Where the industry goes to Think Bigger.

Detroit Kid Told He'd Never Amount to Anything Built a Speaking Empire

Johnny Dmytryszyn, Keynote Speaker & Team Chevy Brand Ambassador (Johnny D)

Johnny D — a Detroit kid told in fourth grade he would never amount to anything — turned a $5 stack of business cards from a truck stop into a 25-year career as a keynote speaker, four-time author, and Team Chevy Brand Ambassador. He breaks down what it actually takes to build a personal brand that lasts.

What Manufacturer's Reps Actually Do and Why Your Shop Needs One

Les Rudd, SEMA Hall of Famer, Bob Cook Sales

SEMA Hall of Famer Les Rudd of Bob Cook Sales delivers a masterclass on the manufacturer's rep model — nearly 50 years of relationships and deal-making that most shops and manufacturers never fully leverage. He explains how new manufacturers should find and work with rep agencies, and what shops are missing by not using them strategically.

He Built a 36-Year Performance Shop Starting in His Basement

Donnie Walsh Jr., Founder, D&D Performance

Donnie Walsh Jr. of D&D Performance built a 36-year shop that started with his father building T5 transmissions in their basement. He walks through the full journey — from Fox body drag racing and Pro Mod competition to building one of the most respected Tremec and BorgWarner transmission specialists in the country.

Is a Manual C8 Corvette Actually Happening? TREMEC's Aftermarket Chief Tells All

Mike Kidd, Aftermarket Business Unit Manager, Tremec

Mike Kidd of Tremec sets the record straight on the manual transaxle that stopped SEMA cold — what it actually is, who it is built for, when you can get one, and why manual transmissions are dying in production vehicles while aftermarket demand has never been stronger.

5 Golden Rules of the Auto Industry That Are Total BS in 2026

Justin and Jamie put the biggest sacred cows of automotive marketing, product strategy, and business on the chopping block and test whether they still hold up in 2026. Most of them do not. Plus a real talk on rising fuel prices, consumer confidence, and how AI is closing deals at 2AM.