2026 SEMA Industry Honors To Celebrate Aftermarket Leaders & Innovators

The automotive and powersports aftermarket will come together to recognize its innovators, leaders and visionaries during the 2026 SEMA Industry Honors, taking place Thursday, Nov. 5, at the BleauLive Theater inside the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, SEMA officials said in a press release.

Held during the 2026 SEMA Show, SEMA Industry Honors is an annual celebration of the people whose creativity, leadership and passion continue to move the automotive and powersports aftermarket forward. The evening will recognize the SEMA Hall of Fame Class of 2026, the SEMA Content Creator of the Year, the SEMA Person of the Year and the recipient of the Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award.

“SEMA Industry Honors brings our community together around the people, ideas and achievements that are shaping the future of the aftermarket,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “By celebrating industry legends alongside today’s most influential leaders and storytellers, the event connects the aftermarket’s proud history with its next chapter. It is an opportunity for everyone at the SEMA Show to recognize excellence, strengthen relationships and be inspired by the individuals moving our industry forward.”

The program will be emceed by Kevin Oeste, who will guide attendees through an evening of recognition, personal stories and celebration, the release noted. Members of the SEMA community and other familiar faces from the automotive world will also take the stage throughout the program to help honor this year’s award recipients.

SEMA Hall of Fame, Person of the Year & Lifetime Achievement Awards

The SEMA Hall of Fame is the association’s highest honor, recognizing individuals whose careers and contributions have helped shape and advance the automotive specialty-equipment industry. The 2026 SEMA Hall of Fame class includes Doug Dwyer, Jay Leno, Ellen McKoy and Dennis Overholser.

Members of SEMA’s Councils & Networks will participate in the Hall of Fame presentations, helping recognize the inductees’ contributions and lasting impact on the industry.

SEMA Industry Honors will also recognize outstanding achievements in leadership, automotive storytelling and lifetime contributions to the specialty automotive industry.

The SEMA Person of the Year award honors an individual whose leadership, service and contributions have significantly strengthened the industry and the SEMA community.

The SEMA Content Creator of the Year award recognizes an individual who uses compelling and innovative content to expand the reach of the automotive lifestyle, engages new audiences and inspires greater participation in the industry.

Presented by the Petersen Automotive Museum, the Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award honors individuals whose careers and contributions have made a lasting impact on motorsports. Named for the museum’s late founder, Robert E. Petersen, the award is considered one of the specialty automotive industry’s highest honors.

“Guests can expect a high-energy evening that blends meaningful recognition with the camaraderie that makes the SEMA Show so special,” said Andy Tompkins, SEMA trade show director. “From connecting with colleagues during the reception to hearing the stories behind this year’s honorees, attendees will experience an entertaining and inspiring celebration of the people who make the automotive aftermarket extraordinary.”

The evening kicks off at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception, followed by the Industry Honors awards program at 7:30 p.m.

How to Get SEMA Industry Honors Tickets

SEMA Show exhibitors receive two tickets to SEMA Industry Honors and may purchase additional tickets for $50 each through Registration Customer Service. Show attendees may purchase tickets for $50 each when registering for the SEMA Show, or by logging into the Registration Resource Center. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit semashow.com/industry-honors.