In these tough economic times, it is important to remember that SEMA has an array of benefit programs designed to help its members succeed. Your SEMA membership involves more than the benefits of the annual SEMA Show, and there is no better time than now to take advantage of potential savings and to put your money where it belongs—back into your business.
The list of benefits includes the SEMA Credit Reporting Group (SCRG). For a low annual fee, the SCRG provides monthly credit reports, which provide up-to-date information on the credit status and payment history of numerous companies in the specialty-equipment industry.
“The SEMA Credit Reporting Group allows our manufacturing member companies to determine their customers' credit worthiness,” said Monica Terlouw, SEMA senior director of membership outreach. "Especially during these tough times, it is important to decrease your losses and increase your account receivables." Participating manufacturers have the opportunity to submit names of all companies whose credit information they seek.
The SCRG also offers quarterly credit exchange meetings that allow you to network with other SCRG members, hear expert speakers, receive credit updates and participate in warehouse tours. A minimum of two meetings of credit managers are held each year and feature seminars covering effective credit management and related subjects.
Implemented in response to the many requests from the association membership, the SCRG is proof that SEMA is listening to its members’ needs. Participation in SCRG is available to manufacturing member companies at a substantially-discounted annual fee.
Additional resources include the SEMA Freight Savings Plan, the property and liability insurance savings program and the CarCareONE retail credit card program. Your membership provides at no cost the SEMA Membership Directory and the option to post industry classified ads on the SEMA website. You can also obtain mailing labels for more than 7,000 companies for a nominal fee.
Terlouw encourages member companies to take advantage of the many business resources that SEMA makes available. "In these uncertain times, I think it is critical that members take action and really plug into the benefits that the association offers," she said. "I'm confident that members who decide to take advantage will see the value in the many cost-saving resources their SEMA membership affords them."
For more information, contact the SEMA Membership Department at 909/396-0289 or email member@sema.org.