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 market-specific programs and activities designed to provide educational and networking opportunities while promoting their particular industry segment.
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| Visit WTC's website |
Wheel and Tire Council to Host Open Meeting and Industry Discussion in Southern California
Members of the wheel and tire industry will gather at the SEMA Garage—Industry Innovations Center for an industry discussion, Thursday, February 5, 2015, from 8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
On the agenda is discussion of the “Ride Guide” promotional efforts and additional vehicle data being compiled, the latest news on Chinese tire tariffs, industry support of tire safety education and more.
This is members’ opportunity to let the council know what other challenges and opportunities they see in the wheel and tire industry. By participating in this open meeting, individuals can help determine the focus and direction of the council for the next year and beyond.
The meeting will include a networking lunch for attendees. All employees of WTC-member companies and any wheel and tire professionals interested in learning more about SEMA and the WTC are invited to attend the event. Register now.
Unable to attend in person? Join the discussion in our GoToMeeting session. Join the conference call: 888-387-8686 room ID 9194075#. Meeting ID: 947-340-549.
For more information about WTC or this event, contact Senior Manager of Councils Clayton Drescher.
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| Visit ETTN's website |
Improve Your E-Commerce Skills At a Discount
Applications are being accepted now through March 16 for a second ETTN Professional Development Program. The Internet Retailer Conference and Exhibition (IRCE), will take place June 3–4, 2015, in Chicago. On its own, the costs associated with this conference could prove prohibitive for members, but through ETTN, participants receive a specially negotiated registration rate, and the company of the participating employee receives a $500 grant from SEMA to assist with registration (all benefits received are considered taxable income). IRCE, a two-day conference, originally cost $1,095. Combining the negotiated rate and SEMA grant, ETTN members save 80% and pay only $216 for registration.
IRCE is in its 11th year and is largely considered to be a flagship event of the e-commerce industry. Each year, more than 10,000 attendees travel to Chicago to hear from more than 200 expert speakers representing all areas of the industry. This year, exciting speakers include top executives from Target, 1-800-Flowers.com, QVC and more. In addition to the educational opportunities, the 250,000 sq.-ft. exhibit hall presents more than 600 companies in the e-commerce solutions industry.
Applicants may be selected to attend one of three conferences in 2015, along with SEMA staff and a group of nine other network members. The first conference selected was the Social Media Strategies Summit, which will take place in Las Vegas, February 10–12. Later in the year, a third group of members will learn customer service and engagement skills at the Disney Quality Service course.
To learn more about the program and apply, visit the ETTN Professional Development Program homepage or contact Senior Manager of Networks Bryan Harrison.
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| Visit HRIA's website |
Hot Rodders Discuss Industry Developments in Southern California
The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) will hold its Long-Range Planning Meeting at the Sheraton Fairplex Conference Center in Pomona, California, Friday, January 23. The meeting is open to all hot-rod industry professionals. Non-HRIA members are welcome to attend.
The event will provide a chance to connect with other hot rodders, meet the council leadership and learn more about industry developments. Join HRIA from 9:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. in Sonoma 2 and 3; lunch will be served for attendees. RSVP today. For more information, contact Council Director Jim Skelly.
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| Visit TORA's website. |
 Lee McGuire | |
TORA Introduces Chair-Elect Lee McGuire
By Amanda Gubbins
Lee McGuire was recently selected as the new Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) chair-elect. McGuire is a familiar face among SEMA’s councils and networks, and she brings a wealth of leadership and volunteer experience. She will move into the chair position July 1, 2015.
McGuire always had an interest in marketing and followed that passion into the automotive sphere, which she recognized as a thriving industry. She has now been involved the automotive aftermarket for 11 years and is currently the sales and industry relations director for Fab Fours—manufacturer of premium bumpers and accessories for Trucks, SUVs and Jeeps made exclusively in the United States.
Throughout her career, McGuire has received several awards and honors. She was recognized as one of SEMA's 35 Under 35 in 2013 and was SEMA Young Executive of the Year in 2009. Prior to that, she received two SEMA Memorial Scholarships and was recognized as Off-Road Industry magazine's "High Riser" of the year.
Since 2005, McGuire has served on Select Committees and task forces for the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) and SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) and is currently the immediate past chair of the Young Executives Network (YEN).
Now moving into a new volunteer leadership position, McGuire is excited about the opportunities she sees in the truck, Jeep and SUV niche, and for the council as a whole.
“I’ve worked very closely with Melanie (White, Hellwig Products, current TORA chair) during my previous time as chair of YEN, so I had some exposure there and of course seeing the programs that TORA is doing, I really feel for the membership it just makes sense that we’re creating initiatives like the new Media Preview. I really hope to improve upon and continue that program because I think that’s a really great benefit for TORA membership,” McGuire said.
Other opportunities that McGuire hopes to capitalize on for the council include working closely with CU-ICAR to help members navigate technological changes, as well as connecting members to other existing resources available through SEMA.
The TORA Industry Awards Reception will be held November 5, 2014, from 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m., at the Westgate (formerly the LVH), Ballroom C. Open to all employees of TORA-member companies and prospective members, the reception will feature networking opportunities and three award presentations—the TORA Hall of Fame, TORA Retailer of the Year and TORA Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence.
The TORA is also looking for volunteers for the annual TORA Industry Awards Reception and Fall Nationals Pinewood Drags.
Register now! For more information, contact Clayton Drescher at 909-978-6696, claytond@sema.org.