The SEMA Show is a trade-only event, exclusive to those working in the specialty-equipment industry. For consumers, this means that catching a glimpse of the Show floor is possible only by scanning the latest newspapers, magazines and webpages for articles filed by attending media. During the 2011 SEMA Show, however, a special group of enthusiasts were granted access to the Las Vegas Convention Center on Thursday, November 3. Invited by SEMA to participate in a social-media campaign, these attendees had a special mission—identify at least five hot, new products and broadcast their opinions across the Internet.

Hurst, Street Scene Equipment, Dodge and SEMA teamed up with a group of industry-leading companies to build two custom Dodges—a Charger and an Avenger. Both vehicles were auctioned on eBay, generating proceeds that will benefit the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund (SMSF). The Charger sold for $45,001, while the Avenger sold for $21,605.

The Tire Industry Association (TIA) and SEMA joined forces in 2010 to bring the Global Tire Expo (GTE)—Powered by TIA to the SEMA Show halls. Billed as “a show within a show,” the specially designed tire industry exposition was an all-around hit with exhibitors and buyers alike. The only question was what a 2011 encore would bring. As it turned out, the second time around proved that the Expo not only has staying power, but also has truly come of age.

A total of 150 SEMA Show exhibitors received international recognition for 257 new products released at the 2011 SEMA Show. This eighth edition of the Global Media Awards program brought together 26 top journalists from 12 countries. Each of them were given the difficult task of selecting 10 products from the Ideas Alive: New Products Showcase that they felt would resonate and appeal most to consumers in their home countries. After 1,850 new products were reviewed and the judges votes were tallied, PLX Devices came out on top with eight Global Media Awards, having received the nod from judges based in Mexico, Brazil and New Zealand as well as the United Kingdom and Sweden.

In every measurable way, the 2011 SEMA Show reached new heights. Industry professionals gathered by the tens of thousands November 1–4 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, eager to do business in a specialty-equipment market that is clearly looking up after several years of downbeat economic news. From the Show’s educational conferences to its special events and the activity on the Show floor itself, the energy and enthusiasm were palpable and inescapable.

The Los Angeles Convention Center in downtown Los Angeles was the site of the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show. Press days were very well attended by the media, with the majority of manufacturers announcing increased sales, new models and optimistic outlooks. We went to see what new cars might be on tap that would interest SEMA members and enthusiasts in general…and we found quite a few.

Each year at the SEMA Show, a handful of vehicles are dominant amid the thousands on display. There is always one car, one truck, one sport compact and one SUV or off-road vehicle whose greater numbers make them the most visible in the huge exhibit spaces. To celebrate these standouts, SEMA exhibitors honored four vehicles with the SEMA Awards for the Hottest Car, Hottest Truck, Hottest 4x4-SUV and—new this year—Hottest Sport Compact at the 2011 SEMA Show.

Providing young automotive enthusiasts with an opportunity to develop and showcase their talents while being exposed to the automotive aftermarket industry, Hot Rodders of Tomorrow launched in 2008 at the Race & Performance Expo in St. Charles, Illinois, and has been invited to compete at the SEMA Show every year since its inception. The organization’s goal is to reach out to high-school students before they graduate in order to provide much-needed future talent for the automotive specialty-equipment market.

As the automotive aftermarket’s foremost trade association, SEMA is a reflection of the aspirations, vision and creative thinking of its vast membership. However, bringing the industry together for the good of all its businesses requires tremendous time and energy. Key to the association’s mission and growth are industry leaders and volunteers who tirelessly give of themselves to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors and member councils. To recognize these individuals and to encourage the emergence of other industry volunteers to join their ranks, SEMA presented its annual Leadership Days program on Wednesday, July 27, through Friday, July 29.

The SEMA Show is a major attraction in Las Vegas, and most attendees and exhibitors will spend the majority of their time either on the Show floor or participating in the many educational and networking opportunities afforded by the event. But Las Vegas is also one of the premier recreational venues in the world, offering not only world-class entertainment from all facets of show business, but also a wealth of cultural, historical and outdoor possibilities. Check out the official Las Vegas tourism site at www.visitlasvegas.com to discover a host of shows, activities, restaurants and more. And be sure to review the discounted rates for many of the city’s major attractions in the “Best Bang for the Buck” sidebar on p. 266. Meanwhile, browse the accompanying photos and captions to get a taste of what’s on tap.