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SEMA Council & Committee News

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Visit ARMO's website.

ARMO Select Committee Elects Alex Tainsh as Chair-Elect

Alex Tainsh is a founding member of ARMO and has been an active member for 12 years. His accomplishments begin with a combined 16-year stint at P.U.I and Soffseal, and he is currently the sales and marketing manager for TrimParts.

Throughout his many years with ARMO, he has worked passionately to promote the "Take a Kid to a Car Show" program and, most notably, headed up the Colton Camaro project. When asked about future projects, Tainsh reiterated the importance of young enthusiasts and the preservation of the restoration market.

As Tainsh begins his two-year term as chair-elect, Laura Bergan will assume chairwoman duties July 1.

ARMO Column in SEMA Member News

Read ARMO's column featured in the January/February issue of SEMA Member News.

For more information about ARMO, visit the council's website.



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Visit HRIA's website

HRIA Column in SEMA Member News

Read HRIA's column featured in the January/February issue of SEMA Member News.

For more information about HRIA, visit the council's website.

 

 



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Visit TORA's website.

TORA Column in SEMA Member News

Read TORA's column featured in the January/February issue of SEMA Member News.

For more information about TORA, contact Jim Skelly.

 

 


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Visit MPMC's website.

Wet Weather Fails to Dampen Spirits at Annual Media Trade Conference

The 2010 Media Trade Conference, hosted by SEMA's Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC), coincided with one of the wettest weeks on record in Southern California—unfortunate for those who came from colder climes seeking a little West Coast sun and warmth.

Media Trade Conference
Media attendees of the annual Media Trade Conference can gather months of editorial content over the event's three days.

For three days from January 19–21, 100 manufacturers met with editors and writers throughout the day in a series of half-hour meetings. For manufacturers it's a chance to put their newest products in front of the enthusiast media. For editors, it's a way to nail down several months (in some cases an entire year's) worth of editorial projects.

SEMA News took the opportunity to meet with member companies to not only learn about their new products, but also the overall business climate. We were relieved to learn that most businesses are fairly optimistic about recovery in 2010, embracing a feeling that the worst has passed.

Judging by the investment these companies have made in new-product development, from Edelbrock's venture into supercharging to Yokohama's "green" tires, 2010 looks to have gotten off on the right foot for enthusiasts and specialty-equipment businesses alike.

MPMC Column in SEMA Member News

Read MPMC's column featured in the January/February issue of SEMA Member News.

For information about MPMC, contact Jim Skelly.



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Visit MRC's website.

MRC Names Chris Fairless New Chair-Elect

The MRC Select Committee has named Chris Fairless of Fairless Sales & Marketing to the position of chair-elect. Fairless is a current MRC Select Committee member and will take over duties as chair-elect on July 1. Fairless stated, “I’m honored to be selected as MRC’s chair-elect. I’m looking forward to the future challenges and the opportunities. I’m excited to be involved with SEMA and MRC and hope to inspire more people in our industry to get involved. There are great opportunities ahead!” When Fairless assumes chair-elect duties on July 1, current chair-clect Wade Cobb of HAPCO will become chairman of MRC, when Joel Rosenthal’s two-year term as MRC chairman ends. At that time, Rosenthal will assume his new role as the MRC immediate past chairman/advisor.

2010 MRC Long-Range Planning Meeting at PWA

MRC will be conducting its annual Long-Range Planning meeting in conjunction with the Performance Warehouse Association (PWA) Conference. All reps are welcome and encouraged to participate in this open forum and address issues faced daily by reps in all segments of the automotive industry. Bring your ideas and suggestions to raise the bar for all manufacturers' reps.

For us to be able to accommodate attendees with food and beverage, we ask that you take a moment and contact Staci Bostock at 909/396-0289 ext. 104 or e-mail stacib@sema.org.

MRC Column in SEMA Member News

Read MRC's column featured in the January/February issue of SEMA Member News.

For information about MRC, contact Staci Bostock.



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Visit PRO's website.

PRO and University of Northwestern Ohio to Host Technical Skills & Training Conference 

PRO will launch the 2010 Technical Skills & Training Conference (TSTC), a new, one-day training program designed specifically for restylers and installers. The inaugural event takes place Friday, April 30, 2010, at the University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) in Lima, Ohio.

TSTC attendees may participate in up to six one-hour seminars presented by PRO-member manufacturing companies. Two sessions will run concurrently during each of the one-hour time slots, with presentations covering leather, sunroofs, 12-volt/A6 electrical, truck accessories (towing and suspension and diesel performance) and self-adhesive (paint, film and wrapping).

Should an attendee prefer, several manufacturers will conduct live installation demos in the university’s shop area. Demonstrations will be conducted in "bullpen” fashion, enabling attendees to watch multiple installs in one shop area. The training portion of the day begins at 8:00 a.m., concludes at 4:00 p.m. and includes lunch.

Attendees can still take advantage of additional offerings from PRO after the trainings. A brief, one-hour open PRO meeting will be held from 4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m., giving attendees a chance to hear the latest happenings and offerings from the Professional Restylers Organization. The meeting is open to all attendees, with a mixer/reception to follow at 6:00 p.m.

Cost to attend the conference is $25 and includes a catered lunch, the open meeting and the networking reception. If more than one company representative plans to attend, the fee is only $15 per each additional employee.

On Saturday, May 1, PRO will conduct its annual Long-Range Planning meeting at the university. All PRO members are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Zane Clark at zanec@sema.org or 909/396-0289, ext. 134, and visit www.sema.org/pro for additional details.

Download the Technical Skills & Training Conference registration form.

PRO NovemberFest Is Huge Success

NovemberFest Logo
PRO Chairman Karl Stearns credits the hard work of the council members for the success of the group's NovemberFest at the 2009 SEMA Show.

The first-ever PRO Industry Awards reception held at the SEMA Show was an overwhelming success for the PRO council. Branded "NovemberFest," the reception played to a packed house, as more than 200 attendees filled Ballrooms D, E, F and G at the Las Vegas Hilton to standing room only. The evening included a free commemorative event T-shirt, German-themed food and bar menus and presentations of PRO’s annual industry awards.

"I am so proud of this council,” said PRO Chairman Karl Stearns. “At our LRP in June, the idea for a reception was introduced. Someone suggested we come up with a brand for the event so that it wouldn’t just be another reception. Someone else suggested NovemberFest, and the Select Committee was off and running. Select Committee members designed the logo, menu, T-shirt and the bookmark invitation concept and solicited sponsorship monies.

"SEMA did the final invitation layout, and we kept them apprised every step of the way to make sure nothing fell off the track. At the Show, we all pushed the invitations from our booths and in the aisles. The process was a textbook volunteer cooperation. The success of the actual event is icing on the cake. We’re already looking forward to next year!"

NovemberFest was held on Tuesday, November 3, from 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. at the Las Vegas Hilton.

PRO Column in SEMA Member News

Read PRO's column featured in the January/February issue of SEMA Member News.

For information about PRO, contact Jim Skelly.



SBN Logo
Visit SBN's website.
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.

SBN Column in SEMA Member News

Read SBN's column featured in the January/February issue of SEMA Member News.

For information about SBN, visit the committee's website.



SPC Logo
Visit SPC's website.

SPC Column in SEMA Member News

Read SPC's column featured in the January/February issue of SEMA Member News.

For information about SPC, contact Nathan Ridnouer.

 

 



WTC Logo
Visit WTC's website.

WTC Column in SEMA Member News

Read WTC's column featured in the January/February issue of SEMA Member News.

For information about WTC, contact Jim Skelly.

 

 



YEN Logo
Visit YEN's website.
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.

YEN Column in SEMA Member News

Read YEN's column featured in the January/February issue of SEMA Member News.

For information about YEN, contact Nathan Ridnouer.