SEMA | Las Vegas, NV | November 3–6, 2026

The automotive and onsite power industries have more in common than you might think. Both depend on skilled professionals who understand engines, electrical systems, diagnostics and troubleshooting. But while automotive careers are familiar to most students, opportunities in onsite and emergency power often go overlooked.

That’s why Mongoose Power Solutions is returning to the 2026 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. We’re looking to introduce students and educators to an industry they may never have considered, and connecting with businesses that share our commitment to developing the next generation of skilled professionals.

Different Industries. Shared Skills.

For students interested in automotive technology, diesel mechanics, electrical systems or engineering, the onsite and emergency power industry offers career paths that build on many of those same interests and skills.

Lionel Brooks, Senior Power Systems Manager at Managed Generator Services, began his career working on automobiles before transitioning into power generation. He knows firsthand how those skills carry over.

“Most backup power generation is engine driven. So having the basic knowledge in their industry of how an engine works and how it should operate directly translates into keeping the engine side of power generation going. From there, technicians can build on that knowledge and learn how the electrical systems operate.”

When normal power is interrupted, onsite power systems help keep hospitals, emergency services, data centers and other essential facilities operating. Behind those systems is an entire industry of people who design, manufacture, install, service and support the equipment that makes it possible.

And the opportunities extend well beyond technicians. The industry also needs engineers, project managers, sales professionals, manufacturing specialists, and people working in technology, logistics and business operations.

“Power generation was probably the most important thing they had in New Orleans when Katrina hit,” Brooks recalls.

Brooks’ experience illustrates a side of technical careers that students may not immediately recognize: the opportunity to apply their skills in situations where reliable power can make a critical difference.

And as demand for power continues to grow, so does the need for qualified professionals who can maintain and support these systems.

“The opportunities are endless. In 10 years, it’s like we won’t have enough generator technicians to keep up with the demand,” Brooks says.

For students considering their futures, that growing demand represents an opportunity to build a career that combines technical skills, independence, professional growth and a genuine sense of purpose.

Building on the Connections Made at SEMA 2025

For Mongoose Power Solutions, returning to SEMA in 2026 is about building on the conversations and connections made during last year’s show, while recognizing an even bigger opportunity for the onsite and emergency power industry.

“SEMA 2025 was an eye-opener to the opportunities we have to meet people where they are and engage within adjacent industries,” says Michelle Hilger, CEO & Founder of Mongoose Power Solutions. “SEMA is seen as the largest automotive show, where you go to see the next big thing in technology, but it’s something so much more. We met people from all walks of life, including fire marshals, utility engineers, mechanics, agricultural establishments and more, and nearly everyone had either experienced a need for onsite power or understood its importance.”

But for Hilger, one of the biggest surprises was the number of students and educators from high schools, vocational programs and colleges in attendance.

“That was the real eye-opener for me,” Hilger says. “These students are looking at careers in automotive technology, computers, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and automotive engineering. They already have skills, interests and hobbies that align with what our industry needs. SEMA gives us the opportunity to meet the next generation where they already are and introduce them to an industry that connects precision with purpose.”

Those conversations became some of the most memorable interactions of the show. As the Mongoose team spoke with students and educators, they had the opportunity to introduce onsite and emergency power as a career path many had never considered.

“What really stood out were those lightbulb moments,” says Kim Wall, Marketing & Vision Strategist at Mongoose Power Solutions. “We’d start talking with students about what they were studying or what they loved working on, and then connect those interests to onsite and emergency power. Suddenly, they could see how those same skills could become a career with a real purpose, helping support the systems that hospitals, emergency services and other critical facilities depend on.”

For Wall and Hilger, those conversations reinforced why reaching beyond the industry’s traditional audiences matters.

“We’re not at SEMA because Mongoose is looking to hire technicians. We’re there because our industry needs the next generation,” Hilger says. “We can’t expect young people to pursue opportunities they don’t know exist. If we want them to see a future in onsite and emergency power, we have to get outside of our own industry, meet them where they are, and show them what’s possible.”

Connecting with Students and Educators

Our goal is to introduce students to those possibilities, help educators recognize onsite power as another career pathway worth sharing, and connect with businesses and industry professionals interested in supporting workforce development.

As Brooks explains, exposure to the industry can make all the difference: “It gives them a taste and it lets them see what we actually do and the importance of what we do.”

For Mongoose, participating in SEMA is about more than one tradeshow or one company’s workforce needs. It’s part of a broader commitment to building awareness, strengthening industry connections and helping develop the next generation of professionals who will keep our communities powered.

 

Will You Be at SEMA? Let’s Connect.

We’re returning to SEMA to continue the conversations started in 2025 and build new connections that extend well beyond the show.

Students: Discover how your interests and skills could lead to a career in onsite and emergency power.

Educators and Career Counselors: Explore new career pathways for your students and connect with industry professionals who can help bring those opportunities into the classroom.

Industry Professionals: Join us in building awareness, strengthening connections between education and industry, and helping develop the next generation of skilled professionals.

Whether you’re attending SEMA or simply interested in learning more, we’d love to connect.