By SEMA News Editors

SEMA members have until Friday, September 4, to submit nominations for the 2026 SEMA Council & Network Awards, recognizing the individuals and companies making a lasting impact across the automotive aftermarket. Submit a nomination at sema.org/cn-awards.

The Council & Network Awards honor individuals and companies that have made outstanding contributions to their market segments and professional communities during the past year. Deserving candidates include members whose leadership, innovation, dedication, and service are moving the automotive aftermarket forward.

Unlike broader industry awards, the Council & Network Awards recognize those leading progress within specialized market segments. Nominees may include businesses that demonstrate exceptional ethics and service, volunteers and mentors who positively influence others, or individuals making a significant impact within their business.

To be considered, candidates must be active members of the council or network presenting the award. Award recipients will be recognized during their respective council and network events at the 2026 SEMA Show, November 3-6 in Las Vegas.

Nominations are open for:

• Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO): Business of the Year, Person of the Year
• Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN): Engineer of the Year
• Future Leaders Network (FLN): Professional of the Year Award, Vanguard Award
• Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA): Business of the Year, Hall of Fame, Industry Recognition Award
• Professional Restylers Organization (PRO): Jim Borré Lifetime Achievement Award, Nat Danas Person of the Year, Restyler of the Year
• SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN): Member Impact Award, #SheIsSEMA Woman of the Year Award
• Truck & Off-Road Industry Alliance (TORA): Hall of Fame, Jessi Combs Ambassador Award, Retailer of the Year
• Wheel, Tire, Suspension & Brake Council (WTSBC): Business of the Year, Hall of Fame, Person of the Year

Don't miss the opportunity to recognize the members who have helped strengthen your market segment over the past year. If you know a council or network member who deserves recognition, submit your nomination by Friday, September 4 at sema.org/cn-awards.

The 2026 SEMA Show is set for November 3-6, in Las Vegas. Interested exhibitors can buy a booth and learn more at semashow.com/exhibitor. Attendee and buyer registration is now open online. For more information, visit semashow.com, visit the Registration Resource Center, or visit the 2026 SEMA Show floorplan. 

SEMA Fest has been confirmed for Friday, November 6, 2026, and industry members will get the lowest rate on tickets through the registration portal and Attendee Resource Center. Sign up for updates at semafest.com.   

By Ashley Reyes

There is still time to join the SEMA Wheel, Tire, Suspension & Brake Council (WTSBC) virtual Coffee & Conversation event focused on common industry misconceptions, taking place Thursday, September 3, at 9:00 a.m. PT on Zoom. Register for the WTSBC event here.

WTSBC Coffee and Conversations are virtual events where members gather to network and exchange insights on industry challenges. The upcoming session will tackle some of the most common myths surrounding wheels, tires, brakes and suspension, and the real-world impact these misconceptions can have on products, customer trust and the industry's reputation.

Designed as a collaborative, peer-driven discussion, the event will be led by John Rastetter, tire information ambassador at Tire Rack; Gary Ruede, technical supervisor at Discount Tire Company; and Todd Steen, executive director of business development at Jackson. 

What myths are out there? Bring your myths to the event! Attendees will be asked to participate in live polling to determine whether certain statements are true or false, helping spark conversation and reveal how pervasive these myths can be across the industry.

Register for the WTSBC event here.

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

Leno's Law (Senate Bill 1392), an important touchpoint in the fight to preserve California's rich automotive heritage, has passed the California Legislature with a historic, bipartisan 49-4 vote. The bill, sponsored by noted car enthusiast and namesake Jay Leno and SEMA, now heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom for consideration. 

• Leno's Law seeks to provide a narrow, phased-in, collector-only pathway to smog check exemptions for qualifying collector vehicles manufactured between 1976 and 1985. The exemption would be phased in over several years and would apply only to vehicles that meet specific collector-use requirements. 

Leno's Law is authored by Sen. Dave Cortese, with Sen. Shannon Grove as a principal coauthor. Its passage through both chambers of the California Legislature represents the most significant progress in more than 20 years to deliver collector-vehicle smog check reform on behalf of California's car enthusiasts, automotive restorers and anyone for whom a vehicle has represented a cultural or family touchstone. Importantly, support for Leno's Law has transcended party lines, uniting Democrats and Republicans, lowrider groups and car clubs, collectors, preservationists, automotive businesses and enthusiasts.  

"This bipartisan victory is a product of California's automotive community uniting to remind the state's lawmakers of the cultural significance of our cars and trucks, and of our sacred charge to pass this shared heritage on to the next generation," said SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola. "We are grateful for Senators Cortese and Grove for their stewardship of this bill, and to Jay Leno for lending his name and passion on behalf of every car enthusiast and small business with a personal stake in preserving our automotive heritage. SEMA and California's automotive community have one more request, and we respectfully ask Governor Newsom to finish the job and sign Leno's Law." 

"California can protect clean air without erasing our automotive history. A classic car that spends most of its life in a garage and comes out for a parade, car show or charity event is not the same as a daily commuter, and our laws should recognize that," said Sen. Dave Cortese. "SB 1392 brings common sense back to the smog-check system, protects a treasured part of California culture and gives classic car owners a fair shot at preserving these pieces of history. We've cleared the Legislature. Now it's time to put 'Leno's Law' on the Governor's desk and get it signed."  

"For generations of California families, classic cars have brought grandfathers, fathers, sons and daughters together, from the shade-tree mechanic working side by side with their grandchild, to the enthusiast who gets behind the wheel and is instantly taken back to their glory days," said Sen. Shannon Grove. "After years of working to find a solution that protects California's classic car culture while addressing the state's requirements, Leno's Law gets us there. It is a focused, common-sense bill that keeps true collector vehicles in California, supports the small businesses that restore and celebrate them and removes a burdensome requirement so enthusiasts can get back to what they do best, restoring and enjoying these pieces of California history. I am proud to stand with Sen. Cortese, Jay Leno, SEMA and collectors across the state as we take this effort to the finish line." 

Background 

Leno's Law establishes a narrow, phased-in, collector-only pathway to a smog-check exemption for certain older vehicles. Under the bill, beginning January 1, 2028, qualifying collector vehicles (those manufactured before model-year '81) would be exempt from smog-check requirements. This exemption would annually expand by one model year until 2033, when it would apply to vehicles manufactured before model-year '86. To qualify, vehicles must meet the bill's collector-use requirements, and owners must either carry collector-car insurance or be able to verify the vehicle is driven fewer than 1,000 miles per year. The bill does not change California's existing exemption for pre-'76 vehicles. 

The effort to secure passage of this bill won support from all corners of California's automotive culture and reached enthusiasts and preservationists from other countries. California's lowrider community sent more than 1,700 letters in support of the legislation, while the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's (FIA) International Historical Commission backed the bill, highlighting its balanced approach to automotive preservation and California's environmental objectives. 

California remains a globally recognized cultural epicenter for America's automotive heritage, immediately identifiable through decades of images of classic cars and trucks traversing on California's roads and highways, from the desert to the coast and the urban landscapes in between. Appropriately, the state is home to more than 1,500 SEMA member businesses, and the state's automotive aftermarket industry supports nearly 150,000 jobs, annually generates more than $40 billion in economic impact and delivers $13 billion in wages and benefits while contributing $6 billion in taxes.  

By SEMA News Editors

The 2026 SEMA Show is bringing powersports closer to the heart of the automotive aftermarket with the launch of a dedicated Powersports/Side-by-Side (SxS)/Lifestyle section in the West Hall. View it on the 2026 SEMA Show floorplan here.

Set for November 3-6 in Las Vegas, the SEMA Show will bring motorcycles, dirt bikes, side-by-sides and adventure lifestyle products together with trucks and off-road products, creating a central destination for businesses and enthusiasts whose interests cross vehicle segments.

The new section is designed around the way today's enthusiasts actually use their vehicles, with powersports products and related lifestyle gear positioned alongside complementary automotive aftermarket categories. The West Hall location offers unique access to adjacent parking lots for dynamic outdoor activations and vehicle demonstrations.

See the Latest Powersports Products and Builds at the 2026 SEMA Show

The expanded powersports presence gives attendees an opportunity to discover new products, meet manufacturers and suppliers, and connect with businesses serving the growing powersports and recreational vehicle market.

The 2026 SEMA Show will feature:

• Motorcycles and dirt bikes.
• Side-by-Sides.
• Trailers and tow vehicles.
• Related adventure lifestyle gear and accessories.

The powersports presence also extends to the SEMA Battle of the Builders, which is adding motorcycles to the competition for 2026. The new SEMA BOTB: Bike Builder Shootout will recognize the Top 3 standout bike builders and an overall motorcycle champion.

Beyond the Show floor, attendees can take advantage of SEMA Education sessions covering emerging trends, technical advancements, workforce development and business growth strategies.

Learn more about the new powersports section at the 2026 SEMA Show.

Register for the SEMA Show Now and Save

Registration is currently $75, but the price increases to $100 on September 27. Register now to secure a badge and start planning a four-day visit to the industry's premier aftermarket event.

Early registration also gives attendees access to the Registration Resource Center, where they can manage their Show plans, book hotels, register a spouse and purchase tickets to select SEMA Show events and experiences.

Register for the 2026 SEMA Show.

Plan Your Las Vegas Trip

Once registered, attendees can begin building their SEMA Show itinerary, including hotel and transportation plans. SEMA's official housing partner, onPeak, offers hotel accommodations through the official SEMA Show block, while exclusive airline discounts are available to attendees traveling to Las Vegas.

The Las Vegas Monorail and Las Vegas Loop also provide transportation options for getting to and around the Las Vegas Convention Center during Show week.

Get all the travel details and discounts for the 2026 SEMA Show here.
 

The 2026 SEMA Show is set for November 3-6, in Las Vegas. Interested exhibitors can buy a booth and learn more at semashow.com/exhibitor. Attendee and buyer registration is now open online. For more information, visit semashow.com, visit the Registration Resource Center, or visit the 2026 SEMA Show floorplan. 

SEMA Fest has been confirmed for Friday, November 6, and industry members will get the lowest rate on tickets through the registration portal and Attendee Resource Center. Sign up for updates at semafest.com.   

This article was originally published on September 1, 2026.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) has named Lori Spaulding, chief operations officer at Dream Giveaway, as the network's newest #SheIsSEMA spotlight member.

Get to know Spaulding in her interview with SEMA News below. 

SEMA News: How many years have you been with your current company and what do you enjoy most about working there?

LS: I've been with Dream Giveaway for 14 years. It's a wonderful, feel-good place to work. We have given away cars to raise money for charities for 17 years now. We are a small but dedicated team.

SN: What does your job entail?

Lori Spaulding: Definitely, hard work. You can't be afraid to put the time in and step up. Dedication goes along with that, along with being comfortable in any setting with any person. I work with a lot of celebrities in our industry.

SN: Being a woman in the industry, what have been your biggest challenges and accomplishments?

LS: Being taken seriously. The owners of the company for the first eight years I was here respected my knowledge to a degree, but never as 'one of the boys' in upper management. It took new ownership to come in and realize that I was a key player in this company. As for being out at car events and races, people look for a 'guy' who can explain the car to them, and that 'guy' is me.

SN: Who are your role models or mentors in the industry?

LS: That's a tough one. I learn every day from everyone around me. I think it's important to watch and take in others' knowledge and decide if it's something I need to think about myself. I've made a lot of amazing friends in this industry who have opened doors for me. I'd never tell them they're role models, though. I'd never hear the end of it. LOL. 

SN: Have you always wanted to work in the automotive industry? What keeps you here?

LS: Not really. I have always loved cars but never thought about working around them. What keeps me here? My job and changing people's lives. Even if I wasn't here anymore, now that I'm in it, I can't imagine being out of it. The people I've met have been pretty cool, and some are pretty amazing.

SN: Who was the most influential person on your career/goals?

LS: My son and I. I do it for me and for him. Providing everything I can for him is my motivation for everything. Before him...me.

SN: What is the most challenging part of running your business or job?

LS: Wearing so many hats. I'm responsible for so much of what makes our business run daily. Except IT--that's not my thing. My CEO, thankfully, is that guy. Part of what I do is being the face of the company to the industry, so there's a lot of travel involved as well as time away from my family.

SN: How many years have you been in the industry and what was your first industry job?

LS: This is my first job in the automotive industry, and I love it. I've always loved cars. So, 14 years now. I fell into this looking for an account management job, and they saw my degrees and decided I would manage the design and marketing teams, and then it grew from there.

Fill out a #SheIsSEMA spotlight form to submit a self-nomination or nominate a colleague and highlight how you or she is contributing to the specialty-equipment industry. Selected candidates are automatically eligible to be considered for SBN's #SheIsSEMA Woman of the Year award, featured on SBN's social media, SEMA News and recognized on the sema.org/she-is-sema website. 

By SEMA News Editors

Exhibitors at the 2026 SEMA Show, November 3-6 in Las Vegas, are offering products, parts and services for builders preparing vehicles that will be displayed at this year's SEMA Show.

The Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list, found at semashow.com/products-for-project-vehicle-builders, connects qualified builders with confirmed 2026 SEMA Show exhibitors interested in supplying products for project vehicles.

Builders seeking products should contact exhibitors directly using the contact information provided.

The list is open exclusively to 2026 SEMA Show exhibitors. To be included, exhibitors must complete the form located in the Marketing, Advertising & Sponsorships section of the Exhibitor Service Manual at semashow.com/esm. 

Qualified builders are encouraged to check semashow.com/products-for-project-vehicle-builders regularly, as new submissions are added on an ongoing basis.

All product placement decisions, negotiations and agreements are the responsibility of the exhibiting manufacturer and the builder. Every project vehicle displayed at the SEMA Show must be supported by a current 2026 SEMA Show exhibitor.

Note: Listings are published on a first-come, first-served basis. Exhibitors must use the official Project-Vehicle Builders form to participate; email submissions will not be accepted. Inclusion in the list does not guarantee product placement or vehicle placement at the 2026 SEMA Show. Exhibitors are responsible for verifying that a builder is affiliated with a vehicle that will be displayed at the Show. For more information, contact projectvehicles@sema.org.

The 2026 SEMA Show is set for November 3-6, in Las Vegas. Interested exhibitors can buy a booth and learn more at semashow.com/exhibitor. Attendee and buyer registration is now open online. For more information, visit semashow.com, visit the Registration Resource Center, or visit the 2026 SEMA Show floorplan. 

SEMA Fest has been confirmed for Friday, November 6, and industry members will get the lowest rate on tickets through the registration portal and Attendee Resource Center. Sign up for updates at semafest.com.   

By SEMA News Editors

RealTruck, the Michigan-based truck accessories manufacturer, has launched a new 3D builder visualization tool for customers.

The RealTruck Builder experience combines 3D visualization, AI-powered recommendations and intelligent search to let customers virtually configure accessories on their own vehicles before buying. The platform aims to give consumers confidence that they're choosing the right products for their exact vehicle.

Built on the Google Cloud platform, RealTruck Builder helps shoppers instantly configure and visualize RealTruck’s entire stack of accessories––such as a specific truck bed cover, bed rack, and ski rack combined––in virtual 3D or true-to-scale augmented reality right in their own garages.

RealTruck and Google created a case study on the visualization and customization tool, identifying how the company leveraged AI-powered technology to create the platform.

Read the full case study here.

By Karen Salvaggio

The 2025 SEMA Best Engineered Vehicle of the Year Award was presented to Kyle Kuhnhausen from Kuhnhausen Metal Concepts at the 2025 SEMA Show for his meticulously reimagined '66 Chevrolet Corvette. Nicknamed Serious 66, the Corvette was selected for exemplifying innovation, integration and engineering-first thinking.

Designed to spotlight the critical role engineers play in shaping the future of the automotive aftermarket, the SEMA Best Engineered Vehicle Award honors a SEMA Show feature vehicle that goes far beyond visual impact. Entries for the 2026 award are open now. Submit your entry here.

The winning Corvette stands as a masterclass in resourceful, systems-driven engineering. Rather than relying on a single standout feature, the vehicle reflects a holistic approach where hundreds of engineered components work seamlessly together. Advanced processes such as 3D scanning, reverse engineering, CAD, fluid dynamics analysis, laser cutting, vacuum-formed composites, additive manufacturing and CNC billet machining were strategically combined to achieve efficiency, precision and cost control without compromising quality.

Material science played a key role as well. Titanium was used to reduce intake temperatures thanks to its low thermal conductivity, while chromoly steel provided increased stiffness with reduced weight, preserving torsional rigidity throughout the chassis. Much of the vehicle's most impressive engineering is intentionally hidden, including integrated fuel and oil lines, aerospace-grade plumbing, concealed electrical service panels and a highly sophisticated cooling system packaged throughout the vehicle's body structure.

Among the most notable breakthroughs is the drivetrain: a dry-sump, direct-injected LT4 paired with a ZF 8HP70 transmission, one of the first street-proven executions of this combination, complete with electronically actuated manual control. Careful packaging and simulation also enabled race-inspired weight distribution, delivering exceptional balance, grip and drivability.

This Corvette is not defined by a single innovation, but by the way every system works together--quietly, efficiently and intentionally. That cohesion is the hallmark of truly exceptional engineering, and a fitting recipient of the 2025 SEMA Best Engineered Vehicle of the Year Award.

Does Your Build Have What It Takes to Win?   

Entries for the 2026 SEMA Best Engineered Vehicle of the Year Award are now open to builders exhibiting a feature vehicle at the 2026 SEMA Show, November 3-6, that demonstrates engineering excellence.

Entries should demonstrate technical excellence, innovative design and creative problem-solving that advances vehicle performance, functionality, safety or overall capability.

To be considered for the award, builders must upload a photo, video and description of the build's engineering content, along with the location of the displayed vehicle at the SEMA Show. Entries are being accepted through Wednesday, October 28, at this link. 

The winner will be announced at SEMA Central on Thursday, November 5, and will receive a commemorative trophy.

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., Office

The California Legislature has passed a landmark, SEMA-sponsored bill that will create a new conditional sales pathway for aftermarket emissions-related products to reach the market while under consideration for the state's full approval for sales.  

SB 1069, authored by Sen. Tim Grayson (D-Concord) and now headed to Gov. Gavin Newsom for his consideration, represents a thoughtful approach that maintains California's emissions standards while creating meaningful improvements for manufacturers that invest in compliance. 

• SB 1069 applies to emissions-related automotive aftermarket products that require a CARB Executive Order (EO) before they can be legally sold, advertised or installed in California. An EO confirms that a product has demonstrated compliance with the state's applicable emissions requirements and is therefore eligible for sale in the California market.  

"SB 1069 will give manufacturers that have invested in emissions testing and compliance a meaningful pathway to get qualifying products to market faster in California, and enable new products to reach consumers, provide small businesses with certainty to invest, and keep American companies competitive," said SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola. "SEMA greatly appreciates CARB's willingness to work collaboratively with us on SB 1069 to craft common-sense legislation that will bolster the automotive aftermarket industry, help California maintain its emissions standards and support the small businesses who rely on certainty as they establish themselves in a highly competitive marketplace. We also thank Senator Grayson for his leadership in guiding this legislation through the legislature." 

About SB 1069 

The bill would grant conditional approval to sell, advertise, and install qualifying products to manufacturers who submit complete EO applications to CARB, supported by required emissions testing and technical documentation. This conditional approval would remain in place while CARB completes its final review. 

This new pathway would help aftermarket manufacturers bring qualifying products to market faster in California, while preserving California's emissions standards and CARB's authority to review applications and ultimately approve or deny an EO. 

Specifically, SB 1069 would create a new conditional approval process for qualifying aftermarket emissions-related products: 

• Manufacturers would submit a complete CARB EO application supported by required emissions testing and technical documentation. 
• Qualifying applicants could receive conditional approval to sell, advertise and install covered products while CARB completes its final review. 
• CARB would retain its authority to ultimately approve or deny the EO, and California's existing emissions standards would remain unchanged. 

If signed by Gov. Newsom, SB 1069 would take effect on January 1, 2027, with the program in place by July 1, 2028. 

Background 

For decades, SEMA has helped aftermarket manufacturers navigate California's emissions requirements and lawfully bring products to market.  

The SEMA Garage provides manufacturers with emissions testing, engineering expertise, and compliance assistance, and over the past eight years, has assisted with approximately 50% of all aftermarket EOs issued by CARB and completed more than 800 EO applications on behalf of member companies. 

Of the 7,000 automotive aftermarket businesses nationwide that SEMA represents, more than 1,200 are California manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. California's specialty automotive aftermarket generates $40.44 billion in economic output, supports more than 149,000 jobs, delivers $13.47 billion in wages and benefits, and pays $6.16 billion in state and local taxes. 

• The automotive aftermarket is predominantly comprised of small businesses that continually invest in new products, technology, engineering, and compliance. SB 1069 would help qualifying manufacturers bring compliant products to California customers sooner. 

SEMA has a lengthy track record of supporting emissions compliance at the federal level and in California. This includes more than $30 million invested in emissions compliance through the SEMA Garage program, including Emissions Compliance Centers in Diamond Bar, California, and Plymouth, Michigan.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock | Belish

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., Office

The California Legislature has passed a landmark, SEMA-sponsored bill that will create a new conditional sales pathway for aftermarket emissions-related products to reach the market while under consideration for the state's full approval for sales.  

SB 1069, authored by Sen. Tim Grayson (D-Concord) and now headed to Gov. Gavin Newsom for his consideration, represents a thoughtful approach that maintains California's emissions standards while creating meaningful improvements for manufacturers that invest in compliance. 

• SB 1069 applies to emissions-related automotive aftermarket products that require a CARB Executive Order (EO) before they can be legally sold, advertised or installed in California. An EO confirms that a product has demonstrated compliance with the state's applicable emissions requirements and is therefore eligible for sale in the California market.  

"SB 1069 will give manufacturers that have invested in emissions testing and compliance a meaningful pathway to get qualifying products to market faster in California, and enable new products to reach consumers, provide small businesses with certainty to invest, and keep American companies competitive," said SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola. "SEMA greatly appreciates CARB's willingness to work collaboratively with us on SB 1069 to craft common-sense legislation that will bolster the automotive aftermarket industry, help California maintain its emissions standards and support the small businesses who rely on certainty as they establish themselves in a highly competitive marketplace. We also thank Senator Grayson for his leadership in guiding this legislation through the legislature." 

About SB 1069 

The bill would grant conditional approval to sell, advertise, and install qualifying products to manufacturers who submit complete EO applications to CARB, supported by required emissions testing and technical documentation. This conditional approval would remain in place while CARB completes its final review. 

This new pathway would help aftermarket manufacturers bring qualifying products to market faster in California, while preserving California's emissions standards and CARB's authority to review applications and ultimately approve or deny an EO. 

Specifically, SB 1069 would create a new conditional approval process for qualifying aftermarket emissions-related products: 

• Manufacturers would submit a complete CARB EO application supported by required emissions testing and technical documentation. 
• Qualifying applicants could receive conditional approval to sell, advertise and install covered products while CARB completes its final review. 
• CARB would retain its authority to ultimately approve or deny the EO, and California's existing emissions standards would remain unchanged. 

If signed by Gov. Newsom, SB 1069 would take effect on January 1, 2027, with the program in place by July 1, 2028. 

Background 

For decades, SEMA has helped aftermarket manufacturers navigate California's emissions requirements and lawfully bring products to market.  

The SEMA Garage provides manufacturers with emissions testing, engineering expertise, and compliance assistance, and over the past eight years, has assisted with approximately 50% of all aftermarket EOs issued by CARB and completed more than 800 EO applications on behalf of member companies. 

Of the 7,000 automotive aftermarket businesses nationwide that SEMA represents, more than 1,200 are California manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. California's specialty automotive aftermarket generates $40.44 billion in economic output, supports more than 149,000 jobs, delivers $13.47 billion in wages and benefits, and pays $6.16 billion in state and local taxes. 

• The automotive aftermarket is predominantly comprised of small businesses that continually invest in new products, technology, engineering, and compliance. SB 1069 would help qualifying manufacturers bring compliant products to California customers sooner. 

SEMA has a lengthy track record of supporting emissions compliance at the federal level and in California. This includes more than $30 million invested in emissions compliance through the SEMA Garage program, including Emissions Compliance Centers in Diamond Bar, California, and Plymouth, Michigan.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock | Belish