By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) named Tom Waitzman, president of DPS Automotive, as the council’s newest volunteer spotlight member. Check out Waitzman’s video to learn about his career and what inspires him about the automotive restyling industry.  

Waitzman answers questions about what motivated him to join PRO, how he got started in the industry, and what vehicle he and his son aspire to own.  

Fill out a PRO member spotlight form to highlight how you or your company are contributing to the automotive restyling industry. Selected candidates are eligible to be featured on PRO’s social media, SEMA eNews and future PRO-member updates.

Here’s an interesting prototype of the Ford Bronco that foreshadows an upcoming overlanding model.

Caught on the streets of metro Detroit, this Bronco prototype is wearing a lot of heavy vinyl camouflage, suggesting that it’s more than a simple special edition.

Up front, the prototype features a reworded front fascia along with a noticeable Warn winch. There’s also a snorkel mounted on the passenger-side A-pillar, which should prove helpful in water fording. A raised roof suggests extra lighting, a cargo basket or maybe even a tent.

What’s more, this particular Bronco prototype is riding on a unique set of wheels that we haven’t seen before. The tires are Goodyear territory MT 315 70R17, which is used on the Sasquatch package.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBIlde

Here’s an interesting prototype of the Ford Bronco that foreshadows an upcoming overlanding model.

Caught on the streets of metro Detroit, this Bronco prototype is wearing a lot of heavy vinyl camouflage, suggesting that it’s more than a simple special edition.

Up front, the prototype features a reworded front fascia along with a noticeable Warn winch. There’s also a snorkel mounted on the passenger-side A-pillar, which should prove helpful in water fording. A raised roof suggests extra lighting, a cargo basket or maybe even a tent.

What’s more, this particular Bronco prototype is riding on a unique set of wheels that we haven’t seen before. The tires are Goodyear territory MT 315 70R17, which is used on the Sasquatch package.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBIlde

By SEMA Editors

Showgoers booking through onPeak—the SEMA Show housing partner—receive guaranteed low rates on a wide range of hotel properties at locations on and off the Las Vegas Strip.

onPeak not only offers discounted nightly rates for SEMA Show participants, but also offers reduced resort fees so you can save even more on your stay.

Driving to the Show? See the list below for hotels offering free parking during the Show and book through onPeak to secure your stay.

When making your hotel reservations through the SEMA Show Travel & Lodging page, you are receiving the most affordable and convenient hotel options through our partnership with onPeak—the only official hotel provider for the 2021 SEMA Show. All negotiated rates provided by onPeak include resort fees and will allow you to change or cancel your reservation without any financial penalties.

More information about the SEMA Show, Tuesday–Friday, November 2–5, is available on www.SEMAShow.com.

By SEMA Editors

Exhibitors of the 2021 SEMA Show are invited to expand their reach, product exposure and Show-floor presence by offering products to builders through the Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list. The list connects manufacturers with builders looking to create or complete a vehicle project.

The list, which will be updated in SEMA eNews, features product offers and contact information provided by confirmed SEMA Show exhibitors. Builders interested in obtaining a product use the information to contact exhibitors directly. With each project vehicle required to be supported by a current 2021 SEMA Show exhibitor, all product-placement decisions, negotiations and agreements are the responsibility of the exhibiting manufacturer and the builder.

The list is open to exhibitors of the 2021 SEMA Show only. To be included in the list, complete the form.

Exhibitors: Each submission will appear on a first-come, first-served basis. As participation increases, all submissions will also be archived on www.SEMAShow.com.

Note: For verification purposes, the Project-Vehicle Builders form must be used to participate in the program; email submissions will not be included in the list. Participation in the list does not guarantee product or vehicle placement at the 2021 SEMA Show.

View the Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list.

 By SEMA Editors

New for this year, the New Products Showcase will be located in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s Upper South Hall in booth #31255. In addition, buyers and media can now use the Show app on their mobile device to scan and save products and provide step-by-step directions to the exhibitors that submitted each product.

Exhibiting at the SEMA Show and entering at least one product in the New Products Showcase puts your latest products in front of thousands of qualified buyers from every segment of the specialty-equipment industry. The best part: the first product you enter is free! After that, each additional product you enter per category is $75 until October 8, after which, the fee increases to $150 per entry.

Entry Fees:

• The first product entered in one category in the New Products Showcase is FREE!
• Additional $75 per product category before October 8.
• After October 8, the cost is $150 per entry.
• No refunds provided after October 8.
• Entries submitted on-site will be accepted on a space availability basis.

Enter your new products now!

For more information on New Products Showcase display guidelines, visit www.semashow.com/esm.

By Ashley Reyes

Sales of alternative powered vehicles, while currently representing just 5% of all U.S. light-vehicle sales today, are expected to reach 45% by 2035, according to new SEMA Market Research.

Eighteen of the top 20 global automakers, which together represent around 90% of new car registrations worldwide in 2020, plan to widen their portfolio of alternative-power models and scale up their production of electric vehicles. However, three quarters of Americans still prefer gas or diesel and have concerns about charging infrastructure, driving range and price. Also, alternative-power vehicles remain a niche market for the specialty-equipment industry, accounting for just 1% of specialty-equipment retail sales in 2020.

Filled with an in-depth outlook on the landscape of alternative power and electrification in the United States, the “Emerging Trends: Electrification, Alternative Power and Advanced Technology” report helps companies understand potential implications for the specialty-equipment industry and how advanced technologies are becoming part of the new vehicle ecosystem. Key findings from the report include:

• There are currently 4.1 million alternative-power vehicles on U.S. roads today. This represents 1% of light vehicles in operation.
• While sales are starting to grow, significant hurdles remain, around range, changing, and electrical power generation, in the shift towards more electrified vehicles.
• As sales of electric and other alternative energy vehicles increase in coming years, it will take a while for current vehicles to cycle out of operation. The average age of a vehicle today is just over 12 years.
• Alternative power currently represents a very small share of the specialty-aftermarket sales but will be more important as their presence grows. In 2020, alternative power accounted for only 1% of specialty-equipment retail sales at $0.42 billion.
• Automakers continue to integrate vehicles with advanced technology to increase safety and comfort on the road. This opens potential growth opportunities for the aftermarket industry in older vehicles.
• While 58% of drivers want more safety features, 86% say they are afraid of fully autonomous vehicles. They cite safety and liability as their biggest concerns.

To learn more about SEMA’s outlook on electric vehicles and emerging trends and technology, download the new SEMA “Emerging Trends: Electrification, Alternative Power and Advanced Technology” report today at www.sema.org/research.

By SEMA Editors

The 2021 SEMA Show is about nine weeks away. Here’s a rundown of key deadlines, including early-bird and advance rates available for several booth services, as well as checklists to keep you on track and on budget.

Complete Deadlines Checklist - Take advantage of Early-bird rates—order before the deadlines!

The Deadlines Checklist provides a breakdown of all of the deadlines for booth orders, rentals, booth vehicle applications, celebrity appearance notifications and much more.

Budget Checklist – Double check your Show prep.

The budget checklist form allows you to keep track of all your costs and ensures that you are adequately prepared for your experience at the SEMA Show. 

Upcoming Exhibitor Deadlines – Take advantage of discounts by acting before the deadlines.

• September 3 – Exhibit Space Design - Exhibitor Search (sema.org)
• September 3 – Multi-Level Booth Design - Exhibitor Search (sema.org)
• September 3 – Permit Application to Clark County–Hot Works
• September 3 – Permit Application to Clark County–Spraying & Dipping
• September 3 – Permit Application to Clark County for Outside Exhibits, Tents, Staking Plans
• September 6 – Hanging sing Design - Exhibitor Search (sema.org)
• September 10 – Booth Vehicle Application - Exhibitor Search (sema.org)
• September 17 – Sponsorship Artwork/Materials Due to Freeman
• September 23 – Freight–Freeman Warehouse–first day to accept advance freight

• September 23 – Lead Retrieval Rental (Advance Rate)–CompuSystems
• September 30 – Fabric Graphics–Freeman
• October 1 – Target Move-in Date Change Request-Freeman
• October 1 – Internet/Telephone Order (Advance Rate)–Cox Business (LVCC)
• October 1 – Products for Project Vehicle Builders
• October 1 – International Air Freight Arriving at Los Angeles International (LAX) Airport
• October 1 – International Sea Freight Arriving at Long Beach Terminal
• October 8 – EAC – (Exhibitor-Appointed Contractor) Application Form
• October 8 – New Products Entry (Advance Rate)
• October 15 – Meeting/Function Space Reservation
• October 18 – Booth Catering Order Service (Centerplate)
• October 19 – Tents/Canopies—Full Circle Events

Click here for a complete listing of 2021 SEMA Show deadlines.

More information on the 2021 SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com.

By Jason Catullo

The 2021 SEMA Space Allocation process was completed in late June, with more than 1,700 companies selecting their booth locations at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). The LVCC's halls are nearly full of exhibits, but booth space is still being reserved, and more exhibitors are expected to secure space until the Show opens on November 2.

Attendees planning on joining the industry at the 2021 SEMA Show can see who's exhibiting and where through the updated floorplan. If you have not yet registered for the SEMA Show, taking place Tuesday-Friday, November 2-5, visit www.SEMAShow.com/attendee to register.

For 2021, the Show will include exhibit space in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s newly constructed West Hall, a 1.4-million-sq.-ft. facility completed in January. The new facility includes exhibitors from the Restyling & Car Care Accessories, Powersports & Utility Vehicles, and Truck, SUV & Off-Road sections.

Earlier in June, the visitors of the World of Concrete convention were the first to use the new hall, and the event marked the first large-scale convention and tradeshow to be held in Las Vegas in 15 months.

In addition to the new hall, the newly constructed Loop—a high-speed, people-mover system that runs 40 ft. under the LVCC—will transport visitors between South, Central and West Halls. The World of Concrete successfully used the system to shuttle visitors through the 200-acre convention center.

For more information on the 2021 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

By Ashley Reyes

Register now for the following upcoming live webinars and stay tuned to SEMA eNews as additional sessions are announced throughout the year. For a comprehensive library of upcoming live and on-demand sessions that members can access anytime, visit www.sema.org/virtual-education.

Thursday, September 9 – Thriving From Day 1 to Day 365
Series: Perfecting Your Job Search, Powered by SBN
Track: Industry Segments, Powered by SEMA Councils and Networks

Job seekers and those who recently completed their job search will learn how to prepare for day one of their new job, and how to succeed and thrive all the way up to day 365 in this live, interactive webinar. Automotive aftermarket professionals will learn how to prep for day one after accepting a new job and how to create a short-term plan to exceed goals for the first year. The session will also include a virtual breakout for participants.

Register here.

Tuesday, September 14 – The Value of a Diverse Team
Series: Team Management, Powered by SBN
Track: Industry Segments, Powered by SEMA Councils and Networks

Having a diverse workforce brings new ideas, innovations and, ultimately, greater success to a team. Aftermarket managers will learn how individuals with disabilities can bring valuable diversity to the workplace, and how to support and respond when a direct report discloses that he or she has a disability. This webinar will provide managers with information that is not typically included in training for management positions.

Register here.

Wednesday, September 15 – Emerging Trends: Electrification, Alternative Power and Advanced Technology
Series: SEMA Industry Insights
Track: Trends & Research

Vehicle electrification, alternative power and emerging technology continue to impact the future of automobiles. During this live webinar, the SEMA Market Research team will present an outlook and sales forecast for electric and other alternative energy vehicles, insight on the challenges and barriers to electric vehicle adoption, a look at the advanced safety technology being put in vehicles today, implications for the aftermarket and more.

Register here.

Newly Added: Tuesday, September 28 – Network Your Way to Beneficial Connections
Series: Sharpen Your Soft Skills, Powered by SBN
Track: Industry Segments, Powered by SEMA Councils and Networks

Learn about the various networking channels and the ins and outs of different networking platforms during this webinar presented by the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network. Attendees will learn how proper networking can make all the difference in advancing one’s career, how to use networking to their advantage for job leads and ins, and how to stay connected over time once a relationship is established.

Register today.