Elected Officials and Hall of Fame Inductees Honored During Annual Banquet

DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (July 17, 2008) - Continuing the annual tradition of honoring its leaders, SEMA will hold its Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser at 6 p.m. on July 25 at the Hyatt Regency in Irvine, California to pay tribute to the 2008 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees and raise funds for children's charities, Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp.

"The SEMA industry is grateful to the innovators and pioneers who have played a key role in developing this market into the success it is today," said Christopher J. Kersting, SEMA's president and chief executive officer. "By combining our ability to strengthen our communities and make a difference in so many children's lives, the SEMA Installation Banquet is one of SEMA's most proud achievements each year."

The SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser serves to acknowledge the association's outgoing Board members and welcome those newly elected. . The new members are Ron Funfar, Hedman Hedders/Trans-Dapt; BJ Leanse, Big Country Truck Accessories; Tim Watts, Superlift Suspension Systems; Luanne Brown, eTool Developers; and Ed Orzetti, Keystone Automotive Operations Inc.

 Outgoing Board members are: Matt Agosta from Steele Rubber Products; **** Hill from Centerforce Clutches; Patrick Judge from Keystone Automotive Operations; Bill Wagner Jr. from Winfield Consumer Products/Husky Liners; and Jon Wyly from Arrow Speed Warehouse.

 In addition, a formal ceremony will be held to honor the 2008 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees -- Raymond Bleiweis, Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Corky Coker and Bob Cook.

This year's event will include a program packed with charitable fundraising activities that include the inaugural Pinewood Drag Race sponsored by Fellers and DUB Publishing. The race will feature three classes: Stock, Modified and Unlimited. For those donors without time to build a car, children can be   sponsored to build it on their behalf.

SEMA will also host a live and silent auction that evening during the banquet, with items ranging from sports memorabilia to a 2006 Victory motorcycle owned and donated by Kyle Petty.

 For nearly two decades, SEMA members have been actively donating money to support charitable causes. Proceeds from both auctions and the Pinewood Drag Race will benefit SEMA's two chosen charities, Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp. Childhelp aids victims of child abuse and originally began receiving support from wheel manufacturers in 1994. It now garners significant contributions from a wide range of industry businesses. Victory Junction Gang Camp, founded in 2004 by Kyle and Pattie Petty in honor of their son Adam, uses camping experiences in its racing-themed facilities to enrich the lives of children who suffer from chronic medical conditions or illnesses.

Tickets and details for the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, including a schedule of activities and auction donation forms, are available at www.sema.org/gala.

About SEMA
Founded in 1963, SEMA represents the $38.1 billion automotive specialty-equipment industry and has 7,094 member-companies. It is the authoritative source for research, data, trends and market growth information for the automotive specialty-equipment industry. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger and recreational vehicles. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765, tel: 909/396-0289, or visit http://www.sema.org/  and http://www.enjoythedrive.com/.

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For more information:
Della Domingo
dellad@sema.org
909-396-0289, ext. 130