By SEMA Editors

SEMA Show exhibitors and attendees preparing for the 2023 SEMA Show, October 31-November 3, can now lock in the guaranteed lowest hotel rates by booking in the official SEMA Show Block provided by OnPeak.

Several available properties are connected to the Las Vegas Monorail, the quick and reliable transportation alternative for travelers on the Las Vegas Strip. Directly connected to the SEMA Show in the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Monorail is the easiest, fastest and most convenient way to get from one end of the Strip to the other in just minutes.

Be prepared for the most convenient transportation option during SEMA Week with 24-hour to 7-day passes available, and let your mobile phone be your ticket to ride.

Trains are scheduled every few minutes, from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Monday; 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday; and 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. Friday through Sunday, at each of the following sessions: 

• MGM Grand Station
• Horseshoe/Paris Las Vegas Station
• Flamingo/Caesars Palace Station
• Harrah’s/The LINQ Station
• Boingo Station at Las Vegas Convention Center
• Westgate Las Vegas Station
• SAHARA Las Vegas Station

View the map of the Las Vegas Monorail.

Exclusive Las Vegas Monorail Mobile Ticket Discount for SEMA Showgoers

Be prepared for the most convenient transportation option during SEMA Week with 24-hour to 7-day passes available, and let your mobile phone be your ticket to ride. And, even better news: Las Vegas Monorail is offering SEMA Show attendees exclusive fare discounts for mobile ticketholders. Purchase your discounted passes at tix.lvmonorail.com/SEMA23. Skip the line and scan your phone right at the gate.

Paper tickets are also available at ticket vending machines and customer service desks at the station for full price.

Take Advantage of Monorail discounts for the 2023 SEMA Show! Purchase your discounted tickets here for the best rates available.

By SEMA Editors

In partnership with Ford Motor Company, the SEMA Garage is excited to announce a measuring session for the newly designed '24 Ford Mustang.

The event will allow SEMA members to test-fit prototypes, 3-D scan, measure and have a close-up experience with this vehicle.

Taking place across both SEMA Garage locations: 

SEMA Garage Diamond Bar

(View on Google Maps)

September 11-14, 2023 

SEMA Garage Detroit  

(View on Google Maps)

September 25-28, 2023 

Featuring two different vehicle models:  

Mustang GT Coupe Premium 

• 5.0L TI-VCT V8: GT 480 hp 
• 6-Speed Manual Transmission 
• Magneride Damping System 
• Active Valve Exhaust 
• 19-in. Brembo Brakes 
• Ford Co-Pilot360 

Mustang Ecoboost Convertible Premium  

• 2.3L Ecoboost 315 hp 
• 10-Speed Automatic TRANS 
• Magneride Damping System 
• Active Valve Exhaust 
• 19-in. Brembo Brakes 
• Ford Co-Pilot360 

In addition, SEMA Garage Detroit will exclusively feature the following:

Mustang Mach-E GT AWD (Detroit only)

• 88 KWH Usable Extended Battery 
• Single-Speed Transmission 
• 20-in. Aluminum Wheel 
• 19-in. Brembo Brakes 
• Ford Co-Pilot360 Active 2.0 

RSVP links to these exclusive SEMA Garage sessions are coming soon. Interested participants are encouraged to contact measuringsessions@sema.org for additional information.

By SEMA Editors

Wiseco Performance Products, a prominent name in the Race Winning Brands (RWB) family and the provider of automotive and powersports forged pistons and performance products, has announced the launch of its all-new website at wiseco.com.

"Wiseco Performance Products is excited to unveil our all-new website, designed to cater to the needs of our valued customers and racing community," said Scott Highland, director of marketing at RWB.

Customers can now purchase automotive forged pistons and piston components, as well as a comprehensive range of proven powersports performance components, directly from Wiseco. An intuitive interface also incorporates model and engine-specific filtering capabilities.

The Wiseco website is also a valuable resource for automotive and powersports performance enthusiasts with technical content, including engine-building tips, how-to guides, frequently asked questions (FAQs) and more.

Visitors can also access Wiseco's custom piston order form, installation and operation manuals, racer support information, and various other helpful materials at wiseco.com.

ExoMod Introduces Chalkstorm, a '68 Charger Built Over a Modern Hellcat

ExoMod, the company known for taking brand-new Dodge Challenger Hellcats, stripping them down to their safety cages and completely rebodying them in carbon fiber as bespoke widebody '68 Dodge Chargers, has built a custom Porsche Chalk colored masterpiece with 885 horsepower and a hand-built custom carbon-fiber body.

"ChalkStorm" started out as a '22 Hellcat Challenger and was cloaked in a classic '68 custom carbon fiber body, with significant weight reduction and a powerful, modern drivetrain that still retains its OEM warranty.

By Marissa Guajardo

The deadline for submitting press conference applications has passed, and the development of the official 2023 SEMA Show Press Conference Schedule has begun. All exhibitors who have submitted applications should receive an email this week.

Those who did not receive an email and believe they should be included may contact pr@sema.org.

Companies will be notified of their assigned date and time by August 24 and will be required to provide confirmation in order to be included on the final schedule that will be published in early September.

Exhibitors are also encouraged to post press releases at semashow.com/press-release to generate excitement and awareness, as well as possible inclusion in association publications and promotion to media attendees.

If you have questions regarding press conferences at the 2023 SEMA Show or the online media center, contact pr@sema.org.

By Ashley Reyes

Having the right business insurance that fits the needs of a shop owner or builder is critical in the automotive aftermarket. It's equally important to be well-educated on what policies exist, which ones are necessary and what they cover. 

Trent Campbell of American National Insurance and Franco Ganino of RevPro/Alliant shared the different types of business insurance that builders need to have in the recent Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) webinar What Builders Need to Know About Insurance Needs. 

Watch a top highlight of the webinar below, moderated by Amy Fitzgerald of Cool Hand Customs, and watch the full session by logging into your SEMA.org account here. By logging in, you will also receive access to HRIA's Business Insurance Checklist, which provides an overview of insurance coverage types, questions to ask when meeting with an insurance agent and definitions to insurance terms that an agent may use when discussing a policy.

By watching the full webinar, you'll learn best practices for reviewing your shop's insurance policy, definitions of common insurance terms and questions to ask your insurance provider that can help save you money.

By Ashley Reyes

The first two sessions of the SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) Male Ally Webinar series provided members with examples and knowledge of a male ally in the automotive aftermarket.

A panel of aftermarket leaders will now come together to share actionable ideas for applying a male ally program into an organization during the webinar series' final session, "Looking to the Future," on September 19 at 12:00 p.m. PDT/3:00 p.m. EDT.

Featuring Rachel Speir of RS Marqueting as moderator and speakers Seth Metzger of Dana Incorporated, Matt Reasoner of Truck Hero and Dana Wilke of the Jessi Combs Foundation, the session will leave viewers inspired and equipped to start a male ally program that empowers and supports women in their aftermarket roles.

Attendees will learn:

• Tips for starting a male ally program in their workplace. 
• How to get upper management to see the value of a male ally program. 
• Ways to measure the success of these efforts within an organization. 
• How employees can facilitate being a male ally to women. 
• How females can support a male ally program. 
• How to ensure male ally efforts are sustained in the company culture. 

This session will give participants the tools to bridge the "why" of why male allies are essential with the "how" of how to make it a part of any work culture. Register today!

By Ashley Reyes

SEMA members who would like to stay informed on emerging engine technology can watch three new videos by the Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN) that will delve into electric vehicle (EV) technology, alternative fuels and the changing landscape of the automotive aftermarket.  

The first video, set to be released on August 30, features a conversation on "Electric Vehicles and The Changing Landscape of the Automotive Aftermarket" by Bob Morreale of The Tuning School and Karen Salvaggio of Scorpion EV. The discussion will help industry members understand how OEMs are moving forward with electrification via hybrids or battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and how this has sparked an entirely new industry of electric aftermarket vehicles and products.   

Viewers will gain insight into current and anticipated legislation adoption that will develop over the next 10 years, as well as the pros and cons of EVs and aftermarket opportunities.

With the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposing new federal emissions standards intended to dramatically increase sales of EVs, ETTN's video "How Companies Are Navigating Regulation and Pivoting to Hybrid and EV" on September 13 will effectively dive into the various fuel innovation technologies that are often ignored on the road to zero emissions. Viewers will gain a better understanding of BEVs, biofuels and hydrogen technologies and the regulations, opportunities and challenges that come with each. This insightful video is led by Rob Simons of Automotive Consulting Services, and Tobi Tubiak of Ricardo.

During "Biofuels - Continuing the Conversation" on September 27, viewers will learn how biofuels have progressed since ETTN's first live chat on the topic published in 2021. (Watch the first installment here).

As the industry continues to look for fuel alternatives, biofuels may become the in-between that automobile manufacturers can use for performance ICE vehicles alongside their EV fleet. Tune in to hear from Ian Lehn, founder of BOOSTane, and Bjorn Noack, director at Bosch, as they explore where the aftermarket and internal combustion engines (ICE) will be in the next 15 years. Other topics addressed are legislation that supports and hinders biofuel development, companies that are currently investing in this technology and whether or not the average enthusiast has access to biofuels.

Each video will go live on the ETTN Facebook page at 12:00 p.m. PDT on the day of its release. Industry members are invited to tune in at that time and join the conversation with one another in the comments.  

By SEMA Editors

Sources have captured images of the '24 Ford F-150 Heritage, which features a revised front end with new headlights, grille and front fascia.

The rear of the vehicle features a revised tailgate (with optional multi-use features expected to come), bumper and taillights. Inside, experts are also expecting updates to the gauge cluster and center stack.

An official debut is slated for Wednesday, September 13.

By SEMA Editors

(Left image, from left to right) PRI Marketing Manager Lee Ann Davis, PRI Trade Show Director Karin Davidson and PRI Housing & Trade Show Specialist Michelle Gallegos. (Right image) Representatives from top events in Indianapolis. 

PRI recently participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 800-room hotel, part of a larger Pan Am Plaza redevelopment project that includes an expansion of the Indiana Convention Center (ICC), which houses the PRI Trade Show every December.

The ceremony, which celebrates ICC's sixth expansion, was joined by Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, City-Council President Vop Osili, Visit Indy and the Capital Improvement Board. The 404-foot-tall Signia by Hilton hotel will be located near Pan Am Tower at the corner of Capitol Avenue and Georgia Street downtown.

The project was first introduced in 2018. The hotel is expected to open in the summer of 2026.

Renderings from an Indiana Convention Center viewpoint. The expansion includes a 50,000-sq.-ft. ballroom, 143,500-sq.ft. of flexible space and a new 800-room Signia by Hilton hotel.

By Ashley Reyes

SEMA has issued a total of $245,000 in scholarship and loan forgiveness awards through its SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund to help 104 individuals pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket industry. The winners include 87 students who received scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 and 17 employees of SEMA-member companies who received loan forgiveness awards to help pay off student loans.

"SEMA receives a large number of scholarship applications each year, and the quality of this year's applicants was truly inspiring and impressive," said SEMA Manager of Recognition Programs Chris Standifer. "Their passion and innovative mindset were evident in their applications, and it gives us great hope that they will continue to advance the aftermarket industry and make a lasting impact."

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Program was established in 1984 to help support the future of the automotive aftermarket industry. Since its inception, more than $3 million has been awarded to deserving students. One of the primary criteria for scholarship recipients is that the winner must have clearly demonstrated a passion for the automotive industry.

The online application for next year's program will open in January 2024 at sema.org/scholarships.

SEMA Scholarship Award Winners 

Recipient (Institution Name, Major)

*in alphabetical order of first name

• Aaron Bastian (Thomas Nelson Community College, Automotive Technology)  
• Aaron Bodenham (Iowa State University, Mechanical Engineering)  
• Adam Phillips (Ozarks Technical Community College, Machine Tool Technician)  
• Aidan Carton (SUNY College of Technology at Alfred, Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technician)  
• Alexander Riddle (Pennsylvania College of Technology, Automotive Technology)  
• Alois McKarns (University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Business)  
• Alyssa Hagan (Kettering University, Mechanical Engineering)  
• Amy Kurr (University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Energy Science and Engineering)  
• Andrew Kemp (McPherson College, Automotive Restoration Technology)  
• Andrew Riley (McPherson College, Automotive)  
• Caleb Vessey (California State University-San Marcos, Electrical Engineering)  
• Cameron Cocalis (University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, Business)  
• Carter Goode (Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Automotive Technology)  
• Cedric McKinney (California State University-Chico, Mechatronics)  
• Christopher Wesley (Navajo Technical University, Electrical Engineering)  
• Christopher White (Erie Community College, Automotive Technician) 
• Clark Howe (WyoTech, Autobody Collision)  
• Cloey Waterbury (Iowa State University, Mechanical Engineering)  
• Coen Fricke (Colorado School of Mines, Mechanical Engineering)  
• Colby Price (University of Northwestern Ohio, Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technician)  
• Connor Thompson (Elizabethtown Community & Technical College, Diesel Mechanic)  
• Cooper O'Hair (College for Creative Studies, Transportation Design)  
• Dalton Weiser (California State University-Chico, Mechanical Engineering) 
• Daniel Clawson (Missouri University of Science & Technology, Mechanical Engineering)  
• David Ramos (Arizona State University Campus Immersion, Mechanical Engineering)  
• Edwin Buiter (McPherson College, Automotive Technology)  
• Emma Ricketts (Career Center of Southern Illinois, Automotive Engineering & Technology)  
• Gabe Janitch (University of Northwestern Ohio, Automotive Aftermarket)  
• Gage Allen (University of Tulsa, Electrical Engineering)  
• Grace-Anne Stine (Missouri University of Science & Technology, Mechanical Engineering)  
• Guillermo Garcia (School of Automotive Machinists & Technology, Automotive)  
• Hailey Petsch (Arizona State University at Tempe, Mechanical Engineering)  
• Hunter Bailey (University of Northwestern Ohio, Automotive Technology/High Performance Motorsports)  
• Ian Stravers (Iowa State University, Agricultural Systems Technology-Industrial Technology)  
• Ihfaz Islam (Wayne State University, Electrical Engineering)  
• Jack Doyle (California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, Mechanical Engineering)  
• Jack Lorenz (University of Northwestern Ohio, Diesel & Heavy Equipment Technician)  
• Jacob Matties (California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, Mechanical Engineering)  
• Jaden Helfman (Roger Williams University, Mechanical Engineering)  
• Jaedyn Imhoff (California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, Mechanical Engineering)  
• Jalen Guerrero (Farmingdale State College, Automotive Technology)  
• Jon Crenshaw (WyoTech, Diesel Mechanic)  
• Jonah Williamson (West Virginia University, Mechanical Engineering)  
• Jonathon Damzyn (Michigan State University, Electrical Engineering)  
• Joshua Maymon (Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis, Mechanical Engineering)  
• Josiah Romero (Texas A&M University-College Station, Aerospace Aeronautical)  
• Kade Kohl (Parkland College, Diesel Mechanic)  
• Kaitlyn Zubia (University of Texas at El Paso, Mechanical Engineering)  
• Keeley Whitmer (Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Automotive)  
• Kenton Kyger (Kettering University, Engineering: Mobility Systems)  
• Kolby Tran (University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Electrical Engineering)  
• Kyle Janssen (University of Wisconsin-Madison, Marketing)  
• Lantz Riggio (University of Northwestern Ohio, Automotive Aftermarket)  
• Lawson Cheek (University of Mississippi, Business)  
• Liam Richardson (Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Automotive Technology) 
• Logan Jorgensen (Ferris State University, Automotive Engineering & Technology)  
• Madyan Khidir (M State-Moorhead Campus, Automotive Engineering & Technology)  
• Marco Ramirez (Brigham Young University-Idaho, Automotive Engineering & Technology)  
• Masen Schneider (University of North Dakota, Mechanical Engineering)  
• Mason Durham (University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Electrical Engineering)  
• Mason Surgener (Kettering University, Mechanical Engineering)  
• Matthew Traum (Missouri University of Science & Technology, Mechanical Engineering)  
• Max Lovell (Miami University-Oxford, Computer & Information Sciences)   
• Maximilian Redfearn (University of St. Thomas, Mechanical Engineering)  
• Megan Layton (Weber State University, Automotive Technology)  
• Micah Duke (Colorado School of Mines, Mechanical Engineering) 
• Miles Mack (Temple University, Business)  
• Owen Kreutzfeldt (South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, Mechanical Engineering)  
• Payton Lee (Kansas State University, Mechanical Engineering)  
• Rachel Garrett (University of Northwestern Ohio, High Performance Technology)  
• Riley Schlick-Trask (Connecticut College, Engineering Mechanics)  
• Robert Schonberner (McPherson College, Automotive)  
• Robert Wareham (Lewis-Clark State College, Autobody Collision)  
• Ryder Lestrud (North Iowa Area Community College, Diesel & Heavy Equipment Technician)  
• Rylee Disterheft (University of Northwestern Ohio, High Performance Motorsports)  
• Sabra Laschanzky (Ozarks Technical Community College, Automation Technology) 
• Sasha Luich (University of Texas at Dallas, Mechanical Engineering)  
• Savannah Sprague (Northwood University, Automotive)  
• Spencer Moody (University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Mechanical Engineering)  
• Steven Scott (Earlham College, Mechanical Engineering)  
• Stran Denton (WyoTech, Automotive Technology)  
• Taylor Hoover (Texas Tech University, Business, Management)  
• Valerie Best (Cuesta College, Automotive Technology)  
• Whitney Elliot Lundy (Ozarks Technical Community College, Autobody Collision)  
• William Chambers (North Carolina State University at Raleigh, Mechanical Engineering)  
• William Surratt (University of Northwestern Ohio, Automotive Technology)  
• Zachary Dosey (Wayne State University, Electrical Engineering Technician)  

SEMA Loan Forgiveness Award Winners  

Recipient (Employer, Institution Name, Major)

*in alphabetical order of first name

• Anh Le (Original Parts Group, Inc., University of California Irvine, Computer Science)  
• Autumn Schwalbe (Ford Motor Company, Northwood University, Automotive Aftermarket)  
• Baily Soto (Legacy EV, Arizona State University-Downtown Phoenix, Education)  
• Bruce Xiong (Truck Accessories Group, LLC, California State University-Sacramento, Mechanical Engineering)  
• Chris Apkarian (AMS Osram, University of New Hampshire at Manchester, Mechanical Engineering Technology)  
• Clayton Brown (Race Winning Brands, University of Akron Main Campus, Mechanical Engineering Technology)  
• Derrick Steffen (Transfer Flow, California State University-Chico, Mechanical Engineering)  
• Jeremy Kingkade (Dee Zee, Inc., Iowa State University, Industrial Engineering & Design)  
• John Hyden (Royal Purple Synthetic Oil, Marian University, Business)  
• Keith Farris (I-CAR, University of Phoenix, IT Business Manager)  
• Mara Henderson (The University of Northwestern Ohio, Southern New Hampshire University, Business Administration/General Office Worker)  
• Mark Mollica (Thyssenkrupp Bilstein, University of San Diego, Mechanical Engineering)  
• Melanie Henry (Martin and Company Advertising, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona, Communications)  
• Shawn Foster (Diode Dynamics, Missouri University of Science & Technology, Mechanical Engineering)  
• Taylor Straley (DECKED, University of Washington-Seattle Campus, Business)  
• Teresa Lang (Stellantis/FCA US LLC, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Engineering)  
• William Krueger (Bob Drake Reproductions, Inc., Oregon Institute of Technology, Mechanical Engineering)