By Toyota PR

Toyota will feature several celebrities signing autographs and providing photo opportunities during select times, Tuesday–Thursday, November 3–5, at the 2015 SEMA Show. The celebrity signings will begin immediately following Toyota’s press conference, 10:00 a.m.–10:20 a.m., Tuesday, November 3. Here are the celebrities scheduled to make appearances in the Toyota booth.

Rutledge Wood

Chief among the luminaries will be Rutledge Wood, who will emcee the press conference itself. Wood has been one of the co-hosts of Top Gear USA on television’s History channel for the past four seasons. Earlier this year, he debuted on History’s Lost in Transmission, in which he and his co-host George travel the country is search of America’s forgotten automotive classics in an attempt to tell their stories and get them back on the road for their deserving owners. Wood also joined NBC Sports as a specialty motorsports reporter and NASCAR analyst in early 2015. But Wood’s roots in motorsports go back many more years than that. His first experience in  NASCAR came during his first job in entertainment: traveling with the NASCAR circuit for Country Music Television. Soon after, he was hired by Speed TV (now Fox Sports 1), where he worked for 10 seasons covering NASCAR. He was a correspondent for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series pre-race show, NASCAR RaceDay, and has hosted or co-hosted various NASCAR shows and events for Fox Sports, including Speed Road Tour Challenge, NASCAR Smarts, and  NASCAR Live, as well as the annual NASCAR Awards Banquet. Rutledge Wood will be available for autographs, photos and interviews starting at 10:20 a.m. on Tuesday, November 3.

Ryan Millen

Also in attendance on Tuesday, November 3, will be Ryan Millen, a member of the legendary Millen racing family who is currently having a very successful season driving a 2015 Toyota RAV4 in the Rally America series.

Millen is the son of off-road racing and rally icon Rod Millen, and has a history with Toyota that stretches back to his childhood, including racing in the MTEG stadium series at the age of nine, racing an FJ Cruiser in the Baja 1000, and winning the Baja 1000 in a Toyota Tundra TRD Pro.

Like Wood, Millen will be available for photos and interviews beginning at 10:20 a.m. on Tuesday, November 3, immediately following Toyota’s press conference.

Antron Brown

Drag racing pioneer Antron Brown will also be available for autograph seekers following Toyota’s press conference. Currently driving the Matco Tools Toyota in NHRA’s Top Fuel division, he is known for winning the 2012 Top Fuel championship and winning six Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events.

He is perhaps best known as a pioneer in the sport of drag racing, its first African-American champion.

In February 2013, he was featured on NBC’s "Today" show when he was named one of TheGrio.com’s list of 100 African-American industry, sports and community leaders.

Later that year, he was honored—along with other renowned athletes like Terry Bradshaw, James Worthy, Dave Winfield and Nick Faldo—at the 28th annual Great Sports Legends ceremony.

Mike Iaconelli

Rounding out the group of four celebrities who will be available following Toyota’s Tuesday, November 3, press conference will be professional bass fisherman Mike Iaconelli. Iaconelli was the 2003 Bassmaster Classic champion and, more pertinently, the 2006 Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year.

Most recent among his many victories was his win at the 2014 Bassmaster Elites on the Delaware River. Of Iaconelli, The New York Times wrote, “He’s not one of the old-style fishermen.

He is a fast-talking, intense, summa cum laude graduate of Rowan University.” Those qualities will all be on display at Toyota’s SEMA booth twice during the course of SEMA. In addition to appearing beginning at 10:20 a.m. on Tuesday, November 3, Iaconelli will make a return visit from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Wednesday, November 4.

Gerald Swindle

On Thursday, November 5, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Toyota display visitors will be greeted by Gerald Swindle, another legendary bassmaster and winner of the Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year title in 2004. Swindle is often referred to as both “The G-Man” and “bass fishing’s funniest man.”

His professional career began in April 1998, when he won the $150,000 first price at a Fishing League Worldwide event on Beaver Lake, Arkansas. Six years later, Swindle achieved bass fishing’s highest accolade when he won the Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year title. SEMA visitors can enjoy Swindle’s wit and wisdom on Thursday, November 5. All of the stars—along with 16 Toyota specialty vehicles—can be found in the Toyota display booth (#24700) in Central Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

By Michael Hart

The SEMA Show is a week away. You’ve registered, you’ve picked out the conference sessions you plan to attend and the booths on the Show floor you’ll visit. The boss is on board with you going. Your flight is booked, the hotel reservations are made. You’re ready to go. But you’ve got so much work to do at the office. An important customer said he “might” drop in next week. Should you stay at home and get some things done? The answer is no.

The SEMA Show is a once-a-year opportunity to learn about the latest innovations in the aftermarket industry, listen to the most important thought leaders, and get the kind of information on your business and your career that you won’t find anywhere else.

Here are just a few things you’ll miss if you don’t go:

• You know racing is important to the industry because it drives enthusiastic fans into the stores. If you’re not there, you’ll miss Gavin Knapp’s session “How Big is the U.S. Racing Market?”, where he will release the results of the most important research study SEMA has ever conducted on the size and scope of the racing business.

• Do you understand how important cloud computing or data security will be to your business in the future? That’s why you need to hear Larry Blair talk about “Cloud Computing—Is it Right for My Business?” and Bob Corwin on “Get the 411 on the 911 of Cyber Security Hackers.”

• What about the millennials—those in their 20s and 30s who are just now starting to find their way into the automotive market? If you’re not at the SEMA Show, you won’t hear Jamie Notter, author of “When Millennials Take Over: Preparing for the Ridiculously Optimistic Future of Business,” tell you how to capture this important new market segment.

• Are you as up to date as your customers are on the latest in automotive electronics? Because there’s a conference track devoted specifically to high-fidelity audio, electronic enhancements in powersports vehicles and automotive electronics fabrication. Can you really afford to miss that?

The investment you and your company will make in your attendance at the SEMA Show, and the business opportunities you will find by attending all the conference sessions you’ve picked out, are too significant to pass up. So be there!

View a complete list of SEMA Show Education sessions available.

By Michael Hart

The SEMA Show is a week away. You’ve registered, you’ve picked out the conference sessions you plan to attend and the booths on the Show floor you’ll visit. The boss is on board with you going. Your flight is booked, the hotel reservations are made. You’re ready to go. But you’ve got so much work to do at the office. An important customer said he “might” drop in next week. Should you stay at home and get some things done? The answer is no.

The SEMA Show is a once-a-year opportunity to learn about the latest innovations in the aftermarket industry, listen to the most important thought leaders, and get the kind of information on your business and your career that you won’t find anywhere else.

Here are just a few things you’ll miss if you don’t go:

• You know racing is important to the industry because it drives enthusiastic fans into the stores. If you’re not there, you’ll miss Gavin Knapp’s session “How Big is the U.S. Racing Market?”, where he will release the results of the most important research study SEMA has ever conducted on the size and scope of the racing business.

• Do you understand how important cloud computing or data security will be to your business in the future? That’s why you need to hear Larry Blair talk about “Cloud Computing—Is it Right for My Business?” and Bob Corwin on “Get the 411 on the 911 of Cyber Security Hackers.”

• What about the millennials—those in their 20s and 30s who are just now starting to find their way into the automotive market? If you’re not at the SEMA Show, you won’t hear Jamie Notter, author of “When Millennials Take Over: Preparing for the Ridiculously Optimistic Future of Business,” tell you how to capture this important new market segment.

• Are you as up to date as your customers are on the latest in automotive electronics? Because there’s a conference track devoted specifically to high-fidelity audio, electronic enhancements in powersports vehicles and automotive electronics fabrication. Can you really afford to miss that?

The investment you and your company will make in your attendance at the SEMA Show, and the business opportunities you will find by attending all the conference sessions you’ve picked out, are too significant to pass up. So be there!

View a complete list of SEMA Show Education sessions available.

By Michael Hart

The SEMA Show is a week away. You’ve registered, you’ve picked out the conference sessions you plan to attend and the booths on the Show floor you’ll visit. The boss is on board with you going. Your flight is booked, the hotel reservations are made. You’re ready to go. But you’ve got so much work to do at the office. An important customer said he “might” drop in next week. Should you stay at home and get some things done? The answer is no.

The SEMA Show is a once-a-year opportunity to learn about the latest innovations in the aftermarket industry, listen to the most important thought leaders, and get the kind of information on your business and your career that you won’t find anywhere else.

Here are just a few things you’ll miss if you don’t go:

• You know racing is important to the industry because it drives enthusiastic fans into the stores. If you’re not there, you’ll miss Gavin Knapp’s session “How Big is the U.S. Racing Market?”, where he will release the results of the most important research study SEMA has ever conducted on the size and scope of the racing business.

• Do you understand how important cloud computing or data security will be to your business in the future? That’s why you need to hear Larry Blair talk about “Cloud Computing—Is it Right for My Business?” and Bob Corwin on “Get the 411 on the 911 of Cyber Security Hackers.”

• What about the millennials—those in their 20s and 30s who are just now starting to find their way into the automotive market? If you’re not at the SEMA Show, you won’t hear Jamie Notter, author of “When Millennials Take Over: Preparing for the Ridiculously Optimistic Future of Business,” tell you how to capture this important new market segment.

• Are you as up to date as your customers are on the latest in automotive electronics? Because there’s a conference track devoted specifically to high-fidelity audio, electronic enhancements in powersports vehicles and automotive electronics fabrication. Can you really afford to miss that?

The investment you and your company will make in your attendance at the SEMA Show, and the business opportunities you will find by attending all the conference sessions you’ve picked out, are too significant to pass up. So be there!

View a complete list of SEMA Show Education sessions available.

SEMA Trade Shows Director Tom Gattuso outlines the top priorities and features for SEMA Show buyers and attendees.

As the world’s premier automotive aftermarket trade event, the annual SEMA Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) offers industry buyers unparalleled value and opportunity.

“This year’s SEMA Show will have the most industry support that we’ve ever had in the event’s 49-year history,” said SEMA Show Director Tom Gattuso. “What that means to buyers is more new products, more innovation and more ways for them to improve their businesses in the coming year and beyond. In fact, what you do in four days in Las Vegas really can help you chart your business course for the next four years.”

Of course, with so much to see and do in one week, buyers will want to begin planning their Show experience well before their arrival at the trade event. To help get started, Gattuso offered the following 2015 SEMA Show priorities for buyers.

SEMA Trade Shows Director Tom Gattuso outlines the top priorities and features for SEMA Show buyers and attendees.

As the world’s premier automotive aftermarket trade event, the annual SEMA Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) offers industry buyers unparalleled value and opportunity.

“This year’s SEMA Show will have the most industry support that we’ve ever had in the event’s 49-year history,” said SEMA Show Director Tom Gattuso. “What that means to buyers is more new products, more innovation and more ways for them to improve their businesses in the coming year and beyond. In fact, what you do in four days in Las Vegas really can help you chart your business course for the next four years.”

Of course, with so much to see and do in one week, buyers will want to begin planning their Show experience well before their arrival at the trade event. To help get started, Gattuso offered the following 2015 SEMA Show priorities for buyers.

Stop by booth #72015 to meet Adam Genei and the rest of the cast of "Mobsteel."

By SEMA Editors

The cast of NBC Sports Network’s "Mobsteel" will be available to meet Showgoers and sign autographs in the Racing Annex at the 2015 SEMA Show, Thursday, November 5, 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. The automotive reality TV series follows a Detroit-based custom car shop that transforms vintage American cars into modern-day street machines.

Located in meeting room N110 off the Grand Lobby, the Racing Annex will house hundreds of new and featured companies as well as other celebrity signings throughout the week. Stop by booth #72015 to meet Adam Genei and the rest of the cast of "Mobsteel."

View the full list of celebrity appearances online.

For more information on the 2015 SEMA Show, visit www.semashow.com.

Stop by booth #72015 to meet Adam Genei and the rest of the cast of "Mobsteel."

By SEMA Editors

The cast of NBC Sports Network’s "Mobsteel" will be available to meet Showgoers and sign autographs in the Racing Annex at the 2015 SEMA Show, Thursday, November 5, 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. The automotive reality TV series follows a Detroit-based custom car shop that transforms vintage American cars into modern-day street machines.

Located in meeting room N110 off the Grand Lobby, the Racing Annex will house hundreds of new and featured companies as well as other celebrity signings throughout the week. Stop by booth #72015 to meet Adam Genei and the rest of the cast of "Mobsteel."

View the full list of celebrity appearances online.

For more information on the 2015 SEMA Show, visit www.semashow.com.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA members can save 30% on tickets purchased online in advance of the Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship finale.

After the SEMA Show floor closes Wednesday evening, November 4, head over to the Village Lot on the Strip—across the street from the Luxor Hotel and Casino—to watch the Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship finale.

Scott Speed and Tanner Foust will battle it out to clinch the championship, but Ken Block, Brian Deegan and an international cast of some of the world’s best drivers aren’t going to make it easy. This year’s event will feature a brand-new, 13-turn course design featuring dirt and pavement and the series’ signature 70-ft. jump.

SEMA members can save 30% on tickets purchased online in advance of the event by using the code SEMA30. The track is a quick trip from the Las Vegas Convention Center via hotel shuttle #7. Gates open at 3:30 p.m., and action continues through the night. In addition, drivers will take part in an autograph session at the SLS Las Vegas, Monday, November 2, starting at 7:00 p.m.