■ As part of SEMA ’ s initiative to create a more robust career- and professional-development program year-round , the 2023 SEMA Show will feature a fully customizable hands-on education program that focuses on leadership and skill development , networking , exploration of emerging trends , and industry best practices . Attendees will be able to use this year ’ s program to jumpstart and create a comprehensive year-long educational program .

“ We want to support our attendees by offering a customizable learning journey for skill development and competency-based education inclusive of the Show and throughout the rest of the year ,” said Pamela Brown-Matthis , SEMA Director of Education . “ Our goal is to engage showgoers by creating high-energy learning situations throughout the Show environment and creating educational opportunities that are delivered in various formats , whether they be ‘ fireside chats ,’ workshops , Main Stage Experiences , or celebrity showcases .”

This year ’ s program will feature globally recognized speakers and industry leaders sharing their expertise with attendees . Also new for this year is an EV certification program from Legacy EV that offers hands-on training to automotive techs who want an up-skill understanding of EV anatomy , powertrains , and electrical theory . Attendees who complete the program will receive an EV101 certificate from Legacy EV .

“ We have been very intentional about selecting our sessions and speakers this year ,” explained Brown-Matthis . “ All of our speakers are subject-matter experts and industry leaders who have the knowledge and ability to inspire change , and our sessions offer content that is relevant , meaningful and valuable for all our Show participants .”

Other SEMA Show Education Program highlights :

• 99 sessions by subject matter experts , beginning Monday afternoon ( October 30 ) to provide wider access to education .

• Six highly focused SEMA Education tracks : Inside the Shop ; Aftermarket Updates and Future Trends ; Small-Business Strategy ; Sales and Marketing ; Vehicle Technology and Electric Vehicles ; and Legal and Regulatory .

• Women in Automotive Symposium , including a Micro Learning Lab Experience consisting of four professional-development workshops , keynotes , power networking luncheon and a C-Suite Insights panel .

• Dale Carnegie Leadership Essentials program , a six-part series by executive coaches from the world-renown Dale Carnegie Program that are designed to enhance leadership skills .

• Education sessions from partners Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair ( I-CAR ), Society of Collision Repair Specialists ( SCRS ), and the Tire Industry Association ( TIA ).

• Access to most education programs are included as a benefit to registration . For more information about the SEMA Show , this year ’ s Education Program , or to register , visit www . semashow . com . The 2023 SEMA Show , taking place October 31-November 3 at the Las Vegas Convention Center , is the ultimate business gathering for the automotive specialty equipment industry . It is the place to discover new products and trends , make new business contacts , strengthen existing ones , and help professionals take their careers from good to great .

■ There ’ s a good mix of former Quick 32 Sportsman Series racers , from both Canada and the US , ready to do battle on the Empire Dragway in Central New York , during the upcoming NEOPMA / PMRA Pro Modified Challenge .

“ We are excited to see the keen interest in the return of the Quick 32 Sportsman Series ” said Bruce Mehlenbacher , Director of Operations for the Series . “ These events will be a great venue to showcase Top Sportsman and Top Dragster racing and I anticipate a full field of racers to join us .”

To date , the Top Sportsman entries of K & K Racing and Guenther Racing have signed on , as well as the Top Dragster teams of L & D Motorsports and Michael Kalin .

Based in Stratford , ON , K & K is the father and son team of Kevin and Kayden Wicke , who pilot a 604-cubic inch Mopar-powered Dodge Stratus . Kevin is a twotime Quick 32 Sportsman Series champion and multiple time IHRA Sportsman Champion , while Kayden is a former Junior Dragster , Mod , and ET champion . Kevin Zimmer has been crew chief for many years , with Kody Wicke and Dennis and Dan Culliton as long-time crew members .

Based in Niagara Falls , NY , Michael Kalin is a veteran Top Dragster driver , with many credits to his name , including several Quick 32 Sportsman Series titles . Another Dragster driver is Diane Thiffeault of Timmins , ON , with her Brad Anderson Hemi-powered Top Dragster . She scored a semifinal spot at one of Cayuga Dragway ’ s Nitro Nationals and has run a 3.80-second , 195-mph pass in the eighth-mile .

Lucas Salemi of Clarence Center , NY , will be racing his big-block Chevy-powered Top Dragster . The Lancaster Bike and Sled champion placed 10th in PDRA Top Dragster points last year . Also throwing her hat in the ring is Jennifer Guenther of Avon , NY , with her Top Sportsman entry .

The Quick 32 Sportsman Series will participate with the Northeast Outlaw Pro Mod Association ( NEOPMA ) and the Pro Modified Racing Association ( PMRA ) at both Empire Dragway / NEOPMA Challenges on June 30-July 1 and August 18-19 , 2023 .

Visit the Northeast Outlaw Pro Mod Association at neoutlawpromods . com , the Pro Modified Racing Association at facebook . com / promodifiedracing and the Empire Dragway at EmpireDragway . com for more information and event updates .

For more information , please contact Bruce Mehlenbacher at Bruce @ JAJentertainment . com .

94 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 183