SEMA Show

Join the SEMA Show Exhibitor Host Program

By Michael Hart

  crowd
The SEMA Show Student Volunteer Program is an opportunity for exhibitors to interact with the aftermarket industry’s future workforce.
  

Exhibitors at the 2014 SEMA Show this year will have a rare chance to meet some of the future leaders of the automotive industry, introduce those young people to their particular businesses and maybe even get a little help in the exhibit booth.

The SEMA Show Student Volunteer Program is an opportunity for exhibitors to interact with the aftermarket industry’s future workforce. The students who are chosen for the program represent some of the best and the brightest preparing themselves for an industry future.

Exhibiting companies are invited and encouraged to host a student volunteer during the 2014 SEMA Show. Those who choose to participate will be matched with a student who will spend some quality time with the exhibiting company’s representatives in their booth.

“The extra help was great to have, and I enjoyed sharing my knowledge about our company and the tire industry with our future generation,” said John B. Robinson of Continental Tire, who hosted a student at last year’s Show.

This is your chance to meet students who are anxious to go to work in the industry you care so much about, give them an “inside” look at what your company and business are all about, encourage and answer any questions they might have and maybe even identify somebody who could be one of your most promising future employees.

“We have always felt that this program is a very sound ‘good citizen’ effort and, as such, are always pleased to participate,” said Mike Kovacs of Edelbrock.

Program participants must be full-time students at the sophomore level or higher, enrolled in a university, college or vocational educational program, and preparing for a career in the automotive industry. Students must undergo an application and review process for the program and all students are responsible for their own expenses during the Show.

Whenever possible, every effort will be made to assign students to companies that closely correspond to their career interests.

“The students who I worked with personally were professional and interested in our products,” said Amy Faulk of Hypertech. “It was a great experience having them in our booth to work with customers and our products.”

SEMA Show exhibitors can register to host a student volunteer for the 2014 SEMA Show online: Student Volunteer Program. The deadline is Friday, September 26. If you have questions about the program or your participation, contact SEMA Education Manager Juliet Marshall at 909-978-6655 or julietm@sema.org.

SEMA Show Education Days will feature more than 60 educational sessions in 12 different tracks, ranging from new-vehicle technology to best business practices to marketing strategies and emerging trends in the industry. To see the complete schedule of 2014 SEMA Show Education courses and pre-register, visit www.SEMAShow.com/education.