What does a company do when its member of Congress is already an ally of the industry? That’s easy. Invite him or her to your business! While U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC) is a fierce defender of motorsports parts businesses and a longtime SEMA ally, a recent visit to Edelbrock provided the Congressman with a chance to see another side of the industry beyond racing.
The SEMA Show returned in 2021 with the expanded West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The New Products Showcase—the Show’s number-one destination for buyers and media—had been gaining momentum each year prior to last year’s COVID-19 speedbump.
President Biden signed SEMA-opposed proclamations to expand the boundaries for three National Monuments, including Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments.
After two long years of waiting, the SEMA Show has finally returned. SEMA concluded its annual industry trade show on Friday, November 5, 2021, marking the first large-scale automotive show to be held since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic began in the spring of 2020.
SEMA is organizing the first overseas business development trip since COVID-related travel restrictions were imposed with an upcoming seven-day trip in March 2022 to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and neighboring Saudi Arabia. Once again, a delegation of SEMA-member manufacturers will head to a promising region to meet with pre-vetted trade buyers, exhibit at the region’s largest automotive-specialty equipment show and see the market firsthand.
The Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) has long provided resources to benefit members, address challenges and raise awareness of the restoration hobby. Going forward, ARMO is poised to tackle some new initiatives.
A feature story in the August 1960 issue of Hot Rod showed off two “sharp Fords” that had been customized by “lucky owner” Ron Coleman. The ’32 five-window coupe and the ’51 coupe provide a nice snapshot of styling trends that were popular in the late ’50s and early ’60s.
Vehicle reveals are always special events at the SEMA Show, with car covers flying off throughout Show Week. Among the many exciting builds for the 2021 Show was a ’69 Mustang restomod project owned by four-time Grammy award winner and multi-platinum artist Keith Urban, and built by the SEMA Garage. The build was made possible through a partnership with Ford Motor Company, Jay Leno and numerous SEMA-member companies.
The 2021 SEMA Show clearly indicated that a large portion of our industry values an event that provides face-to-face contact, innovative new products, networking, and the opportunity to renew its love affair with the automobile. Congratulations are due all around, and especially to those who worked through obstacles and overcame uncertainties in order to make the 2021 Show their priority.
The return to a live SEMA Show just wouldn’t have been complete without the specialty-equipment industry’s celebrated SEMA Industry Awards Banquet. Traditionally held Thursday night at the Show, the annual gathering honors industry innovators, volunteers and personalities who make significant contributions toward the advancement of the specialty-equipment industry.