WASHINGTON, DC (09.12.25) – Eleanor Rollings, a fixture in the Washington, D.C., political fundraising scene, has joined the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) as Director of PAC Development, a new role in which she will lead the efforts of SEMA & PRI PAC and Driving Force Action SuperPAC to support the automotive aftermarket and motorsports industries.

Rollings joins SEMA from Hollingsworth Strategies, where she was a principal overseeing major gifts programs, corporate partnerships, and planned giving strategies for a wide range of client organizations.

“Eleanor is a great addition to SEMA’s Washington, D.C., team, and we’re excited to tap into her ability to build high-impact giving campaigns and cultivate relationships with major donors, advocacy networks, and institutional partners,” said Karen Bailey-Chapman, SEMA Senior Vice President-Public and Government Affairs.

“I’m thrilled to get started with SEMA, whose reputation in Washington, D.C, is on the rise, and whose advocacy on behalf of our member companies and the nation’s automotive enthusiasts is beyond impressive,” Rollings said. “I see a great opportunity to deliver to our team the resources needed to make a lasting impact on the legislative and regulatory issues facing the aftermarket and motorsports industries.”

California native Rollings holds a degree in political science from San Diego State University.

For more information, visit www.sema.org.

EDMOND, OK (09.11.25) – On September 30th from 11–1, Petra will host a Beats & Bites Car Audio Event—a customer appreciation day dedicated to the 12Volt community.

At the event attendees will enjoy food and giveaways. There will also be exclusive deals on some of the top car audio brands that Petra retailers love. During the event retailers will have a chance to connect with Petra team members and other 12 Volt pros in the industry.

Ed Lacy, District Manager, related “It’s really about showing appreciation to our independent retailers and giving them some extra value while spotlighting the brands that drive the 12volt category forward. The in-person event will provide an opportunity for retailers to connect and share positives as they drive business in their marketplace.”

Make your plans to attend the Beats and Bites Car Audio Event at Petra’s Edmond location.

Contact your Petra representative for more details.

DIAMOND BAR, CA (09.11.25) – From drift tracks to concours lawns, photographer Larry Chen has spent two decades capturing the heartbeat of car culture. Now, he brings that passion to the SEMA Show as the newly named Featured SEMA Show Artist, offering fans and the global aftermarket a chance to experience the Show through his lens and meet him in person. The 2025 SEMA Show takes place Nov. 4-7, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nev.

Chen’s influence spans decades, with his work featured in top publications and collaborations with major OEMs, builders, and motorsport series. In 2022, he was honored as the inaugural SEMA Content Creator of the Year, recognizing his impact on the industry and his ability to connect with enthusiasts across generations. Earlier this year, Chen was inducted into the Formula Drift Hall of Fame, the first non-driver to be honored, celebrating his role in capturing the sport’s most electrifying moments.

“Larry Chen’s work transcends photography; it’s a cultural archive of the automotive world,” said SEMA Vice President of Events Tom Gattuso. “His appointment as Featured SEMA Show Artist reflects our commitment to celebrating the innovation and storytelling that drive this industry forward.”

Adding to his legacy, Chen is set to release his debut book, Life at Shutter Speed, a 400-page coffee table masterpiece chronicling 20 years of automotive photography. Featuring over 2,700 images and behind-the-scenes stories, the book is a tribute to the global car culture he has helped define.

“Photography is more than capturing cars, it’s about capturing moments, emotion, and movement,” said Chen. “I’m honored to help shape the visual identity of the Show and bring its energy to life.”

Chen is the first photographer ever selected as Featured SEMA Show Artist, joining a prestigious roster of creatives who have held the title since the program’s inception. The Show selects a new Featured Artist every three years, and Chen becomes the fifth artist to receive the honor, joining an illustrious list that includes Max Grundy, Ed Tillrock, Alex Carmona, and Chip Foose.

His work will be woven throughout the Show’s visual identity, appearing in signage, marketing materials, and exclusive installations that reflect the energy, diversity, and craftsmanship of the automotive community.

In addition to his role as Featured Artist, Chen will also be an exhibitor at the Show, giving attendees the opportunity to meet him in person, purchase signed copies of his new book, and explore a curated selection of his most iconic photography. His booth will feature daily giveaways of exclusive prints, allowing fans to take home a piece of his work. Attendees can also experience a fully interactive photo booth, where they and their friends can pose for photos and walk away with both digital and printed keepsakes, a unique way to capture their time at the Show and connect with the culture Chen has spent years documenting.

“Larry has been an icon in the industry and fixture at the SEMA Show for years, and now we’re thrilled to collaborate with him,” said SEMA Trade Show Director Andy Tompkins. “From Show signage to marketing campaigns, his imagery will be everywhere, bringing a fresh, authentic perspective to the Show.”

Qualified attendees are encouraged to register now to secure discounted rates and maximize their ROI. Registration is $75 through Sept. 26. Hotel reservations at guaranteed low rates are available exclusively through SEMA’s official hotel provider, onPeak.

Spaces are still available for companies interested in exhibiting and connecting with tens of thousands of qualified buyers. For more information, visit www.semashow.com/exhibitor.

TUKWILA, WA (09.10.25) – On Sunday, September 7, Sound Distributions hosted a dealer roundtable to talk about new products and learn more about what’s working in the stores of dealers in attendance. Dealers shared what’s working to drive store traffic in their stores which helped all during the roundtable. New products were also spotlighted.

Rob Sutton and Mike Hall, with Crossover Marketing, were in the house and helped get the word out with the event in Sound Distributions’ Tukwila WA location. Sutton related “Sound Distributions is our exclusive distributor in the Pacific Northwest for KICKER, Linkswell, Dynamat and PCA Enclosures. Working with Ed Weber and the Sound Distributions team for an in-person event like this was very informative. Plans are in the works to do a similar event in their Portland location in the coming weeks.”

For Sound Distributions Ed Weber related “Spending much of the day on Sunday meeting with dealers and enjoying conversations plus good food was very informative. For us, as a distributor, to get information from dealers in the field is very important with all of the online activity. It’s more important than ever for 12volt retailers to connect with consumers in their marketplace. We very much appreciate Rob and Mike helping us get the word out about this Sunday roundtable.”

For more see Sound Distributions and Crossover Marketing.

DIAMOND BAR, CA (09.10.25) – The SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) has announced the six automotive restyling shops that will compete in its coveted PRO Cup Challenge at the 2025 SEMA Show, Nov. 4-7 in Las Vegas, Nev. The finalists are: Auto Additions Inc., Auto Trim Restyling, Automotive Concepts, DV8 Customs LLC, MARS of Billings, and Sun Line Sunroofs.

Taking place in the West Hall in the PRO Booth (#50197), the PRO Cup Challenge celebrates the creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation of the restyling industry while demonstrating the value of working with manufacturers and dealers to offer market-ready vehicle accessory packages.

The competition challenges finalists to:

• Design an accessory package for a new-model vehicle that appeals to a broad audience.
• Deliver a dealer-ready build, with criteria of no more than 40 labor hours per package installed and a wholesale cost under $12,500.

“The PRO Cup Challenge provides the best opportunity for automotive restylers to showcase their skills and talents on the industry’s global stage,” said Kevin Gillis, PRO Chair. “From stylish designs to accessory upgrades that enhance convenience and comfort, this year’s competition will shine a light on builds designed to excite enthusiasts and deliver greater profit to dealers.”

Bringing its proven expertise back to the competition is Auto Trim Restyling, named the 2024 PRO Cup Challenge’s People’s Choice Award winner for its customized ’24 Toyota Land Cruiser. Meanwhile, newcomers DV8 Customs and Sun Line Sunroofs will make their PRO Cup Challenge debut, showcasing their vision and talent alongside other great shops.

“Attendees can expect a build that shows off our style, creativity, and attention to detail,” said Nick Svec, Managing Partner at DV8 Customs. “We do have a theme locked down and are currently in the creative process of really making it come to life.”

Building on the momentum of past competitions, the 2025 PRO Cup Challenge will feature parts and accessories from leading manufacturers in the restyling realm. While buyers can visit the West Hall and see new products from exhibitors’ booths directly, the PRO Cup Challenge brings their products together in real-world applications, demonstrating how their parts can be used to create stunning, marketable vehicle customizations.

A panel of expert judges will select the PRO Cup Challenge winner based on vehicle marketability, ease of reproduction, creativity, and profitability. Showgoers can also vote for their favorite build, recognizing it with the People’s Choice Award. Winners will be announced at the PRO Happy Hour on Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 4-5 p.m. in West Hall, Booth #50197.

For more information on the PRO Cup Challenge, visit www.semapcc.com.

Qualified SEMA Show attendees are encouraged to register now to secure discounted rates and maximize their ROI. Registration is $75 through Sept. 26. Hotel reservations at guaranteed low rates are available exclusively through SEMA’s official hotel provider, onPeak.