Technology at the Forefront

SPC Presents the 2008 SEMA Internet Symposium

Friday, July 25th, 2008, 8:00a.m. - 4:30p.m.
Hyatt Regency Irvine, Irvine, CA

Last January at an open meeting of SEMA members, there was an extensive discussion about how the Internet has changed each member’s business. Commerce has shifted, and new technologies have empowered consumers like never before. In keeping with SEMA’s mission statement of helping its members prosper, an idea was formed to bring an industry-specific day of Internet knowledge to life. Subsequently, there was standing room only in a theater-style classroom early one Saturday morning after the annual installation gala. The room was crowded with truck guys, retailers, WDs, media and, of course, manufacturers. They were all there to see if they were missing essential details in their quest to stay at the top of their markets.

The opening speaker showed graphs that illustrated how the Internet had grown from a few users back in the ‘70s to nearly 70% of the U.S. population currently. Search-engine providers spoke about pay-per-click advertising; attorney’s answered questions about protecting a brand in cyberspace; and demonstrations of virtual stores riveted the gathering. Attendees had never witnessed such participation and interest from such a large group.

After circulating questionnaires to the participants in last year’s event, the Street Performance Council has created a much larger scale endeavor for 2008. Taking place July 25, 2008, in Irvine California, again in conjunction with the annual gala and installation banquet, this year’s event is multi-tracked. One segment will feature broad-based topics and information on Internet marketing, closing Internet sales and understanding legal rights online. A more advanced track gets specific with pay-per-click web design, web-based customer relationship management and creating video marketing tools. Both tracks will conclude in a final controversial “Pricing Integrity” panel, where attendees will take a look at how other industries handle online pricing issues and what SEMA-member companies might do to be proactive about protecting themselves.

The SEMA Internet Symposium is designed for senior management to understand and be proactive about steering their companies in an evolving market channel and for sales and IT managers to learn ways to implement the resulting plans. As with last year, space will be very limited. Check back soon, or watch for updates in SEMA eNews, the association’s electronic publication, for registration updates.

We’ll see you there!

Eric Breslow, Chairman SPC
Tracie Nunez, Chair-elect SPC