SEMA eNews Vol. 14, No. 18, May 5, 2011

	The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in the SEMA block offers a nightly rate of only $159 for this all-suite hotel.

Booking your hotel rooms through Travel Planners, the official SEMA Show Housing Bureau, will ensure you the best rates possible, and booking early is more important than ever with many hotels offering special “early-bird” rates to SEMA exhibitors and attendees.

SEMA has locked in incredible rates yet again and has been able to waive the resort fees, which more and more properties in Las Vegas are adopting—some as much as $20 per night. Book through the official housing block and you won’t have to pay them (with the exception of the Signature at MGM Grand, which has always had a resort fee with its additional services that are not provided to other MGM Grand guests).

And who says there is nothing new to see in Las Vegas this year? Newly opened this past December and quickly becoming one of the hottest and most exciting properties on the Strip, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is truly changing the way people are experiencing Las Vegas. SEMA is pleased to have The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in the block at an unbelievable nightly rate of only $159 for this all-suite hotel. Book fast, though, as space is limited and these rooms will go fast.

Please note: Travel Planners is the only official housing company associated with the 2011 SEMA Show. While other hotel resellers may contact you offering housing for your trip, they are not endorsed by or affiliated with the Show and entering into financial agreements with such companies can have costly consequences.

If you have any questions regarding housing for the upcoming 2011 SEMA Show, please don’t hesitate to contact the Travel Planners at 800/221-3531 or 212/532-1660.

 

	The 2010 SEMA Board of Directors.

Nineteen industry professionals are vying for a position on the 2011–2013 SEMA Board of Directors. The SEMA Board provides strategic direction to the association and plays a critical role in shaping the future of the automotive specialty-equipment industry. The voting process, which is entirely electronic this year, will open May 16 and be ongoing until voting closes June 14.

Election materials, including instructions for the online voting process, will be mailed to the primary contacts at eligible SEMA-member companies within the corresponding categories on May 16.

Each candidate has provided SEMA with a detailed biography including career experience, personal insights and a discussion of their primary goals in running for a seat on the SEMA Board. To learn more about each individual candidate, simply click through the following list of nominees.

Candidates for all SEMA Board categories include:

Chairman-Elect Category:
Doug Evans, Source Interlink Media
Nate Shelton, B&M Automotive Group

Manufacturers Category:
Joel Ayres, Takit LLC (Incumbent)
John Brueggeman, 3M
Jim Chick, Bestop Inc.
Raymond King, Federal Mogul
Tim Martin, K&N Engineering Inc.
Mike Spagnola, Street Scene Equipment (Incumbent)
Brock Weld, BMF Wheels
Steve Wolcott, ProMedia LLC
Jeep Worthan, Auto Meter (Incumbent)

Distributor/Retailer & Services Category:
Greg Adler, Transamerican Auto Parts
Donnie Eatherly, P&E Distributors Inc. (Incumbent)
J.R. Moore, Performance Warehouse
Famous Rhodes, eBay Motors
Brock Rude, JR Motorsports
Van Woodell, Weathers Auto Supply Inc. (Incumbent)

Manufacturer's Rep Category:
Jeff Bates, Bob Cook Sales (Incumbent)
Joel Rosenthal, Gantt-Thomas and Associates Inc.

For more information about the 2011–2013 SEMA Board of Directors election, contact Judi Ritchie at judir@sema.org or 909/978-6671.

	Network with industry peers and celebrate the Specialty Equipment Industry on Friday, July 29, at the 2011 SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser.

Tickets for the 2011 SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser are now available online at www.sema.org/GalaTix.

Taking place Friday, July 29, at the Renaissance Hotel in Long Beach, California, the annual celebration provides attendees the opportunity to recognize the service of the outgoing volunteers on the SEMA Board of Directors and welcome those newly elected to the Board. The gala is also the setting for the formal introduction of the 2011 Hall of Fame Inductees: Gray Baskerville, Art Chrisman, Chris Economaki and John Towle.

Also held on the same day and location of the banquet is the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races, presented by eBay Motors. Challenge your colleagues to race for a good cause beginning at noon on July 29. Races are conducted throughout the day, with the finals taking place during a cocktail reception prior to the beginning of the banquet. Read more about the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races here.

Proceeds from the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races benefit the Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp charities.

The 2012 Honda Civic sedan and coupe measuring session will be held Wednesday, May 18, 2011, from 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. at American Honda headquarters in Torrance, California.

 

	All SEMA members are invited to join the children of Childhelp in building pinewood dragsters for the upcoming Pinewood Drag Races.

Held in conjunction with the annual SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races, presented by eBay Motors, will return July 29, 2011, at 12:00 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel in Long Beach, California. The finals will take place during the cocktail reception shortly before the banquet begins.

This year, SEMA members can race either a car or a truck in two classes: Stock and Unlimited. Council members can either sponsor child-built cars and trucks in the Build it For Me (BIFM) Stock Class or they can build and enter their own SEMA-supplied stock car or truck. Stock-Class racing usually garners the most entries with a typical speed of 3.2 seconds on a 50-ft. track.

For hardcore speed enthusiasts, the Unlimited Class has only one rule—that one item from the stock kit be used. Cars in this class run sub-3 seconds and the current record holder is past SEMA Chairman and one-time YEN member Mitch Williams.

Come out and challenge your peers for the opportunity to win the coveted Council Cup. Proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit two worthwhile children’s charities—Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp. The more cars or trucks fielded by each council member increase their chances of winning.

And if you're the hands-on type, SEMA invites you to help the children of Childhelp sand, paint and assemble the cars for the annual races. Each child will build two cars: one to keep and one reserved for sponsorship by a caring SEMA-member company or individual. The build day will take place at Childhelp Village West in Beaumont, California, Saturday, June 4. Members interested in participating are invited to contact derby@sema.org or visit the Pinewood Drag Races and SEMA Cares Facebook pages.

At last year’s award ceremony, the child-built car winner from Childhelp traded smack talk with Williams for building a Stock car that ran consistent 2.99 heats all day and advancing to take the title in his class. Will anyone besides an 11-year-old challenge Williams this year? The SEMA Cares committee hopes you will and thanks you in advance for your support of these two great charities.

Click here to register for the upcoming SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races.

Winners of the 2010 Pinewood Drag Races

Build It for Me



Travis White and Janette Hale, 
Paramount Restyling 

Hot Rod Industry Alliance

Tricel Honeycomb



Modified



Justin Hoffend, Freeman

Joel Ayres, SEMA Cares Committee

Chris Kersting, SEMA



Council Cup Challenge



SEMA Businesswomen’s Network

People’s Choice

Travis White, Janette Hale, Paramount Restyling

Stock

Melanie White, Hellwig Products
Nicolas Hoffend, Freeman
Chuck Schwartz, ConvExx

Unlimited

Famous Rhodes, eBay Motors
Todd Ryden, MSD Ignition
Eric Hoffend, Freeman

Grand National Trophy

SEMA Businesswomen’s Network

	A new Social Media Course designed to help industry professionals develop career-advancing skills was added to the SEMA Educational Institute's comprehensive online library.

The SEMA Education Institute (SEI) has added a new SEMA Social Media course to its comprehensive online library, which is designed to help industry professionals develop career-advancing skills. The six-session course, available for a limited time, without charge, at www.SEMA.org/eLearning, begins with Foundations & Definitions, an introduction to the social-media concept. The five subsequent sessions describe how automotive specialty-equipment companies can leverage outrageously popular social-media channels to help promote and market their businesses.

Your customers are already active participants in social media, and their influence has become far too large to ignore: More than 500 million people currently use Facebook, with 200 million on Twitter and 100 million on LinkedIn. SEMA's SEI has developed this new series to help your business expand its reach, increase brand exposure and drive revenue. SEI has collaborated with social-media experts to develop this comprehensive and practical training course. It is designed to show you how to implement strategies, tactics, monitoring tools and best practices to grow your business.

The SEMA Social Media course will provide a thorough explanation of social media and how it can help build profits. You'll learn how to:

• Market on key social media sites, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
• Integrate and execute effective social media campaigns to increase brand awareness and drive sales.
• Use reputation management and listen to your target market to provide high-quality customer service.
• Conduct a social media audit and uncover gaps and opportunities.
• Understand how social media can be used to aid marketing objectives, including advertising, search-engine optimization, public relations and reputation management.
• Create employee guidelines and develop a business culture to support social media.
• Develop practical strategies to position your brand and generate leads.
• Benefit from the latest statistics and recent case studies.
• Utilize tools and tactics that will help you measure engagement and return on investment.
• Manage your own brand and develop a personal social graph that can help you win business or get hired.

Hallie Janssen, vice president of Anvil Media Inc. is the presenter of the SEMA Social Media course. Anvil Media Inc. specializes in search-engine marketing and social-media marketing services. Janssen manages overall client strategy and oversight of the marketing professionals at Anvil Media. She has developed online marketing strategies with hundreds of clients. She regularly speaks at industry events, is a social-media instructor for Online Marketing Institute and co-teaches a class on search-engine marketing at Portland State University. She also writes regularly for industry publications, such as Search Marketing Standard and Online Marketing Connect.

The SEMA Social Media course is part of the new Learning Management System being developed by the SEMA Education Institute. New courses are being added approximately every two weeks. The Social Media course will remain free for employees of SEMA-member companies but, after a brief introductory period, will cost $149 for non-members. Take advantage of this limited-time offer today!

For more information, visit www.SEMA.org/sei or contact SEMA Education Administrator Juliet Marshall by phone at 909/978-6655 or via e-mail at julietm@sema.org.

Make plans to take the tape to the 2012 Fiat 500 Coupe and Cabriolet during the SEMA Measuring Session on Tuesday, May 24. Marking Fiat's return to the United States in more than 28 years, the 500 subcompact has a combined city/highway gas mileage of 33mpg. In terms of size, according to the Associated Press, the Fiat 500 fits between the 2011 Mini Cooper hatchback and the 2011 Smart fortwo.

Sign up for your personal preview of the Fiat 500 by sending your name, company name, address, phone number and e-mail address to measuringsession@sema.org. The deadline to register is Friday, May 20. For more information, contact Bill Wolf (909/978-6739) or Kelly Clancy (909/978-6735).

 

The first in a series of SEMA Town Hall meetings was held February 4 in Scottsdale, Arizona. The meetings provide not only networking opportunities, but also a chance for member companies to provide feedback about where they would like the association to concentrate its efforts.

SEMA understands the value of getting out and meeting face-to-face with our members. So, starting in 2011, staff and key industry leaders have been working hand-in-hand to bring a series of Town Hall meetings to you. Throughout the first five months of this year, SEMA has visited Scottsdale, Arizona, and Fort Worth, Texas, hosting successful small gatherings of members in those regions. As we continue our tour to Charlotte, North Carolina, on June 3, we look forward to meeting you.

SEMA will be rounding up our local members and prospective members for an evening at the headquarters of Joe Gibbs Racing. Don't miss the exclusive opportunity to network with local industry leaders, members and SEMA staff to share the challenges and opportunities facing your business.

 

Agenda for Charlotte, North Carolina, Town Hall:

• Tours of Joe Gibbs Racing facility:

  5:00-5:30 pm
  5:30-6:00 pm

• Networking with SEMA leadership over a bite to eat and a drink
• Discussion of the state of the industry
• Hear feedback from our members and SEMA executive staff

Remember, you only need to bring yourself, a few business cards and a willingness to share your feedback with SEMA and its volunteers. Please know that this will be a business casual event; no suits and ties at this one! R.S.V.P. to this event by e-mailing your first and last name, company name, e-mail address, company category (e.g. service, media, etc.) and preferred tour time to Andrea “AJ” Carney, or call 909/978-6697 for further details.

	The industry's thoughts are with Linda Vaughn, Miss Hurst Golden Shifter, who is recovering from heart surgery she underwent in April.

SEMA and the specialty-equipment market community send wishes for a speedy recovery to Linda Vaughn, best known as the iconic Miss Hurst Golden Shifter. Vaughn underwent heart surgery April 28 to clear out blockage in her arteries.

Prior to the operation, Vaughn said, "I am tired of feeling 'low speed.'" After surgery, her spirits are equally as high and she is recovering as expected.

Throughout the ’60s, ’70s and in to the early ’80s, Vaughn's looks and charm were just as much of an attraction at the track as any of the high-powered machines of the times. Even today, with Vaughn no longer traveling the circuits as race queen, she is still one of the industry's best-known spokesmodels.

Vaughn was named the SEMA Person of the Year in 1979 and was inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame in 1985.

Members of the industry, friends and colleagues who would like to send well wishes and cards are encouraged to use the following address:

Linda Vaughn
P.O. Box 9577
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

	In addition to the printed version, the 2011 SEMA Membership Directory is also available online.

SEMA members now have two ways to obtain a free 2011 SEMA Membership Directory. The fastest way is to download our electronic (PDF) version by visiting the 2011 SEMA Membership Directory online.

Used by professionals to connect and network, the SEMA Membership Directory is where leading companies go to identify and establish partnerships with others in the industry. Updated annually, the guidebook includes detailed information on each member company. Easy-to-use listings make it simple to identify members in particular categories, by council affiliation or by reps serving certain locations. The SEMA Membership Directory is often referred to as the industry’s “ultimate sourcebook.”

SEMA members must be logged in to download a free copy. If you would prefer to obtain a printed copy of the directory, simply fill out our 2011 SEMA Membership Directory Order Form. Members can request one free printed copy per company. Additional copies are only $29 each. The non-member price per printed copy or download is $59.

For assistance logging in, call SEMA Customer Service at 909/610-2030 or e-mail member@sema.org.

You can also access the online SEMA Membership Directory as part of the MySEMA Community. This directory is searchable by company name, product type and employee name. The searchable directory is located here.  

Now more than ever, online video content is becoming a key element to every company’s marketing and communications strategy. YouTube alone gets more than 2 billion views a day. Whether your goal is to educate, entertain or market, video has growing implications for every company. But are you prepared to produce good-quality video content that is representative of your company and your brand? Where do you start? What equipment is essential?

The SEMA Education Institute (SEI) has assembled a panel of video production experts who will share their insight in a webinar on Thursday, May 12, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT). Join DC Chavez, Matt Martelli (Mad Media), Josh Martelli (Mad Media) and Eric Schumacher (powerTV Media) as they discuss:

• The growing importance of video
• In-house production vs. third-party vendors
• Equipment essentials
• Video production software and platforms
• Key resources and more!

With years of automotive video experience, this panel will provide an incredible learning opportunity. Join us as we learn the essential components for online video production, Thursday, May 12, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).

Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEI webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

SEMA members: click here for more information and to register.

Non-members: click here for more information and to register.

Are you hunting for a new job? The “Positions Available” section in the SEMA Member Classifieds lists more than 50 job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest classifieds posted to the website.

• Truckaddons, located in Lexington, Kentucky, is hiring phone sales people to take sales and customer service calls from customers on the company's websites. Candidates should have background knowledge of the automotive and truck aftermarket and experience with sales in a retail, wholesale or on the Internet.
• An eCommerce company out of Irvine, California, currently has a sales agent/customer service position available. The successful candidate must have more than two years experience in the automotive industry with phone or Internet sales knowledge; mid-level experience with purchasing, order processing and drop shipping on automotive parts; a minimum of 2–3 years in customer service; and mid-level experience or higher on computer programs and working within a higher tech environment.
• JBM Motoring, located in Orange, California, is hiring a wheel and tire retail sales person who has good hands-on experience and knowledge of custom wheels and tires. Must be able to work every other Saturday.
• Gale Banks Engineering, located in Azusa, California, is hiring an embedded software engineer to research, design, develop and test automotive real-time embedded software. The successful candidate will research, plan and design real-time embedded software systems using C, WinCE, Android and/or Assembly language to develop software applications for handheld devices or that will be integrated with a vehicle’s existing electronic control systems.

Back in early March, during an interview about the Chevy Volt powertrain, a GM engineer let slip that work was under way on a plug-in version of the Cadillac SRX. While a spokesman for GM was quick to deny that such a program existed, the shooters at Brenda Priddy & Co. provide proof of the plug-in's existence as an early prototype has just hit the streets.

Priddy points to a few things on this mule that indicate this is no ordinary Cadillac. The first is the new fuel door that's been crudely installed, with spot welds, on the driver's side. Normally, the fuel door is on the passenger side of the SRX, and the prototype in these photos has a door on both sides. Priddy speculates that one is for fuel and the other is a temporary door for the charging port.

A look inside shows a significantly updated interior featuring a new center stack—similar to the one Priddy's team spied in the ’12 XTS—along with what appears to be a large touchscreen. Priddy also reports that a new steering wheel, shifter and gauge pod are also easy to see.

Priddy also said it was worth noting that the engineer's laptop present in the car had one of GM's Hybrid badges on it, a finding she feels was probably not a coincidence.

On the outside of the SRX, a new grille insert is visible—a feature that Priddy says will likely spread to the entire SRX line once it's refreshed.

The technical details are slim at this point, however, the SRX should be sporting some adaptation of the Chevy Volt powertrain, according to Priddy and her team. When speaking about the Volt powertain during the March interview, the GM engineer was quoted as saying, "We've got another plug-in coming, the SRX, which is the same basic technology."

Look for more details to surface as the Los Angeles Auto Show approaches in November.

Photo Credit: Brian Williams/Brenda Priddy & Company

SEMA-supported legislation to exempt vehicles more than 25 years old from the state’s annual emissions inspection and maintenance program was signed into law by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam. To qualify for the exemption, these vehicles must be registered as “antique motor vehicles.” Antique vehicles are defined as more than 25 years old with a non-modified engine and body that is used for club activities, exhibits, tours, parades and similar uses as a collector's item; on the highways for the purpose of selling, testing the operation of or obtaining repairs or maintenance; and for general transportation on Saturday and Sunday.

Previous law in Tennessee only exempted vehicles manufactured before the ’75 model year from emissions inspection. The new law provides for a rolling emissions inspection exemption that would exempt qualifying antique vehicles upon enactment and would pick up an additional model year for each year the law is in effect. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Legislation to provide for an expanded-use antique vehicle registration class that would allow antique vehicles and replicas to be driven without limitation during the warmer part of the year (April 1 through October 31) has been approved by the full Illinois House of Representatives. Under the bill, expanded-use antiques are limited to traveling to and from car shows, exhibitions, servicing or demonstration during the colder months (November 1 through March 31). Regular antique vehicle registration would still be available for a lower fee to hobbyists who would prefer only operating their vehicle on a limited-use basis throughout the year. The bill will next be considered by the Senate Transportation Committee.  

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Legislation to extend the emissions inspection waiver for new vehicles has been approved by the Nevada Senate Natural Resources Committee. Under the bill, new cars will be exempt for the first three years after their initial registration. The bill also changes the state’s emissions inspection program so that vehicles will only be required to undergo testing every two years. Current law requires annual emissions inspections for passenger vehicles and exempts new vehicles only for the first two years after initial registration. The bill will next be considered by the Senate Finance Committee. 

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

	Jeff “Ox” Kargola passed away due to injuries suffered when he crashed his dirt bike riding with friends and family in San Felipe.

The off-road, motocross and action sports community sent the following official statement on April 29 regarding Jeff “Ox” Kargola.

Today, while riding with friends and family outside of San Felipe, Jeff “Ox” Kargola crashed while riding his dirt bike. Kargola was attended to by medical personnel on-site and was transported via helicopter to the San Felipe hospital where he passed away due to his injuries.

He passed early this afternoon with his best friends Cameron Steele, Ryan Hagy, Chad Peebles, Ryan Cropley, Rich Niggemann, Mark Moss and Trigger Gumm. “Words can’t express the emotions I am feeling. I love Jeff like a son, and he was riding with all of his best friends he grew up with in San Clemente,” said Cameron Steele.

More information will be released soon on arrangements for Kargola.

 

 

Del Worsham		Vincent Nobile

NEWS NUGGETS

WORSHAM NABS THIRD WIN OF SEASON; NOBILE EARNS FIRST OF CAREER IN HOUSTON: Former Funny Car driver-turned Top Fuel pilot Del Worsham raced to his third win of the 2011 season at the recently completed O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals in Baytown, Texas. Worsham, who faced teammate and defending world champion Larry Dixon for the second consecutive time in the final round, drove his Al-Anabi Racing Dragster straight to the finish line and his third win in five races—posting one of the most impressive starts to a season in Top Fuel history. Worsham also became the first NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series driver this year to reach the 500-point mark in the point standings, and currently sits an impressive 95 points ahead of second-place driver Dixon.

“This is surreal,” said Worsham. “The way the day unfolded, we had some close races, and it was amazing. It was great to race Larry in the final because he’s the champion and we’re all shooting for him. The final was a heck of a race. I’ve got to give all the credit to the Al-Anabi team. I am just a small part of it.”

While the veteran Worsham raced to his 28th career victory, Pro Stock rookie Vincent Nobile was picking up his first. In one of the most exciting and closest finishes in NHRA history, Nobile drove his Mountain View Dodge Avenger past runner-up Rodger Brogdon, beating him on a holeshot with a reaction time of .007 on the starting line.

“It was close, I didn’t even know who won at the stripe,” said Nobile. “Then everyone was screaming in my ear that we won. It was incredible.”

In Funny Car, Jeff Arend powered his DHL Funny Car past points leader Mike Neff to collect his first win of the season and move up to the fifth spot in the point standings, while three-time Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Andrew Hines raced to his 24th career win when he held off hot-charging Michael Phillips in the final round. Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson teammates Eddie Krawiec and Hines are now one and two in the Pro Stock Motorcycle standings. For more results from the 24th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Springs Nationals, visit www.NHRA.com.

‘SNAKE AND MONGOOSE’ FEATURE FILM MOVING FORWARD: Rhino films and newly formed shingle, Storywise Productions, have acquired life-story rights from legendary drag racing rivals, Don “The Snake” Prudhomme and Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen and partnered with the NHRA to produce a motion picture about their years revolutionizing one of the world’s most thrilling sports on and off the track.

The movie will tell the story of Snake and Mongoose’s legendary rivalry, friendship, and accomplishments. It will show how the two men not only made drag racing history as champion drivers and owners, but also how they modernized the sport in 1970 by shrewdly enticing toy giant, Mattel Inc. to make its then-new Hot Wheels line the sport’s first major corporate sponsor. When Mattel put logos on dragsters to make them 200-mph billboards for its toy line and put real-life drivers into its TV

commercials, Mattel became the first non-automotive sponsor in a racing sport, and the industry’s first commercial tie-in was born. Principal photography is expected to start by Fall 2011, with an anticipated theatrical release target date in 2012 commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Snake and Mongoose’s partnership with Mattel. For more information on this story, visit www.NHRA.com.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA SOUTHERN NATIONALS, ATLANTA DRAGWAY, May 13–15: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series returns to the South and the Atlanta area for its sixth stop of 2011. Defending event winners include Larry Dixon (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock); and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

NHRA SUMMER NATIONALS, HEARTLAND PARK TOPEKA, May 20–22: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its seventh stop of the season during the start of the summer months. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock).

NHRA SUPERNATIONALS, OLD BRIDGE TOWNSHIP RACEWAY PARK, June 2–5: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its eighth stop of the season at historic Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J. Defending event winners include Larry Dixon (Top Fuel); Bob Tasca (Funny Car); Mike Edwards (Pro Stock); and Michael Phillips (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

HE SAID, SHE SAID

ONE FOR SCOTT: DHL Funny Car driver Jeff Arend on getting his first win of the season Sunday at Royal Purple Raceway. The same track where Scott Kalitta grabbed his first and only Funny Car win in 1989: “You never know what is going to happen in drag racing, and sometimes, it surprises you. To get this win and dedicate it to Scott, that was huge.”

60 YEARS IN NHRA HISTORY

1978–1979, GLIDDEN UNBEATEN FOR CALENDAR YEAR: From July 16, 1978 in Englishtown to June 30, 1979 in Denver, Pro Stock legend Bob Glidden never lost a single round of racing, picking up nine national event wins in the process. To this day it stands as the most consecutive victories of any NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing class in NHRA history.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

3: Of the four NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series classes, three of the classes have teammates in both the first and second position in the point standings, Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock Motorcycle. Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson teammates Eddie Krawiec and recent Houston winner Andrew Hines (pictured) sit one and two respectively in the two-wheel category.

DID YOU KNOW…

…that iconic Pro Stock driver Warren Johnson will be the NHRA Legend honored next week when the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to Atlanta for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals. Not only will Johnson, the winningest driver in Pro Stock history, be competing in the event, but he also will be participating in special NHRA 60th Anniversary activities such as autograph sessions, meet-and-greets with fans, and the popular “Track Walk with a Legend” series Sunday morning before pre-race.

Timothy White Named NHRA Director of Engineering
Timothy M. White was hired as director of engineering for the NHRA's recently established technical department in Indianapolis. White will serve as NHRA's technical expert for all racing electronics. Most recently, he was the lead engineer for Cummins Emissions Solutions Inc. and, prior to that, served as the electronic engineer for Penske Racing and their IndyCar program. White will work directly with race teams, manufacturers, SFI and other members of the NHRA Technical Department to develop new technology initiatives and manage the Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock Accident Data Recorder (ADR) programs.

	A portion of the proceeds from each XPLORE Jeep sold will benefit the National Park Foundation.

XPLORE Jeep Sales to Benefit National Park Foundation
The first XPLORE Adventure Series Jeep Wrangler was unveiled during the Moab Easter Jeep Safari in April. With dark matte green paint and full complement of ARB and Mopar equipment, this first Jeep will be auctioned in the fall with profits donated to the National Park Foundation. In addition, Jeep announced that a portion of the proceeds from each XPLORE Jeep sold will also go to the National Park Foundation.

Lingenfelter Track Day Announced
Lingenfelter Performance Engineering customers will enjoy a free day at the dragstrip to run their vehicles during the annual Lingenfelter Track Day on Sunday, July 17, at Muncie Dragway in Albany, Indiana. Last year, 40 vehicles registered to participate, and many enthusiasts attended to watch a variety of Lingenfelter cars and trucks take to the strip. The Lingenfelter LS9-powered ’10 Camaro SS made its first 9-second quarter-mile pass during last year's event. Since then, the Camaro has been modified with the Pedders/Lingenfelter drag race shock absorber package featuring a new RPM-built faceplate transmission and LPE torque cut module.

EnerSys Named Exclusive Battery of Team BIGFOOT
EnerSys announced a partnership with BIGFOOT 4x4 Inc. making ODYSSEY batteries the exclusive battery of Team BIGFOOT. EnerSys will provide ODYSSEY batteries for the team’s seven touring BIGFOOT monster trucks, as well as the team’s fleet of transporters and support vehicles. In addition, all vehicles will display new, larger ODYSSEY battery logos throughout the 2011 season.

	Barry Lobeck

New Goodguys Award to Honor the Late Barry Lobeck
To celebrate the memory of Midwest Hot Rodding icon Barry Lobeck, who passed away January 6, 2011, Ginny Lobeck and the staff at Lobeck’s V8 Hot Rod Parts in Cleveland will select a new award in his memory at the Goodguys 14th PPG Nationals, July 8–10 in Columbus, Ohio. Starting this year, the award will be selected annually at the Goodguys PPG Nationals marking a new tradition in Barry Lobeck's native Ohio. The award itself will be perpetual, allowing each recipient to hold on to it for a year. The winner’s names will be engraved on the award before it is passed on to future recipients.

AMSOIL Named New Sponsor of Superior Speedway
AMSOIL Inc. announced its continued support of dirt-track racing in the Midwest as the new sponsor of Superior Speedway at the Head of the Lakes Fairgrounds. The sponsorship agreement offers naming rights to the facility, and Superior Speedway is now AMSOIL Speedway, for a minimum of three years.

 

Visit LTAA's website.

LTAA LRP Attendees Receive Advance Copy of 2011 SEMA Pickup Truck Report

Attend the LTAA Long-Range Planning (LRP) session and receive a copy of the 2011 SEMA Pickup Truck Report. The report will provide you valuable market information—weeks in advance of its release to the public! The LRP is Tuesday, May 10, and includes a tour of an F-150 truck plant in the morning, lunch at the hotel, followed by an afternoon of discussion, interaction and goal setting.

What: LTAA Long-Range Planning Session
When: Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Where:
Marriott Detroit Metro Airport Hotel
30559 Flynn Dr.
Romulus, MI 48174
734/729-7555

A low, low rate of $109 per night is offered to LTAA attendees. Hotel reservations may be made online at Mariott Detroit Metro Airport Hotel. This link takes you directly to the hotel reservation page, with the “SEMA” rate code already in place. You may also call the Marriott directly at 800/228-9290. Be sure to mention you are part of the “SEMA/LTAA” meeting group to be included in the blocked, group rate.

Located at the Detroit Metro airport (DTW), the Marriott offers complimentary airport shuttle and parking. The F-150 truck plant tour is complimentary from SEMA and the Henry Ford Museum, and LTAA will provide lunch at the hotel after the tour. The entire day is available to any LTAA member. Please R.S.V.P. to Gina Ledesma at ginal@sema.org, and indicate if you will attend the entire day, or just the afternoon planning session (for shuttle and lunch head count). If you have any questions, contact Jim Skelly at SEMA at 909/978-6690 or jimsk@sema.org.

LRP Offers Invaluable Networking Experience

“The LRPs that I have attended in the past I have found to be an excellent place to not only express your views, but also a place to gain a new perspective. There is a lot of knowledge in the room and you always learn something, not to mention meet great people. They are fun to attend and it feels good to contribute to the direction of LTAA and SEMA.”
—Fred Snow, Hella Inc.

“Whether you are a retailer, jobber, WD or Manufacturer; by attending and contributing at an LTAA LRP meeting, you bring a voice of real-world experience, opinion, advice and problem-solving skills to contribute to the betterment of the council and the industry.”
—Anne Johnson, Keystone Automotive

The LTAA Select Committee holds an annual Long-Range Planning meeting to determine the focus of the council’s work for the coming year. The meeting is open to business owners and managers in the Light Truck Accessories industry so they can voice their opinions regarding what the LTAA leadership should be working on in the coming year. The LRP is a member's best opportunity to bring the issues that concern their business into the spotlight, so the Select Committee can work on what’s important to its members.

What's the Value of Being an LTAA Member?

New Products Showcase – Put your product in front of one of the largest gathering of truck enthusiasts in the country at the Carlisle Truck Nationals.

Networking – LTAA mixer at the Carlisle All Truck Nationals, Annual Long-Range Planning meeting and access to LTAA members and light-truck industry professionals around the world.

Tools and resources for the retailer and installer – "Pickup Bed Dimensions Sheet," "Keyless Entry Wiring Pickup Points Reference Sheet," "Why Paints Don’t Match" DVD and more.

Education – and LTAA-specific learning track on the new SEI from SEMA, coming soon!

Are you on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter? LTAA Is!

Be sure to follow LTAA on all of your favorite social networking sites.

To find these sites, go to www.sema.org/ltaa and use the links in the top right-hand corner.

LTAA Column in SEMA Member News

Read LTAA's column featured in the May/June issue of SEMA Member News.

For more information about LTAA, contact Jim Skelly.

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Visit ARMO's website.

ARMO Seminars Receive Rave Reviews, Soon Available on Video

ARMO hosted two educational seminars at the 2011 Hotrod & Restoration Show in Indianapolis on Saturday, March 19. Both sessions were videotaped and will be available to ARMO members very shortly.

Longtime enthusiast and ARMO member Dick Dixon presented session one, “The Art of Selling.” Dr. Dixon always finds a way to provide a new approach to things, no matter the subject. In spite of a very early 8:00 a.m. start time, audience participation and feedback indicated “The Art of Selling” was another winner.

Session two was a panel discussion on “Internet Marketing on a Budget.” Three panelists included Robert Basha of Auction 123, Eric Saltrick of Steele Rubber Products and Tyler Tanaka of PostRelease. ARMO Chairperson Laura Bergan of American Collectors Insurance moderated the discussion. Audience participation and feedback for the panel presentation were also very positive.

Congratulations and thank you to Dr. Dick Dixon, our three panelists and to panel moderator Laura Bergan! Look for the videos to be available on the ARMO website very soon!

Are you on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter? ARMO Is!

Be sure to follow ARMO on all of your favorite social networking sites. To find these sites, go to www.sema.org/armo and use the links in the top right-hand corner.

ARMO Column in SEMA Member News

Read ARMO's column featured in the May/June issue of SEMA Member News.

For more information about ARMO, contact Jim Skelly.

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Visit HRIA's website

Join the SEMA Council Family

SEMA hosts 10 distinct councils and committees that serve to represent focused niches within the specialty-equipment industry. These groups are comprised of elected volunteers (Select Committee) who guide and direct council activities while representing the membership at large. Although each council acts independently and represents a different segment, they are all focused on the betterment of the industry as a whole.

The value councils provide SEMA and the industry is beyond refute. It is inspiring to witness a diverse collection of company representatives, many of which are direct competitors, come together and develop educational, training, youth awareness and networking events that are, at the core, designed to give back and promote business. An equally important council function is to ensure that SEMA—the association—sustains a pulse on the industry and maintains a presence with its members.

The question is often asked, “Why should my company join a council?” The answer is simple. SEMA councils open the door and provide you exposure to industry leaders, decision makers, trendsetters and a community of like-minded individuals who share your passion and desire to see business succeed and prosper. Once the door is open, it is your responsibility to take advantage of the benefits by becoming actively involved.

Learn more today.

Councils in Action

There were many reasons to celebrate March 17. Saint Patrick’s Day and the NCAA Tournament to name a few, but just as important was the Hot Rod Industry Alliance's (HRIA) annual Education and Training Day that took place during the Hotrod and Restoration Show in Indianapolis.

Picture the scene: 40 companies, five classrooms, 500 or more attendees and one goal—education. Education Day is offered at no charge to attendees and made possible through the efforts of HRIA and participating manufacturers. The event runs from 8:00 a.m. and concludes after 6:30 p.m. With five sessions running every hour, this truly unique experience allows attendees to select the seminars that are of most interest and relevant to their business. Each session lasts an hour and covers subjects, such as air conditioning, suspension, brakes, rapid prototyping, instrumentation, performance, insurance and steering.

In addition to the premier education and training that take place, there exists a real community for individuals to share ideas and network with one another. The interaction between manufacturer and attendee and between peers serves to heighten the experience and develop a genuine camaraderie that embodies what SEMA is all about.

Learn more here.

Have You Registered a Patent or Trademark? Your Competition Has.

Protecting the intellectual property rights (IPR) of its members is a top SEMA priority. The process begins when companies register their patents, trademarks and copyrights with government agencies in the United States (and other countries). Registration is a key to establishing legal rights.

To assist its members, SEMA has created a webpage called Introduction to Intellectual Property Rights, explaining the different types of IP, including protecting new products (utility patents) and product designs (design patent), identifying the source of the product (trademarks) and protecting product brochures or website designs (copyright). It also contains information on how to register IP along with links to seminars, webinars and SEMA News articles.

With respect to enforcing IP rights at the SEMA Show, the association has developed an effective policy for pursuing infringement allegations. SEMA’s IP enforcement policy is posted on the IPR webpage and is also published as part of the Exhibitor Services Manual. Questions may be directed to Stuart Gosswein (stuartg@sema.org).

Are you on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter? HRIA is!

Be sure to follow HRIA on all of your favorite social networking sites. To find these sites, go to www.sema.org/hria and use the links in the top right-hand corner.

HRIA Column in SEMA Member News

Read HRIA's column featured in the March/April issue of SEMA Member News.

For more information about HRIA and how to join, contact Zane Clark or call 909/978-6696.

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Visit MPMC's website.

Are you on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter? MPMC Is!

Be sure to follow MPMC on all of your favorite social networking sites. To find these sites, go to www.sema.org/mpmc and use the links in the top right-hand corner.

Take a Friend to a Race Fan Page

The MPMC Motorsports Awareness campaign, highlighted by the Take a Friend to a Race program, now has its very own Fanpage on Facebook. If you’re not a fan yet, you should be!



MPMC Column in SEMA Member News

Read MPMC's column featured in the May/June issue of SEMA Member News.



For information about MPMC, contact Jim Skelly.

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Visit MRC's website.

A Message From MRC Chair Wade Cobb

The MRC council has been chipping away at what our Long-Range Planning session of 2010 indentified as a need—benefits for our membership! MRC recently put a program together with TeleNotes, offering our members a business tool to elevate their company’s ability to capture data and reporting. We are also continuing to work on travel programs, possibly offering an “MRC” rate at our industry events, such as PWA and the SEMA Show, with select lodging. We also recognized the need to reach out to our general members and non-members to determine what it is they need from MRC.

In February, we conducted an online survey to 3,500 rep agencies associated with SEMA to find out more about reps and how MRC can maximize its efforts as a council to provide you with benefits. Thanks to all who took the time to respond; it’s the only way we can build a better MRC. Just as any council or association, it’s imperative to get the feedback from its members on what works or needs to be fixed. As we move on reviewing the data MRC has been able to obtain through the survey and the information from our LRP, the council will continue to put action plans in place to address the concerns.

In our most recent tele-conference, MRC has established the date and time for the MRC event to be held at the 2011 SEMA Show on Sunday, October 30, from 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. The MRC Rep Conference task force headed by our own Thomas Jordan is in the midst of debating the topic and format to ensure we have the best possible event for you.

Looking to continue the efforts put forth by our members, MRC attended the MPMC Media Trade Conference held in Los Angeles this past January with the purpose of representing MRC to the manufacturers present. MRC Chair-Elect Chris Fairless and I had a MRC room all three days of the event, conducting meetings with members interested in utilizing reps and showing them the value of using rep agencies. We provided each exhibiting company with a MRC brochure and offered the MRC DVD for additional information. Both Chris and I were very pleased with the event, realizing this was a first for MRC and a great opportunity given to MRC by MPMC to explore the venue and take away ideas to build even better programs for coming events. We truly wish to thank Kyle Fickler and Vic Wood of MPMC for working with us during the MPMC Media Trade Conference.

We look forward to working with other industry segments to continue educating our fellow industry members on the benefits of utilizing a rep agency as their sales force. Your thoughts and comments are welcome any time. We need to hear your voice, so please speak out!

Are you on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter? MRC is!

Be sure to follow MRC on all of your favorite social networking sites. To find these sites, go to www.sema.org/mrc and use the links in the top right-hand corner.

MRC Column in SEMA Member News

Read MRC's column featured in the May/June issue of SEMA Member News.

For information about MRC, contact Zane Clark.

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Visit PRO's website.

Have you ever wondered how to get more involved in the SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) Council?

What exactly do the council leaders do throughout their term? Very simply, the Select Committee is elected by members of the council to serve a two-year term. They participate in monthly conference calls and meetings that are held at various trade events throughout the year. Each Select Committee member volunteers for at least 20 hours throughout the year, and some volunteer even more. Some share their experience and vision, others provide creative solutions to challenges our member companies are facing and others get their hands dirty and get it done. Each Select Committee member is supported by their company in their PRO efforts, and for that we say, “thank you,” to those companies!

The leaders of the PRO gathered earlier this year in Lima, Ohio, for its annual Long-Range Planning meeting. This meeting focused on bringing value to the PRO-member companies. The past 18 months have been extremely challenging for all of our companies, and the council is dedicated to utilizing SEMA’s resources to further benefit each PRO member.

Guiding the group’s effort was the council’s mission statement to “address the challenges facing the restyling segment of the automotive aftermarket and to develop effective strategies for dealing with industry-specific issues.” A handful of exciting objectives are being developed for the council over this year and next. If you are passionate and have an interest in being involved, there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer for a task force with a limited investment of time that provides a great way to network and share your ideas. Please reach out to the task force chair if you want to participate or have comments.

Education Task Force
Brian Champa (Check Corporation) and Bill North (Webasto Product North America) co-chair this task force and can be reached at bchampa@checkcorp.com or bill.north@webasto-us.com. The education task force is charged with developing successful programs for members to enhance their businesses. The Technical Skills & Training Conference (TSTC) recently launched, and the group is tasked with expanding the number of events each year to ensure that training and education become primary drivers for our industry.

NovemberFest Task Force
Mike Stanifer (Innovative Creations Inc.) chairs this group and can be reached at mike@icionline.com. The SEMA Show in Las Vegas provides the backdrop for critical networking functions. This group focuses on making PRO’s awards reception the place to be and offering a fun forum to bring passionate members with common interests together.

Membership Task Force
Joey Johnston (Tops & Trends) chairs this group and can be reached at joey@topsandtrends.com. The success of any council or initiative is dependent upon its members. This task force focuses on growth, promotion and retention. It is important that we mentor new members on council activities, events, meetings and benefits.

Are you on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter? PRO Is!

Be sure to follow PRO on all of your favorite social networking sites. To find these sites, go to www.sema.org/pro and use the links in the top right-hand corner.

PRO Column in SEMA Member News

Read PRO's column featured in the May/June issue of SEMA Member News.

For information about PRO, contact Zane Clark or call 909/978-6696.

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Visit SBN's website.

SEMA Businesswomen’s Network Debuts Speed Networking Event Video

The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) has released its 2010 Speed Networking Breakfast, Powered by SBN event video. If you attended this sold-out event—or even if you missed it—you must check out the video so you can plan ahead to attend this year’s event.

While the SBN Speed Networking Breakfast is not exclusively for women, it clearly focuses on recognizing women who significantly contribute to the aftermarket and performance industries.

With special thanks to James and Melissa Lawrence of PowerTV, who covered this event, we are able to share the highlights with our members. Captured on video are glimpses of the event, which includes an exclusive interview with SBN's 2010 Woman of the Year Award recipient Kellie Colf of Aftermarketer Club Inc., and Zan Martin of Martin & Company Advertising. Both discuss the significance of each award.

Also accepting an SBN Award was Wade Kawasaki of Exports International, who was awarded the 2010 Athena Award for his support of women in the automotive aftermarket industry. And presenting the Mentor of the Year Award to a deserving John Menzler of Comp Performance Group was Joe St. Lawrence of RTM Productions Inc.—Titanium Sponsor of the event.

SBN’s annual breakfast event held during SEMA Show week is a great opportunity to network, learn and forge new relationships with others who share the same goals and interests of growing the automotive aftermarket industry and promoting the success of all.

Check out the following links to view video and photos from the 2010 SBN Annual Speed Networking Breakfast:

• www.sema.org/sbn
• www.sema.org/sbn/gallery/2010-breakfast
• www.facebook.com/semasbn

You Ought to Be in Pictures!

The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network committee is a great resource of minds. All ladies in the specialty-equipment industry can join the SBN, so pass the word around to your colleagues and friends! We are encouraging all new and existing SBN members to log-in to the MySEMA portal to update their profile with a photo so we get to know each other's faces before the SEMA Show.

And don’t forget to turn your notifications settings “ON” so you can stay in “the loop.” Want to know more about the SBN? Interested in becoming a member?

Want to get involved in the industry but don't know how? We have an app for that! Go to www.SEMA.org, click on the Leadership tab, click on Council/Committee, click on SBN and join! Don't delay—get involved and join now. You are just a few clicks away! We look forward to "seeing" everyone!

Don’t Be Out of the Loop—Stay in Touch

The very best way to stay in touch and to read the latest news, discussions and topics posted from SEMA and the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) is to make sure that your notification settings are turned on in your MySEMA account. Next to your photo on your MySEMA page, at the top right, is a link to the "Edit My Settings" page.

On the “settings” page, look for the “notifications” tab, where it will ask how you would like to receive your news. Check whichever method is most convenient, but either way, make sure you're in the loop by turning “on” your notifications. Visit http://my.sema.org to make sure you don’t miss a thing!

Discover the SEMA Mentoring Program—Powered by the SBN

“I’ll get by with a little help from my friends…” - Joe Cocker

Everyone needs help or expert advice from time to time, and SEMA’s Mentoring Program is an excellent resource to get answers to all your questions. Whether you need to know more about SEMA, market information for a start-up company or advice on how to approach your boss about a new position, the SEMA Mentoring Program can help.

“Ask A Mentor” is perfect for one-time questions. You can expect multiple SEMA mentors to provide online guidance and answers to your industry-related questions.

Short-term Assistance/Guidance is for help with a specific project or task. A SEMA council/committee mentor with the expertise you seek will be paired up with you to provide guidance with your project.

Long-term Relationship is helpful for developing your professional career. In this program segment you will be paired with a SEMA council/committee mentor who will provide guidance and assistance for ongoing career development or a long-term project.

So whether you just need an answer to a question or you want to cultivate a mentoring friendship, the SEMA Mentoring Program—Powered by the SBN is available to help. After all, we can all use a little help from our friends.

Visit the SEMA Mentoring Program now.

Are you on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter? SBN is!

Be sure to follow SBN on all of your favorite social networking sites. To find these sites, go to www.sema.org/sbn and use the links in the top right-hand corner.

SBN Column in SEMA Member News

Read SBN's column featured in the May/June issue of SEMA Member News.

For information about SBN, contact Nathan Ridnouer.

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Visit SPC's website.

Find the Business Possibilities Through the SPC

Participate in the automotive aftermarket at a whole new level by joining the SPC.

The purpose of SEMA councils is to help our member companies succeed and prosper. In the SPC, our mission is to provide market information, education and support to our members concerning new and emerging trends. Whether it’s the latest business technology, forecasting sales, future marketing solutions or up and coming vehicle platforms, we give you and your company the chance to see what’s on the horizon.

Then we’ll help you understand and acquire the skills, tools and technologies to lead the way. The SPC has the most diverse membership of any SEMA council, and that will allow you to network with other professionals from every facet of our industry and gain insights into areas you may not have previously considered. Find out about the parts, people, technologies, strategies, trends and, most important, possibilities.

This is your chance to give something back to the industry, your profession and to grow personally along the way. Join the SPC today and become an active member of the specialty equipment and automotive market — Tracie Nuñez, Advanced Clutch Technology, SPC Chairman

Are you on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter? SPC is!

Be sure to follow SPC on all of your favorite social networking sites. To find these sites, go to www.sema.org/spc and use the links in the top right-hand corner.

SPC Column in SEMA Member News

Read SPC's column featured in the May/June issue of SEMA Member News.

For information about SPC, contact Nathan Ridnouer.

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Visit WTC's website

Have you ever wondered how to get more involved in the SEMA Wheel and Tire (WTC) Council?

What exactly do the council leaders do throughout their term? Very simply, the Select Committee is elected by members of the council to serve a two-year term. They participate in monthly conference calls and meetings that are held at various trade events throughout the year. Each Select Committee member volunteers for at least 20 hours throughout the year, and some volunteer even more. Some share their experience and vision, others provide creative solutions to challenges our member companies are facing and others get their hands dirty and get it done. Each Select Committee member is supported by their company in their WTC efforts, and for that we say “thank you” to those companies!

The leaders of the WTC gathered earlier this year at SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California, for its annual Long-Range Planning meeting. This meeting focused on bringing value to the WTC-member companies. The past 18 months have been extremely challenging for all of our companies and the council is dedicated to utilizing SEMA’s resources to further benefit each WTC member.

Guiding the group’s effort was the council’s mission statement to “identify common problems and opportunities relating to the wheel and tire industries that the council, as an interested body of companies, can address for the common good.” A handful of exciting objectives are being developed for the council over this year and next. If you are passionate and have an interest in being involved, there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer for a task force with a limited investment of time that provides a great way to network and share your ideas. Please reach out to the task force chair if you want to participate or have comments.

Science and Technology Task Force
Tim Dietz (Standards Testing Laboratories Inc.) and can be reached at tdietz@stllabs.com. This group focuses on aftermarket and OEM advances that affect our industry. From creating wheel standards to improved processes for tire-pressure monitoring systems and electronic stability control, the Science and Technology Task Force plays a pivotal role in the industry’s advancement.

Education Task Force
Kelly Austin (Ultra Wheel Company) chairs this group and can be reached at kelly@mail.ultrawheel.com. The education task force is charged with developing successful programs for members to enhance their businesses. The WTC Task Force is responsible for partnering with the SEMA Educational Institute to create and promote online learning resources.

Communication and Marketing Task Force
Doug Frymer (Law Offices of Douglas A. Frymer) chairs this group and can be reached at legal@starshieldarmor.com. This group focuses on membership outreach, growth and retention. It is imperative that councils effectively communicate services provided by WTC and SEMA to our members. Communication and services ensure that there is proper dialogue between leadership and membership.

SEMA Show Task Force
David Insull (American Tire Distributors) chairs this group and can be reached at dinsull@atd-us.com. The SEMA Show in Las Vegas provides the backdrop for critical networking functions. This group focuses on making WTC’s awards reception an ideal place to get together, honor one another and network with all those who share a common passion.

There are so many other things the council leadership does throughout the year. You are the expert at what your business needs and this council wants to deliver. Feel free to get in touch with us or come to one of our WTC events. Our hope is that, if you haven’t been a part of WTC yet, you will be in 2010 and beyond.

Are you on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter? WTC is!

Be sure to follow WTC on all of your favorite social networking sites. To find these sites, go to www.sema.org/wtc and use the links in the top right-hand corner.

WTC Column in SEMA Member News

Read WTC's column featured in the May/June issue of SEMA Member News.

For information about WTC and how to join, contact Zane Clark or call or 909/978-6696.

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Visit YEN's website

SEMA Loan Forgiveness Program

Since 2004, SEMA's Young Executives Network has been dedicated to aiding recent graduates in getting off to a successful start in their automotive specialty-equipment career.

“SEMA and YEN are believers in higher education,” said Gregory Parker, chairman of the Young Executives Network. “However, with today's higher costs of getting an education, more and more students have to turn to student loans. The new YEN Loan Forgiveness Scholarship Award will now be able to help a previous or current student who has loans they are trying to pay off while working within our industry. Our inaugural scholarship winner, Jaclyn Kilani, worked hard to put herself through school and is now working for a SEMA-member company. We are just glad we are able to recognize and reward her for her hard work, and we look forward to doing the same for other industry peers as we move into the future.”

Kilani, who recently graduated from California State University with a degree in graphic design, is the marketing director at Dannmar Equipment, a manufacturer of automotive repair products. Of the specialty-equipment industry, Kilani says, “I couldn’t see myself anywhere else. It’s an eclectic marketplace with a very unique audience, and I love the challenge of marketing a company in a non-traditional way. This award came at the perfect time, and it's a tremendous step toward my goal of becoming debt-free. I truly appreciate the privilege.”

The SEMA Loan Forgiveness Program is dedicated to aiding recent graduates in getting off to a successful start in their specialty-equipment career. SEMA offers a minimum of $1,000 toward outstanding student loans for individuals who are employed by SEMA-member companies. Applications for the next program open in December 2010 at www.sema.org/scholarships.

Join YEN

Did you know that the SEMA Young Executives Network has more than 500 members networking in the industry and is the largest SEMA committee? If you are employed by a SEMA-member company and are under the age of 39, then you can join the SEMA Young Executives Network for FREE. If you are interested in becoming part of the team, please visit our website at www.sema.org/yen.

YEN Member of the Month Spotlight

Did you know that YEN has a Member of the Month Spotlight on the SEMA website and that anyone can be nominated? To view previous selections or to make a nomination, visit www.sema.org/yen.

Are you on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter? YEN is!

Be sure to follow YEN on all of your favorite social networking sites. To find these sites, go to www.sema.org/yen and use the links in the top right-hand corner.

YEN Column in SEMA Member News

Read YEN's column featured in the May/June issue of SEMA Member News.

For information about YEN, contact Nathan Ridnouer.

Check out these Plymouth classics that made the trip to Vegas for the 2010 SEMA Show. The photos are a part of the vehicle gallery on www.enjoythedrive.com.

More than 2,000 vehicles on display at the 2010 SEMA Show are featured in the gallery, which is searchable by keywords, such as vehicle model, vehicle year and exhibiting company's name.

Following are dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, webinars and activities. Click on an item for more details.

SEMA's councils were created to help various market niches to identify and address unique challenges and opportunities and better utilize the association's resources. Each SEMA council represents a group of SEMA member companies that share a common business purpose or market segment. Each council directs their efforts toward achieving the group's goals.

Listed below are the councils and committees within SEMA. Click on each heading to learn more about the council or committee. For additional information on SEMA's councils and committees, contact Nathan Ridnouer at nathanr@sema.org.

• Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO)
• Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)
• Light Truck Accessory Alliance (LTAA)
• Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC)
• Manufacturers' Rep Council (MRC)
• Professional Restylers Organization (PRO)
• Street Performance Council (SPC)
• Wheel & Tire Council (WTC)
• SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN)
• Young Executives Network (YEN)
• SEMA Business Technology Committee (BTC)
• SEMA Scholarship Committee
• SEMA Cares Committee