By SEMA Editors

Reid Lunde, owner and founder of Kaizen Speed, was the 2019 SEMA Launch Pad winner.

The SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN) is still accepting applications for the 2020 SEMA Launch Pad Program, a competition for young entrepreneurs who would like to launch their products into the $44.6 billion dollar aftermarket industry. The deadline to submit is May 3.

Now in its seventh year, the program provides emerging business leaders the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to a panel of iconic industry judges and compete for a prize that includes $10,000 to be used for the benefit of their business, and exhibit space at the annual SEMA Show.  

“Our goal is to encourage and support young entrepreneurs in the automotive industry,” said Nathan Ridnouer, SEMA vice president of councils and membership. “We hope to identify emerging leaders who have amazing new ideas and products. We want to provide these young businesses with the support and resources to help them succeed.”  

Fifteen applicants will be selected to receive a one-year SEMA membership, as well as one professional Launch Pad video to be hosted on the SEMA YouTube Channel. The 15 Launch Pad participants will learn new business strategies and film a short video that will be used for an online voting competition.

The public will be able to view the 15 videos online and cast their votes for the businesses they would like to advance to the next round. From there, 10 finalists will receive a complimentary kiosk booth at the 2020 SEMA Show, with the Top 5 vote-getters earning a chance to pitch their products during the SEMA Launch Pad Live event, November 2, at the SEMA Show.  

"SEMA Launch Pad competitors represent the most innovative and passionate emerging industry-leaders and entrepreneurs,” said Ridnouer. “As such, the public will be able to play a key role in the voting process and help determine what product or service consumers will find valuable.”    

Applicants do not need to be members of SEMA or YEN to participate but must hold stake within the company. Students who meet the qualifications are invited to apply as well.  

To apply or for more information, visit www.sema.org/launchpad before May 3.  

By Jay Carpio

The SEMA Video Archives is about re-living special moments in our industry’s history. From interviews with industry legends to SEMA Show recaps and more, these videos offer viewers a chance to watch our SEMA Family doing what it does best—working hard, pushing the limits and having a little bit of fun, too.

This week’s videos feature interviews with Serious Clothing Brand founder Magnus Walker and "Fast and the Furious" super star Sung Kang, the legendary building team of Mike and Jim Ring aka the Ringbrothers and the Civic Type-R making its North American debut at the SEMA Show.

By Ashley Reyes

Bob Walker

The SEMA Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) is recognizing Bob Walker of Connexions Sports and Entertainment Inc. as this week’s TORA Volunteer Spotlight Member.

Walker is an active volunteer for the TORA Regional Event Task Force and CEO and founder Connexions Sports, where he thrives as a motorsports marketing agent. His unique knowledge of off-road racing events and experience managing racers, such as motocross legend and racer Brian Deegan, make him a valuable contributor to the council and industry.

Get to know what inspires Walker about the industry in his Q&A with SEMA and the Truck and Off-Road Alliance:

SEMA: What inspired you to pursue a career in the truck and off-road industry?

Bob Walker: My love and passion for off-road motorsports. I grew up racing motocross as a kid and dreamed of racing in Baja, whether it was on two or four wheels. I have always had a passion for off-road motorsports, and to make a living in this industry is a dream come true.

SEMA: Why did you decide to volunteer for TORA? How has it or will it impact you?

BW: I wanted to become more involved in the industry and inquired with other members on the SEMA staff on how I could get more involved. I feel it’s important to be involved with volunteer work in your industry. It’s good to give back and it’s also an opportunity to network more and to help grow our industry.

SEMA: What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket?

BW: Follow your passion early in your career and stay focused on your goals. If you take a job outside of the industry it will be hard to come back and get involved.

SEMA: What is your dream truck or off-road vehicle? Where would we find you in it on any weekend?

BW: Raptor complete Baja pre-runner ready. You’d find me in the hills or the desert riding.

By Ashley Reyes

Bob Walker

The SEMA Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) is recognizing Bob Walker of Connexions Sports and Entertainment Inc. as this week’s TORA Volunteer Spotlight Member.

Walker is an active volunteer for the TORA Regional Event Task Force and CEO and founder Connexions Sports, where he thrives as a motorsports marketing agent. His unique knowledge of off-road racing events and experience managing racers, such as motocross legend and racer Brian Deegan, make him a valuable contributor to the council and industry.

Get to know what inspires Walker about the industry in his Q&A with SEMA and the Truck and Off-Road Alliance:

SEMA: What inspired you to pursue a career in the truck and off-road industry?

Bob Walker: My love and passion for off-road motorsports. I grew up racing motocross as a kid and dreamed of racing in Baja, whether it was on two or four wheels. I have always had a passion for off-road motorsports, and to make a living in this industry is a dream come true.

SEMA: Why did you decide to volunteer for TORA? How has it or will it impact you?

BW: I wanted to become more involved in the industry and inquired with other members on the SEMA staff on how I could get more involved. I feel it’s important to be involved with volunteer work in your industry. It’s good to give back and it’s also an opportunity to network more and to help grow our industry.

SEMA: What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket?

BW: Follow your passion early in your career and stay focused on your goals. If you take a job outside of the industry it will be hard to come back and get involved.

SEMA: What is your dream truck or off-road vehicle? Where would we find you in it on any weekend?

BW: Raptor complete Baja pre-runner ready. You’d find me in the hills or the desert riding.

It’s not too late to apply for a 2020 SEMA Show booth. The online Exhibitor Services Manual contains all of the resources pertinent to a successful exhibit at the SEMA Show. To help you navigate efficiently, each section is broken down to the basics. Simply click the buttons to the left to see the products and services available. 

It’s not too late to apply for a 2020 SEMA Show booth. The online Exhibitor Services Manual contains all of the resources pertinent to a successful exhibit at the SEMA Show. To help you navigate efficiently, each section is broken down to the basics. Simply click the buttons to the left to see the products and services available. 

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org.

By SEMA Editors

Hedges & Company, a digital marketing agency serving the automotive aftermarket, OEM parts and powersports industries, analyzed 7.7 million online user sessions and online purchases from parts and accessory websites in the United States and Canada. The analysis included retailer websites and manufacturers selling direct to consumer (DTC). In the analysis, the company gave online sales from the week of March 1 an index of 100, before wide-spread shutdowns were in place. The week of April 12-18 had an index of 140, or a 40% overall increase in online sales of parts and accessories from six weeks earlier.

The Hedges & Company analysis appears consistent with SEMA Data Co-op observations, which have seen sharp growth in reseller activity in recent weeks.

Hedges & Company broke down the analysis into OEM replacement, truck and off-road, and performance racing. Here are the comparisons of the week of April 12-18 to the week of March 1-7:

• Overall aftermarket eCommerce sales: Index of 140.3 vs. 100 the week of March 1-7.
• OEM replacement parts sales: Index of 125.4 vs. 100, the first positive week after sales declines in earlier weeks.
• Truck and off-road parts sales: Index of 157.2 vs. 100.
• Performance/racing parts sales: Index of 148.9 vs. 100, showing surprisingly strong demand considering many motorsports events are cancelled.

The Hedges press release speculates that “the arrival of tax refunds and the Federal government's stimulus payments are also helping drive online sales. Stimulus payments reached consumers last week and amounted to approximately $155 billion.”

According to Hedges, another factor contributing to the surge in online sales “appears to be a migration of buyers from Amazon. The retail giant cut back on promotion and advertising for automotive parts and accessories to focus on products related to the coronavirus crisis, such as disinfecting wipes, sprays and other health items. This may have sent consumers searching for other buying opportunities and contributed to online sales growth.”