News | Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)

Final Young Guns Challenger Chosen by Fans for Sixth Annual SEMA Battle of the Builders

Thu, 10/17/2019 - 10:00

By SEMA Editors

Chelsie Lesnoski and her ’13 Scion FR-S were chosen by her peers in a public fan vote competition that ran from September 14–October 4, 2019.

SEMA has announced the winner of the Young Guns Fan Vote competition who will receive a prize package that includes an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the 2019 SEMA Show, transportation of the winner’s vehicle, a designated feature spot at the Show and entry into the Battle of the Builders competition. Chelsie Lesnoski of Penticton, B.C., Canada, and her ’13 Scion FR-S were chosen by her peers in a public fan vote competition that ran from September 14–October 4, 2019.

“Winning this final spot in the Young Guns competition was an absolute dream come true for me,” said Lesnoski, co-owner of Throttle Thrashers Garage, an automotive modification and customization business that does business in the Canada and United States. “I hope this achievement encourages other young builders like myself to pursue their dreams no matter how out of reach they may seem.”

The fan vote, now in its second year, comprised 21 runner-up contestants selected from nine regional automotive events. Lesnoski and nine other Young Guns Regional winners will now take part in the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition that includes more than 300 entrants. Finalists will be announced during the SEMA Show, with the winner crowned at the official SEMA Show after-party, SEMA Ignited, Friday, November 8, in Las Vegas.

For more information, visit www.semaignited.com.

Final Young Guns Challenger Chosen by Fans for Sixth Annual SEMA Battle of the Builders

Thu, 10/17/2019 - 10:00

By SEMA Editors

Chelsie Lesnoski and her ’13 Scion FR-S were chosen by her peers in a public fan vote competition that ran from September 14–October 4, 2019.

SEMA has announced the winner of the Young Guns Fan Vote competition who will receive a prize package that includes an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the 2019 SEMA Show, transportation of the winner’s vehicle, a designated feature spot at the Show and entry into the Battle of the Builders competition. Chelsie Lesnoski of Penticton, B.C., Canada, and her ’13 Scion FR-S were chosen by her peers in a public fan vote competition that ran from September 14–October 4, 2019.

“Winning this final spot in the Young Guns competition was an absolute dream come true for me,” said Lesnoski, co-owner of Throttle Thrashers Garage, an automotive modification and customization business that does business in the Canada and United States. “I hope this achievement encourages other young builders like myself to pursue their dreams no matter how out of reach they may seem.”

The fan vote, now in its second year, comprised 21 runner-up contestants selected from nine regional automotive events. Lesnoski and nine other Young Guns Regional winners will now take part in the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition that includes more than 300 entrants. Finalists will be announced during the SEMA Show, with the winner crowned at the official SEMA Show after-party, SEMA Ignited, Friday, November 8, in Las Vegas.

For more information, visit www.semaignited.com.

Final Young Guns Challenger Chosen by Fans for Sixth Annual SEMA Battle of the Builders

Thu, 10/17/2019 - 10:00

By SEMA Editors

Chelsie Lesnoski and her ’13 Scion FR-S were chosen by her peers in a public fan vote competition that ran from September 14–October 4, 2019.

SEMA has announced the winner of the Young Guns Fan Vote competition who will receive a prize package that includes an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the 2019 SEMA Show, transportation of the winner’s vehicle, a designated feature spot at the Show and entry into the Battle of the Builders competition. Chelsie Lesnoski of Penticton, B.C., Canada, and her ’13 Scion FR-S were chosen by her peers in a public fan vote competition that ran from September 14–October 4, 2019.

“Winning this final spot in the Young Guns competition was an absolute dream come true for me,” said Lesnoski, co-owner of Throttle Thrashers Garage, an automotive modification and customization business that does business in the Canada and United States. “I hope this achievement encourages other young builders like myself to pursue their dreams no matter how out of reach they may seem.”

The fan vote, now in its second year, comprised 21 runner-up contestants selected from nine regional automotive events. Lesnoski and nine other Young Guns Regional winners will now take part in the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition that includes more than 300 entrants. Finalists will be announced during the SEMA Show, with the winner crowned at the official SEMA Show after-party, SEMA Ignited, Friday, November 8, in Las Vegas.

For more information, visit www.semaignited.com.

SEMA Industry Awards Banquet to Feature Blue Man Group

Thu, 10/17/2019 - 09:52

By SEMA Editors

The iconic Blue Man Group will join attendees at this year's SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, the industry’s premier celebration taking place Thursday, November 7, at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino.

The Blue Man Group is making its way to the 2019 SEMA Show as part of the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet. The annual event, which follows three full days of activity at the Las Vegas Convention Center, is the industry’s premier celebration, taking place Thursday, November 7, at the nearby Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino.

As winners of the SEMA Person of the Year, Manufacturer of the Year and WD of the Year are announced in front of more than 3,000 industry professionals, the iconic Blue Man Group will entertain the crowd with a mixture of unique dance and theatrics.

“The SEMA Industry Awards Banquet is the ideal place for celebrating and connecting with industry friends and family,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “We’re thrilled to confirm the Blue Man Group will be interspersed in the program at this year’s event.”

Other awards presented during the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet are Rep Agency of the Year and Gen-III Innovator of the Year. Tributes will be made to this year’s SEMA Hall of Fame inductees: Bob Chandler, Bruce Crower and Marla Moore. The evening will feature a cocktail hour, formal sit-down dinner and the Blue Man Group’s performance of art, music, comedy and state-of-the-art technology. Attendees will discover the world through a new perspective, before heading into the final day of the 2019 SEMA Show on Friday, November 8.

All SEMA Show exhibitors qualify to obtain a limited number of free tickets to the banquet based on their booth size. All Showgoers are also able to purchase banquet tickets at www.semashow.com/banquet.

The 2019 SEMA Show takes place November 5–8, 2019, in Las Vegas. The annual trade-only show brings manufacturers of automotive parts and accessories together with industry buyers from all over the world.

SEMA Industry Awards Banquet to Feature Blue Man Group

Thu, 10/17/2019 - 09:52

By SEMA Editors

The iconic Blue Man Group will join attendees at this year's SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, the industry’s premier celebration taking place Thursday, November 7, at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino.

The Blue Man Group is making its way to the 2019 SEMA Show as part of the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet. The annual event, which follows three full days of activity at the Las Vegas Convention Center, is the industry’s premier celebration, taking place Thursday, November 7, at the nearby Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino.

As winners of the SEMA Person of the Year, Manufacturer of the Year and WD of the Year are announced in front of more than 3,000 industry professionals, the iconic Blue Man Group will entertain the crowd with a mixture of unique dance and theatrics.

“The SEMA Industry Awards Banquet is the ideal place for celebrating and connecting with industry friends and family,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “We’re thrilled to confirm the Blue Man Group will be interspersed in the program at this year’s event.”

Other awards presented during the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet are Rep Agency of the Year and Gen-III Innovator of the Year. Tributes will be made to this year’s SEMA Hall of Fame inductees: Bob Chandler, Bruce Crower and Marla Moore. The evening will feature a cocktail hour, formal sit-down dinner and the Blue Man Group’s performance of art, music, comedy and state-of-the-art technology. Attendees will discover the world through a new perspective, before heading into the final day of the 2019 SEMA Show on Friday, November 8.

All SEMA Show exhibitors qualify to obtain a limited number of free tickets to the banquet based on their booth size. All Showgoers are also able to purchase banquet tickets at www.semashow.com/banquet.

The 2019 SEMA Show takes place November 5–8, 2019, in Las Vegas. The annual trade-only show brings manufacturers of automotive parts and accessories together with industry buyers from all over the world.

SEMA High School Program Expands From One to 10 in Just Two Years

Thu, 10/17/2019 - 09:38

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA High School Vehicle Build Program will provide 10 high schools with hands-on-learning opportunities and expose hundreds of students to the $44.6 billion automotive specialty equipment industry.

The SEMA High School Vehicle Build Program, now entering its third year, will provide 10 high schools with hands-on learning opportunities and expose hundreds of students to the $44.6 billion automotive specialty-equipment industry.

The program began in 2017, with one vehicle and one high school. Using donated parts from 23 SEMA-member manufacturers, students from Santa Fe Early College Opportunities Applied Science Magnet High School (Santa Fe ECO), from Santa Fe, New Mexico, built a ’15 four-wheel-drive Jeep Wrangler Unlimited that was auctioned off to raise money so that the program could be replicated and even grow. The following school year, the SEMA High School Vehicle Build Program expanded to include five high schools. This year, the program will include 10 vehicles consisting of Jeep Wrangler TJs and third-generation Toyota 4Runners.

The program aims to engage students in the customization lifestyle and introduce them to a career path within the automotive aftermarket industry by connecting high school automotive shop classes with specialty-equipment manufacturers’ products to build one-of-a-kind customized vehicles.

“We launched this program with the goal of offering students a hands-on learning experience while enhancing existing curriculum in high school automotive shop courses,” said Katie Hurst, SEMA youth engagement programs manager. “Not only did we reach that goal, but also the program was so successful that now we are expanding it to reach even more high school automotive shop students.”

Although applications to participate in the 2019–2020 vehicle build have already closed, SEMA is currently in the process of securing parts donations from parts manufacturers and volunteers to serve as industry mentors to students. By contributing parts, participating companies will have their products installed on the vehicle(s) and receive recognition through the build website and in SEMA build promotions.

“The program not only provides promising students with applicable skillsets and knowledge, but also gives them a great sense of community,” said Hurst. “Through teamwork, passion and the generosity of our sponsors, we are truly able to make these vehicle builds one of a kind.”

In addition to the High School Vehicle Build Program, SEMA’s Educational Program includes Scholarship and Loan Forgiveness, SEMA Show Student Programs and career opportunities through the SEMA Career Center.

Companies interested in donating parts for the builds or learning more about the High School Vehicle Build Program can visit www.sema.org/student-builds or contact Hurst at katieh@sema.org.