Strengthen Your Company Through Community
No matter what niche you're in—rods, restoration, racing, restyling, 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 |
 Clarence Barnes |
2016 SEMA Launch Pad Host Announced
Clarence Barnes is set to host the 2016 SEMA Launch Pad: Powered by YEN competition. The live event will take place at the 2016 SEMA Show. The top-10 finalists will pitch their business ideas in front of a live audience and a panel of industry judges. Vote today to support a candidate in advancing to the finals. Voting ends September 1.
Barnes is a TV and radio host, actor and a former news anchor, whose obsession with cars has turned a lifelong hobby into a full-blown career. Known by his friends as the guy who can’t drive across town without looking into every open garage door along the way, Barnes is always on the lookout for the “find of the century.” He grew up around his father’s moving company and used-car lot, fixing, flipping and eventually racing cars he put together from parts scavenged from the want ads.
Enthusiasts and fans know Barnes as the motorsports host for Hot Rod magazine’s Power Tour & Engine Masters Challenge, Roadkill Drags, Motor Trend Truck of the Year, Car Craft Nationals, Mopar Nats, The Great Race, SEMA Ignited, Lincoln Tech Tips, Castrol Edge, Hyundai, Mercedes, Harley-Davidson and most recently the face of the Luken Network’s newest property, RevnTV. When back home in Los Angeles, Barnes can be found kart racing and lapping his FRS at Willow Springs. He attributes his success to constant forward momentum and luck.
“Surround yourself with interesting people, explore, be open minded, listen and learn as much as you can and then work hard; the harder you work the luckier you are,” Barnes said.
Learn more about the SEMA Launch Pad competition.
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| Visit TORA's website. |
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 TORA is looking for feature vehicle submissions in areas such as: lifted vehicles, diesel, Jeep/SUV, off-road and street/lowered vehicles. |
 The TORA Media Preview is a unique opportunity for truck accessory manufacturers to meet face-to-face with editors and reporters, making contacts and introducing new products without sacrificing valuable floor time with buyers. |
Last Chance for TORA Feature Vehicle Submissions
The Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) is looking for feature vehicles for the 2016 SEMA Show. Those who have a vehicle that represents the TORA membership are encouraged to apply. The council will look for submissions in such areas as: lifted vehicles, diesel, Jeep/SUV, off-road and street/lowered vehicles. The SEMA Show is the most well-attended trade event in the automotive aftermarket industry, attracting more than 60,000 buyers. Having a feature vehicle at the Show will bring invaluable exposure for the builders and manufacturers featured on each vehicle.
Seven vehicles will be selected to be featured at the Show; two vehicles will be displayed in the TORA booth in Upper South Hall, while the other five will be featured throughout common areas outside of the convention center.
Read more about the TORA Feature Vehicle criteria and apply now. The deadline to apply is September 2, 2016.
If you have any questions, contact Allan Keefe, senior manager of councils, at 909-978-6696 or allank@sema.org.
Showcase Your Latest Products to Hundreds of Media Members—Apply Now!
The Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) is now accepting media applications for the 2016 Media Preview event, which will take place Monday, October 31, prior to the opening of the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
This event is a unique opportunity for truck accessory manufacturers to meet face-to-face with editors and reporters, making contacts and introducing new products without sacrificing valuable floor time with buyers. Each manufacturer participant is selected from the application pool by lottery to set up temporary exhibit space within the Media Center. Throughout the four-hour event, the manufacturers can show samples and answer questions about their products.
The key to a successful experience is preparation, and knowing how to make the editors’ jobs easy. In order to help manufacturers maximize their experiences, TORA has gathered a few preparation materials from past events and webinars. These resources will help manufacturers be prepared for the media, and ultimately gain the best coverage possible. The following materials are especially helpful for companies that do not have a dedicated media relations division, or that just want to sharpen their skills:
- “Getting Media Coverage at the SEMA Show” – webinar by Larry Edsall
- “Media Panel: How to Maximize Media Exposure”– panel from 2014 Exhibitor Summit
- “How to Host a Successful SEMA Show Press Conference” – presentation from 2012 Exhibitor Summit
All applications for the 2016 TORA Media Preview event are due by September 9. Apply now! For more information, contact Allan Keefe at allank@sema.org 909-978-6696. For more information about attending as a member of the media, contact Della Domingo at dellad@sema.org, 909-978-6723.
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| Visit MPMC's website |
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MPMC Media Trade Conference Manufacturer Registration Now Open
The Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference is a truly unique event that brings together editorial staff from all over the world with racing and high-performance parts manufacturers for three days of face-to-face, 30-minute meetings. Nowhere else do manufacturers have the opportunity to meet with automotive editors in as many as 42 in-person meetings.
Exhibitor registration for the 2017 MPMC Media Trade Conference is open now through September 5, 2016. Only 100 spots are available, and participants will be chosen using a random number lottery system. Manufacturers who submitted an application but were not selected for the 2016 event are automatically guaranteed a spot in the 2017 event if they submit a new application by the September 5, 2016, deadline. Exhibitor selection is available only for MPMC-member companies. The 2017 Media Trade Conference will be January 24–26 at the Embassy Suites Orange County Airport North.
Media Registration will open in October 2016. For media inquiries, contact Della Domingo at dellad@sema.org or 909-978-6723.
Not an MPMC member? Join today. MPMC members must manufacture parts used in sanctioned motorsports events, and all applications for membership are subject to review.
For general or exhibitor inquiries, contact Lindsay Bianco at lindsayb@sema.org, 909-978-6692.