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 HRIA's website |
Connect with Hot Rodders and Discuss Online Trends
By Amanda Gubbins
The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) will hold two general membership meetings in July. These events give HRIA members the chance to connect with each other, meet the council leadership and learn more about industry developments. Included on the agenda for both meetings is an interactive discussion entitled, “Print vs. Online—Are You Ready?” Attendees will share and hear from other members about strategies for advertising in a changing media landscape.
Council members and those interested in exploring group membership are invited to attend one of the following:
Thursday, July 10, 2014
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
17th Annual Goodguys PPG Nationals
Ohio Expo Center, Celeste Building
Columbus, Ohio
Visit www.good-guys.com for more information.
Register now
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
NSRA National Street Rod Nationals
Louisville, Kentucky Fairgrounds
Visit www.nsra-usa.com for more information.
Register now
For more information about registration, contact Council Coordinator Amanda Gubbins.
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| Visit TORA's website. |
 Intended to celebrate the classics of the past and the future, Collector Car Appreciation Day events can be as simple as encouraging staff members to drive their special ride to work. | |
SEMA Members Industrywide Encouraged to Host Collector Car Appreciation Day Events
By SEMA Editors
Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD) will return for its fifth commemoration, July 11, and SEMA-member companies are encouraged to recognize this annual celebration by hosting their own events. At the request of the SEMA Action Network (SAN), this “holiday” has been marked each year since 2010 by a U.S. Senate Resolution.
Intended to celebrate the classics of the past and the future, these events can be as simple as encouraging staff members to drive their special ride to work. Other ideas include hosting a community car show, staging an open house or promoting a “holiday sale” in honor of CCAD. Members can partner with local car clubs, community groups and other automotive businesses. Invite your local legislators to participate as well. The SAN can help with identifying these legislators and locating car clubs and museums near you.
Whether public or private, register your July gathering to take advantage of promotional support from SEMA. Participating organizers will receive a copy of the year’s U.S. Senate Resolution for display at each registered event.
Visit www.semasan.com/CCAD for details, event listings, planning suggestions and registration. Contact SAN Director Colby Martin at SAN@sema.org for more information.
Carlisle Truck Nationals Give Platform for Free Product Promotion
By Amanda Gubbins
For the fifth year, accessory manufacturers for light trucks, Jeeps, off-road vehicles and SUVs are invited to display new products at the Carlisle Truck Nationals, August 1–3.
The TORA New Products Showcase provides council members with a platform to promote their new products to one of the largest groups of truck enthusiasts in the country. The products are housed in the TORA tent, where attendees can view the descriptions and inquire about purchase options from 8:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. each day. The accessories are also professionally photographed for use with descriptions on www.sema.org, and presentations at the TORA booth and awards reception at the SEMA Show.
All of this exposure is available to TORA members for only the cost of shipping the products to Carlisle Events. Register today to save a place for your product.
Not yet a member? Need more info about the event? Contact Clayton Drescher at 909-978-6696.
Brainstorm Solutions to Your Pressing Business Challenges
By Amanda Gubbins
Leaders of the light-truck, off-road, Jeep, diesel and SUV industries will meet July 16 for an industry discussion and TORA Long-Range Planning meeting. Members of the council and those who are interested in learning more about the benefits it offers are invited to attend from 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
The meeting will take place at the SEMA Garage–Industry Innovations Center in Diamond Bar, California. Attendees will spend time discussing issues they face in their business, and developing strategies that SEMA and the TORA can use to address them. For member companies, participating is a chance to let the association know in person what challenges their businesses face, and to be a part of the solutions. Lunch will be served with an opportunity to network with members of the Professional Restylers Organization (PRO).
For those who can’t make the trip to Southern California, sessions can be attended through web meeting services and teleconference lines.
Register today to save your seat. To learn more about the event, contact Clayton Drescher at 909-978-6696.
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| Visit PRO's website. |
Planning the Future of the Restyling and Accessory Business
By Clayton Drescher
On July 16, 2014, leaders of the restyling and accessory world will converge at SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California. Join the Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) as they hold their Long-Range Planning meeting and industry discussion. The SEMA Garage–Industry Innovations Center will play host as leading manufacturers, WDs, installers and restyling professionals discuss the future of the industry and develop strategies that SEMA and the PRO Select Committee will use in addressing the challenges and opportunities confronting your business.
Your insight and perspective is critical. Whether your business has been impacted by new trends in auto sales and discretionary spending, vehicle technology, installation concerns, or if there is a need to identify markets for expansion, you will benefit by being in the room when these and other topics are discussed.
The meeting is open to all employees of PRO-member companies, as well as those interested in joining PRO. The day will include a joint networking luncheon with members of the Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) council.
Traveling from out of town? Contact us for quality hotel options in the area. Not able to attend but want to stay involved? Consider attending the sessions through our web meeting services and teleconference lines.
Register online today. For more information about the meeting, contact Clayton Drescher at 909-978-6696.
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| Visit SBN's website. |
 Sue Wilkerson | |
SBN Member of the Month: Sue Wilkerson, Champion Cooling Systems
Sue Wilkerson of Champion Cooling Systems, located in Lake Elsinore, California, is the SBN’s Member of the Month.What does your company do?
We manufacture all-aluminum radiators for classic cars, hot rods and trucks, as well as plastic-aluminum replacement radiators for newer model cars and trucks.
What is your position?
I oversee all sales and marketing activity for the company.
What is the most satisfying aspect of your job?
Meeting owners of lovingly restored classic cars, interviewing them and photographing their prize possessions.
How long have you been involved with the aftermarket industry?
Six months.
What brought you to the industry?
A lifelong love of classic and musclecars.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Don’t wait for an opportunity; create one.
What would someone meeting you for the first time be surprised to learn?
That I’m a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and a certified personal trainer.
What is your dream car?
A ’67 R/S Camaro
What is your favorite pastime?
Camping, Jeeping and attending classic car shows.