 1948.
Among the HPA’s tasks was the production of a show program, and Petersen took on the job of selling ads for the program. He called on the parts manufacturers and speed shops that made up the young speed-equipment industry, from Vic Edelbrock, Phil Weiand and Barney Navarro to Blair’s Auto Parts, Bell Auto Parts and SO-CAL Speed Shop. While getting to know those performance pioneers, Petersen saw an opportunity to promote this growing movement with a magazine. He knew cars—he had spent a lot of his youth helping his father, a mechanic for the Department of Water and Power—and he knew photography, thanks to Uncle Sam and his aerial reconnaissance photo training. His HPA partner Lindsay provided the publishing connections, as his father was the founder of the Tailwaggers dog club and produced the club’s magazine.
Petersen and Lindsay considered several titles for their publication, but decided to call it Hot Rod, despite the term’s negative meaning at the time. There was no use dancing around the topic, they felt. The magazine was about hot rods and hot rodding, so the title should be direct and to the point.
The first issue was published in January 1948. In their Editor’s Column, Petersen and Lindsay wrote that “Hot Rod is designed to inform and entertain those interested in automobiles whose engines and bodies have been rebuilt for better performance and appearance.” Those words have remained the guiding principle for Hot Rod editors, writers and photographers for 75 years.
