By Della Domingo

Viewers across America tuned in to the Velocity Network last Sunday for the premiere of the “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” TV special. The one-hour program takes viewers behind the closed doors of the industry-only SEMA Show, and highlights the Top-10 builders, their vehicles and their journey to the inaugural competition. The program and competition created unprecedented social media buzz, with the show’s promo video garnering thousands of views.

Online comments to the live airing ranged from, “I think it could be a mini series, with an episode going to each car,” to “Very neat to see what goes on at SEMA and to see more about the cars and builds.”

• “Was good, very neat to see what goes on at SEMA and to see more about the cars and builders.” —Travis Otis Floyd on Facebook
• “I think it could be a mini series with an episode going to each car. 5–6 episodes.” — Brian Wilson on Facebook
• “Great Show. Glad to see the builders and car owners get some more recognition. A lot of time and money went into those projects.” —Mark Moon on Facebook
• “Was a great show, some awesome cars.” —Dave Oliver on Facebook
• “Was a good show, a lot of awesome builds!” —Nathan Howard on Facebook

If you missed the premiere, you can catch it again this Saturday, March 14, at 3:00 p.m. (EDT) and Sunday March 22, at 6:00 p.m. (EDT) on the Velocity Network.
 
For more information visit www.semaignited.com. 

By Della Domingo

Viewers across America tuned in to the Velocity Network last Sunday for the premiere of the “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” TV special. The one-hour program takes viewers behind the closed doors of the industry-only SEMA Show, and highlights the Top-10 builders, their vehicles and their journey to the inaugural competition. The program and competition created unprecedented social media buzz, with the show’s promo video garnering thousands of views.

Online comments to the live airing ranged from, “I think it could be a mini series, with an episode going to each car,” to “Very neat to see what goes on at SEMA and to see more about the cars and builds.”

• “Was good, very neat to see what goes on at SEMA and to see more about the cars and builders.” —Travis Otis Floyd on Facebook
• “I think it could be a mini series with an episode going to each car. 5–6 episodes.” — Brian Wilson on Facebook
• “Great Show. Glad to see the builders and car owners get some more recognition. A lot of time and money went into those projects.” —Mark Moon on Facebook
• “Was a great show, some awesome cars.” —Dave Oliver on Facebook
• “Was a good show, a lot of awesome builds!” —Nathan Howard on Facebook

If you missed the premiere, you can catch it again this Saturday, March 14, at 3:00 p.m. (EDT) and Sunday March 22, at 6:00 p.m. (EDT) on the Velocity Network.
 
For more information visit www.semaignited.com. 

By Della Domingo

Viewers across America tuned in to the Velocity Network last Sunday for the premiere of the “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” TV special. The one-hour program takes viewers behind the closed doors of the industry-only SEMA Show, and highlights the Top-10 builders, their vehicles and their journey to the inaugural competition. The program and competition created unprecedented social media buzz, with the show’s promo video garnering thousands of views.

Online comments to the live airing ranged from, “I think it could be a mini series, with an episode going to each car,” to “Very neat to see what goes on at SEMA and to see more about the cars and builds.”

• “Was good, very neat to see what goes on at SEMA and to see more about the cars and builders.” —Travis Otis Floyd on Facebook
• “I think it could be a mini series with an episode going to each car. 5–6 episodes.” — Brian Wilson on Facebook
• “Great Show. Glad to see the builders and car owners get some more recognition. A lot of time and money went into those projects.” —Mark Moon on Facebook
• “Was a great show, some awesome cars.” —Dave Oliver on Facebook
• “Was a good show, a lot of awesome builds!” —Nathan Howard on Facebook

If you missed the premiere, you can catch it again this Saturday, March 14, at 3:00 p.m. (EDT) and Sunday March 22, at 6:00 p.m. (EDT) on the Velocity Network.
 
For more information visit www.semaignited.com. 

By Della Domingo

Viewers across America tuned in to the Velocity Network last Sunday for the premiere of the “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” TV special. The one-hour program takes viewers behind the closed doors of the industry-only SEMA Show, and highlights the Top-10 builders, their vehicles and their journey to the inaugural competition. The program and competition created unprecedented social media buzz, with the show’s promo video garnering thousands of views.

Online comments to the live airing ranged from, “I think it could be a mini series, with an episode going to each car,” to “Very neat to see what goes on at SEMA and to see more about the cars and builds.”

• “Was good, very neat to see what goes on at SEMA and to see more about the cars and builders.” —Travis Otis Floyd on Facebook
• “I think it could be a mini series with an episode going to each car. 5–6 episodes.” — Brian Wilson on Facebook
• “Great Show. Glad to see the builders and car owners get some more recognition. A lot of time and money went into those projects.” —Mark Moon on Facebook
• “Was a great show, some awesome cars.” —Dave Oliver on Facebook
• “Was a good show, a lot of awesome builds!” —Nathan Howard on Facebook

If you missed the premiere, you can catch it again this Saturday, March 14, at 3:00 p.m. (EDT) and Sunday March 22, at 6:00 p.m. (EDT) on the Velocity Network.
 
For more information visit www.semaignited.com. 

By Becca Butler

	With eight months still to go, more than 1,200 exhibiting companies have committed to the 2015 SEMA Show, with new applications being submitted daily.

With eight months to go before the 2015 SEMA Show, the annual trade event already includes more than 1,200 exhibiting companies, with new applications being submitted daily.
 
View the current list of exhibitors. Exhibitors can ensure they are included in the list before attendee registration opens next month by securing booth space today.

Account representatives are available to help answer any questions exhibitors might have as well as assist with general planning.

Contact a SEMA Show sales representative at sales@sema.org or 909-396-0289.

By Becca Butler

	With eight months still to go, more than 1,200 exhibiting companies have committed to the 2015 SEMA Show, with new applications being submitted daily.

With eight months to go before the 2015 SEMA Show, the annual trade event already includes more than 1,200 exhibiting companies, with new applications being submitted daily.
 
View the current list of exhibitors. Exhibitors can ensure they are included in the list before attendee registration opens next month by securing booth space today.

Account representatives are available to help answer any questions exhibitors might have as well as assist with general planning.

Contact a SEMA Show sales representative at sales@sema.org or 909-396-0289.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

	Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD) will be celebrated this year on July 10, 2015.

Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD) will be celebrated this year on July 10, 2015. At the request of SEMA, this “holiday” has been marked each year since 2010 by a U.S. Senate Resolution recognizing that the “collection and restoration of historic and classic cars is an important part of preserving the technological achievements and cultural heritage of the United States.”

As in years past, a wide range of automotive events will be held to commemorate the occasion. As this annual event continues to grow worldwide, states, provinces, counties and cities are following suit with their own recognition. SEMA encourages participation throughout the month of July to honor the classics of the past and the future.

Celebrate the hobby your way!

• Attend an official vehicle-inspired event.
• Host your own gathering or club meeting.
• Promote a “holiday sale” at your business.
• Drive your special ride, new or old, whatever the destination.

Plan and submit your July event at no cost or locate an event near you.

Register your event now. Participating organizers will be awarded a copy of the congressional resolution for display at each registered event.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

	Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD) will be celebrated this year on July 10, 2015.

Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD) will be celebrated this year on July 10, 2015. At the request of SEMA, this “holiday” has been marked each year since 2010 by a U.S. Senate Resolution recognizing that the “collection and restoration of historic and classic cars is an important part of preserving the technological achievements and cultural heritage of the United States.”

As in years past, a wide range of automotive events will be held to commemorate the occasion. As this annual event continues to grow worldwide, states, provinces, counties and cities are following suit with their own recognition. SEMA encourages participation throughout the month of July to honor the classics of the past and the future.

Celebrate the hobby your way!

• Attend an official vehicle-inspired event.
• Host your own gathering or club meeting.
• Promote a “holiday sale” at your business.
• Drive your special ride, new or old, whatever the destination.

Plan and submit your July event at no cost or locate an event near you.

Register your event now. Participating organizers will be awarded a copy of the congressional resolution for display at each registered event.

By SEMA Editors

Joel Ayres

The Aftermarket Foundation’s Executive Committee has hired Joel Ayres as the its first-ever executive director. An industry veteran of more than 30 years, Ayres was most recently vice president of sales and marketing for TAKIT Inc. of Medford, Oregon.

In announcing the hiring of Ayres, Foundation Chairman Bob Hirsch commented, “The Foundation could not be more pleased than to have someone of Joel’s caliber lead us into the next phase of our journey providing care and financial assistance to industry people affected by hardship. The need for our services has never been greater, and this is the first time in our nearly 60-year history that we’ve had a full-time director solely dedicated to enabling us to help more people and drive more giving. This is an exciting time indeed.”

Until now, the Foundation has been led by a voluntary board of industry dignitary, with various leaders holding the chairman’s position throughout its history. Ayres’ hiring was the culmination of an exhaustive search to find a leader that possessed a broad-scale network of industry contacts and had the philanthropic experience necessary to manage the intensity of giving that the Foundation initiates and oversees.

“As soon as I became aware of this position, I felt it was my calling,” Ayres said. “All my life I’ve had a passion for the automotive aftermarket and for charitable efforts, and this was a chance to combine the two. I’m honored the Foundation chose me as their first, full-time executive director, and are entrusting me to lead our philanthropic efforts and expand our reach and help more people. The need is great.”

In addition to his prolific aftermarket career, which he began at an early age, Ayres’ work in charity is equally impressive. From co-founding the start of the Big Brothers chapter in Northeastern Indiana and being a Big Brothers volunteer, to being a volunteer at the Adam Petty Victory Junction camp, to co-founding and serving as the first chairman of SEMA Cares, Ayres has a long resume of charitable activism. Along the way, Ayres has also been named the SEMA Person of the Year, has been recognized by Trucking Times magazine for his significant contributions to the truck accessory market and was given an award by HeartGallery of Sacramento for his tireless work contributing to adoptions.

Ayres began his new role March 2.

By SEMA Editors

Joel Ayres

The Aftermarket Foundation’s Executive Committee has hired Joel Ayres as the its first-ever executive director. An industry veteran of more than 30 years, Ayres was most recently vice president of sales and marketing for TAKIT Inc. of Medford, Oregon.

In announcing the hiring of Ayres, Foundation Chairman Bob Hirsch commented, “The Foundation could not be more pleased than to have someone of Joel’s caliber lead us into the next phase of our journey providing care and financial assistance to industry people affected by hardship. The need for our services has never been greater, and this is the first time in our nearly 60-year history that we’ve had a full-time director solely dedicated to enabling us to help more people and drive more giving. This is an exciting time indeed.”

Until now, the Foundation has been led by a voluntary board of industry dignitary, with various leaders holding the chairman’s position throughout its history. Ayres’ hiring was the culmination of an exhaustive search to find a leader that possessed a broad-scale network of industry contacts and had the philanthropic experience necessary to manage the intensity of giving that the Foundation initiates and oversees.

“As soon as I became aware of this position, I felt it was my calling,” Ayres said. “All my life I’ve had a passion for the automotive aftermarket and for charitable efforts, and this was a chance to combine the two. I’m honored the Foundation chose me as their first, full-time executive director, and are entrusting me to lead our philanthropic efforts and expand our reach and help more people. The need is great.”

In addition to his prolific aftermarket career, which he began at an early age, Ayres’ work in charity is equally impressive. From co-founding the start of the Big Brothers chapter in Northeastern Indiana and being a Big Brothers volunteer, to being a volunteer at the Adam Petty Victory Junction camp, to co-founding and serving as the first chairman of SEMA Cares, Ayres has a long resume of charitable activism. Along the way, Ayres has also been named the SEMA Person of the Year, has been recognized by Trucking Times magazine for his significant contributions to the truck accessory market and was given an award by HeartGallery of Sacramento for his tireless work contributing to adoptions.

Ayres began his new role March 2.