The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) is poised to host its first in-person programs after a two-year pandemic-induced hiatus. Designed to empower industry women, SBN’s activities present opportunities for attendees to connect with like-minded colleagues and further their careers.

To assist members in adapting to a rapidly changing automotive landscape, the Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN) provides knowledge on evolving vehicle trends and new technologies. A key component of ETTN’s efforts is centered on distance learning, and a recent Live Chats series concentrated on related technology topics. Current sessions address aspects such as performance electrification, 3-D product development and emissions. Moving forward, ETTN is launching a new initiative.

SEMA has announced the hiring of Benjamin Kaminsky as Detroit operations manager. Earlier this year, SEMA announced the purchase of a 45,000-sq.-ft. building in Detroit to be used as a second SEMA Garage. Kaminsky will be responsible for the overall management of SEMA Garage Detroit services and facilities to assist members with new product development and integration.

Since 2013, the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, has given association members access to high-tech resources that are typically accessible only to large-scale manufacturers. Scanning services, advanced tools and equipment, and an emissions lab recognized by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) are among the resources available to help manufacturers develop parts from start to finish. In order to offer these services to new members and increase collaboration with partners in other parts of the country, SEMA purchased a building near Detroit to build a second SEMA Garage. The SEMA Garage Detroit facility is scheduled to open in early 2022. Below are some of the media outlets keeping track of all the SEMA Garage efforts.

The advent of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) in OE vehicle platforms presents the aftermarket with one of its greatest near-term opportunities and some of its most daunting challenges. Modifying a vehicle in virtually any way can affect the ability of ADAS to function properly, and the same holds true for collision repair and refinishing.

The products featured below are from SEMA Data member companies that have attained Gold- or Platinum-level data, which means that their product data is robust and complete—likely to drive customer purchase decisions. SEMA Data members meeting data scorecard requirements are invited to submit product releases for consideration to enews@semadatacoop.org.

With the specialty-equipment industry eager to reconnect in person after a two-year hiatus, SEMA is on course to present what may well be its most exciting SEMA Show ever in the trade event’s 50-plus-year history. The live 2021 SEMA Show will take place November 2–5 at the newly expanded Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC).

Since its inception in 1967, the annual SEMA Show has evolved to fit the times, reflecting and responding to changes in the specialty automotive industry, and the 2021 Show (November 2–5) will be no different. With an additional 600.000 sq. ft. of exhibition space this year, the 2021 Show promises to offer attendees a dazzling array of enthusiast events, builds, competitions and networking opportunities.

The SEMA-backed Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2021 (RPM Act), H.R. 3281, was reintroduced in the House by U.S. Representatives Patrick McHenry (R-NC) and Raul Ruiz (D-CA) and had more than 90 co-sponsors at the time of this issue’s publication. The RPM Act would protect Americans’ right to convert street vehicles into dedicated race cars as well as the motorsports parts industry’s ability to produce and sell products that allow racers to compete.

The vehicle builds and celebrity appearances may generate the most attention on the exhibition floor, but at the SEMA Show, the real place to assess the state of the automotive aftermarket—and to stay in touch with all of the latest technologies and trends—is the New Products Showcase. It’s newly relocated for 2021, now occupying a 30,000-sq.-ft. area of Upper South Hall at booth #31255. A must-see for all attendees and a first stop for many, the Showcase is open during Show hours, and is conveniently located near the Show Media Center, which can be helpful for members of the working press who need to optimize their Show time.