More than 130 companies were recognized by a panel of esteemed international journalists for having a product that would resonate with consumers in their home countries. Twenty-three judges from 16 countries participated in the 2023 Global Media Awards Program that took place during the 2022 SEMA Show.
Glad to return to the iconic Show following the pandemic, the international judges carefully reviewed and evaluated the items on display in the New Products Showcase to select the award winners. Winning exhibitors received their awards and spoke with the journalists who selected their products at the International Happy Hour on Wednesday, November 2.
Below, in alphabetical order by country, publication and participating journalist, are the winning exhibitors and products from the 2023 Global Media Awards Program.
ARGENTINA
Judge: Luis Zschocke Media Outlet:New Tune Up
FiTech Fuel Injection, 30013 Go EFI 8 1200 HP Power Adder Bright Aluminum Finish System
MAHLE Motorsport, Ford 5.0L Modular Coyote Gen 3 Direct Injected (’18+) PowerPak Piston Set
AAD Performance, S550 Mustang Front Lower Control Arms
Dana Incorporated, Ultimate Dana 60 Semi-Float Rear Axle for Ford Bronco
Vintage Air Inc., ’64–’66 Ford Mustang Gen 5 SureFit system
AAD Performance, S550 Mustang Front Lower Tension Arms
Speedmaster, Ford SB 289 302 351w Aluminum Complete Serpentine Belt Drive System Kit [Polished]
TRAC LLC/Tire Cart and Tire Jack, TRAC Tire Jack
Holley, Hooker Small-Block Chevrolet Exhaust Manifolds
Speedmaster, GM 4L80E Aluminum Transmission Pan with Silicon Gasket
AUSTRALIA
Judge: Ben Davidson Media Outlet:Jeep Action Magazine
The following message is from SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola
Dear SEMA Member:
SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola
A strong SEMA Board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well. As a member of the Association, we are currently seeking your recommendation of industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors.
The following seats are open for this year’s election:
Chairman-elect (one open seat)
Distributor/Retailer (one open seat)
Please take a moment and tell us whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board member position by completing and submitting a nomination form. To help the vetting process, please include brief information about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements that would make that nominee an outstanding board candidate.
We urge you to take part in the nominations process—our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the Board, but we need you to help bring them to the attention of the Nominating Committee.
Thank you for your attention to this important request.
Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest jobs posted to the website.
Edelbrock Group is hiring a creative and design manager who can not only create exciting, well-executed creative work, but who can also manage a team of creatives, collaborate with others inside and outside of marketing for project specifics, improve the quality of current design/graphics work and ensure all finished creative work is accurate, on brand and on time for the entire team. To be successful in this role, candidates must be well-rounded creative experts who are skilled in all of aspects traditional and digital marketing design. You must have experience executing a diverse mix of creative projects from conception to production in a multi-brand environment. You should also be a talented mentor who can oversee the work of others, recognize skill gaps, evaluate individual and team performance and offer constructive guidance in a kind and respectful manner.
Leading Edge Machine and Design (LEMD) is hiring a 3-D CAD modeler. In this position, you will work on a multitude of varying projects for some of the best shops in the industry. You will be able to see the whole lifecycle of the project, from concept to completion. As LEMD grows, you will have the opportunity to quickly move into a leadership position and establish your presence in an industry you love. Candidates must have Fusion 360 knowledge, 3-D scan data knowledge and 3-D sculpting and complex modeling skills.
Derive Systems is hiring an embedded software engineer to design, implement and test embedded software components to interface and control the enthusiast devices; participate in architecture, requirement gathering, estimating and planning for software execution; and develop new functional capabilities within firmware applications to meet a wide range of customer requirements and operational needs. Candidates must have 4–6 years’ experience using C/C++ for embedded devices and a bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering or other relevant technical discipline.
The 2022 mid-term election has been an exciting and somewhat puzzling one for political prognosticators as votes are still being counted in many key U.S. House of Representatives races. It is clear, however, that SEMA is well positioned for success during the next two years as a result of our support for lawmakers who have stood with the hobby. From grassroots advocacy through the SEMA Action Network to digital advertisements for our strongest allies to highlighting all the RPM Act cosponsors who were on the ballot this November, SEMA and automotive community did our part to help shape the 2022 elections.
Republicans have regained control of the U.S. House of Representatives. At present, Republicans have won 218 seats in the House, while Democrats won 210 seats in the mid-term elections. Seven races are still too close to call. Republicans will control at least 49 Senate seats in the next Congress, and Democrats will control at least 50 Senate seats. Democrats will lead the Senate in 2023–2024 regardless of the outcome of the December 6 runoff election in Georgia, since the vice president is the tie breaker vote in the Senate.
There were 110 RPM Act House co-sponsors up for re-election, and 15 RPM Act sponsors either ran for re-election to the Senate or competed for a Senate seat this year. The results have been overwhelmingly positive for lawmakers who have supported the bill. Thirteen RPM Act sponsors won their Senate races while the Alaska race is still being decided. More than 100 RPM Act co-sponsors in the House were re-elected, three lost and two RPM Act cosponsors are up in their races where votes are still being counted.
A closely divided Congress in 2023–2024 increases the chances that the final month and a half of the current legislative session will be productive, as lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have priorities that they will seek to have enacted before the end of the year. Looking forward to next year, we are encouraged that the narrow margins in the House and Senate will prevent extreme policies that would be detrimental to the hobby (such as aggressive federal efforts to favor ZEVs over ICE vehicles, closing roads and trails for motorized recreation, etc.). One cautionary note regarding divided government is that it will encourage President Biden to rely on his executive powers to implement partisan policy changes, particularly from his environmental activist base. SEMA and the SEMA Action Network will be monitoring these efforts closely.
We are grateful to everyone who has supported SEMA’s advocacy efforts. We are making incredible strides to boost the industry’s political horsepower in Washington. To learn more and get involved, visit www.SEMASAN.com.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that seeks public comment on the potential harms stemming from deceptive or unfair review and endorsement practices used by businesses.
“Companies should know by now that fake reviews are illegal, but this scourge persists,” said Samuel Levine, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “We’re exploring whether a rule that would trigger stiff civil penalties for violators would make the market fairer for consumers and honest businesses."
The FTC is asking for comments regarding the pervasiveness and potential harms to consumers and competition cause by fake reviews, paid reviews, fake review websites and similar practices.
If you are aware of competitors engaging in these practices that harm your business, contact Caroline Fletcher at carolinef@sema.org to be incorporated into SEMA’s comments.
SEMA has hired Zane Clark as vice president of Membership, Education, Research and Councils & Networks (MERC). Clark, who currently serves as CEO of the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE) North America, has 23 years of automotive aftermarket leadership experience, including more than 10 years with SEMA from 2010–2020. He will lead SEMA’s member services and benefits programs effective in January 2023.
“I’m excited to rejoin the SEMA team,” said Clark. “SEMA is a world-class organization that offers valuable benefits to its members and the automotive community. It’s an honor to be part of the team and the industry!”
Clark served SEMA in 2010 as a council director, working directly with volunteer leaders in various niches. He transitioned after three years to lead SEMA’s education department, where he directed the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, grew the SEMA Show education program and expanded the SEMA Show Student Program.
In 2020, Clark joined SAMPE, where he served as the organization’s CEO and executive director. Clark guided SAMPE through the pandemic and grew the society’s membership by 23%. His team also produces two international trade shows for SAMPE, including Composites and Advanced Material Expo (CAMX) which was honored as a Gold 100 Show by Trade Show Executive (TSE).
“Zane is a strategic and creative thinker who knows and understands associations, member-based organizations, as well as the automotive industry,” said Mike Spagnola, SEMA president and CEO. “We’ve seen the value that Zane brings to an organization first-hand, and we’re excited to welcome Zane back to the team and serving our members.”
Clark holds a bachelor’s of administration (BA) in Philosophy from Cal Poly Humboldt, a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Purdue University Global and is a Certified Association Executive (CAE). He begins his role as vice president at SEMA on January 4, 2023.
As part of its mission to provide professional women in the automotive aftermarket with career-building networking and education opportunities, the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) has announced its 2023 SBN Women’s Leadership Forum.
The inaugural event held earlier this year included more than 50 women from throughout the industry. Taking place in March 2023 in Costa Mesa, California, the theme for the second annual event is “Dare to Lead.” Participants will discover tools that will enhance their personal development and leadership skills. Keynote sessions will focus on futuristic next-level leadership trends and elevating impact and influence.
The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network’s 2023 Women’s Leadership Forum will equip women from varying occupations and backgrounds with the tools needed to fine-tune and enhance their personal development and leadership skills.
“The SBN Women’s Leadership Forum helps by connecting like-minded women who share common challenges and goal,” said SBN Director Nicole Bradle. “Women will gain a fresh perspective about their careers and emerge empowered to create a realistic agenda for change in both their lives and companies.“
Sara Morosan, president of LGE-CTS Motorsports, reflected on her experience attending last year’s forum:
“I have gone to these types of events before but never with others in our industry. It was so impactful to see the other women in [the automotive aftermarket] industry who go through all the same things that I am going through. My bond with other women and business owners grew 10 times what I thought it would.”
A complete event program will be available in early December and registration is limited. SBN members can register at a reduced rate of $599, compared to non-SEMA members at $799. Participants must make their own travel arrangements. Secure your seat today!
Media registration for the 2023 MPMC Media Trade Conference is now open.
The event will take place in person at the Embassy Suites Anaheim South in the city of Garden Grove, California, January 24–26, 2023. Journalists, editors, writers, producers, podcasters, content creators and social-media influencers are invited to meet one-on-one with leading motorsports parts manufacturers by signing up for the event. There is no cost for media to participate. Media are able to indicate which companies best meet their editorial needs and will receive a personalized schedule. It is the best and most efficient way for media to connect with motorsports parts manufacturers in private, quality meetings.
Journalists, editors, writers, producers, podcasters, content creators and social-media influencers are invited to meet one-on-one with leading motorsports parts manufacturers by signing up for the event.
Media are invited to register before the December 16, 2022, deadline in order to receive their schedule the week of January 9, 2023.
For questions or more information, contact Juan Torres at juant@sema.org.
Associated Equipment to Provide Tools for Use in SEMA Garage Detroit
SEMA and Associated Equipment have announced the use of the latest Associated Equipment battery chargers, reflash power supplies, testers and portable jump starters for the SEMA Garage in Detroit. Associated Equipment is a 70+-year-old U.S.-based manufacturer of wheeled and portable battery chargers, such as the companies Intellamatic line of battery chargers for today’s mix of different battery types found in modern vehicles. Associated Equipment also is an industry leader for portable jump boxes, battery and full electrical-system testers and jumper cables.
RNR Tire Express Announces Houston’s First Franchise Signing
RNR Tire Express (RNR) has signed a franchise agreement to bring a new location to Houston. The new store will be owned and operated by local entrepreneurs Taos Ford and Benito Olson. The new location is anticipating opening its doors to the public in the early 2023.
Ford and Olson have held a passion for the automotive industry for quite some time, and when Ford was introduced to the RNR franchise concept by one his employees, he brought in Olson to explore investing in the brand together. Upon visiting existing RNR locations and having the chance to meeting the Tampa executive team, both were equally impressed by the professionalism, culture, commitment, look and design that the franchise displayed.
Bill Condron (left).
I-CAR Presents Awards for Exceptional Contributions to Collision-repair Industry
The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) announced the 2021 recipients of its annual Jeff Silver and Russ Verona I-CAR Awards recognizing one individual and one collision-repair shop for advancing technical education and professionalism in the collision repair industry. The Awards were presented at the 2022 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
The Jeff Silver Memorial Award, honoring an I-CAR Platinum individual who demonstrates true passion for training and professional growth, takes on special meaning this year as a memorial to the beloved industry leader. Silver, who served as CEO of I-CAR from 1985–1996, had a deep passion for training and professional growth. This award has been renamed the Jeff Silver Memorial Award, following Silver’s passing in September.
Bill Eveland (left).
The 2021 Jeff Silver Memorial Award was awarded to Bill Condron, fixed operations director at Sawgrass Ford Collision Center in Sunrise, Florida. Condron has been a Platinum-recognized individual since 2012 and holds a paint supplier certification. In his role at Sawgrass, Condron is very involved with training while also overseeing all the service, parts, and collision operations.
The Russ Verona Memorial Award, honoring an I-CAR Gold Class shop that actively promotes technical training and a positive image for the collision repair industry, was awarded to Eveland Brothers Collision Repair Inc. in Merriam, Kansas. Company President Bill Eveland accepted the award for this family-owned and operated business, which has adhered to I-CAR’s Gold Class standard continuously since 1993. 2023 will mark its 30th year as a Gold Class shop, making it one of a very small group of shops in the country to reach this significant milestone.
Daud Gonzalez
Daud Gonzalez Joins PRI Editorial Team
Performance Racing Industry (PRI) has announced the hiring of Daud Gonzalez as its new coordinating/projects editor. He joins PRI following stints as a contributing writer with Internet Brands in El Segundo, California, and TopSpeed.com in Quebec, Canada. In his new role, Gonzalez will be responsible for a number of creative, organizational and administrative initiatives, including content generation, story and source development and oversight of outside contractors for PRI media; program and talent management for PRI Education and the PRI Trade Show; and more. He will be based out of PRI’s Aliso Viejo, California, office.
FASTRAK Racing Adds Bill Lupinos as Vice President
FASTRAK Companies International LLC has announced hiring of Bill Lupinos as the company vice president. According to a series release, Lupinos’ appointment will allow FASTRAK Founder, Owner and President Stan Lester to concentrate on his health. Lester will continue to be involved on a limited basis, consulting for the company and working on additional marketing to increase purses and point funds. FASTRAK is the governing body that oversees the Ultimate Super Late Model Series and the Heart of America Ultimate Super Late Model Series.
Lupinos, officially beginning on December 3, will work remotely from Kentucky with visits to the FASTRAK corporate office in Carnesville, Georgia. He currently works for Associate Distributors and also owns and operates Richmond Speedway in Richmond, Kentucky; the Heart of America USLMS; and a super stock series.
SuperSprings International Achieves ISO 9001 Certification
SuperSprings International (SSI)—the manufacturer of suspension solutions and products based in Carpinteria, California—has achieved ISO 9001:2015 Certification. ISO 9001 is a global standard that establishes a company’s commitment to quality by meeting qualifications across multiple areas of the business. At the base of the certification is a commitment to customer focus and continued improvement to the organization. For more information, visit superspringsinternational.com.
Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA News. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.
More than 130 companies were recognized by a panel of esteemed international journalists for having a product that would resonate with consumers in their home countries. Twenty-three judges from 16 countries participated in the 2023 Global Media Awards Program that took place during the 2022 SEMA Show.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued an 
SEMA has hired Zane Clark as vice president of Membership, Education, Research and Councils & Networks (MERC). Clark, who currently serves as CEO of the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE) North America, has 23 years of automotive aftermarket leadership experience, including more than 10 years with SEMA from 2010–2020. He will lead SEMA’s member services and benefits programs effective in January 2023.
RNR Tire Express Announces Houston’s First Franchise Signing
SuperSprings International Achieves ISO 9001 Certification