By Linda Spencer
 Keynote speaker Alan Turley, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s deputy assistant secretary for China and Mongolia, provided Export Workshop attendees with an overview of the changes underway in China and the opportunities it presents U.S. manufacturers. |
 SEMA was honored to receive the Presidential E Star Award from Alan Turley (second from left). (L–R): Linda Spencer, senior director, international and government affairs; Turley; Wade Kawasaki, SEMA chairman of the board; and Bill Miller, SEMA vice president, operations. |
Thirty-five SEMA members from around the United States participated in an Export Workshop at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, July 17. This program brought together both experienced exporters and those new to selling to customers outside the United States.
Keynote speaker Alan Turley, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s deputy assistant secretary for China and Mongolia, riveted the audience with an overview of the changes underway in China—and the opportunities they present U.S. manufacturers—from the perspective of the 30 years he spent in Asia in both government service and the private sector. Turley recounted his posting in the 1980s in Japan, when the country’s specialty-equipment market was in its early stages. The companies that entered the market then are now well positioned. He noted China is in a similar stage as Japan 30 years ago, and urged U.S. companies to seriously consider the Chinese market, despite the current bilateral trade issues and other emerging market challenges.
Turley’s presentation set the stage for the following speakers, who ably provided an overview on how to protect trademarks and brands while selling abroad; the SEMA Show IPR policy; and an official from Alibaba, who discussed the mega Chinese online marketplace’s IPR enforcement program. Other speakers covered everything from how to correctly fill out a customs form to Europe’s New General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and what actions U.S. companies need to take to comply.
SEMA was also honored to receive the Presidential E Star Award from Turley, which recognizes the SEMA-U.S. Department of Commerce partnership and the resulting programs and resources for U.S. companies to grow their overseas sales of automotive accessories and performance products.
To date, SEMA members participating in SEMA’s overseas business development programs have generated more than $130 million in export sales.