Passion

Mopar Service, Parts & Customer Care President and CEO Pietro Gorlier (left) and Pro Stock racer Jeg Coughlin Jr. announce the latter’s addition to the Mopar racing team by unveiling his new Dodge Avenger race car. The media event underscored the SEMA Show’s ties to the emotional drive that unites OEMs, the racing industry and the performance aftermarket. That theme was repeated many times over, such as on the Las Vegas Convention Center’s west side, where Ford Out Front returned with its crowd-pleasing, rubber-burning vehicle demonstrations. On top of that, 600 first-time exhibitors displayed at the Show, pushing total exhibitor numbers to an all-time high. Covering and communicating all that passion to the outside world were more than 3,500 credentialed media professionals representing virtually every part of the globe.

Innovation

Named the 2011 SEMA Show’s Hottest Car, the latest iteration of the Chevrolet Camaro has also been added to Mattel’s HotWheels pantheon—a fact celebrated by this creative Chevy booth display. As in years past, nearly 2,000 cars were exhibited at the Show, no two exactly alike, each an original blend of the vision and personal priorities of its owner. Standing squarely at the intersection of art and science, the SEMA Show is a venue for astonishing engineering and an outlet for some of the world’s best designers and stylists. Moreover, OEMs and other major manufacturers choose the Show as a favored venue for unveiling their latest innovations and technologies. First-hand glimpses at these important new trends keep attendees on the cutting edge of a wildly creative, forward-thinking industry.

Learning

The 2011 SEMA Show featured a number of lively panel discussions at the Vehicle Technology Center (VTC) focusing on a variety of technological topics with 55 distinguished speakers over four days. Popular as it was, however, the VTC formed just one part of a broad curriculum of educational programs available at the Show. Thanks to its expertly presented seminars and conferences, the annual SEMA Show remains one of the industry’s top learning experiences, helping to keep the aftermarket fresh, relevant and vibrant. As educator Timothy Nash pointed out in his Education Days keynote address, “The SEMA side of the automotive market truly is the center for innovation and invention.... This is the most entrepreneurial segment, and you are the people who have lived, and made, the American Dream.”

Exploration

The annual SEMA Show is all about business, but there is a lot of fun to be had from simply exploring the aisles and booths to see the amazing products, vehicles and displays that grace the Show floor. And it’s not just fun—this is also the only venue where custom wheel manufacturers can cross categories to interact with tire installation specialists, and collision-repair and refinish specialists can engage custom builders to learn about exotic paint opportunities on a gigantic scale. First held under Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium grandstands in 1967, the SEMA Show has grown to attract more than 130,000 attendees from more than 100 countries, ranking it among the largest trade shows of its kind anywhere in the world. The cross-pollination that occurs with exploration often leads to unexpected new ideas, exciting new opportunities and highly successful business relationships. In the end, attendees never know where a stroll down a SEMA aisle may take them.

Leadership…and Courage

In a moment symbolic of what it will take to succeed in the future, SEMA Chairman of the Board Paul “Scooter” Brothers (left) pitched the evening’s prepared script high into the air at the 2011 SEMA Show’s Industry Banquet, Thursday, November 3. SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting joined Brothers in emphasizing the need to throw away the playbook and find the courage to explore new opportunities. In today’s challenging climate, leadership demands flexibility—and oftentimes the courage to experiment, change direction, risk it all and fly by the seat of one’s pants. These qualities have long been a hallmark of the industry’s greatest entrepreneurs, whose unscripted ideas were alive and on display throughout the four-day Show. “We’re excited about all the options the future holds for anyone willing to innovate,” concluded Brothers.

Youth

Passing the torch to a new generation is a continuous process that pays off in personal satisfaction. Today’s SEMA members mostly made it on their own, coming up the hard way, navigating a jagged path largely dictated by their own intuition. Tomorrow’s designers, technicians and engineers will face even more difficult challenges. But look around and you’ll see proof that the younger generation is smart, talented and bound for success. Through mentoring programs and contests, such as the industry-supported Hot Rodders of Tomorrow, SEMA helps to foster a culture that inspires future industry superstars. The practice of modeling paths to success and turning enthusiasm into knowledge is on display for just one week at the Show, but it goes on 365 days a year.

Connections

Networking. Collaboration. Negotiations. Partnerships. Attendees universally agreed that the 2011 SEMA Show delivered an unprecedented level of quality business connections. Far and away the industry’s leading trade-only event, the annual SEMA Show continues to attract thousands of manufacturers, distributors, retailers, builders, reps, publishers, restylers, racers and marketing and PR professionals from throughout the world. All came intent on conducting business, gathering leads and forging promising new relationships. While the Show is the best-known benefit of membership, SEMA also delivers continued services to members throughout the year, ranging from education to research to legislative advocacy and more. To connect with these benefits, visit www.SEMA.org.

Momentum

Forward momentum was tangible not only on the Show floor, but also in the Show’s myriad exhibits, features and events—some familiar and some all-new. Counting outside demonstration and exhibit space, the 2011 SEMA Show occupied nearly 3 million sq. ft. at the Las Vegas Convention center, every foot packed with electric energy. Booth traffic bustled while the awards ceremonies, breakfasts, annual Show banquet and other celebrations brimmed with enthusiastic participants. And when the Show ultimately drew to a close, the newly inaugurated SEMA Cruise provided a way for the outside world to experience the magic, as enthusiasts lined the streets to help celebrate another successful Show.

Passion

Mopar Service, Parts & Customer Care President and CEO Pietro Gorlier (left) and Pro Stock racer Jeg Coughlin Jr. announce the latter’s addition to the Mopar racing team by unveiling his new Dodge Avenger race car. The media event underscored the SEMA Show’s ties to the emotional drive that unites OEMs, the racing industry and the performance aftermarket. That theme was repeated many times over, such as on the Las Vegas Convention Center’s west side, where Ford Out Front returned with its crowd-pleasing, rubber-burning vehicle demonstrations. On top of that, 600 first-time exhibitors displayed at the Show, pushing total exhibitor numbers to an all-time high. Covering and communicating all that passion to the outside world were more than 3,500 credentialed media professionals representing virtually every part of the globe.

Innovation

Named the 2011 SEMA Show’s Hottest Car, the latest iteration of the Chevrolet Camaro has also been added to Mattel’s HotWheels pantheon—a fact celebrated by this creative Chevy booth display. As in years past, nearly 2,000 cars were exhibited at the Show, no two exactly alike, each an original blend of the vision and personal priorities of its owner. Standing squarely at the intersection of art and science, the SEMA Show is a venue for astonishing engineering and an outlet for some of the world’s best designers and stylists. Moreover, OEMs and other major manufacturers choose the Show as a favored venue for unveiling their latest innovations and technologies. First-hand glimpses at these important new trends keep attendees on the cutting edge of a wildly creative, forward-thinking industry.

Learning

The 2011 SEMA Show featured a number of lively panel discussions at the Vehicle Technology Center (VTC) focusing on a variety of technological topics with 55 distinguished speakers over four days. Popular as it was, however, the VTC formed just one part of a broad curriculum of educational programs available at the Show. Thanks to its expertly presented seminars and conferences, the annual SEMA Show remains one of the industry’s top learning experiences, helping to keep the aftermarket fresh, relevant and vibrant. As educator Timothy Nash pointed out in his Education Days keynote address, “The SEMA side of the automotive market truly is the center for innovation and invention.... This is the most entrepreneurial segment, and you are the people who have lived, and made, the American Dream.”

Exploration

The annual SEMA Show is all about business, but there is a lot of fun to be had from simply exploring the aisles and booths to see the amazing products, vehicles and displays that grace the Show floor. And it’s not just fun—this is also the only venue where custom wheel manufacturers can cross categories to interact with tire installation specialists, and collision-repair and refinish specialists can engage custom builders to learn about exotic paint opportunities on a gigantic scale. First held under Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium grandstands in 1967, the SEMA Show has grown to attract more than 130,000 attendees from more than 100 countries, ranking it among the largest trade shows of its kind anywhere in the world. The cross-pollination that occurs with exploration often leads to unexpected new ideas, exciting new opportunities and highly successful business relationships. In the end, attendees never know where a stroll down a SEMA aisle may take them.

Leadership…and Courage

In a moment symbolic of what it will take to succeed in the future, SEMA Chairman of the Board Paul “Scooter” Brothers (left) pitched the evening’s prepared script high into the air at the 2011 SEMA Show’s Industry Banquet, Thursday, November 3. SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting joined Brothers in emphasizing the need to throw away the playbook and find the courage to explore new opportunities. In today’s challenging climate, leadership demands flexibility—and oftentimes the courage to experiment, change direction, risk it all and fly by the seat of one’s pants. These qualities have long been a hallmark of the industry’s greatest entrepreneurs, whose unscripted ideas were alive and on display throughout the four-day Show. “We’re excited about all the options the future holds for anyone willing to innovate,” concluded Brothers.

Youth

Passing the torch to a new generation is a continuous process that pays off in personal satisfaction. Today’s SEMA members mostly made it on their own, coming up the hard way, navigating a jagged path largely dictated by their own intuition. Tomorrow’s designers, technicians and engineers will face even more difficult challenges. But look around and you’ll see proof that the younger generation is smart, talented and bound for success. Through mentoring programs and contests, such as the industry-supported Hot Rodders of Tomorrow, SEMA helps to foster a culture that inspires future industry superstars. The practice of modeling paths to success and turning enthusiasm into knowledge is on display for just one week at the Show, but it goes on 365 days a year.

Connections

Networking. Collaboration. Negotiations. Partnerships. Attendees universally agreed that the 2011 SEMA Show delivered an unprecedented level of quality business connections. Far and away the industry’s leading trade-only event, the annual SEMA Show continues to attract thousands of manufacturers, distributors, retailers, builders, reps, publishers, restylers, racers and marketing and PR professionals from throughout the world. All came intent on conducting business, gathering leads and forging promising new relationships. While the Show is the best-known benefit of membership, SEMA also delivers continued services to members throughout the year, ranging from education to research to legislative advocacy and more. To connect with these benefits, visit www.SEMA.org.

Momentum

Forward momentum was tangible not only on the Show floor, but also in the Show’s myriad exhibits, features and events—some familiar and some all-new. Counting outside demonstration and exhibit space, the 2011 SEMA Show occupied nearly 3 million sq. ft. at the Las Vegas Convention center, every foot packed with electric energy. Booth traffic bustled while the awards ceremonies, breakfasts, annual Show banquet and other celebrations brimmed with enthusiastic participants. And when the Show ultimately drew to a close, the newly inaugurated SEMA Cruise provided a way for the outside world to experience the magic, as enthusiasts lined the streets to help celebrate another successful Show.