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 ARMO's website. |
 California Pony Cars ’67–’93 Timing Chain Cover. |  Classic Instruments ’40 Ford Instrument Cluster. |
 Corvette America ’80–’82 Corvette Rear Spindle Flange. |  First Place Auto Products MOPAR Twin Hood Scoops. |
 Ingenuity Fab & Speed Wheel/Tire Backspace Measuring Tool. |  Parts Unlimited Inc. ’65 Mustang Standard Bucket Seat Covers. |
 The Right Stuff Detailing Disc Brake Conversion Kit. |
ARMO Hot Products Showcase Award Winners Announced
The Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) held its annual Hot Products Showcase at Spring Carlisle. Inside of the Hot Products Showcase tent, more than 100,000 automotive restoration enthusiasts had the opportunity to walk through and see some of the best products on the market from ARMO-member companies. This year was the first year that awards were given to companies for their products in seven different categories. Congratulations to our first-place award winners!
California Pony Cars
Product: ’67–’93 Timing Chain Cover
Award Category: Reproduction Original Replacement Engine
Classic Instruments
Product: ’40 Ford Instrument Cluster
Award Category: Non-Original Interior
Corvette America
Product: ’80–’82 Corvette Rear Spindle Flange
Award Category: Reproduction Original Replacement Drivetrain/Brakes/Suspension/Wheels
First Place Auto Products
Product: MOPAR Twin Hood Scoops
Award Category: Reproduction Original Replacement Exterior/Trim
Ingenuity Fab & Speed
Product: Wheel/Tire Backspace Measuring Tool
Award Category: Accessory Item
Parts Unlimited Inc.
Product: ’65 Mustang Standard Bucket Seat Covers
Award Category: Reproduction Original Replacement Interior
The Right Stuff Detailing
Product: Disc Brake Conversion Kit
Award Category: Non-original Drivetrain/Brakes/Suspension/Wheels
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| Visit TORA's website. |
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.
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.
 ’17 Ford F-Series Super Duty |
 ’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).
’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.
Should you have any questions regarding this event, please contact Jim Moore at 909-978-6739 or jimm@sema.org.
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| Visit PRO's website. |
PRO to Host Long Range Planning Meeting in Detroit
The Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) is hosting its annual Long-Range Planning (LRP) meeting June 15–16 in the nation’s car capital—Detroit. The annual LRP is an opportunity for council members to address restyling industry issues and challenges and weigh in on the needs of its member companies. Employees of PRO-member companies are encouraged to attend to gain insight into council initiatives, contribute their ideas to push the restyling industry forward and mingle with Select Committee members and SEMA staff to learn how PRO resources can help your business grow.
As an added bonus, attendees will tour the innovative Mobility Transformation Facility, more commonly known as Mcity, at the University of Michigan. The 32-acre facility is located on campus and is the first of its kind in testing new automated vehicle technologies and their capabilities to safely maneuver actual roadways. Public access to Mcity is limited, but LRP attendees will enjoy a guided private tour of the facility.
The meetings kick off Wednesday, June 15, 9:00 a.m., at the Detroit Metro Airport Marriot, and will break late morning for the Mcity tour and lunch. The meeting will reconvene back at the hotel after the tour with a group discussion and breakout sessions. A PRO-hosted dinner will take place that evening. The Thursday agenda includes a continental breakfast, breakout sessions, lunch and group project planning, and is slated to end at 3:00 p.m.
For questions on this event, contact Senior Manager of Councils Allan Keefe at 909-978-6696 or allank@sema.org.
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| Visit YEN's website |
 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!