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| Visit TORA's website. |
 TORA-member companies can have their hottest new light-truck products on display in front of thousands of enthusiasts at the Truck Nationals in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, August 3–5, 2012. Melanie White of Hellwig Industries says, “The New Products Showcase is one of my favorite benefits of TORA.” In 2011, Hellwig sent four products to Carlisle. Will your company be in the tent with Hellwig this year? |
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The hottest new light-truck accessories are on display right now in the TORA New Products Showcase in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, August 3–5.
What are members saying about the TORA New Products Showcase?
“The New Products Showcase is one of my favorite benefits of TORA,” said TORA Chair-Elect Melanie White of Hellwig Industries. “This is our third year participating and it just keeps getting better. This year there will be a Jeep onsite that will be turned from a stock vehicle into a fully customized rig by the end of the weekend—and all in front of an audience. As a manufacturer we get to exhibit our new products in front of truck enthusiasts for the weekend for only the cost of shipping product. A professional photo is taken of the product that lives on the TORA website in a gallery, and is shown in the TORA booth at the SEMA Show as well; it’s a bargain for the amount of exposure.”
 Looks like Christmas in July as Bob Smeigh and the gang at RV 4 Wheel Drive & Performance Automotive get ready for the Jeep Build at the Carlisle Truck Nationals, August 3–5. Products from TORA-member companies will be installed on a ’12 Jeep Rubicon in front of a live audience during the event. |
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TORA Readies for Carlisle Jeep Build
An added feature to this year’s TORA New Products Showcase event at the Carlisle Truck Nationals is a live vehicle build-out. Technicians from TORA-member retailer RV 4Wheel Drive & Performance Automotive in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, will transform a ’12 Jeep Rubicon from stock to fully modified and accessorized, right in front of the thousands of light-truck enthusiasts attending the event.
TORA thanks the following companies for participating in the project: Airaid, Bestop, Cepek, Daystar, Flowmaster, GoRhino!, Hella, Hellwig, Mickey Thompson, N-Fab, Putco, Rampage, Rolling Big Power, Skid Row, Skyjacker, Stratec, Superchips, Superlift, Timbren, Warn, Weathertech and Westin.
Be sure to follow TORA on all of your favorite social networking sites.
To find these sites, go to www.sema.org/TORA and use the links in the top right-hand corner.
TORA Column in SEMA Member News
Read TORA's column featured in the July/August issue of SEMA Member News.
For more information about TORA, contact Jim Skelly.
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| Visit ARMO's website. | |
Is your business involved in the restoration segment and not yet an ARMO member? In addition to direct access with its 275 restoration company members, the Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) provides a number of other benefits, including education and outreach for small businesses in the restoration market, product exposure through an annual New Products Showcase and collective support of the restoration hobby.
Top Reasons to Join ARMO:
- Networking Opportunities: The primary strength of ARMO is its member companies. The organization provides multiple venues for ARMO members to interact and share ideas through its long-range planning meetings, new-products mixer at Spring Carlisle and the ARMO awards reception at the 2012 SEMA Show, as well as discussion groups on MySEMA and social media websites.
- Education: The annual ARMO education seminars at the Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show bring industry leaders and experts together to share their real-world experience with small-business owners, providing tips and insights to help them grow their businesses. The ARMO Restoration Trademark Licensing Guide provides ARMO members with the basic forms needed to begin the process of getting products licensed by an original-equipment manufacturer. The licensing guide is available through the SEMA Education Institute.
- Supporting Hobby Growth: ARMO recognizes the importance of the individual hobbyist to the industry and supports Collector Car Appreciation Day activities across the country. Every April, the ARMO New Products Showcase puts member company products directly in front of 100,000+ restoration enthusiasts each year at Spring Carlisle. In addition, ARMO’s “Take a Kid to a Car Show” (TKCS) program strives to get children involved in automotive hobbies at an early age. The interactive TKCS website provides information on how to get involved for kids and adults alike.
Contact ARMO’s staff liaison Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org for more information.
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 July/August issue of SEMA Member News.
For more information about ARMO, contact Jim Skelly.
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| Visit HRIA's website |
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 July/August 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. |
Media Trade Conference Moves to Orange County
The 2013 MPMC Media Trade Conference will be held at the Embassy Suites Orange County Airport North in Santa Ana, California. The move was necessitated due to major property renovation at the El Segundo location, scheduled for the same time as the 2013 Conference.
“We have certainly enjoyed many successful events at the El Segundo property,” said MPMC Chairman Vic Wood of Hedman. “But major construction, with the noise and dust and what all, could mar the great times we’ve had there forever. This Orange County property is only a few miles from John Wayne airport, offers free shuttles, lots of parking and a staff that I’m told is very enthusiastic about hosting this event. The layout of the property is going to provide a whole new look and feel, and overall, I think we’re in for another outstanding event.”
Media Trade Conference Registration is Open
MPMC-member companies may now register for a chance at one of the 100 available exhibitor suites at the 2013 MPMC Media Trade Conference, which will take place January 22–24, 2013, at a new location. The 2013 event will be held at the Embassy Suites Orange County Airport North in Santa Ana, California. Exhibitor registration remains open until September 7, 2012. MPMC-member manufactures may register on the MPMC website.
Not an MPMC member? Join at www.sema.org/mpmc.
For more information, contact Jim Skelly at SEMA at 909-978-6690 or e-mail at jimsk@sema.org.
 The first four members of the MPMC Hall of Fame were inducted in 2010. From left, Jeep Worthan, John Menzler, Scooter Brothers and, accepting for Amy Faulk, Chris Fairless. The first step toward being a member of the MPMC Hall of Fame is a nomination. If you know anyone who deserves a place alongside these and other legends of our industry, please submit an online nomination now. |
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Nominations Open for MPMC Hall of Fame
The Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) is now accepting nominations for its 2012 Hall of Fame. MPMC Hall of Fame nominations will be open through August 3, 2012. When nominations close, a special task force will evaluate the nominations for compliance with the award criteria. When final nominees are selected, the task force then utilizes a scoring system to determine the inductees. The honorees are formally inducted during a breakfast ceremony on Friday morning at the PRI Show in Orlando, Florida.
Founded in 2010, the MPMC Hall of Fame permanently acknowledges those who have made a significant contribution to the MPMC and/or the motorsports manufacturing segment of the aftermarket. Past inductees to the MPMC Hall of Fame include:
- 2010: Amy Faulk, Scooter Brothers, Jeep Worthan, and John Menzler
- 2011: Chuck Blum, Todd Gartshore, Rick Rollins and Nate Shelton
There are so many individuals deserving of a place in the MPMC Hall of Fame. But first, they must be nominated. If you know of anyone who meets the award criteria, please take a moment to submit a nomination on the MPMC Hall of Fame Nominations form.
If you have any questions, contact MPMC staff liaison Jim Skelly at 909-978-6690 or jimsk@sema.org.
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 July/August issue of SEMA Member News.
For information about MPMC, contact Jim Skelly.
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| Visit MRC's website. |
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 NewsRead MRC's column featured in the July/August issue of SEMA Member News.
For information about MRC, contact Zane Clark.
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| Visit PRO's website. |
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 July/August 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. |
 Theresa Contreras of L&G Enterprises will lead the paint/body team during each phase of the SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women. |
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Now Underway: SEMA Mustang Build Powered By Women
For this year’s SEMA Show, Ford Motor Co. and SEMA have teamed up on a unique project: the SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women. Under the direction of the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) and built entirely by SBN members, the project is designed to shine the light on women working in the automotive aftermarket and encourage more women to pursue careers in the industry.Donated by Ford Motor Co., the vehicle will be auctioned on eBay, with proceeds benefitting the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, thereby helping to foster the industry’s next generation of leaders. The satin-black luxury Mustang concept, designed by Jennifer Seely of Ford and known as High Gear, was adopted after an intense period of Internet voting and an ambitious, detailed build schedule was developed.
The first to get their hands on the donated ’13 Mustang GT were SBN members Theresa Contreras and Sara Morosan of L&G Enterprises in San Dimas, California. L&G is an award-winning, family-owned, full-service paint and body shop that has developed a national reputation for custom paint and design. L&G’s work has appeared on more than a dozen magazine covers and at many custom car shows, and its team regularly builds customs that end up at the SEMA Show.
Contreras is an experienced car builder and custom painter, and Morosan is L&G’s sales manager. Both grew up working in the L&G body shop and clearly relished the job at hand.
The High Gear Mustang GT came in white from the factory but is slated to receive a custom black-satin exterior finish. The paint is scheduled to be the last job in the build sequence, but because the plan includes adding underhood performance mods, the engine compartment needed to be painted first. That meant that all of the engine accessories bolted to the fenderwells, firewall and framerails had to be removed, along with the entire front clip, before the engine compartment could be painted black.
Contreras and Morosan, working as a team, took on the tedious job of removing everything that might hinder a perfect underhood paint job, which included removing components, such as the battery and battery box, air intake and air filter, brake line plumbing, hood-release mechanism, CPU, wipers and washer fluid reservoir, driving lights and fog lights and the hood and entire front bumper, plus all of the assorted pieces of insulation and heat shielding, among other things. The hardware was meticulously labeled and stored in plastic bags, and all of the connectors and fasteners were taped off and labeled.
After a few hours of work, the white engine compartment walls and frame rails were completely exposed. Factory stickers and labels were removed, then the engine and remaining lines and wiring harness pieces were masked off and all of the white underhood surfaces were sanded and wiped down with tack cloth prior to painting.
The next stop was the spray booth, where Contreras carefully sprayed the underhood area, paying special attention to all the little nooks and crannies that might show if any white remained visible. When she was satisfied, the paint was allowed to dry, and all of the pieces that had been removed for painting were carefully re-installed, including the factory labels. The end result was an all-black underhood area that looked exactly as if it had come that way from the factory.
Next stop for the High Gear Mustang will be the shop at Source Interlink Media headquarters, where other teams of SBN-member volunteer workers will add more custom touches, such as quilted suede seats and Rosegold chrome accents throughout the exterior and interior. They will also make modifications to the engine, undercarriage, drivetrain and sound system. When the process is complete, the car will come back to L&G for the exterior paint work.
The SBN vehicle build task force is comprised of Task Force Chair Rose Kawasaki (Exports International), Project Vehicle Coordinator Sherry Kollien (Ford Motor Co.), Assembly Coordinator Kellie Colf (Colf Creative Resources), PR/Media Coordinator Camee Edelbrock (Schiefer Media Inc.) and Product Coordinator Susan Carpenter (JR Products). Advisors include Mike Spagnola (Street Scene Equipment), Joel Ayres (Bedslide/Takit) and Marla Moore (Hypertech).
To learn more about the SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women, visit www.SEMA.org/SEMAmustangbuild, or contact Bryan Harrison, SEMA's senior manager of councils and the build's project manager at bryanh@sema.org.
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 July/August issue of SEMA Member News.
For information about SBN, contact Bryan Harrison.
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| Visit SPC's website. |
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 July/August issue of SEMA Member News.
For information about SPC, contact Bryan Harrison.
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| Visit WTC's website |
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 July/August 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 |
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YEN Member Wins iPad for Autistic Son for Membership Initiative Participation
It’s almost noon on a Thursday and I’m driving through rural Oklahoma when my cell phone rings. I look at the screen, which displays the name Bryan Harrison, SEMA's senior manager of councils. Not totally out of the ordinary since I serve on the YEN Select Committee, but I knew we didn’t have a call scheduled for the day. When I answered, he proceeded to congratulate me on winning an iPad for my participation in our YEN membership initiative in which we collectively increased our membership to more than 1,000. We chatted briefly about work and the current state of the industry as a whole and he signed off by saying something along the lines of, “hopefully this brightened your day.” Bryan likely had no idea just how much those words would ring true.
If you’ve met me, you know I’m an outgoing cut-up who doesn’t take things too seriously, but what you may not know about me is that I have a 10-year-old son named Jake who has Asperger’s Syndrome—a high-functioning form of autism. In meeting Jake, he comes off as your average 10-year-old who shares my passion for all things automotive and loves Star Wars and superheroes. But to live with him is to know the constant struggles Jake faces to navigate through daily tasks and situations that most would deem routine.
It should come as no surprise that Jake’s greatest challenges occur in the classroom, and that is why he spends upwards of 10 hours per week working with an occupational therapist on everything from handwriting to how to interact with peers in social situations. This past year, our school district received a grant to purchase a few iPads for the occupational therapy department after recent studies had shown that autistic children responded very well to the touch-screen interaction. My wife and I had been tossing around the idea of purchasing one for Jake at the time that I received the phone call from Bryan. Little did he know, he was not just brightening my day, but brightening Jake's life.
Research has shown that individuals with Asperger’s can go on to lead very normal, fulfilling lives. If you Google “Famous people with Asperger’s,” it will provide you with a surprising list of people, such as Bill Gates and filmmaker Tim Burton, along with suspected historical cases, such as Abe Lincoln, Andy Warhol and Albert Einstein. Even more surprising is the number of children currently born with some form of autism. One in 88 has become the medically recognized statistic of the current rate of children born with autism. With numbers like that, chances are you or somebody you know has some sort of link to autism and, if so, I’d like to hear from you. My e-mail is listed below this article. My 1 in 88, Jake and I would like to say thank you to Bryan Harrison and SEMA for the iPad as it means much more to him than you could ever imagine.
Matt Reasoner
Regional sales manager, BedRug Inc.
YEN Select Committee Member
mreasoner@bedrug.com
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 July/August issue of SEMA Member News.
For information about YEN, contact Bryan Harrison.
Join the SEMA Council Family
SEMA hosts 10 distinct councils and committees that 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 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 doors 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 doors are open, it is your
responsibility to take advantage of the benefits by becoming actively
involved.
Learn more today.