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SEMA Council & Network News: Two Upcoming Measuring Sessions to Be Hosted at SEMA Garage

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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Measuring Sessions Hosted at SEMA Garage

TORA Members: the SEMA Garage has announced upcoming light-truck measuring sessions. Be sure to take advantage of getting your hands on these vehicles.

ford
’17 Ford F-Series Super Duty
nissan
’17 Nissan Titan

’17 Ford F-Series Super Duty

The all-new ’17 Ford F-Series Super Duty is coming to the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, for a SoCal measuring session. This event will be a follow-up to the Dearborn, Michigan, measuring session, which will take place at Ford Motor Co. on April 27. This measuring session will feature the ’17 Ford Super Duty F-250 Lariat 4x4 Super Cab with the 6.7L 4-valve Power Stroke V8 diesel engine. Scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, May 17–18 at the SEMA Garage, this event is open exclusively to SEMA members. Don't miss your opportunity to get hands-on with the ’17 Super Duty and jumpstart your product development efforts. Ford staff will be on hand to offer technical support and access to CAD files for Tech Transfer participants. The Garage has specialty tools available, including spring measuring equipment, corner weight scales and a CMM machine (FaroArm must be operated by SEMA staff).

RSVP now!

’17 Nissan Titan and Titan XD

Just weeks following their global reveal at the 2016 New York Auto Show, the SEMA Garage has announced the arrival of two exciting all-new trucks from Nissan—the ’17 Titan half-ton pickup and its big brother, the ’17 Titan XD. As an alternative to the Titan XD’s 5.0L Cummins turbodiesel powerplant, both of these trucks share Nissan’s new 390hp 5.6L naturally aspirated Endurance V8 gasoline engine. But that’s where the similarities end, as the Titan is built on a completely separate chassis from Titan XD, and is nearly 15 in. shorter in overall length.

Both trucks will be production-spec ’17-MY crew cab 4x4 trucks. Nissan staff will be on-site to help answer any technical questions. Don't miss your opportunity to get hands-on with the all-new Titan and Titan XD to jumpstart your product development before these trucks reach showroom floors in mid-summer. As an added benefit, this measuring session is scheduled for May 19–20, immediately following the ’17 Ford Super Duty measuring session. For those traveling, ensure you’re scheduled to access both of these events in a single trip.

RSVP now!

Should you have any questions regarding this event, please contact Jim Moore at 909-978-6739 or jimm@sema.org.

TORA at the Dallas Truck & Jeep Fest

Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) leadership will attend this year’s Dallas Truck & Jeep Fest at the Dallas Market Hall. While the event takes place May 14–15, TORA leadership will meet at the event site Friday, May 13, to hold a Long-Range Planning (LRP) meeting to give the council an opportunity to dive into the light-truck market and plan initiatives that will aid members throughout the year. During setup, council leadership will deliver lunch to exhibitors and introduce themselves.

In addition to the LRP meeting, TORA leadership will meet with council members throughout the show and facilitate networking between members. The select committee will represent the council in communicating the latest initiatives and provide TORA tools to assist manufacturers in reaching new buyers. Council leadership will also look to gain feedback from the general membership on the current challenges their companies are facing and how TORA can help.

For questions, contact Allan Keefe, senior manager of councils, at allank@sema.org or 909-978-6696.

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agosta
Matt Agosta

ARMO Congratulates Matt Agosta on his SEMA Hall of Fame Induction

The Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) recognizes Matt Agosta on his honorable induction into the SEMA Hall of Fame. Agosta played an integral part in ARMO history serving as a former chairman of the council. ARMO looks forward to celebrating his inauguration at the 2016 SEMA Installation Gala.

As a former SEMA Board member, past chairman of a SEMA council and a president’s club member of the SEMA Political Action Committee, Agosta is among the most active members in SEMA history. The president/CEO of Steele Rubber Products is a pioneer in advocating for legislative issues, forging relationships with OEMs and supporting small businesses to succeed. He is responsible for advancing educational opportunities for the industry, and has been on the forefront of utilizing the newest digital strategies for the industry’s growth. Past honors include the ARMO Chairman’s Award, ARMO Person of the Year award and SEMA Ambassador Award.

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Chip Foose

HRIA Congratulates Chip Foose on His SEMA Hall of Fame Induction

The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) recognizes Chip Foose on his honorable induction into the SEMA Hall of Fame. Foose played an integral part in HRIA history and continues to make strides in the hot-rodding community. HRIA looks forward to celebrating his inauguration at the 2016 SEMA Installation Gala.

As the star of the hit television show “Overhaulin’,” Foose is among the most well-known builders in the industry, and arguably responsible for introducing car customization and hot rodding to a mainstream audience worldwide. Before launching Foose Design, Foose created and fabricated projects for influential corporations and OEMs. His work can be seen in the National Football League, Major League Baseball and movies, including “Blade Runner,” “Robo Cop” and “Gone in 60 Seconds.” In 1997, Foose was the youngest person to ever be inducted into the Hot Rod Hall of Fame. He has also received the Goodguys Trendsetter Award and dozens of awards for winning vehicle builds.

hria 

SEMA Career Center Aligns With HRIA Futures in Hot Rodding Initiative

Futures in Hot Rodding continues to be a priority initiative for the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA). At its core, this program was built to promote and connect the industry’s next generation with hot-rodding careers. The automotive industry and this segment in particular, are driven by passion, community and camaraderie, and can be an exciting career opportunity for young people. The challenge with Futures in Hot Rodding has been the ability to connect the dots from interest to employment on a broad scale.

SEMA has recently introduced a new Career Center and Job Board that will help bridge the gap and create a talent pipeline into hot rodding. The SEMA Career Center will serve to address industry employment challenges, and through SEMA’s growing network of school contacts, create a direct link for young people looking to enter the automotive workforce.

HRIA is excited about this opportunity and encourages its membership to take advantage of this resource for your own business. As a community of hot rodders with a shared interest in promoting the hobby, we can effect change by sharing our respective job postings through social channels with a common tagline:  “another Futures in Hot Rodding job opening,” and then linking/sharing the actual job posting from the SEMA Career Center.  This will help to promote your own businesses, increase application views and create awareness for the hot-rodding industry as whole.

Be sure to check out SEMA’s Career Center. If you have a job opening to post, make it “another Futures in Hot Rodding job opening.”

For questions about the Career Center, contact SEMA’s Director of Education Zane Clark. For questions about HRIA, contact Council Director Jim Skelly.

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Gary Hooker

MPMC Congratulates Gary Hooker on His SEMA Hall of Fame Induction

The Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) recognizes Gary Hooker on his honorable induction into the SEMA Hall of Fame. Hooker played an integral part in MPMC history. MPMC looks forward to celebrating his inauguration at the 2016 SEMA Installation Gala.

Hooker Headers is arguably one of the most iconic brands in the automotive performance industry. Even before SEMA was formed, Hooker was on the forefront of the industry, producing products used by winning racers, including Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins and Bob Glidden. As a junior stock-car racer and world-class Ironman competitor in the early ’60s, Hooker launched his business after creating a header for his personal use. The immediate interest and demand for his product led to a business that has grown along with the industry. Hooker’s innovation and passion continued to pave a path for what is now a $36 billion industry.

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Young entrepreneurs have the opportunity to bring their new products to the SEMA Show to compete for a grand-prize package designed to launch the winner’s business to the next level.

Young Professionals Business Competition—Win Big!

Calling all young entrepreneurs with the next big automotive aftermarket product! The SEMA Launch Pad powered by YEN is a platform for you to transform your dream into a growing business.

Young entrepreneurs have the opportunity to bring their new products to the SEMA Show to compete for a grand-prize package designed to launch the winner’s business to the next level. Any executive with an automotive aftermarket product or service is encouraged to apply. You do not have to be a SEMA member to participate.

Ten finalists will be given the opportunity to pitch their product to industry icons in front of a live audience at the 2016 SEMA Show.
Prize packages include:

Semi-Finalist (14 participants):

  • One-year complimentary SEMA membership.
  • Complimentary registration to the 2016 Exhibitor Summit, two nights of hotel and meals at the event (June 21–22).
  • $500 grant to be used toward the cost of travel to the 2016 Exhibitor Summit.

Finalists (10 participants):

  • All the semi-finalist prizes, and:
  • Complimentary 2016 SEMA Show kiosk booth in the New Products Showcase area.*
  • Two exhibitor passes to the SEMA Show.
  • Two tickets to the SEMA Banquet.
  • A one-hour mentoring session with an industry icon.

Winner (one participant):

  • All the semi-finalist prizes, finalist prizes and:
  • SEMA News: One full-page, four-color ad.
  • SEMA eNews: One full-page article.
  • SEMA YEN Member News: Featured section in one article.
  • SEMA Show: Turnkey exhibit space with premium placement at the 2017 SEMA Show*
  • 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 “BizTips” video series.
  • SEMA Manufacturers’ Rep Network: Distribution/sales support consultation meeting.
  • Hot Rod Magazine: A page equivalent advertisement in Hot Rod magazine and 200k banners on the Hot Rod network.
  • Family Events: Event-level sponsorship package to either a family events truck and off-road group property or a family events performance car group property.

* No changes are permitted to the booth layout. Company does not accrue SEMA Show seniority points by reason of exhibiting at a 2016 SEMA Show kiosk booth in the New Products Showcase area or the turnkey exhibit space with premium placement at the 2017 SEMA Show. All taxes on prizes are the sole responsibility of the prize winning company. Tax liability is based on the value of the prizes.

What are you waiting for? Learn more and launch your business today!

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