By SEMA Editors

Discounted tickets are available to Showgoers for the Las Vegas Monorail, which will operate at extended hours during the week of the SEMA Show.

SEMA Showgoers are encouraged to use hotel shuttles and the Las Vegas Monorail to get to and from the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, as parking will be impacted by construction at the Las Vegas Convention Center during the event in early November. Free hotel shuttle service will be available to and from the Las Vegas Convention Center and more than 35 hotels, and discounted tickets are available to Showgoers for the Las Vegas Monorail, which will operate at extended hours during the week of the SEMA Show.

“We’re encouraging Showgoers to plan in advance and take advantage of the time-saving and low-cost transportation options that are available,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “These alternative options are easy to use and will make the overall Show experience much more positive.”

Surveys from 2018 Showgoers found that those who utilized alternatives to driving and parking at the SEMA Show experienced greater overall satisfaction from the event. Alternatives include:

• Hotel Shuttle: Free shuttle service is provided throughout the week to and from the SEMA Show and 35 hotel partners. The shuttles operate from the hotels to the Las Vegas Convention Center from 7:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m., Tuesday–Friday the week of the Show, with return service from 3:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m., Tuesday–Thursday and 2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. on Friday. A complete list of hotels, pickup locations and route details are available on the SEMA Show website.
• Monorail: With seven stations covering nearly four miles, including a stop directly in front of the Convention Center and another stop by the Westgate, where many SEMA Show activities take place, the monorail is a great option for getting to the SEMA Show each day. Trains arrive every four to eight minutes and will begin operation at 6:00 a.m. on SEMA Show days (Tuesday–Friday, November 5–8). Showgoers can save money and purchase discounted multiday monorail passes.
• Taxi/Ride-Sharing Options: The SEMA Show will also have two designated transportation hubs where taxi and ride-sharing services, such as Uber and Lyft, will be able to drop off and pick up quickly and easily. Registered buyers (retailers/WDs/jobbers) who are SEMA members can utilize the express taxi lines from the Convention Center on Tuesday–Thursday, from 2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. and Friday, from 2:00p.m.–4:00 p.m. For details regarding the express taxi lines for member buyers, visit the SEMA Association Center upstairs in the Grand Lobby.

“Although we’ve found that hotel shuttles and the monorail are two of the best options for SEMA Showgoers, we know that everyone’s needs are unique,” said Gattuso. “The important thing is that Showgoers plan in advance, know what their options are and select the options that work best for them.”

Showgoers are advised to check the map at www.semashow.com or the mobile app for details on all the transportation options, including locations of the transportation hubs.

By SEMA Editors

Discounted tickets are available to Showgoers for the Las Vegas Monorail, which will operate at extended hours during the week of the SEMA Show.

SEMA Showgoers are encouraged to use hotel shuttles and the Las Vegas Monorail to get to and from the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, as parking will be impacted by construction at the Las Vegas Convention Center during the event in early November. Free hotel shuttle service will be available to and from the Las Vegas Convention Center and more than 35 hotels, and discounted tickets are available to Showgoers for the Las Vegas Monorail, which will operate at extended hours during the week of the SEMA Show.

“We’re encouraging Showgoers to plan in advance and take advantage of the time-saving and low-cost transportation options that are available,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “These alternative options are easy to use and will make the overall Show experience much more positive.”

Surveys from 2018 Showgoers found that those who utilized alternatives to driving and parking at the SEMA Show experienced greater overall satisfaction from the event. Alternatives include:

• Hotel Shuttle: Free shuttle service is provided throughout the week to and from the SEMA Show and 35 hotel partners. The shuttles operate from the hotels to the Las Vegas Convention Center from 7:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m., Tuesday–Friday the week of the Show, with return service from 3:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m., Tuesday–Thursday and 2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. on Friday. A complete list of hotels, pickup locations and route details are available on the SEMA Show website.
• Monorail: With seven stations covering nearly four miles, including a stop directly in front of the Convention Center and another stop by the Westgate, where many SEMA Show activities take place, the monorail is a great option for getting to the SEMA Show each day. Trains arrive every four to eight minutes and will begin operation at 6:00 a.m. on SEMA Show days (Tuesday–Friday, November 5–8). Showgoers can save money and purchase discounted multiday monorail passes.
• Taxi/Ride-Sharing Options: The SEMA Show will also have two designated transportation hubs where taxi and ride-sharing services, such as Uber and Lyft, will be able to drop off and pick up quickly and easily. Registered buyers (retailers/WDs/jobbers) who are SEMA members can utilize the express taxi lines from the Convention Center on Tuesday–Thursday, from 2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. and Friday, from 2:00p.m.–4:00 p.m. For details regarding the express taxi lines for member buyers, visit the SEMA Association Center upstairs in the Grand Lobby.

“Although we’ve found that hotel shuttles and the monorail are two of the best options for SEMA Showgoers, we know that everyone’s needs are unique,” said Gattuso. “The important thing is that Showgoers plan in advance, know what their options are and select the options that work best for them.”

Showgoers are advised to check the map at www.semashow.com or the mobile app for details on all the transportation options, including locations of the transportation hubs.

By Kristopher Porter

A female-only event, SBN Gear-up Girl is a unique networking opportunity for women in the automotive industry to connect with female students pursuing careers in the automotive and motorsports industry.

The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) will hold its next Gear-up Girl Networking Event at the NASCAR Technical Institute (NTI) on September 12, from 6:00 p.m.–7:30pm.

A female-only event, SBN Gear-up Girl is a unique networking opportunity for women in the specialty-equipment industry professionals to connect with students pursuing careers in the automotive and motorsports industry.

Gear-up Girl is designed to help students gain an understanding of career opportunities in the industry; provide students with the tools to identify their interests and connect those with market segments or companies; and provide an opportunity for women automotive professionals to strengthen their network.

All SBN members, women in the automotive industry and female students pursuing careers in the automotive industry are encouraged to attend. SBN leadership will be present to discuss the Network’s initiatives, volunteer opportunities and additional ways to get more involved.

SBN Gear-Up Girl is free to attend but RSVP is required. Reserve your tickets for the event.

For more information, contact SEMA Director of Networks Bryan Harrison at bryanh@sema.org or 909-978-6691.

By Kristopher Porter

A female-only event, SBN Gear-up Girl is a unique networking opportunity for women in the automotive industry to connect with female students pursuing careers in the automotive and motorsports industry.

The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) will hold its next Gear-up Girl Networking Event at the NASCAR Technical Institute (NTI) on September 12, from 6:00 p.m.–7:30pm.

A female-only event, SBN Gear-up Girl is a unique networking opportunity for women in the specialty-equipment industry professionals to connect with students pursuing careers in the automotive and motorsports industry.

Gear-up Girl is designed to help students gain an understanding of career opportunities in the industry; provide students with the tools to identify their interests and connect those with market segments or companies; and provide an opportunity for women automotive professionals to strengthen their network.

All SBN members, women in the automotive industry and female students pursuing careers in the automotive industry are encouraged to attend. SBN leadership will be present to discuss the Network’s initiatives, volunteer opportunities and additional ways to get more involved.

SBN Gear-Up Girl is free to attend but RSVP is required. Reserve your tickets for the event.

For more information, contact SEMA Director of Networks Bryan Harrison at bryanh@sema.org or 909-978-6691.

By SEMA Editors

Show and booth services provided by Freeman include shipping, material handling, carpet, chairs and tables, utilities, furnishings, signs and graphics and cleaning.

Exhibitors can save money on Show expenses by taking advantage of advance rates. Show and booth services provided by Freeman, a SEMA Show vendor, include shipping, material handling, carpet, chairs and tables, utilities, furnishings, signs and graphics and cleaning.

According to Freeman, almost half of exhibitors do not utilize the savings offered to them by ordering before the advance-rate deadlines.

“The advance rates help reduce Show costs, and were available to all exhibitors as early as May,” said SEMA Vice President of Events Tom Gattuso. “Companies that wait until after the advance-rate deadlines have passed before securing their booth services are leaving money on the table.”

The following services are available to exhibitors through Freeman at discounted rates if they place their orders online before their deadlines:

October 4: Internet/Telephone Orders (Advance Rate) – Cox Business (LVCC)
October 18: Utilities: Air/Water/Drain Order (Advance Rate) – Westgate Exhibits
October 18: Carpet and Booth Cleaning Order (Advance Rate) – Freeman
October 18: Electrical Order (Advance Rate) – LVCC exhibits – Freeman
October 18: Exhibit Accessories (Advance Rate) – Freeman
October 18: Exhibit Furnishings (Advance Rate) – Freeman
October 18: Labor – Hanging Sign/Banner (LVCC) – Freeman
October 18: Special Signs and Graphics (Advance Rate) – Freeman
October 18: Utilities: Air/Water/Drain Order (Advance Rate) – LVCC Exhibits – Freeman

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 exhibitors to keep track of all their costs and ensures that they are adequately prepared for their experience at the SEMA Show.

Access all of the exhibitor forms through the Exhibitor Services Manual. More information on the 2019 SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com.

By SEMA Editors

Show and booth services provided by Freeman include shipping, material handling, carpet, chairs and tables, utilities, furnishings, signs and graphics and cleaning.

Exhibitors can save money on Show expenses by taking advantage of advance rates. Show and booth services provided by Freeman, a SEMA Show vendor, include shipping, material handling, carpet, chairs and tables, utilities, furnishings, signs and graphics and cleaning.

According to Freeman, almost half of exhibitors do not utilize the savings offered to them by ordering before the advance-rate deadlines.

“The advance rates help reduce Show costs, and were available to all exhibitors as early as May,” said SEMA Vice President of Events Tom Gattuso. “Companies that wait until after the advance-rate deadlines have passed before securing their booth services are leaving money on the table.”

The following services are available to exhibitors through Freeman at discounted rates if they place their orders online before their deadlines:

October 4: Internet/Telephone Orders (Advance Rate) – Cox Business (LVCC)
October 18: Utilities: Air/Water/Drain Order (Advance Rate) – Westgate Exhibits
October 18: Carpet and Booth Cleaning Order (Advance Rate) – Freeman
October 18: Electrical Order (Advance Rate) – LVCC exhibits – Freeman
October 18: Exhibit Accessories (Advance Rate) – Freeman
October 18: Exhibit Furnishings (Advance Rate) – Freeman
October 18: Labor – Hanging Sign/Banner (LVCC) – Freeman
October 18: Special Signs and Graphics (Advance Rate) – Freeman
October 18: Utilities: Air/Water/Drain Order (Advance Rate) – LVCC Exhibits – Freeman

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 exhibitors to keep track of all their costs and ensures that they are adequately prepared for their experience at the SEMA Show.

Access all of the exhibitor forms through the Exhibitor Services Manual. More information on the 2019 SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com.

By SEMA Editors

Show and booth services provided by Freeman include shipping, material handling, carpet, chairs and tables, utilities, furnishings, signs and graphics and cleaning.

Exhibitors can save money on Show expenses by taking advantage of advance rates. Show and booth services provided by Freeman, a SEMA Show vendor, include shipping, material handling, carpet, chairs and tables, utilities, furnishings, signs and graphics and cleaning.

According to Freeman, almost half of exhibitors do not utilize the savings offered to them by ordering before the advance-rate deadlines.

“The advance rates help reduce Show costs, and were available to all exhibitors as early as May,” said SEMA Vice President of Events Tom Gattuso. “Companies that wait until after the advance-rate deadlines have passed before securing their booth services are leaving money on the table.”

The following services are available to exhibitors through Freeman at discounted rates if they place their orders online before their deadlines:

October 4: Internet/Telephone Orders (Advance Rate) – Cox Business (LVCC)
October 18: Utilities: Air/Water/Drain Order (Advance Rate) – Westgate Exhibits
October 18: Carpet and Booth Cleaning Order (Advance Rate) – Freeman
October 18: Electrical Order (Advance Rate) – LVCC exhibits – Freeman
October 18: Exhibit Accessories (Advance Rate) – Freeman
October 18: Exhibit Furnishings (Advance Rate) – Freeman
October 18: Labor – Hanging Sign/Banner (LVCC) – Freeman
October 18: Special Signs and Graphics (Advance Rate) – Freeman
October 18: Utilities: Air/Water/Drain Order (Advance Rate) – LVCC Exhibits – Freeman

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 exhibitors to keep track of all their costs and ensures that they are adequately prepared for their experience at the SEMA Show.

Access all of the exhibitor forms through the Exhibitor Services Manual. More information on the 2019 SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com.

By SEMA Market Research

SEMA is looking to understand the changing dynamics affecting specialty-automotive retailers and is conducting a survey of retail businesses in order to do so. We recognize your time is valuable, so we’re offering five $300 gift cards via drawing to retail business members who complete our survey.

Your input will help SEMA in its ongoing efforts to provide better support to the retail side of the aftermarket (and, of course, give you a chance at $300 once the survey finishes).

You may have already received an email from Gavin Knapp and/or Nathan Ridenour inviting you to participate. If so, please help by clicking the red “Start Survey” button in the message body to provide your thoughts.

Alternatively, you can click here and share the link with colleagues.

Thank you again for your support!

Compiled by SEMA Editors

ROUSH Performance unveiled its newest custom vehicle, a ’19 ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang designed exclusively for SEMA’s Immediate Past Chairman Wade Kawasaki at the McCall’s Motorworks Revival, August 14, in Monterey, California.

ROUSH Performance Unveils One-of-a-Kind Stage 3 Mustang at McCall’s Motorworks Revival

ROUSH Performance unveiled its newest custom vehicle, a ’19 ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang designed exclusively for SEMA’s Immediate Past Chairman Wade Kawasaki at the McCall’s Motorworks Revival, August 14, in Monterey, California. Built to be Kawasaki’s “track-capable daily driver,” the vehicle featured the blue-and-orange Gulf Racing livery painted by SpeedKore Performance Group to match the paint scheme of the Ford race cars that stormed Le Mans a half-century ago. Kawasaki’s vehicle was based on the ’19 ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang, and featured a ROUSH TVS R2650 supercharger, along with a ROUSH cold-air intake and ROUSH calibration to boost the car’s 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 engine to an overall power output of 710hp and 610 lb.-ft. of torque. The Mustang was also equipped with the optional ROUSH Active Exhaust System, which offers four different user-selectable exhaust modes. Other upgrades included a custom Sikky Manufacturing handbrake designed for drifting.

Additional custom touches included a set of one-off 20x8.5-in. and 20x11-in. forged aluminum wheels by Wheel Vintiques, designed as a modern interpretation of the wheels of the original Ford GT40, paired with 245/35R20 and 285/35R20 performance tires. Further bespoke pieces included custom carbon-fiber side vents and side-view mirrors manufactured by SpeedKore as well as a carbon-fiber ROUSH Mustang chin spoiler, a carbon-fiber ROUSH Mustang rear spoiler and complete ROUSH R8 aero body Kit. On the inside, Kawaski’s Stage 3 Mustang’s Sport Interior Package had been upgraded with color-matched orange accents and a ROUSH plaque.   

“Unveiling this custom Stage 3 Mustang at McCall’s Motorworks Revival was an exhilarating experience,” said Legendary Companies President and CEO Wade Kawasaki. “This was my first time seeing the finished car and ROUSH Performance has created something truly special here. I’m proud to share this moment with the public at this exclusive event and I hope everyone enjoyed seeing this incredible machine as much as I have.”

Tim Musiek

Tim Musiek Joins Nitrous Express and Snow Performance

Nitrous Express has hired Tim Musiek as national sales manager. He has 17 years of experience within the performance industry and has held key sales and product-management roles for multiple industry-leading performance companies, including Mr. Gasket and DEI. Musiek enjoys building and customizing all kinds of performance vehicles, including his NX nitrous-fed, fuel-injected, small-block, Chevy-swapped ’34 Ford Sedan Delivery.

AirPro Welcomes Canadian Distribution Partner

AirPro Diagnostics LLC has announced a partnership with iPro Auto Solutions for the distribution of AirPro’s OEM-compliant scan tools and services to the Canadian market. iPro Auto Solutions founders Darren Cox and Gord Fraser have extensive backgrounds in the auto glass sector as well as shop certification for automotive mechanical, glass and collision-repair facilities in the Canadian market.

Steele Rubber Products Invites Businesses to Sign Up for the Steele Partners Program

Steele Rubber Products’ Steele Partner Program offers benefits to shops and resellers in the auto industry. According to the company, in addition to a competitive discount structure on its parts, Steele Partners have access to all of the resource material and expertise Steele has to offer. Partners also have access to unlimited on-demand catalogs—an online ordering portal and quarterly newsletter that highlights new parts and offerings. During the 2019 SEMA Show, Steele Rubber Products will be located in Hot Rod Alley in Central Hall at booth #22583. They will have information about their Steele Partners Program, a sampling of their product line and product specialists on hand to answer any questions you may have about their weatherstripping and rubber products.

Stephanie Davies

Power Automedia Hires Stephanie Davies as Senior Associate Editor, Ford Group

Power Automedia has hired Stephanie Davies as senior associate editor for the Ford Group. She began with Power Automedia on a contract basis, which led to a permanent, full-time position. Prior to joining Power Automedia, Davies was an associate web editor at what was then Source Interlink Media, where she generated web and social-media content for Super Chevy, Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords, Vette, GM High-Tech Performance, High Performance Pontiac, Mopar Muscle and Circle Track. Davies also spent four years working as the communications and PR manager at ROUSH Performance.

Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists LLC Partners With the Meineke Dealers Association

Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists (AWRS) has announced its partnership with the Meineke Dealers Association as the preferred alloy wheel repair service provider for all Meineke Car Care Centers in the United States and Canada. As the preferred vendor, AWRS’ network of more than 400 certified technicians will provide select wheel refinishing and straightening services onsite at Meineke Car Care Center locations. Additionally, AWRS will offer offsite wheel remanufacturing services for wheels with extensive damage, special finishes and custom color change services.

Holley, VP Racing Fuels Continue Partnership for “Horsepower Wars” Season 2

Power Automedia’s “Horsepower Wars” automotive show will continue a partnership with Holley for season two. Holley has been a partner of “Horsepower Wars” since its inception. Now, in season two, the next “Horsepower Wars” $10K Drag Shootout is about to take center stage and teams will once again rely on Holley parts to improve their chances of taking home the $10,000 paycheck. To watch “Horsepower Wars” season two, visit www.HorsepowerWars.com. VP Racing Fuels has also partnered with “Horsepower Wars” for a second season. For the Junkyard Challenge, VP will supply 100-octane unleaded fuel to teams while C9 (95-octane unleaded) was the required fuel for Pony Wars. In the $10K Drag Shootout, teams were given the option to use either X85 (ethanol) or C16 (leaded race gas). In addition, “Horsepower Wars” will work with Toyo Tires as an official sponsor of the 2019 season.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.

In cooperation with Ford Motor Co., the SEMA Garage will host a Measuring Session for the ’20 Ford F-250 Super Duty Crew Cab. The ’20 Super Duty has a new look with a new grille, headlamps and fascia and new interior materials, colors and trim inserts. It also features a new powertrain option as well as new driver-assist technologies.