The SEMA Show shines the spotlight on the parts and technologies of the specialty-equipment market and all of the professionals who represent the heartbeat of the industry. The Show also serves as the industry's stage to honor those whose tireless efforts and contributions have shaped an industry and a hobby enjoyed by millions throughout the world.

Below are the winners of the awards presented during the SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet that took place Thursday evening during Show week.

SEMA Warehouse Distributor of the Year: Meyer Distributing

Founded in the mid-1980s as a truck parts and equipment distributor in Haysville, Indiana, Meyer Distributing steadily grew during the next three decades eventually expanding its customer base to include shipping to all 50 states. Today, Meyer Distributing has become one of the most successful warehouse distributors of high performance automotive parts in the country representing over 300 product lines and serving thousands of customers through its warehousing facilities. Meyer Distributing was runner-up for the 2009 Warehouse Distributor of the Year award and has been honored as Warehouse Distributor of the Year by several other prestigious industry organizations. Key members of Meyer Distributing have also served on SEMA's Light-Truck Accessory Alliance and Professional Restylers Organization Select Committees.

SEMA Manufacturers' Rep Agency of the Year: Michael Kunzman & Associates

Michael Kunzman & Associates is an independent manufacturer’s sales representative agency specializing in the performance automotive aftermarket. Michael Kunzman & Associates represents some of the largest manufacturers in the industry to every level of distribution including warehouse distributors, retailers, mail order companies, OEM, expediters, jobbers, installers, speed shops, engine builders, and specialty customizers. The company provides coverage throughout the Midwest, as well as parts of Canada. Among the services offered are training seminars, point-of-purchase displays, catalog creation and maintenance, merchandising, advertising, warranty and warehousing of products.

The PWA Manufacturer of the Year is Painless Performance. PWA presents its Manufacturer of the Year Award in recognition of outstanding contributions to the specialty-equipment industry and in appreciation of conscientious efforts in support of the warehouse distributor concept of merchandise distribution.	PWA presented its Person of the Year Award to Rick Sparks of Comp Cams. PWA presents its Person of the Year Award in recognition of outstanding contribution and in appreciation of their conscientious dedication as an individual member to the Specialty Equipment Industry.

	Local Motors President, CEO and co-founder John B. Rogers was the keynote speaker at the New Products Awards Breakfast. Rogers spoke on the importance of an open, collaborative development environment and the need to share ideas.

Local Motors President, CEO and co-founder John B. Rogers helped to kick-off the 2010 SEMA Show as the Keynote speaker of the New Products Awards Breakfast. The annual breakfast gathering is where some of the hottest products the industry has to offer are recognized for expertise in design, craftsmanship and ingenuity. Two new categories were added to this year's award presentation: Best New Tire and Related Product and The Best New Wheel and Related Product.

Rogers launched Local Motors three years ago based on the concept of open-source co-creation and local manufacturing, a business practice and philosophy highlighted in the August issue of SEMA News. During the breakfast, Rogers explained how open sourcing would change the production of automobiles and the importance of a collaborative development environment to share ideas.

After his presentation, attendees enjoyed a first-hand look at the products the industry has deemed most innovative. Criteria that ranked high on the judges' selection for the New Products Awards Showcase included superiority of innovation, technical achievement, quality and workmanship, consumer appeal and marketability.

The 2010 New Products Award winners are:

Best Engineered New Product

Winner: LOKAR Performance Products, Drive-by-Wire Electronic Throttle Control (ETC)

Runner Up: ISIS Power, ISIS inTOUCH Max Touch Screen System

Runner Up: QA1 Motorsports, Wireless Remote Adjust System

Best New Exterior Accessory Product

Winner: Pro Comp/Smittybilt, M1 Truck Bumper

Runner Up: Stainless Showworks Inc., ’10-’11 Mustang V6 and GT Mirrored Polished Stainless Steel Engine Compartment Dress Up Kit

Runner Up: MBRP Inc., Mega Tips

Best New Interior Accessory Product

Winner: Omix-Ada/Rugged Ridge, Rugged Ridge Interior Trim Kit for the ’07-’10 Jeep JK Wrangler

Runner Up: B&M Racing and Performance Products, Hurst HardDrive Stick

Runner Up: Spectre Performance, ProFab Door Panels

Best New Merchandising Display

Winner: ARP Inc., ARP Ultra Torque Counter Display

Runner Up: Husky Liners, Husky Mud Guard P.O.P.

Runner Up: Fastway Trailer Products, Fastway Flip Display

Best New Mobile Electronics Product

Winner: Directus, Prodigy One

Runner Up: Cobra Electronics, Cobra iRadar Detection System

Runner Up: Dynojet Research, Power Vision

Best New Off-Road/4-Wheel-Drive Product

Winner: Timbren Industries Inc., Axle-Less Trailer Suspension

Runner Up: Omix-Ada/Rugged Ridge, Tire Carrier Linkage for ’76-’11 Jeeps

Runner Up: Advance Adapters Inc., Deluxe TJ Cable Shifter

Best New Packaging Design

Winner: Bubba Rope, Bubba Rope

Runner Up: Meguiar's Inc., Brilliant Solutions Wheel Polishing Kit

Runner Up: AMP Research, AMP Research Bed X-Tender

Best New Performance-Racing Product

Winner: COMP Performance Group, COMP Cams Phaser Adjustable Locks for the ’11 5.0L Mustang

Runner Up: Holley Performance Products, Holley LS3/L92 Hi-Ram Modular Intake Manifold System, Carb & EFI

Runner Up: BD Diesel Performance, Big Daddy Race Turbo/Diverter Valve

Best New Performance-Street Product

Winner: McLeod Racing, Mustang Master Cylinder Retro Kit

Runner Up: Painless Performance Products, GM Gen IV Tach Driver

Runner Up: COMP Performance Group, TCI 6X Six-Speed Transmission Package for Ford, Chrysler and Pontiac Applications

Best New Powersports Product

Winner: AMSOIL, AMSOIL Quickshot SE

Runner Up: Axia Alloys, Modular Roll Cage Clamping System

Runner Up: SSV Works, BM-175S/B

Best New Street Rod/Custom Car Product

Winner: Dakota Digital Inc., VHX Hybrid Analog/Digital Instrument Systems, GM Tri-Five Applications

Runner Up: Billet Specialties Inc., Billet Deck Lid Hinge

Runner Up: Danchuk Manufacturing, ’57 Front One-Piece OE-style Bumper

Best New Tire and Related Product

Winner: Continental Tire, Continental ProContact With EcoPlus Technology

Runner Up: Continental Tire, General Grabber

Runner Up: Coker Tire, Excelsior Stahl Sport

Best New Tools & Equipment Product

Winner: AAC, The Filler Detective

Runner Up: TecMate North America, OptiMate 6-TM-181

Runner Up: Auto Meter Products, BVA-260

Best New Van/Pickup/Sport-Utility Product

Winner: Fastway Trailer Products, Fastway Flip-Self-Retracting Jack Foot

Runner Up: Shin Shield, Shin Shield

Runner Up: RBP/Rolling Big Power-A Division of Lexani, RBP Logo Mud Flap

Best New Wheel and Related Product

Winner: The Ultimate Wheel & Tire Plus Sizing Guide, Bolt Pattern Pro

Runner Up: Kyowa Designs/Concept One, Concept One Executive RS-55

Runner Up: IForged Performance Alloys/Forgestar Wheels, Forgestar CF5

Photos of all the 2010 New Product Showcase Winners are available online at: www.semaphotos.com.

	Local Motors President, CEO and co-founder John B. Rogers was the keynote speaker at the New Products Awards Breakfast. Rogers spoke on the importance of an open, collaborative development environment and the need to share ideas.

Local Motors President, CEO and co-founder John B. Rogers helped to kick-off the 2010 SEMA Show as the Keynote speaker of the New Products Awards Breakfast. The annual breakfast gathering is where some of the hottest products the industry has to offer are recognized for expertise in design, craftsmanship and ingenuity. Two new categories were added to this year's award presentation: Best New Tire and Related Product and The Best New Wheel and Related Product.

Rogers launched Local Motors three years ago based on the concept of open-source co-creation and local manufacturing, a business practice and philosophy highlighted in the August issue of SEMA News. During the breakfast, Rogers explained how open sourcing would change the production of automobiles and the importance of a collaborative development environment to share ideas.

After his presentation, attendees enjoyed a first-hand look at the products the industry has deemed most innovative. Criteria that ranked high on the judges' selection for the New Products Awards Showcase included superiority of innovation, technical achievement, quality and workmanship, consumer appeal and marketability.

The 2010 New Products Award winners are:

Best Engineered New Product

Winner: LOKAR Performance Products, Drive-by-Wire Electronic Throttle Control (ETC)

Runner Up: ISIS Power, ISIS inTOUCH Max Touch Screen System

Runner Up: QA1 Motorsports, Wireless Remote Adjust System

Best New Exterior Accessory Product

Winner: Pro Comp/Smittybilt, M1 Truck Bumper

Runner Up: Stainless Showworks Inc., ’10-’11 Mustang V6 and GT Mirrored Polished Stainless Steel Engine Compartment Dress Up Kit

Runner Up: MBRP Inc., Mega Tips

Best New Interior Accessory Product

Winner: Omix-Ada/Rugged Ridge, Rugged Ridge Interior Trim Kit for the ’07-’10 Jeep JK Wrangler

Runner Up: B&M Racing and Performance Products, Hurst HardDrive Stick

Runner Up: Spectre Performance, ProFab Door Panels

Best New Merchandising Display

Winner: ARP Inc., ARP Ultra Torque Counter Display

Runner Up: Husky Liners, Husky Mud Guard P.O.P.

Runner Up: Fastway Trailer Products, Fastway Flip Display

Best New Mobile Electronics Product

Winner: Directus, Prodigy One

Runner Up: Cobra Electronics, Cobra iRadar Detection System

Runner Up: Dynojet Research, Power Vision

Best New Off-Road/4-Wheel-Drive Product

Winner: Timbren Industries Inc., Axle-Less Trailer Suspension

Runner Up: Omix-Ada/Rugged Ridge, Tire Carrier Linkage for ’76-’11 Jeeps

Runner Up: Advance Adapters Inc., Deluxe TJ Cable Shifter

Best New Packaging Design

Winner: Bubba Rope, Bubba Rope

Runner Up: Meguiar's Inc., Brilliant Solutions Wheel Polishing Kit

Runner Up: AMP Research, AMP Research Bed X-Tender

Best New Performance-Racing Product

Winner: COMP Performance Group, COMP Cams Phaser Adjustable Locks for the ’11 5.0L Mustang

Runner Up: Holley Performance Products, Holley LS3/L92 Hi-Ram Modular Intake Manifold System, Carb & EFI

Runner Up: BD Diesel Performance, Big Daddy Race Turbo/Diverter Valve

Best New Performance-Street Product

Winner: McLeod Racing, Mustang Master Cylinder Retro Kit

Runner Up: Painless Performance Products, GM Gen IV Tach Driver

Runner Up: COMP Performance Group, TCI 6X Six-Speed Transmission Package for Ford, Chrysler and Pontiac Applications

Best New Powersports Product

Winner: AMSOIL, AMSOIL Quickshot SE

Runner Up: Axia Alloys, Modular Roll Cage Clamping System

Runner Up: SSV Works, BM-175S/B

Best New Street Rod/Custom Car Product

Winner: Dakota Digital Inc., VHX Hybrid Analog/Digital Instrument Systems, GM Tri-Five Applications

Runner Up: Billet Specialties Inc., Billet Deck Lid Hinge

Runner Up: Danchuk Manufacturing, ’57 Front One-Piece OE-style Bumper

Best New Tire and Related Product

Winner: Continental Tire, Continental ProContact With EcoPlus Technology

Runner Up: Continental Tire, General Grabber

Runner Up: Coker Tire, Excelsior Stahl Sport

Best New Tools & Equipment Product

Winner: AAC, The Filler Detective

Runner Up: TecMate North America, OptiMate 6-TM-181

Runner Up: Auto Meter Products, BVA-260

Best New Van/Pickup/Sport-Utility Product

Winner: Fastway Trailer Products, Fastway Flip-Self-Retracting Jack Foot

Runner Up: Shin Shield, Shin Shield

Runner Up: RBP/Rolling Big Power-A Division of Lexani, RBP Logo Mud Flap

Best New Wheel and Related Product

Winner: The Ultimate Wheel & Tire Plus Sizing Guide, Bolt Pattern Pro

Runner Up: Kyowa Designs/Concept One, Concept One Executive RS-55

Runner Up: IForged Performance Alloys/Forgestar Wheels, Forgestar CF5

Photos of all the 2010 New Product Showcase Winners are available online at: www.semaphotos.com.

Racing's pioneers turned out for PROJECT 1320, including Joe Amato, Jack “Doc” Watson (aka the Hurst “Shifty Doctor”), George Barris and Linda Vaughn.

The 2010 SEMA Show provided an opportunity for PROJECT 1320—a documentary film series produced by the Quarter Mile Foundation—to feature interviews from specialty-parts industry and racing pioneers. They included Bob Airheart, Ed Iskenderian, Louis Senter, Carroll Shelby, “Speedy Bill” Smith, Don Smith, Linda Vaughn, Jack “Doc” Watson and Alex Xydias.

PROJECT 1320 uses first-person narratives to describe the birth and growth of drag racing from the late '40s to the end of the 1980s. It also defines how the specialty-parts industry grew out of the drag-racing market. As time passes, the legends and heroes of the sport and the founding fathers of the specialty-parts industry are being lost as well as their intimate stories.

To learn more about this industry program and how to support the Quarter Mile Foundation and PROJECT 1320, visit www.project1320.com. Financial support programs are available for companies large and small as well as for the “Friends of PROJECT 1320” for individuals.

Racing's pioneers turned out for PROJECT 1320, including Joe Amato, Jack “Doc” Watson (aka the Hurst “Shifty Doctor”), George Barris and Linda Vaughn.

The 2010 SEMA Show provided an opportunity for PROJECT 1320—a documentary film series produced by the Quarter Mile Foundation—to feature interviews from specialty-parts industry and racing pioneers. They included Bob Airheart, Ed Iskenderian, Louis Senter, Carroll Shelby, “Speedy Bill” Smith, Don Smith, Linda Vaughn, Jack “Doc” Watson and Alex Xydias.

PROJECT 1320 uses first-person narratives to describe the birth and growth of drag racing from the late '40s to the end of the 1980s. It also defines how the specialty-parts industry grew out of the drag-racing market. As time passes, the legends and heroes of the sport and the founding fathers of the specialty-parts industry are being lost as well as their intimate stories.

To learn more about this industry program and how to support the Quarter Mile Foundation and PROJECT 1320, visit www.project1320.com. Financial support programs are available for companies large and small as well as for the “Friends of PROJECT 1320” for individuals.

Mike Spagnola (left), founder and president of Street Scene Equipment received the 2010 Person of the Year Award at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Congratulating Spagnola is 2009 SEMA Person of the Year Doug Evans.

By Jason Catullo

SEMA presented Mike Spagnola, founder and president of Street Scene Equipment and long-time SEMA member, with the 2010 Person of the Year Award at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

"I've long considered myself lucky to work in an industry I love and serve as an advocate for issues that have such a tremendous impact on the future of the automotive aftermarket," said Mike Spagnola. “Being recognized by my peers, many of whom I respect and feel fortunate to have worked with, is one of the greatest honors I could ever receive.”

Spagnola has been involved in the specialty-equipment industry for more than 30 years, having worked in both manufacturing and distribution. He is known for his understanding of the importance of collaboration within the specialty-equipment industry based on his willingness to assist magazines and others in the industry build project cars.

Spagnola is currently serving his second term on the SEMA Board of Directors. He also served as the chairman of the SEMA Scholarship Committee for several years and is passionate about ensuring that the association gives back to the community by helping to bring the next generation of students successfully into the industry. In addition to volunteering his time to numerous SEMA events, Spagnola is credited with creating SEMA’s Annual Pinewood Drag Race and Show 'N Shine Car Show for charity, which coincide with SEMA’s annual Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser. These events have helped raise more than $500,000 for two children’s charities.

Created in 1969, the Person of the Year Award recognizes individuals for their distinguished service to the trade association and the specialty-equipment industry. One of SEMA's most prestigious honors, the Person of the Year Award is presented in front of thousands of industry leaders and professionals during the annual Industry Awards Banquet at the SEMA Show.