{"id":163061,"date":"2026-02-04T04:40:23","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T04:40:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/163061\/"},"modified":"2026-02-04T04:40:23","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T04:40:23","slug":"inside-the-2026-mpmc-media-trade-conferenceperformance-racing-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/163061\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside the 2026 MPMC Media Trade ConferencePerformance Racing Industry"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the potential for\u00a0more than 40 private face-to-face meetings across three days, the\u00a0Media Trade Conference\u00a0is the industry’s most efficient,\u00a0effective\u00a0and affordable way for media members to find out exactly\u00a0what’s\u00a0new–and\u00a0what’s\u00a0on the way–from\u00a0top\u00a0motorsports parts manufacturers.\u00a0Located across four floors of hotel space,\u00a0it’s\u00a0a practice of perfect efficiency, only matched by the\u00a0winningest\u00a0of race teams.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“The Media Trade Conference is a high-ROI show for us,” said Gabe Flores of\u00a0Classic Industries, the manufacturer of muscle car restoration parts.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

This\u00a0year\u00a0in\u00a0Anaheim, California,\u00a0SEMA\u00a0and PRI editorial teams were once again on hand,\u00a0finding the pulse of the motorsports and high-performance aftermarket to see\u00a0what’s\u00a0changing,\u00a0what’s\u00a0working and\u00a0what’s\u00a0coming next.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

New-for-2026: MPMC Rebrands\u00a0as the Industry Shifts\u00a0<\/p>\n

Among the\u00a0big shifts\u00a0discussed\u00a0this year was the new rebranding of the\u00a0Motorsports Products & Media Council (MPMC).\u00a0Formerly known as the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council, the newly rebranded MPMC reflects one of the most consistent themes heard throughout the week: closer collaboration between manufacturers and media is no longer optional, but essential, for good business.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Hoosier<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

This ties directly into the increased importance of working with content creators, something MPMC embraced a few years ago by opening\u00a0event\u00a0registration\u00a0to non-traditional outlets like influencers.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Our conversations with content creators are quality this year.\u00a0We’re\u00a0learning\u00a0what’s\u00a0working for them online. We also thought\u00a0they’d\u00a0be more rigid, but a lot of them are willing to work with us on different projects,” said Jason Weidmann of\u00a0The Wheel Group.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

“The MPMC Media Trade Conference this year\u00a0is bringing\u00a0good, quality conversations. Content creators and enthusiasts bring a good layer to the event,” said Ross Berlanga of\u00a0TMI Products.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Online Media Drives Purchase Decisions\u00a0<\/p>\n

Brands, including\u00a0Summit Racing, the retailer and wholesaler,\u00a0are realizing these new-age\u00a0media members can be viewed as a genuine business tool,\u00a0rather than a promotional\u00a0gimmick.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Our affiliate program is one of our biggest pushes right now. This gives content creators the opportunity to earn revenue while the Summit brand\u00a0gets reach. [Some of the brands we sell] have\u00a0actually asked\u00a0us\u00a0to\u00a0start\u00a0this\u00a0program,” said\u00a0David Fuller of Summit Racing.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"cam<\/p>\n

And perhaps going beyond the norm, Summit Racing actually created its own production company before\u00a0COVID.\u00a0“We have our own studio for podcasting, live streaming, and social content,\u201d said Fuller. A look at Summit Racing’s YouTube page\u00a0with 226,000 subscribers\u00a0boasts titles about\u00a0different products, how-to\u00a0instructionals,\u00a0and general industry knowledge. Think “Look for These Things Before Buying that Junkyard Engine!”\u00a0and “Bust Stubborn Bolts Loose with Ease!”\u00a0type of content.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Tied\u00a0into this theme\u00a0was a statement from Bridney Jordan with\u00a0The Wheel Group, who\u00a0pointed\u00a0out that\u00a0while short-form videos\u00a0seem to be\u00a0taking off for other industries, long-form videos are \u201cwhere it’s at\u201d for the automotive and motorsports spaces.\u00a0\u201cStorytelling is back,\u201d said Jordan.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Of course,\u00a0this type of content is created with\u00a0an ultimate goal\u00a0in mind: drive\u00a0product\u00a0sales.\u00a0That goal was realized when one MPMC exhibitor,\u00a0Cache Inc., had a video go viral online.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

“One of our Reels went viral in Mexico. It brought a lot of questions about whether we ship our products\u00a0internationally (and\u00a0we do),\u201d said Lars\u00a0Mccleary\u00a0of Cache,\u00a0manufacturer of\u00a0the “world’s first modular” tailgate pads for trucks.\u00a0\u201cWe’ve also had some viral success in Saudi Arabia and South American markets.”\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Manufacturing Efficiency,\u00a0AI\u00a0and Scaling Business\u00a0<\/p>\n

It’s\u00a0no secret that efficiency is the name of the game for winning race cars, but\u00a0perhaps even more\u00a0so for the manufacturers making the products on that car.\u00a0Yes,\u00a0there’s\u00a0a\u00a0growing\u00a0need\u00a0to find\u00a0efficiency and scalability behind the scenes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

One brand that found success in that space is\u00a0BMR Suspension, the provider of performance aftermarket suspension and chassis systems. BMR has\u00a0acquired\u00a0new businesses\u00a0but has kept its\u00a0manufacturing space the same, a 114,000 square foot facility in Lakeland, Florida. “We’re\u00a0adding\u00a0new brands\u00a0but keeping the same overhead and space, knowing we have the capacity for even more brands.\u00a0It’s\u00a0just good\u00a0business,” said Allan Miller of BMR.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Speedmaster<\/p>\n

From increased automation to artificial intelligence (AI), companies are actively seeking smarter processes that keep costs down without sacrificing quality. In\u00a0fact,\u00a0the latter was a main speaking point on Tuesday\u00a0during a keynote titled\u00a0“Artificial Intelligence: Solving Automation in Manufacturing.”\u00a0Ben Heng, general partner with 99VC, led a discussion on how AI-driven automation is already reshaping manufacturing processes, supply\u00a0chains\u00a0and quality control, and how motorsports manufacturers can\u00a0leverage\u00a0these tools to scale production while\u00a0maintaining\u00a0precision.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Analog is Back, Baby!\u00a0<\/p>\n

One theme that kept coming back up–in\u00a0what seemed like every meeting–was that the era of analog is back.\u00a0There’s\u00a0been a widespread pushback against touchscreens and a move back to tactile driving experiences, something that OEMs are\u00a0listening\u00a0to\u00a0and responding to.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

“People are embracing the feel\u00a0of a drive\u00a0again. Analog\u00a0is making a comeback;\u00a0we’ve\u00a0been hearing that some EV models are coming off the factory, not with touchscreens, but with buttons and knobs again,” said Flores of\u00a0Classic Industries.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"product<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Marketing Approach: Education Over Everything\u00a0<\/p>\n

Across meetings, one message was clear: media, education and manufacturing strategy are now as critical to success as the products themselves.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Education\u00a0emerged\u00a0as a top priority, with many companies focused on helping racers and enthusiasts better understand not just what to buy, but\u00a0why\u00a0it matters\u00a0and\u00a0how to\u00a0install\u00a0those products\u00a0correctly\u00a0to maximize performance.\u00a0Of course, this means brands are recognizing education\u00a0either through long-form videos, website content, or even training technicians in the field to\u00a0position themselves as trusted industry advisors.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"people<\/p>\n

One approach is to certify installers to work directly with your customers,\u00a0something\u00a0seemingly mastered\u00a0by\u00a0Centerforce\u00a0Clutches, which has been developing new relationships with shops around the nation.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

“These installers\u00a0purchase\u00a0our products at discounted prices,\u00a0and this helps our relationships with our\u00a0‘Do-It-For-Me’\u00a0customers.\u00a0So, we turn these installers into technicians\u00a0and\u00a0dealers of our products,” said Chris Thompson of\u00a0Centerforce, who estimated around 70% of their customers fall in the “Do-It-For-Me” category\u00a0today,\u00a0whereas\u00a030 years ago, he estimated,\u00a0those types of customers accounted for\u00a0only 30%\u00a0of business.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alex Taylor: A Symbol of the Industry’s Direction\u00a0<\/p>\n

In the theme of rebranding and shifting to a new era of motorsports media, this year’s\u00a0Robert E. Petersen Award, an annual ceremony in conjunction with the event,\u00a0was\u00a0presented\u00a0to someone from the non-traditional media space\u00a0and to a female for the first-time ever:\u00a0motorsports influencer\u00a0Alex Taylor, the founder of Alex Taylor Racing and a co-host of\u00a0MotorTrend’s\u00a0“Hot Rod Garage.” Though Taylor was unable to travel to the event due to weather, her sister was able to accept the award on her behalf.<\/p>\n

\"Alex<\/p>\n

Taylor, a drag racer herself, has blended her marketing\u00a0expertise\u00a0with her deep-rooted passion for the automotive world. Through this unique combination, she has grown\u00a0nearly one\u00a0million followers across her platforms. Rather than using racing as a backdrop for content creation,\u00a0she\u00a0leverages\u00a0modern media as a tool to fund, document, and advance her true passion: racing.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Taylor\u00a0uses storytelling to share her journey, highlight automotive history, and collaborate with industry-leading brands. Beginning with online automotive forums in 2012 and evolving to long-form content on YouTube,\u00a0she\u00a0has cultivated a loyal, knowledgeable, and highly engaged audience.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Giving Taylor this award aligns with the new MPMC rebrand and the industry’s broader embrace of new media as a growth driver. As manufacturers increasingly focus on education, storytelling and trust-based content, Taylor’s hybrid identity as a racer, marketer and educator exemplifies the direction many brands are heading.\u00a0<\/p>\n

SEMA Annual Meeting Informs Industry Members\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The three-day event also included time for the SEMA General Membership Meeting, which was led by\u00a0SEMA Chair\u00a0Melanie White\u00a0and\u00a0SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola. The meeting provided attendees with a high-level look at how the association is supporting members and responding to the current state of the industry, which was highlighted by a look at\u00a0SEMA’s year-round business solutions like SEMA Garage and SEMA Data, with free opportunities for business members.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"MPMC<\/p>\n

The meeting also introduced recent and upcoming advocacy efforts led by SEMA and PRI’s Washington, D.C., office. Education about advocacy helps members navigate\u00a0regulatory challenges, like our recent push to\u00a0protect the Right to Race in various states around the nation<\/a>, from their end.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Attendees\u00a0of the annual meeting\u00a0also received updates on SEMA and PRI’s latest initiatives and priorities, reinforcing the association’s role as a strategic partner for manufacturers,\u00a0media\u00a0and the broader automotive aftermarket.\u00a0<\/p>\n

MPMC Media Trade Conference: Powered by Industry Support\u00a0<\/p>\n

The 2026 MPMC Media Trade Conference was made possible through the support of event sponsors, including\u00a0Autofluencer, Blueprint Engines, Carlyle Tools, Hot Shot’s Secret, NAPA,\u00a0PEAK Performance, Racer, and Summit Motorsports Park. Their continued involvement underscores the value of bringing manufacturers and media together in a focused, productive environment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As the Motorsports Products & Media Council moves forward under its new name, the 2026 Media Trade Conference made one thing clear: collaboration, education and innovation are driving the next chapter of the motorsports industry, and the conversations happening behind the scenes today are shaping what racers and enthusiasts will see\u00a0on track\u00a0tomorrow.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"With the potential for\u00a0more than 40 private face-to-face meetings across three days, the\u00a0Media Trade Conference\u00a0is the industry’s most…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4610,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[163,165,164],"class_list":["post-163061","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-anaheim","tag-anaheim","tag-anaheim-headlines","tag-anaheim-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/163061","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=163061"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/163061\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4610"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=163061"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=163061"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=163061"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}