DIAMOND BAR, Calif. -- Hundreds of leaders and professionals from the SEMA industry will gather to honor noteworthy icons and volunteers during the 2011 SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser on Friday, July 29, at the Renaissance Hotel in Long Beach, Calif. The annual event serves as the specialty equipment industry’s premier celebration, where the newly elected Board of Directors are sworn in and SEMA Hall of Fame inductees are introduced for the first time.

“The Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser has always been a special time to pay tribute to the individuals who are working to support and grow the industry and the association,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “I always look forward to the event – it really is a homecoming where industry friends and colleagues gather, swap stories and show their appreciation to the SEMA Board of Directors and Hall of Fame members.”

All industry professionals are invited to attend the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser. The event begins with cocktails at 6 p.m., where attendees are able to mix and mingle with industry icons and celebrities. During the sit-down dinner that follows, the 2011 SEMA Hall of Fame members are introduced: Gray Baskerville, Art Chrisman, Chris Economaki and John Towle. The newly elected SEMA Board of Directors, who will be announced in late June, also are sworn-in during the program.

Tickets and information are available at www.sema.org/gala, or from Michelle Harris at michelleh@sema.org, 909/978-6684. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit two children’s charities: Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp.