I am featuring a series of articles that I find “interesting” about the upcoming Las Vegas SEMA show. It starts on Halloween, October 31, 2023 and lasts 5 days.

Here ya go!

Women Excelling in Automotive Share Inspiring Stories Through ‘SheIsSEMA’

By Ashley Reyes

The SheIsSEMA program raises awareness of women in the automotive aftermarket industry by highlighting their career stories through SEMA communications and on the SheIsSEMA website. The features spotlight what these women do, how they landed their careers and how they continue to thrive and break barriers in a traditionally male-dominated industry.   

Get to know the SBN’s newest spotlight members listed below by visiting the SheIsSEMA website. You’ll learn about their notable career challenges and accomplishments, the qualities that helped them get to where they are today, and the best industry advice that they learned along the way!    

• Deanna Hicks, K&N Engineering   
• Heather Tausch, Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels   
• Jennifer Chaplin, Tops Off Adventures  
• Leah Hall, Alltrade Tools   
• Lori Johnson, Ladies, Start Your Engines!   
• Marisol Herrera, The Zimmerman Automobile Driving Museum  
• Talena Handley, Girlie Garage  

Interested in being spotlighted or know of an SBN member who deserves recognition? Fill out a SheIsSEMA spotlight form to submit a self-nomination or nominate a colleague and highlight how you or she is contributing to the specialty-equipment industry.  

Selected candidates are automatically eligible to be considered for SBN’s #SheIsSEMA Woman of the Year award and are featured on SBN’s social media, SEMA News and on the sema.org/she-is-sema website.

© 2023 SEMA. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy

Walking with Anthony held it’s “Come Together” charity fundraiser on Thursday, September 14 at the New Port Theater in Corona Del Mar, Ca.The event was hosted by Executive Producer and WWA Founder, Micki Purcell, along with Anthony Purcell and event chairs, Krissey Nardecchia and John Moroney. Sponsors included Flagstar Bank, Riviera Magazine, Fletcher Jones, JP Morgan, Macro Z Technology and Tito’s Handmade Vodka. 

Walking With Anthony was formed by Micki and Anthony Purcell after Anthony dove into the ocean, bruising the C5 & C6 vertebrae in his spine leaving him paralyzed. Funds raised will be used to educate and raise awareness about the various obstacles that occur from spinal cord injuries (SCI). Many survivors struggle with depression and hopelessness alone.  Anthony knows first hand the emotional anguish that comes with SCI and has met with hundreds of his brothers and sisters in the SCI community and given them a sense of assurance and purpose they might never find without the help of Anthony and the foundation.

 It was quite the scene with a red-carpet reception, Beatles Tribute Band (4 Lads from Liverpool), Cocktails, food, live auction, and a Hollywood style movie screening. The fascinating debut of “The Lost Weekend: A Love Story” recounts the romance between John Lennon and May Pang, his assistant. May Pang herself was on hand at the end of the screening to answer questions. The event raised over $170,000. For more information about Walking With Anthony, please visit https://walkingwithanthony.org/

PHOTOS BY JOEY GILLESPIE and Kathy Hamilton

Looking forward to hanging at my old stomping grounds at the Las Vegas Convention center for the 2023 SEMA. Especially now that I am officially a NASCAR groupie (Chris Buescher, driver for Fifth Third Bank #17) and will be attending the Formula One Race in Vegas this November…soooooo here we go! Just thought I would post this latest press release to get you all excited for this big event: CHECK OUT THIS PHOTO OF TIM TEBOW! WOO HOO !

“BEST-SELLING AUTHOR, STAR ATHLETE TIM TEBOW HIGHLIGHTS 

SEMA SHOW MAIN STAGE EXPERIENCE“

Tebow’s keynote is part of a robust education program that is available to all SEMA Show attendees —

Here is the official press release on this from media contact Juan Torres:

DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (July 5, 2023) — World-renowned athlete, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Tim Tebow will share his mission-possible life message with attendees at the 2023 SEMA Show as part of the trade-only event’s professional-development experience. Taking place Oct. 31-Nov. 3 in Las Vegas, the SEMA Show will highlight Tebow as a keynote speaker on the SEMA Show Main Stage, a new program that will feature iconic personalities in the automotive industry, thought leaders, and entertainers sharing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas and strategies.

“I’m looking forward to helping SEMA Show attendees find their mission and create a life that counts,” said Tebow. “I hope my experiences and the lessons I’ve learned first-hand will inspire them to live a purposeful life that helps them succeed personally and professionally.”

Tebow’s keynote address will take place at 1 p.m. on November 2 in the West Hall. His speech is part of a comprehensive SEMA Show Education program that focuses on leadership and year-round skill development.

“We’re really excited about bringing Tim Tebow to our Main Stage Experience as a subject-matter expert who has the knowledge and ability to inspire change,” said Pamela Brown-Matthis, SEMA Director of Education. “His ideas will elevate and strengthen an attendee’s business strategy because he’s a very strong entrepreneur himself. His multigenerational message is going to resonate with all attendees.”

In addition to globally recognized speakers and industry leaders on the Main Stage, the 2023 SEMA Show Education Program will include 99 learning sessions that begin the Monday before the official start of the Show, six highly focused SEMA Education tracks, the Dale Carnegie Leadership Essentials program, a Women in Automotive Symposium, and an on-site electric vehicle (EV) certification program. Access to most education programs is included as a benefit to registration.

“The SEMA Show is the only place where aftermarket professionals can discover new products and trends, make new business contacts, and take their careers and businesses from good to great in one location,” said SEMA Trade Show Director Andy Tompkins. “We are committed to ensuring that participation in the SEMA Show is easy, affordable, and provides the greatest return on investment.”

To learn more or to register to attend the 2023 SEMA Show, visit www.semashow.com.  

About SEMA and the SEMA Show 

The SEMA Show is a trade show produced by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), a nonprofit trade association founded in 1963. Since the first SEMA Show debuted in 1967, the annual event has served as the leading venue bringing together manufacturers and buyers within the automotive specialty equipment industry. Products featured at the SEMA Show include those that enhance the styling, functionality, comfort, convenience and safety of cars and trucks. Additional details are available at www.semashow.com or www.sema.org, 909/396-0289. 

Here are some pics from my June 7 weekend in Sonoma at the NASCAR race with my new pal, racecar driver Chris Buescher. We got to have dinner and pre-race talks with Chris and his crew. Also a behind the scenes garage tour of the race cars. Chris placed 4th and it was a close race – CONGRATS !!!!

Uh Oh, don’t drink too many cocktails at the boat show or you will end up buying Ed McMahon’s boat. Seriously, the Tonight Show’s co host owned a beautiful yacht, The Lady Katherine, and my parents ended up BUYING the boat long ago after several drinks at the boat show! This year’s event appears to be a spectacular display of products, yachts, services, and beautiful Newport Beach sailors (guys and gals…)

Check out my two days of photos:

One of my favorite exhibits was TOUCHPOINT’s booth at the January CES show. See their website on how to reduce stress, deal with major anxieties in our daily life, and in general improve our mental health. Read all about it on their website and see my photos below (a bit blurry, oh well…)

https://thetouchpointsolution.com/pages/how-it-works

I try to say NO to new events, especially when asked to be on a COMMITTEE, God forbid, but I can never say no to Carole Pickup. Several years back she talked me into taking over for her as President of the 1221 Club – YIKES – I am still President to this day…anyway it turned out to be a fabulous event. Held at the Balboa Bay Resort on January 19, 2023 the funds raised will help living kidney/organ donors by providing them with financial assistance related to lost wages, lodging, travel, medical appointments and more. I am going to include this wonderful article in the Bay Window by Carole Pickup to describe the evening. She did a great job and the photos are from CHRIS DARNALL.

I was glad I made it to the Venetian to experience the massive CES exhibit halls. My goal was to find MOONBIKES, The World’s First Electric Snow bike. This was one of my favorite discoveries (even though I would NEVER do this) However, my son and nephews would love this. Another great product was perfect for my grandson Decker – a Disney Aladdin toy that can be custom made. I also loved the baby monitors. Oh AND I GOT A TATTOO ! It washed off but I showed it off to my pals and they thought it was real, ha ha!

Here are some of my favorite exhibits/experiences/booths. I was amazed at the robots, the new electric vehicles, including high speed boats, bikes, and surf boards. I heard one of my favorite chefs, Jose Andes, talk about feeding the world when there is a natural disaster or other horrendous event (like the war in Ukraine)