By Ashley Reyes

The deadline for speakers who would like to present an education seminar at the 2022 SEMA Show is Friday, January 7.

Innovative speakers who can share new ideas, technologies and expertise with the industry are invited to apply before the deadline tomorrow.

The SEMA Show education program will take place from October 31—the Monday before the official Show opening through November 4—in Las Vegas. The program is designed to help industry professionals gain new skills and ideas and learn about new trends and topics from the automotive aftermarket’s top experts and presenters.

Innovative speakers who can share new ideas, technologies and expertise with the industry are invited to apply before the deadline tomorrow at www.sema.org/speakers.

Topics of interest for 2022 include:

• Aftermarket Updates and Future Trends
• Digital Marketing
• Automotive Electronics
• Legal and Regulatory
• Small-Business Strategy
• Electric Vehicles
• Vehicle Technology
• Leadership
• Business Management

While educational seminars are an essential component of the SEMA Show, speaker applications are also available for SEMA’s year-round virtual education program. Speaker proposals for the 2022 SEMA Show must be submitted by January 7. Virtual education proposals can be submitted at any time throughout the year.

For more details, visit www.sema.org/speakers or contact Gary Vigil, SEMA senior manager of professional development, at garyv@sema.org or 909-978-6738.

By Ashley Reyes

SEMA Future Leaders Network (FLN), formerly Young Executives Network (YEN), members are invited to join the network's first virtual happy hour of 2022.

Taking place January 13, at 4:00 p.m. (PST), this event is the ideal time for FLN members to meet and socialize while expanding and growing their professional network. Attendees will hear from FLN leadership and discover what new resources and programs are available, before breaking out into small groups where they will meet and get to know other FLN members from throughout the country.

Industry professionals under the age of 40 who are not currently FLN members but are interested in getting more involved in the industry and networking are invited and encouraged to attend, as it is a great way to introduce yourself and learn how FLN can help support and grow members’ careers.

Register here. 

By Ashley Reyes

Exhibitors and media participants of the 2022 Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference are invited and encouraged to take part in a free webinar on January 20, where organizers will be previewing the virtual event space and providing tips and tricks for using the digital platform and how to get the most out of the three-day event.  

Taking place 100% online from January 25–27, the event provides manufacturers and media with an opportunity to connect with one another for quality meetings. Personalized schedules are created based on individual needs.

While last year’s conference was also held virtually, this year’s online event space has a brand-new look.

Register now for the webinar.  

By Ashley Reyes

Content creators are a great way for aftermarket brands to increase awareness and reach targeted audiences. This is especially true as social media only continues to grow in popularity, and content creators with authority in a certain niche have been proven to help brands grow and stand out from the crowd.  

During the live SEMA webinar “Influencer Marketing for Aftermarket Brands” on January 13, SEMA member manufacturers will discover what influencer marketing is and how to get the most out of working with social-media influencers.  

Featuring two of Driveshop’s leading social-media experts, the webinar will feature the industry’s best kept secrets for utilizing social-media influencers, what influencers to avoid, and pitfalls to be aware of.  

Register here.

Following more than 30 years of service to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), President and CEO Chris Kersting will be stepping down at the end of January 2022 to enjoy retirement. The move comes as SEMA concludes a successful 2021, delivering two of the nation’s largest in-person trade shows since the start of the pandemic—the SEMA Show in Las Vegas and PRI Show in Indianapolis.

“Our mission at SEMA is to help our member companies succeed and prosper,” said Kersting. “Pursuing that mission has provided three decades of exciting and fulfilling work—engaging with the outstanding people in our industry to find new and better ways to help them thrive. Together with our talented SEMA team, we’ve built a truly innovative portfolio of services and benefits—and certainly one of the greatest trade shows in the world. You couldn’t ask for a better career.”

Kersting joined SEMA in 1996 to lead the organization’s Washington, D.C., office as vice president of legislative and technical affairs. Kersting took the helm as SEMA’s CEO in 2002 and led the Association through two decades of growth. Milestones include launching the SEMA Data Co-op, the SEMA Garage and Emissions Lab, SEMA Ignited, the PRI acquisition, the SEMA Garage in Detroit and developing the globally recognized SEMA Show.

“Chris led SEMA through tremendously successful stretches, and also skillfully helped the association navigate the challenges of COVID-19, and the worldwide recession back in 2008,” said James Lawrence, SEMA chairman of the Board. “On behalf of the SEMA Board, and millions of automotive enthusiasts everywhere, we wish Chris the best of luck in the next stage of his life.”

Beginning February 1, 2022, Kersting will transition into an advisory role through July 2022. SEMA executives Bill Miller, senior vice president of operations, and Mike Spagnola, vice president of OEM and product development programs, will serve as interim co-CEOs.

By Ashley Reyes

A new professional development program launched by the SEMA Future Leaders Network (FLN), formerly the Young Executives Network (YEN), is helping aspiring leaders in the automotive aftermarket reach greater levels of success. Sponsored by FLN in partnership with Dale Carnegie, the two-day, in-person program focuses on improving individual and business performance and is available exclusively to FLN members at a significant discount.

“The Future Leaders Network is committed to helping aspiring leaders advance in the industry,” said FLN Chair Nick Caloroso. “Partnering with a world-class organization such as Dale Carnegie is just one example of what we are doing to invest in the membership. I’ve been fortunate to have been able to participate in the Dale Carnegie Training, and I’m excited that other FLN members will have access to the program as well.”

While Caloroso’s employer, Driven Lighting Group, supported his participation in the Dale Carnegie Training, most aspiring leaders in the industry do not have such opportunities. To make the training attainable for all employees, including junior-level executives and those from small businesses, FLN is subsidizing 50% of the cost of the training, plus offering free hotel and meals for two days, two nights to a limited number of members.

It’s important to invest in training, and the Dale Carnegie Program is among the best that is available,” said Brian Reese, current CEO of T Sportline and Caloroso’s employer at Driven Lighting Group at the time of the training. “Nick has always been a terrific leader and team member, but the Dale Carnegie program has given him greater skills and knowledge to become an even better leader. He’s learned strategies and tactics that many seasoned professionals have yet to learn.”

The program, which will take place in March 2022 in Diamond Bar, California, will teach participants to:

• Communicate professionally and confidently in business situations.
• Engage others by building rapport, asking pertinent questions and listening.
• Build relationships and deal effectively with people in a multitude of scenarios.
• Gain cooperation and influence people, including direct reports, laterally and upward.
• Use emotional controls to sustain success.

The program is available to FLN members at half of Dale Carnegie’s regular fee of $1,600 and includes complimentary meals and hotel accommodations for two nights. Participants will also need to arrange their own travel to the event.

The program is limited to 25 FLN members, but any SEMA member aged 40 and under can apply for FLN membership. SEMA members can learn more here or contact Denise Waddingham, FLN director, at deniselw@sema.org.

By Ashley Reyes

Leaders in the motorsports industry gathered at the 2021 SEMA Show for a unique conversation about the state of the industry. Led by Dr. Jamie Meyer, president of Performance Racing Industry (PRI), the one-hour panel discussion was recorded and is now available to viewing through the new SEMA Education website at www.semashow.com/education.     

Led by Dr. Jamie Meyer, president of Performance Racing Industry (PRI), a one-hour panel discussion was recorded and is now available to viewing through the new SEMA Education website at www.semashow.com/education.     

Featuring Bill Schlieper, owner, PRO Power Racing LLC; Dan Millen, president, Livernois Motorsports & Engineering LLC; Mike Kojima, president, MotoIQ; and Seth Ravndal, owner/CEO, BlackLake Research and Development, the video features the top motorsports experts sharing what they’ve learned during the pandemic, challenges they’ve overcome and what is ahead for the motorsports industry in 2022.

Viewers will get to know the unique background and accomplishments of each panelist, hear their experiences with the recent supply-chain issues and possible solutions, their insight on employment opportunity in the market and what the electric vehicle market means for the motorsports industry.

New seminars are added weekly at www.semashow.com/education. Other recently added seminars include:

• How the Pandemic Moved Buyers From Your Showroom to Online, Powered by PRO
• Marketing Shifts–Life After the Golden Age of Print
• Tactics to Increase Online Market Share
• Replica Cars–Everything You Need to Know About the New Federal Program

Users of the SEMA Education website will need to create a personal profile upon their first visit, which will then provide access to all recordings in the library.

By Ashley Reyes
Around three-quarters of the specialty-equipment industry thinks their sales will grow in 2022, and companies are optimistic about their short-term and long-term prospects, according to new SEMA Market Research. The findings are outlined in the upcoming “SEMA Future Trends Report,” which also suggests that while auto sales remain disrupted by the ongoing chip and input shortage, sales are likely to remain below pre-pandemic levels until 2023.

During the January 19 webinar, ”Outlook for 2022: Industry Forecast, Supply Chain Projections and Changing Consumer Demographics,” SEMA members will learn what they need to know to plan ahead for the new year, and get an in-depth overview of the of the upcoming “SEMA Future Trends Report” live from the SEMA Market Research team.

Gavin Knapp, SEMA director of market research, and Kyle Cheng, SEMA Market Research manager, will provide a live forecast on the industry's growth in the coming years, discuss the current supply-chain disruption, and explore generational shifts within the industry’s consumer base and what they mean for the industry.

Log in to SEMA Education to register. Participants will also have the exclusive opportunity to participate in a Q&A with the SEMA Market Research team. 

By Fredy Ramirez, Jay Carpio & Carr Winn

Throughout 2021, the SEMA News video team had the opportunity to spend time with members, builders, entrepreneurs and enthusiasts. New vehicles found their way to the SEMA Garage for Measuring Sessions. Events like King of the Hammers thrilled racing fanatics.

Then as the Industry approached November, after two years of waiting, it was time to reconnect. The 2021 SEMA Show provided so many memories, from Battle of the Builders and Launch Pad, to Chip Foose, Hoonigan and Ford out Front. New products and never-before-seen builds kept eyes bulging and cameras flashing all week. Then as the week finally came to Friday it was time for a couple of crowd favorites, the annual Cruise and SEMA Ignited.

Join the video team for a quick look back at all of 2021, and stay tuned for so much more in 2022.

For more information on all things SEMA, visit www.SEMA.org. And don't forget to subscribe to the Association’s digital channels via YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

By Juan Torres

Media who are signed up and confirmed for the 2022 Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference, held online January 25–27, received an email with important updates earlier this week. Media who believe they signed up and did not get the email are urged to contact Juan Torres at juant@sema.org to ensure that they will receive a schedule and have access to this year’s online event.

The email includes important updates about the three-day event, including the following important dates to remember:

• January 11: Preliminary schedules will be sent on or before January 11.
• January 20: Webinar: Navigating the Virtual MPMC Media Trade Conference. Preview the online event space and get tips and trips for navigating the site. Register here.
• January 24: Final schedules are sent. Minor updates may have been made to your preliminary schedule, so be sure to look for and refer to the schedule sent on January 24. After schedules are sent on January 24, participants will be able to connect directly with one another in the virtual ballroom and make changes. SEMA will not manage changes after January 24.

For more information, visit www.sema.org/mtc.