Strengthen Your Company Through Community
No matter what niche you're in—rods, restoration, racing, restyling, reps, trucks or wheels and tires—there's a SEMA council or professional network that's right for your company. SEMA councils and networks offer members a variety of niche-specific programs and activities designed to provide educational and networking opportunities while promoting their particular market segment.
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| Visit YEN's website |
 YEN members are invited to register their musclecars for the Street Machine and Muscle Car Nationals in Pomona, California. |
Young Executives Invited to Participate in the Street Machine and Muscle Car Nationals
By SEMA Editors
Young executives in the specialty-equipment market are invited to register their musclecars for the Street Machine and Muscle Car Nationals, and the first 25 applicants can receive free admission for themselves, their vehicle and a guest.
The event will take place March 22–23, 2014, at Fairplex in Pomona, California, and will feature a collection of high-performance musclecars, pro-touring cars and street machines for a weekend of festivities focused on vintage vehicles.
At the event, participants will be able to take a spin in their own musclecars on the Autocross timed obstacle course, enjoy cruising lanes, smoke tires in the burnout contests and more. Participants will be required to place their vehicle in the designated outdoor “YEN Corral” both days for the duration of the event; however, vehicles will not be required to remain on the grounds overnight.
Showgoers will enjoy a Miss Street Machine Nationals Contest, pro car builders, seeing their custom creations on display, live music and games, products, demos and displays in the Performance Midway. The weekend will give members of SEMA’s Young Executives Network (YEN) an opportunity to meet and network in a relaxed and fun environment.
Applicants must be YEN members for consideration. The network is free for employees of SEMA-member companies who are under the age of 40. If you have not yet joined the network, sign up today before sending in your application.
For additional information about this event, visit www.streetmachinenationals.net or contact Bryan Harrison, senior manager of networks.
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| Visit ARMO's website. |
Restoration Parts Registration Open for Hot Products Showcase
Registration is now open for the Automotive Restoration Market Organization’s (ARMO) Hot Products Showcase, which will take place April 23–26, 2014, at Spring Carlisle in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
This event is an opportunity for council members to display one or more products in front of one of the single-largest gatherings of automotive restoration enthusiasts in the world.
In addition to having products on display in the Hot Products tent, a professional photographer will photograph each one. The photos will be available to manufacturers and will also be used in a slideshow at the ARMO booth and reception at the SEMA Show. A gallery on the ARMO webpage also houses each of the photos, along with a product description for those unable to attend the event. This publicity is available to ARMO members for only the cost of shipping the product entries to the Carlisle Fairgrounds.
Product entries must meet the following criteria:
- Must be the product of an ARMO member-company.
- Must be available for sale (market-ready) by the opening of the Showcase, April 23.
- Must demonstrate unique/innovative technology and/or be a benefit to the restoration industry.
Members can register products by filling out the online application. All applications must be received by April 18, 2014. Not an ARMO member? Join today to gain access to this event and other council benefits.
Restoration Professionals Gather for Networking at the Hot Products Showcase
ARMO will host a networking mixer in the Hot Products Tent at the Showcase, Thursday, April 24, from 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. The mixer will be a chance for members to grab a drink and spend some time interacting one-on-one with council leadership and fellow ARMO members. The council leadership believes this event holds enormous potential for new ideas and partnerships to be formed as members network with new and old industry friends. RSVP to save your spot.
Make Your Voice Heard at the ARMO Industry Discussion
This year, the council will also hold an industry discussion, Friday, April 25, from 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. at the Hot Products Tent. The session will allow members and others interested in joining the council to voice their concerns, ask questions and offer input to the group. For members who would like to be a part of shaping future projects and events, this will be a chance to make their voices heard. Send in your RSVP today.
For more information about any of these events, contact Council Director Jim Skelly.
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| Visit HRIA's website |
 HRIA Education Day will consist of 24 sessions, each led by a hot-rod parts manufacturer educating attendees about product features, benefits and installation guidelines. |
Detroit Autorama Welcomes Hot Rod Industry Alliance Education Day
By SEMA Editors
The Detroit Autorama will host this year’s Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Education Day. The 60-year-old custom car show will take place in March at Cobo Hall. Education Day will be March 6, from 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. and consist of 24 sessions led by hot-rod parts manufacturers. These experts will educate attendees about product features, benefits and installation guidelines.
“For more than 10 years, HRIA Education Day has proven to be a key event for helping manufacturers share detailed, and sometimes technical, information about their products with their customers,” said Jim Skelly, SEMA director of councils. “Holding the Education Day program at the Detroit Autorama will allow HRIA members to expand and reach a new audience.”
HRIA previously held its Education Day program at the Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show in Indianapolis. The move to the Detroit Autorama will enable manufacturers to reach a new, expanded audience. Autorama, which is well known for having the world’s most coveted hot rods, prestigious awards competitions and top celebrities and student programs, attracts more than 150,000 individuals annually. Education Day is open to all hot-rod shops and businesses, as well as to all Autorama attendees.
“As one of the nation’s premier indoor custom car shows, the Detroit Autorama attracts thousands of businesses and enthusiasts who are passionate and deeply vested in new hot-rod products,” said Peter A. Toundas, president of Championship Auto Shows Inc.—promoter of the event. “The HRIA Education Day program will add a valuable element to the event, giving attendees an opportunity to connect directly with manufacturers, which would be difficult for them to do on their own.”
Attendee registration is now open. Reserve your spot today. For more information about HRIA, contact Jim Skelly.
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| Visit WTC's website |
Wheel and Tire Professionals Explore New Opportunities at Industry Discussion
By Amanda Gubbins
Members of SEMA’s Wheel and Tire Council (WTC) recently gathered at the SEMA Garage Industry Innovations Center in Diamond Bar, California, for a discussion about the current state of the industry and new opportunities for the future.
Thirty-eight members from 31 different companies were present. While many of these attendees were at the event in person, for the first time, members could also participate through a live webcast of the meeting.
The day started with a tour of the SEMA Garage, where members learned about the resources available to assist manufacturers in product development. The facility is a perfect complement to the group’s partnership with Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR). WTC began working with the university in 2013.
Special guests from CU-ICAR, Dr. Paul Venhovens and Chris Zhou, presented a nearly complete sample of this WTC-initiated research project testing the effects of plus-sized wheel and tire combinations on the driving dynamics of a ’13 Ford F-150. Once this research is finalized, the data will be translated into an easy-to-understand graphical format, which will be made available to members who sell plus-sized wheels. The project provides data that has never before been quantified or made available in the wheel and tire aftermarket.
During the industry discussion portion of the event, members aired questions and concerns about the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J3010 testing certification proposal. As the proposal goes to ballot, a WTC task force is working with the SAE to ensure that the perspective of specialty-equipment market companies is clearly expressed.
If you are interested in learning more about the projects WTC is working on, or would like to join or become more involved, contact Clayton Drescher.