The Vehicle Technology Center (VTC) held a prominent position in the Grand Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center at the 2012 SEMA Show, drawing greater attention and attendance than ever before. The VTC and Technology Briefing Seminar (TBS) program will be returning to the 2013 SEMA Show, providing attendees with new levels of education through the program’s vehicle technology keynotes, briefing sessions and workshops.
The association’s vehicle technology programs, initiatives and relationships are investments in SEMA’s collective future. The purpose of the VTC and the accompanying TBS program is to inform SEMA members about the latest vehicle technologies and introduce them to the programs, resources, partners, solutions and benefits available to them at affordable costs as well as show them how to protect their businesses in the face of disruptive and advanced technological change. Advanced vehicle technologies are integral to both the relevance and the future of SEMA. To ignore their impact is a fundamental mistake. Disruptive technologies don’t totally eliminate existing vehicle technologies, but they do often eliminate unprepared businesses and companies.
Business is changing. And for those of us who have been in the industry for 20, 25, 30 years or more, it just feels different than it used to. I was talking to an old friend the other day who runs a specialty performance company, and he said, “You know, it just seems like nobody talks to each other on the phone anymore.” Yep, e-mail has changed the way we do business. The same sentiment can be heard in brick-and-mortar stores across the country in the form of, “You know, people don’t come into the store like they used to.” 
The SEMA Education Institute (SEI) has developed a three-part series of webinars designed to help exhibitors—both first-timers and veterans—get the most out of their SEMA Show investments. Preparing for the Show is a tremendous task, and strategy is required to successfully navigate the logistical and operational aspects involved. 
On July 12, SEMA members, SEMA staff and thousands of enthusiasts across the United States celebrated the fourth annual Collector Car Appreciation Day. A wide range of official events were also held in Canada and Australia to commemorate the day, designated by SEMA-requested U.S. Senate Resolution 176, which was sponsored by Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) and Sen. Richard 
Each year, SEMA commissions an internal study to help association staff understand how to make the SEMA Show better. Based on thousands of interviews with exhibitors and attendees, it’s a study that contains valuable insights about the SEMA Show for the association. Of those insights, perhaps the most valuable takeaway is that new products are the force that drive the Show, yet many exhibitors don’t utilize successful Show features that highlight their products.
Nissan Aftermarket Engineering has launched a program of services to SEMA manufacturer members (only) for the automaker’s vehicles sold in the United States. Available through SEMA’s existing Technology Transfer program, the program is intended to provide members with access to Nissan’s technical/BBG questions, CAD files, aftermarket product notifications, white bodies and modifier VPPs as well as Ship-Thru and Ship-To services. 
To help attendees at the 2013 SEMA Show obtain low-cost hotel rooms and support throughout the entire housing process, SEMA has partnered with Travel Planners—the official housing service for the 2013 SEMA Show.
Who’s who among young industry entrepreneurs and up-and-comers? That was the question SEMA News set out to answer a full year ago with its inaugural “35 Under 35” feature article.