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  • Must-See 2012 SEMA Show Features

    Some of the Attractions at the World’s Greatest Automotive Show

    The SEMA Show is the world’s largest automotive trade show, but it’s much more than that. It’s a museum, a looking glass into the future, a university, a carnival, a catalog of innovation, a media frenzy and an incubator for tomorrow’s industry leaders. In short, from Tuesday, October 30–Friday, November 2, it’s the place where every automotive professional should be and where every auto enthusiast wishes he or she could be.

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Mobile Utility

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SEMA News, October 2012, Business Technology, Mobile Utility

Bettering Your Business With Apps

The words “there’s an app for that” have become somewhat of a cliché—and with good reason. Not long ago, many businesses pursued mobile applications mainly as a gimmicky exercise in marketing. Having a cool branded game or similar whiz-bang app was considered a trendy way to burnish a company’s image with smartphone and tablet users. But times are changing, and the world of apps is maturing.

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Product Data

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SEMA News, October 2012, Business Technology, Product Data

Fuel for the Retail Sales Machine

Think about the last time you wanted to make a significant purchase. Did you do any research, or did you just run down to the nearest store and pay whatever price they were asking for the item?

On average, more than 80% of consumers research products before buying. Many of those purchases happen in brick-and-mortar retail stores, and many happen online. The point here is not where a product is purchased but rather how the buying decision is made. You can’t do research without product information, right?

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Rev Up Your Online Customer Experience With Logistics

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SEMA News, Automotive Business, October 2012, Rev Up Your Online Customer Experience With Logistics

How to Deliver the Goods to Online Shoppers

A recent study by comScore revealed new insights into the consumer online shopping experience. Commissioned by UPS, the comScore study polled more than 3,100 online shoppers and evaluated consumer perceptions and shopping habits ranging from pre-purchase to delivery and even the returns process.

The online retail market for automotive parts and accessories continues to emerge as a tremendous growth opportunity for the aftermarket parts industry. While appraisals of sales volumes within the online auto parts industry vary, estimates range from $1.8 billion to $4 billion annually.

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Business

  • Rev Up Your Online Customer Experience With Logistics

    How to Deliver the Goods to Online Shoppers

    A recent study by comScore revealed new insights into the consumer online shopping experience. Commissioned by UPS, the comScore study polled more than 3,100 online shoppers and evaluated consumer perceptions and shopping habits ranging from pre-purchase to delivery and even the returns process.

Business Technology

  • Mobile Utility

    Bettering Your Business With Apps

    The words “there’s an app for that” have become somewhat of a cliché—and with good reason. Not long ago, many businesses pursued mobile applications mainly as a gimmicky exercise in marketing. Having a cool branded game or similar whiz-bang app was considered a trendy way to burnish a company’s image with smartphone and tablet users. But times are changing, and the world of apps is maturing.

  • Product Data

    Fuel for the Retail Sales Machine

    Think about the last time you wanted to make a significant purchase. Did you do any research, or did you just run down to the nearest store and pay whatever price they were asking for the item?

    On average, more than 80% of consumers research products before buying. Many of those purchases happen in brick-and-mortar retail stores, and many happen online. The point here is not where a product is purchased but rather how the buying decision is made. You can’t do research without product information, right?

Chris Kersting

  • The SEMA Award: Spotlight on Trends and Innovation

    As you read this, thousands of exhibitors are preparing hundreds of cars and trucks that will be on display at the 2012 SEMA Show. By the time the Show opens on October 30, exhibitors will have finished customizing the vehicle models they think will best showcase their new products and styling innovations for 2013.

Events

  • Targeted Educational Programs

    Hot Topics at the SEMA Show

    More than 50 educational programs in a number of segment categories will be presented at the 2012 SEMA Show, and you can see the full list in “2012 SEMA Show Education Days Brochure." Even so, we wanted to call out a few seminars that are of particular importance.

  • Must-See 2012 SEMA Show Features

    Some of the Attractions at the World’s Greatest Automotive Show

    The SEMA Show is the world’s largest automotive trade show, but it’s much more than that. It’s a museum, a looking glass into the future, a university, a carnival, a catalog of innovation, a media frenzy and an incubator for tomorrow’s industry leaders. In short, from Tuesday, October 30–Friday, November 2, it’s the place where every automotive professional should be and where every auto enthusiast wishes he or she could be.

  • A Few Minutes With Chuck Schwartz

    The Chairman of ConvExx Talks About Priorities at the SEMA Show

    Chuck and Susan Schwartz, both of whom are Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) by the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), are the driving forces behind ConvExx, the company that manages the SEMA Show. They bring more than 45 years of experience in exhibition production and management to the Show, and their company includes eight additional team members who carry CEM credentials.

  • Product Knowledge Direct From the Source

    Providing product training to retailers and installers helps them sell. Understanding what a product does allows the end user to take advantage of its full capabilities. The SEMA Show will help bring both concepts to fruition through a series of product training sessions that will be conducted by exhibitors, allowing a complete understanding of how products can best be installed, used and marketed.

  • SEMA Leadership Summit

    As the industry’s premier trade association, SEMA has long celebrated the spirit of volunteerism that prompts many of these individuals to give back. In fact, the association depends on such volunteerism for its very existence—its Board of Directors and council leadership are composed entirely of aftermarket professionals who donate their own time and talents to advance the industry’s goals. To support and recognize these leaders, SEMA again presented its annual Leadership Summit program July 25–27, at the Sheraton Fairplex Conference Center in Pomona, California. The following are some highlights from the three-day industry gathering.

  • Ideas Alive

    Put Your New and Featured Products Front and Center

    Each year, hundreds of specialty-equipment businesses debut their newest products at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. If you’re an exhibitor in search of buyer and press attention for your latest and greatest innovations, there’s no better way to get it than the Ideas Alive: Featuring the New Product Showcase section.

From The Hill

  • Collector Car Appreciation Day

    SEMA Members Join Third Annual Celebration

    On July 13, 2012, SEMA-member companies joined with SEMA staff and thousands of enthusiasts to celebrate the third annual Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD). Nearly 200 official events were held in the United States, Canada and Australia to commemorate the day, which was designated by SEMA-requested U.S. Senate Resolution 452, sponsored by Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) and Senator Richard Burr (R-NC). Tester and Burr also serve as co-chairs of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus, a group of more than 90 lawmakers who recognize the unique cultural impact of the automotive specialty-equipment industry.

Government Affairs

  • Law and Order

    Law and Order is an update of some of the most recent federal and state legislative and regulatory issues that could potentially impact the automotive specialty-equipment industry. These include issues affecting small-business owners and their employees.

Industry News

  • Russ Deane Sets New World Land Speed Record

    Congratulations to Russ Deane, SEMA’s General Counsel, on becoming a member of the Bonneville 200 MPH Club. Deane set a new world land speed record for four-cylinder production cars (SRT-4, aka Dodge Neon) of more than 226 mph.

  • SBN Mustang Gets Custom Paint Job and More

    For those of you just tuning in to this historical project, Ford Motor Co. donated a ’13 Mustang GT to SEMA and the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN), and the vehicle is being modified entirely by SBN members. The project is designed to shine the light on women working in the automotive aftermarket and to encourage more women to pursue careers in the industry.

  • Spy Photos

    2013 Honda Crosstour, Jeep Liberty Replacement, 2014 MINI Countryman Coupe S, 2014 Chevrolet Silverado

  • Fast Facts

    Breaking news from SEMA member companies Baer Brake Systems, Source Interlink Media, Egge Machine Co. Inc., Brembo, Maradyne High Performance Fans, Curtis Industries LLC and more.

  • OMIX/Rugged Ridge Names Speakers and Case Study Topics for Expert Business Seminars at 2012 SEMA Show

    Following its recent announcement of the new Off-Road Success Center at the 2012 SEMA Show, OMIX/Rugged Ridge has named the cast of expert speakers and case studies to be featured as part of the company’s twice-daily expert business seminar series. Seven new, dynamic seminars are open to all dealers, jobbers, installers and other specialty-equipment industry business owners or managers interested in learning proven business concepts and practices for success in the dynamic Jeep and off-road lifestyle market.

International

  • Branching Out

    Helping International Buyers Find You at the SEMA Show

    In a post-SEMA Show survey, exhibitors identified meeting potential new international customers and developing relationships with overseas buyers as an increasingly important goal. Exhibitors also felt that there was an increased international presence, with more global attendees at the 2011 SEMA Show than in the past several years—and they were correct! More than 25% of all buyers at the 2011 SEMA Show were from more than 100 nations outside the United States.

Internet

  • Going Mobile on the Cheap

    Making Your Website Mobile-Friendly for $100 or Less

    Businesses looking to quickly establish a mobile-friendly presence on the web can take heart: There are scores of mobile template providers and conversion services that can now make your website mobile-ready for $100 or less. The nine out of 10 small businesses that still do not have optimized mobile sites because of technical or financial restraints now have the means to build their own professional-looking, brand-identical mobile sites at rock-bottom rates, said Ben Seslija, CEO of bMobilized.

New Products

  • New Products Showcase Preview

    70+ Products to Be Unveiled at the 2012 SEMA Show

    The SEMA Show is all about innovation and creativity. For a taste of what’s coming at the 2012 event, check out the more than 70 new products previewed here. During the Show, head to the upper level of South Hall for a look at the Ideas Alive: Featuring the New Products Showcase at the Las Vegas Convention Center from October 30–November 2, 2012.

Required Reading

  • Trade Publications That Can Help Improve Your Business

    Everyone’s busy these days, so the decision about what to read is a big one. There are hundreds of great publications and websites out there that are filled with valuable news and information. Deciding which ones to read regularly depends largely on what market segment you are in and what role you play in your company. Here are a few key publications to consider:

SEMA Heritage

  • Done for Pure Fun

    At the 1970 Bakersfield Fuel & Gas Championships, the Top Fuel final came down to a duel between two close friends: Tony Nancy and Harry Hibler. Nancy, known for his outstanding upholstery work and for building a number of immaculate hot rods (several of which were featured on the cover of Hot Rod magazine), had just entered the Top Fuel ranks that year. Hibler, who for years ran the San Fernando dragstrip, had started racing Top Fuelers a couple years before and was juggling his racing schedule around his day job, selling advertising at Petersen Publishing Company.

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