By Byron Bergmann

The 2019 SEMA Show Education Program will feature more than 100 professional development and industry-focused seminars. With topics ranging from automotive electronics to women in business, there is sure to be high-value programming for all Show attendees. Built-in partnerships with the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS), Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) and the Tire Industry Association (TIA), SEMA Education offers Show attendees a comprehensive learning experience that will help businesses succeed and advance careers.

Learning tracks include:

• Advanced Vehicle Technology
• Automotive Electronics
• Brew Talks
• Builders
• Business Management
• Collision Repair
• Emerging Markets
• International
• Legal and Regulatory
• Media Communications
• Online Marketing
• Research and Trends
• Sales and Marketing
• SEMA Launch Pad
• SEMA X (new for 2019)
• Tires
• Women Driven 

Preview all seminars and register today!

Contact SEMA Senior Director of Education Zane Clark for additional information.

The 2019 PRI Trade Show is set for December 12–14.

The 2019 PRI Trade Show is set for December 12–14.

By Kyle Cheng

According to the May “SEMA Industry Indicators” report, the economy created 263,000 new jobs in April, and has now added new jobs in each of the last 103 months.

The economic news over the past month has been extremely positive, especially in the face of an economy that had appeared to be slowing recently. Initial estimates for first-quarter GDP growth was 3.2%, suggesting significantly faster growth than consensus estimates.

Job growth further suggest the economy isn’t slowing down just yet. The economy created 263,000 new jobs in April and has now added new jobs in each of the last 103 months. Productivity in the first quarter likewise increased far beyond expectations. High productivity rates and a tight labor market should drive wages higher.

Overall, the economy has improved on many fronts, pushing off the idea, at least temporarily, that a recession is coming. While there is much to celebrate, there are also some warning signs. New residential construction projects are down 13.2%, new-vehicle sales are down this year and there remains tremendous uncertainty surrounding ongoing trade negotiations.

To learn more, download the May “SEMA Industry Indicators” report, now available for free at www.sema.org/research.

By Kyle Cheng

According to the May “SEMA Industry Indicators” report, the economy created 263,000 new jobs in April, and has now added new jobs in each of the last 103 months.

The economic news over the past month has been extremely positive, especially in the face of an economy that had appeared to be slowing recently. Initial estimates for first-quarter GDP growth was 3.2%, suggesting significantly faster growth than consensus estimates.

Job growth further suggest the economy isn’t slowing down just yet. The economy created 263,000 new jobs in April and has now added new jobs in each of the last 103 months. Productivity in the first quarter likewise increased far beyond expectations. High productivity rates and a tight labor market should drive wages higher.

Overall, the economy has improved on many fronts, pushing off the idea, at least temporarily, that a recession is coming. While there is much to celebrate, there are also some warning signs. New residential construction projects are down 13.2%, new-vehicle sales are down this year and there remains tremendous uncertainty surrounding ongoing trade negotiations.

To learn more, download the May “SEMA Industry Indicators” report, now available for free at www.sema.org/research.

By Lindsay Bianco

The champion can display the trophy for a year with its company name engraved among the winners. It must then be returned in a Stanley Cup-style tradition, as it will be up for grabs again at next year’s Pinewood Drag Races, when the company will have a chance to defend its title.

During the Industry Cup Challenge—to be held during the annual Pinewood Drag Races at the SEMA Installation & Gala, Friday, July 26, at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, California—sponsoring companies are divided into five divisions, where they race high-quality, child-built pinewood cars. Each division crowns a winning company, which then goes on to represent that division in an all-out industry race to No. 1.

Everyone is a true winner as the SEMA Cares charities (Austin Hatcher Foundation, Childhelp and Victory Junction) continue to help those in need, disadvantaged children have fun building toy cars and the industry engages the community in a positive way.

The industry challengers each have a limited number of entrants in the following divisions:

• Warehouse Distributors
• Manufacturers
• Media Groups
• Rep Agencies
• Service Providers

The champion can display the trophy for a year with its company name engraved among the winners. It must then be returned in a Stanley Cup-style tradition, as it will be up for grabs again at next year’s Pinewood Drag Races, when the company will have a chance to defend its title.

The donation cost is $1,000 per sponsoring company. The standard pinewood build rules apply to all competing vehicles. Vehicles are randomly assigned and the race is officiated by SEMA Cares volunteers.

For more information, contact the SEMA Cares staff liaison Lindsay Bianco at lindsayb@sema.org or 909-978-6692.

By Lindsay Bianco

The champion can display the trophy for a year with its company name engraved among the winners. It must then be returned in a Stanley Cup-style tradition, as it will be up for grabs again at next year’s Pinewood Drag Races, when the company will have a chance to defend its title.

During the Industry Cup Challenge—to be held during the annual Pinewood Drag Races at the SEMA Installation & Gala, Friday, July 26, at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, California—sponsoring companies are divided into five divisions, where they race high-quality, child-built pinewood cars. Each division crowns a winning company, which then goes on to represent that division in an all-out industry race to No. 1.

Everyone is a true winner as the SEMA Cares charities (Austin Hatcher Foundation, Childhelp and Victory Junction) continue to help those in need, disadvantaged children have fun building toy cars and the industry engages the community in a positive way.

The industry challengers each have a limited number of entrants in the following divisions:

• Warehouse Distributors
• Manufacturers
• Media Groups
• Rep Agencies
• Service Providers

The champion can display the trophy for a year with its company name engraved among the winners. It must then be returned in a Stanley Cup-style tradition, as it will be up for grabs again at next year’s Pinewood Drag Races, when the company will have a chance to defend its title.

The donation cost is $1,000 per sponsoring company. The standard pinewood build rules apply to all competing vehicles. Vehicles are randomly assigned and the race is officiated by SEMA Cares volunteers.

For more information, contact the SEMA Cares staff liaison Lindsay Bianco at lindsayb@sema.org or 909-978-6692.

By Lindsay Bianco

The champion can display the trophy for a year with its company name engraved among the winners. It must then be returned in a Stanley Cup-style tradition, as it will be up for grabs again at next year’s Pinewood Drag Races, when the company will have a chance to defend its title.

During the Industry Cup Challenge—to be held during the annual Pinewood Drag Races at the SEMA Installation & Gala, Friday, July 26, at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, California—sponsoring companies are divided into five divisions, where they race high-quality, child-built pinewood cars. Each division crowns a winning company, which then goes on to represent that division in an all-out industry race to No. 1.

Everyone is a true winner as the SEMA Cares charities (Austin Hatcher Foundation, Childhelp and Victory Junction) continue to help those in need, disadvantaged children have fun building toy cars and the industry engages the community in a positive way.

The industry challengers each have a limited number of entrants in the following divisions:

• Warehouse Distributors
• Manufacturers
• Media Groups
• Rep Agencies
• Service Providers

The champion can display the trophy for a year with its company name engraved among the winners. It must then be returned in a Stanley Cup-style tradition, as it will be up for grabs again at next year’s Pinewood Drag Races, when the company will have a chance to defend its title.

The donation cost is $1,000 per sponsoring company. The standard pinewood build rules apply to all competing vehicles. Vehicles are randomly assigned and the race is officiated by SEMA Cares volunteers.

For more information, contact the SEMA Cares staff liaison Lindsay Bianco at lindsayb@sema.org or 909-978-6692.

By Lindsay Bianco

The champion can display the trophy for a year with its company name engraved among the winners. It must then be returned in a Stanley Cup-style tradition, as it will be up for grabs again at next year’s Pinewood Drag Races, when the company will have a chance to defend its title.

During the Industry Cup Challenge—to be held during the annual Pinewood Drag Races at the SEMA Installation & Gala, Friday, July 26, at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, California—sponsoring companies are divided into five divisions, where they race high-quality, child-built pinewood cars. Each division crowns a winning company, which then goes on to represent that division in an all-out industry race to No. 1.

Everyone is a true winner as the SEMA Cares charities (Austin Hatcher Foundation, Childhelp and Victory Junction) continue to help those in need, disadvantaged children have fun building toy cars and the industry engages the community in a positive way.

The industry challengers each have a limited number of entrants in the following divisions:

• Warehouse Distributors
• Manufacturers
• Media Groups
• Rep Agencies
• Service Providers

The champion can display the trophy for a year with its company name engraved among the winners. It must then be returned in a Stanley Cup-style tradition, as it will be up for grabs again at next year’s Pinewood Drag Races, when the company will have a chance to defend its title.

The donation cost is $1,000 per sponsoring company. The standard pinewood build rules apply to all competing vehicles. Vehicles are randomly assigned and the race is officiated by SEMA Cares volunteers.

For more information, contact the SEMA Cares staff liaison Lindsay Bianco at lindsayb@sema.org or 909-978-6692.

By Lindsay Bianco

The champion can display the trophy for a year with its company name engraved among the winners. It must then be returned in a Stanley Cup-style tradition, as it will be up for grabs again at next year’s Pinewood Drag Races, when the company will have a chance to defend its title.

During the Industry Cup Challenge—to be held during the annual Pinewood Drag Races at the SEMA Installation & Gala, Friday, July 26, at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, California—sponsoring companies are divided into five divisions, where they race high-quality, child-built pinewood cars. Each division crowns a winning company, which then goes on to represent that division in an all-out industry race to No. 1.

Everyone is a true winner as the SEMA Cares charities (Austin Hatcher Foundation, Childhelp and Victory Junction) continue to help those in need, disadvantaged children have fun building toy cars and the industry engages the community in a positive way.

The industry challengers each have a limited number of entrants in the following divisions:

• Warehouse Distributors
• Manufacturers
• Media Groups
• Rep Agencies
• Service Providers

The champion can display the trophy for a year with its company name engraved among the winners. It must then be returned in a Stanley Cup-style tradition, as it will be up for grabs again at next year’s Pinewood Drag Races, when the company will have a chance to defend its title.

The donation cost is $1,000 per sponsoring company. The standard pinewood build rules apply to all competing vehicles. Vehicles are randomly assigned and the race is officiated by SEMA Cares volunteers.

For more information, contact the SEMA Cares staff liaison Lindsay Bianco at lindsayb@sema.org or 909-978-6692.