By SEMA Editors

Held in conjunction with the SEMA Installation & Gala, the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races will take place Friday, July 20, 2018, at the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City, in Universal City, California.

The 2018 Pinewood Drag Racing season is now open! Each year, hundreds of SEMA-member companies step up to generously sponsor pinewood cars, with 100% of the proceeds going to qualified SEMA Cares charities. To learn more and register, visit www.sema.org/pinewood.

Once again held in conjunction with the SEMA Installation & Gala, the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races will take place Friday, July 20, 2018, at the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City, in Universal City, California. The finals are held during the cocktail reception, shortly before the banquet begins.

SEMA members can race either a car or a truck in three classes: Build It For Me (BIFM), Stock and Unlimited. Members can either sponsor child-built cars and trucks in the Build It For Me (BIFM) or Stock Class, or they can build and enter their own SEMA-supplied stock car or truck. Stock-Class racing usually garners the most entries with a typical speed of 3.2 seconds on a 50-ft. track. For hardcore speed enthusiasts, the Unlimited Class has only one rule—that one item from the stock kit be used. Cars in this class run sub-3 seconds, and many of the past top builders include some of the most recognized names in the industry.

SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races special features include the annual HRIA Builders Challenge and the Council Cup. Watch as some of the biggest names in hot rodding build state-of-the-art custom pinewoods that will be raced and then auctioned off, with all of the proceeds going to SEMA Cares. Council members are invited to come out and challenge their peers for the opportunity to win the coveted Council Cup. The more cars or trucks fielded by each council member, the greater their chances of winning.

If you’re the hands-on type, SEMA invites you to attend the build day at Childhelp Village West in Beaumont, California, Saturday, May 5, where you can help the children sand, paint and assemble cars for the races. Each child will build two cars: one to keep and one reserved for sponsorship by a caring SEMA-member company or individual. Members interested in participating are invited to contact lindsayb@sema.org or visit the SEMA Cares Facebook page.

Proceeds from the races will benefit SEMA Cares charities, including Childhelp and Victory Junction. Childhelp assists abused and neglected children by providing counseling and programs in a safe and secure living environment. Victory Junction provides the camp experience for children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses who otherwise would not be able to go. Sponsoring a SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races car or truck is easy and rewarding. Help a child in need today!

By SEMA Editors

The Priority Space Selection process provides exhibitors with the opportunity to choose the best locations for their Show displays.

Companies that submitted booth space applications for the 2018 SEMA Show last month are eligible to participate in the Priority Space Selection process, which begins April 30. The process is based on exhibitor seniority, and provides companies with the opportunity to choose the best locations for their Show displays.

Leading up to the selection process, each company will be contacted via email with their booth selection date and time range. The email will be sent to the person listed as the exhibitor’s primary SEMA Show contact.

About an hour prior to the time to select, exhibitors are encouraged to be prepared by viewing the 2018 Show’s online floorplan. Updated every 30 minutes, exhibitors can see as the Show begins to take shape and monitor their desired section to gain a general idea of where they want to display.

Between April 24–27, each primary contact should take time to check their email, including their “junk” folders. Companies that have not received a correspondence by April 27 or that want to change the primary Show contact listed on the application should email sales@sema.org (or call 909-396-0289).

During the exhibitor’s time to pick, a SEMA Show account representative will call the primary SEMA Show contact and help locate and assign the exhibit space that best suits the company’s needs.

The 2018 SEMA Show is scheduled for Tuesday–Friday, October 30–November 2, in Las Vegas. There’s still time to participate in the Priority Space Selection Process. Reserve a booth space for 2018 now by visiting www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

By SEMA Editors

The Priority Space Selection process provides exhibitors with the opportunity to choose the best locations for their Show displays.

Companies that submitted booth space applications for the 2018 SEMA Show last month are eligible to participate in the Priority Space Selection process, which begins April 30. The process is based on exhibitor seniority, and provides companies with the opportunity to choose the best locations for their Show displays.

Leading up to the selection process, each company will be contacted via email with their booth selection date and time range. The email will be sent to the person listed as the exhibitor’s primary SEMA Show contact.

About an hour prior to the time to select, exhibitors are encouraged to be prepared by viewing the 2018 Show’s online floorplan. Updated every 30 minutes, exhibitors can see as the Show begins to take shape and monitor their desired section to gain a general idea of where they want to display.

Between April 24–27, each primary contact should take time to check their email, including their “junk” folders. Companies that have not received a correspondence by April 27 or that want to change the primary Show contact listed on the application should email sales@sema.org (or call 909-396-0289).

During the exhibitor’s time to pick, a SEMA Show account representative will call the primary SEMA Show contact and help locate and assign the exhibit space that best suits the company’s needs.

The 2018 SEMA Show is scheduled for Tuesday–Friday, October 30–November 2, in Las Vegas. There’s still time to participate in the Priority Space Selection Process. Reserve a booth space for 2018 now by visiting www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

By SEMA Editors

The Priority Space Selection process provides exhibitors with the opportunity to choose the best locations for their Show displays.

Companies that submitted booth space applications for the 2018 SEMA Show last month are eligible to participate in the Priority Space Selection process, which begins April 30. The process is based on exhibitor seniority, and provides companies with the opportunity to choose the best locations for their Show displays.

Leading up to the selection process, each company will be contacted via email with their booth selection date and time range. The email will be sent to the person listed as the exhibitor’s primary SEMA Show contact.

About an hour prior to the time to select, exhibitors are encouraged to be prepared by viewing the 2018 Show’s online floorplan. Updated every 30 minutes, exhibitors can see as the Show begins to take shape and monitor their desired section to gain a general idea of where they want to display.

Between April 24–27, each primary contact should take time to check their email, including their “junk” folders. Companies that have not received a correspondence by April 27 or that want to change the primary Show contact listed on the application should email sales@sema.org (or call 909-396-0289).

During the exhibitor’s time to pick, a SEMA Show account representative will call the primary SEMA Show contact and help locate and assign the exhibit space that best suits the company’s needs.

The 2018 SEMA Show is scheduled for Tuesday–Friday, October 30–November 2, in Las Vegas. There’s still time to participate in the Priority Space Selection Process. Reserve a booth space for 2018 now by visiting www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

By SEMA Editors

In partnership with Chevrolet, the SEMA Garage will host a Detroit Measuring Session next week for the ’19 Silverado LTZ and High Country.

The SEMA Garage has one Measuring Session left in Detroit for the ’19 Silverado LTZ and High Country, Tuesday, April 24, from 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (EDT).

Register now!

For additional information on the ’19 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ and High Country Measuring Sessions, contact Senior Director of OEM Relations Warren Kosikov.

For the ’19 model, the Silverado has a wheelbase that is 3.9 in. longer, has 43 in. of headroom, and is 450 lbs. lighter. New features on the Silverado include best-in-class cargo box volume, three fixed tie-downs welded into each corner of the bed, and a CornerStep bumper with larger footwells.

Measuring sessions provide SEMA-member manufacturers hands-on access to new vehicles to gather surface data for designing, developing and manufacturing specialty parts and accessories. Participating SEMA members are able to obtain detailed information on current and, in some cases, yet-to-be introduced cars and trucks.

Learn more about the SEMA Garage.

By SEMA Editors

In partnership with Chevrolet, the SEMA Garage will host a Detroit Measuring Session next week for the ’19 Silverado LTZ and High Country.

The SEMA Garage has one Measuring Session left in Detroit for the ’19 Silverado LTZ and High Country, Tuesday, April 24, from 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (EDT).

Register now!

For additional information on the ’19 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ and High Country Measuring Sessions, contact Senior Director of OEM Relations Warren Kosikov.

For the ’19 model, the Silverado has a wheelbase that is 3.9 in. longer, has 43 in. of headroom, and is 450 lbs. lighter. New features on the Silverado include best-in-class cargo box volume, three fixed tie-downs welded into each corner of the bed, and a CornerStep bumper with larger footwells.

Measuring sessions provide SEMA-member manufacturers hands-on access to new vehicles to gather surface data for designing, developing and manufacturing specialty parts and accessories. Participating SEMA members are able to obtain detailed information on current and, in some cases, yet-to-be introduced cars and trucks.

Learn more about the SEMA Garage.

By SEMA Editors

In partnership with Chevrolet, the SEMA Garage will host a Detroit Measuring Session next week for the ’19 Silverado LTZ and High Country.

The SEMA Garage has one Measuring Session left in Detroit for the ’19 Silverado LTZ and High Country, Tuesday, April 24, from 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (EDT).

Register now!

For additional information on the ’19 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ and High Country Measuring Sessions, contact Senior Director of OEM Relations Warren Kosikov.

For the ’19 model, the Silverado has a wheelbase that is 3.9 in. longer, has 43 in. of headroom, and is 450 lbs. lighter. New features on the Silverado include best-in-class cargo box volume, three fixed tie-downs welded into each corner of the bed, and a CornerStep bumper with larger footwells.

Measuring sessions provide SEMA-member manufacturers hands-on access to new vehicles to gather surface data for designing, developing and manufacturing specialty parts and accessories. Participating SEMA members are able to obtain detailed information on current and, in some cases, yet-to-be introduced cars and trucks.

Learn more about the SEMA Garage.

By SEMA Editors

If you know an industry leader under the age of 35 as of September 1, 2018, SEMA News would like to hear from you.

For the sixth consecutive year, SEMA News is looking to highlight top-tier talent in the automotive aftermarket industry who are age 35 and younger. We need your input. If you know a leader in that age range as of September 1, 2018—whether they are in manufacturing and design, marketing, retail, events and media, or distribution—we would like to hear from you.

It is very likely that SEMA members are currently working with creative and talented young professionals who are already moving the industry in new and different directions. They might be people who have played key roles in leveraging new and emerging technologies with a traditional automotive aftermarket business to expand company reach, improve product development, energize marketing efforts or upgrade customer interaction.

They could be budding superstars at an established company, entrepreneurs building their own brands or innovators who have launched companies that might become big names in the future. What they all will have in common are fresh ideas, enthusiasm, charisma and the drive to succeed. These are people who know what’s going on at the ground level, who see opportunities that are now forming and who travel in circles that may be very different from those of our “old-school” industry leaders.

Winners will be chosen based on their business success, contribution to their organization, industry knowledge and community involvement. We’ll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org.

Nominate a candidate now for the 2018 SEMA News 35 Under 35. Nominations are due May 31, 2018.

By SEMA Editors

If you know an industry leader under the age of 35 as of September 1, 2018, SEMA News would like to hear from you.

For the sixth consecutive year, SEMA News is looking to highlight top-tier talent in the automotive aftermarket industry who are age 35 and younger. We need your input. If you know a leader in that age range as of September 1, 2018—whether they are in manufacturing and design, marketing, retail, events and media, or distribution—we would like to hear from you.

It is very likely that SEMA members are currently working with creative and talented young professionals who are already moving the industry in new and different directions. They might be people who have played key roles in leveraging new and emerging technologies with a traditional automotive aftermarket business to expand company reach, improve product development, energize marketing efforts or upgrade customer interaction.

They could be budding superstars at an established company, entrepreneurs building their own brands or innovators who have launched companies that might become big names in the future. What they all will have in common are fresh ideas, enthusiasm, charisma and the drive to succeed. These are people who know what’s going on at the ground level, who see opportunities that are now forming and who travel in circles that may be very different from those of our “old-school” industry leaders.

Winners will be chosen based on their business success, contribution to their organization, industry knowledge and community involvement. We’ll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org.

Nominate a candidate now for the 2018 SEMA News 35 Under 35. Nominations are due May 31, 2018.

By SEMA Editors

Following are dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

• SEMA Measuring Session: ’19 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ and High Country, April 24, 2018, Detroit
• YEN Meetup Formula DRIFT Atlanta, May 11, 2018, Road Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia
• SEMA Washington Rally, May 16, 2018, Washington, D.C.
• SEMA Australia Business Development Program, May 24–28, 2018, Melbourne, Australia
• SEMA Town Hall Meeting, June 7, 2018, Flaming River Industries, Berea, Ohio
• SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit, June 25–26, 2018, Las Vegas
• Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD), July 13, 2018
• SEMA Installation & Gala, July 20, 2018, Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City, Universal City, California
• SEMA China Business Development Conference, August 15–19, 2018, Shanghai, China
• SEMA Show, October 30–November 2, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas
• PRI Trade Show, December 6–8, 2018, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstore.com) at Travel Store USA, 949-930-9268.