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 YEN's website |
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Applications Now Being Accepted for 2016 SEMA Launch Pad Competition
By Katie Carson
Applications are being accepted for the 2016 SEMA Launch Pad, presented by YEN. The competition, now entering its fourth year, gives automotive innovators, inventors and entrepreneurs under the age of 40 an industry platform to raise awareness for their brand, access to critical industry decision makers and the opportunity to earn prizes designed to grow their businesses. Apply now!
14 semi-finalists receive:
- A one-year complimentary SEMA membership (up to a value of $2,000).
- Complimentary registration to the 2016 Exhibitor Summit (June 21–22), along with hotel, meals and a $500 voucher for travel expenses.
- Increased awareness via thousands of unique views of their business by competing in the official SEMA Facebook voting competition.
- Inclusion in official SEMA Launch Pad feature promotions.
10 finalists receive:
- Complimentary 5x5-ft. kiosk-style booth at the 2016 SEMA Show.
- Two exhibitor passes to the SEMA Show.
- Two tickets to the 2016 SEMA Banquet (up to a value of $1,000).
- A one-hour mentoring session with an industry icon.
- Increased awareness of their business via participating in the live Launch Pad event at the 2016 SEMA Show.
Winner receives:
- SEMA News: One full-page, four-color ad.
- SEMA YEN Member News: Feature in one article.
- SEMA Show: One 10x10-ft. booth with premium space positioning at the 2017 SEMA Show and a basic booth package (two 3-ft. side walls and an 8-ft. back wall, plus a 7x44-in. sign).
- SEMA Garage: One full day of photography studio usage and up to three hours of free custom scanning services.
- SEMA Data Co-op: 50% off supplier monthly membership fees for your first year (up to a $3,600 value).
- SEMA Education: One video feature in SEMA’s “Biz Tips” video series.
- SEMA Manufacturers’ Rep Network: Distribution/sales support consultation meeting.
Applications are being accepted through May 6. You do not need to be a SEMA member or YEN member to submit an application. Take your business to the next level—apply now!
For more information on the competition and the grand prize, visit the SEMA Launch Pad website. For more information on YEN, contact SEMA’s Director of Networks Bryan Harrison at 909-978-6691 or bryanh@sema.org.
 YEN participants will represent different niches in the specialty-equipment market as they interact with tour attendees and students on the seven different stops along the seven-city, seven-day journey to share about their careers with the next generation of industry talent. |
YEN Power Tour Applications Now Open!
The Young Executives Network (YEN) is now accepting applications for 10 young automotive professionals to earn the opportunity to participate in the Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour. Participants in the YEN Power Tour will receive:
- Hotel Accommodations
- $500 grant for passengers, $1,750 grant for drivers
- VIP Entry into the Power Tour
- Ticket to Opening Night Hospitality Party
- Premier Parking Location – YEN Corral
- Long Hauler Gifts
- SEMA Swag
YEN participants will represent different niches in the specialty-equipment market as they interact with tour attendees and students on the seven different stops along the seven-city, seven-day journey to share about their careers with the next generation of industry talent.
“The YEN Power Tour is about more than hitting the road in your musclecar or hot rod; it's about forging relationships and making connections,” said SEMA Board member Dan Kahn. “There are literally thousands of job opportunities in the automotive aftermarket for young people across the nation—we want to tell that story and show that in our high-performance family, young people aren't afraid to get their hands dirty."
Learn more and apply today to join the YEN Power Tour. The application period is February 29–April 8. All YEN members are eligible to apply. Not yet a member? Join today.
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| Visit HRIA's website |
 HRIA is hosting a General Membership Meeting at the Charlotte Auto Fair in Charlotte, North Carolina, where an expected 150,000 automotive enthusiasts will gather to buy and sell unique vehicles and restoration parts. |
HRIA General Membership Meeting
The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) is hosting a General Membership Meeting at the Charlotte Auto Fair in Concord, North Carolina, where an expected 150,000 automotive enthusiasts gather to buy and sell unique vehicles and restoration parts. The meeting kicks off Thursday, April 7, at 9:00 a.m. HRIA members and aspiring members will discuss relevant topics specific to the hot-rod industry, mingle with council leadership and learn about the 2016 initiatives. A complimentary lunch will be served to those who attend the meeting, which will be held in the Media Center Auditorium located in the Charlotte Motor Speedway Infield.
Discussion topics will include:
- What is the biggest challenge for your company today?
- What is the biggest opportunity for your company today?
- How can HRIA/SEMA help?
RSVP by Monday, March 28, and receive one full event credential for Charlotte Auto Fair, one special parking pass to get closer to the Media Center Auditorium and a detailed map.
For questions, contact Jim Skelly, SEMA Council Director at 909-978-6690 or jimsk@sema.org.
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| Visit MRN's website. |
New Matching Program Connects Reps and Manufacturers
As a manufacturers' rep, are you looking for new lines to carry? The Manufacturers' Rep Network (MRN) may have the solution for you. The network has announced a new benefit for SEMA manufacturer members and MRN members, entitled the Manufacturers' Representative Matching Program. The intention is to create an easier approach to connect reps to manufacturers. Through this program, MRN members can enroll to receive notifications of manufacturers seeking representation.
One person per agency can opt in to receive immediate notification of manufacturers seeking representation. Each notification sent will include the basic information to evaluate the opportunity and the contact information to follow up directly with the manufacturer. This program will boost reps’ networks for new sales opportunities and give them a chance to showcase their agencies. On the flip side, the program will save manufacturers the headache of traditional avenues of searching for representation. With the Rep Matching Program, reps will come to you.
SEMA MRN members seeking to opt in to receive notification of manufacturers seeking representation.
SEMA manufacturer members seeking product and/or service representation.
Questions? Please contact SEMA's Director of Networks, Bryan Harrison at 909-978-6691 or bryanh@sema.org.
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| Visit PRO's website. |
Why would a dealership want to get into aftermarket accessories? |
New Videos on NIADA.TV Addressing Dealership Success Through Accessory Programs
Collaboration between the Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) and the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA) continues with the release of additional videos on NIADA.TV’s Aftermarket/SEMA channel. These latest videos showcase some of the most experienced restylers, manufactures and service providers in the PRO community sharing their perspectives on what dealerships should consider if they want to start and run a successful accessories program.
The newest batch of videos focus on the following questions:
- Why would a dealership want to get into aftermarket accessories?
- What are the first steps a dealership should take when starting an accessories program?
- What are some categories of entry-level accessories that a dealership can use to start their program?
Future videos will discuss how a dealership can find the right partner to help build their accessories program and dispel some common misconceptions about aftermarket accessories.
These videos are a great resource for direct use by dealership principals and sales directors looking for areas of growth for their business. They are also a valuable tool that restylers can use when calling on local dealerships to answer some of the common questions many dealerships have about the accessories industry in general and how expanding their business in this way can create a new revenue source.
To view these and other aftermarket-focused videos, visit www.niada.tv and click on the Aftermarket/SEMA Channel tab.
For questions regarding PRO, please contact Clayton Drescher, senior council manager, at 909-978-6696 or claytond@sema.org.