Not every award means the same thing. This one you have to earn.
In the automotive aftermarket, many companies receive recognition. SEMA Data is one of the few organizations that creates it.
The SEMA Data Excellence Awards exist because raising the standard for product data requires more than a mandate. It requires a measurable benchmark — something manufacturers can work toward, achieve, and be recognized for in a way that means something to distributors, retailers, and the platforms where products are bought and sold.
Our mission has always extended beyond creating and managing product data. We are dedicated to raising the standard for automotive aftermarket product data by building programs that recognize and reward companies committed to excellence. The SEMA Data Excellence Awards were created with that purpose in mind.
Rather than relying on nominations or subjective judging, Gold and Platinum recognition is earned through measurable achievement. Manufacturers are evaluated against objective criteria that reflect the completeness, quality, and usability of their product content, raising the bar not only for their own catalogs, but for the entire aftermarket.
Gold Recognition - Recognizes manufacturers that have built a complete, commerce-ready product catalog by achieving:
- 100% ACES and PIES validation
- Complete product images
- Product attributes
- Features and Benefits
- GTINs
- Product videos, where applicable
Gold recipients have demonstrated that their product information provides the rich content today's distributors, retailers, marketplaces, installers, and enthusiasts expect when researching and purchasing products.
Platinum Recognition - Represents the highest level of SEMA Data Excellence.
To achieve Platinum, manufacturers must first satisfy at 100% every Gold requirement while also demonstrating exceptional content quality. Platinum recipients go beyond compliance by delivering richer product descriptions, meaningful attributes, consistent imagery, and comprehensive marketing content that enhances the customer experience and strengthens digital commerce.
Platinum isn't a status bestowed. It's a standard achieved and the manufacturers who hold it have made a deliberate investment in product data that performs.
One Month Remaining
The qualification window for the 2026 SEMA Data Excellence Award closes August 1. If your team is working toward Gold or Platinum, the path is straightforward: complete content, validated data, and the attributes that make your products findable and buyable wherever your customers are looking. What remains is execution. Every improvement made between now and August 1 strengthens your digital presence and increases the value of your product information across the aftermarket.
SEMA Show Recognition
The manufacturers that earn Gold and Platinum recognition this year won't just walk away with an award. They'll walk away as part of a defined group of companies the industry looks to when setting expectations for what good product data looks like.
We look forward to recognizing them at this year's SEMA Show!
As always, we're here to help if you have questions. Contact us at info@semadata.org.
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