SEMA Member News—January 2018
MPMC Hall of Fame
 Dick Hill was inducted into the MPMC Hall of Fame at the 2017 PRI Trade Show. | |
The Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Hall of Fame immortalizes those who have made a significant contribution to MPMC or to the motorsports parts manufacturing segment as a whole. Dick Hill was honored with induction into the MPMC Hall of Fame during an evening reception at the Performance Racing Industry Show at the Indiana Convention Center.
Hill has been devoted to the performance aftermarket virtually his entire life. After serving a tour of duty as an Army MP during the Vietnam conflict, he went to work for companies such as Mr. Gasket, Dana Corp. and Jeg’s before settling at Centerforce Clutches for the last 15 years, until retiring just a couple of years ago. During his career, Hill served four terms on the SEMA Board of Directors and six terms on the MPMC select committee. While on the select committee, he chaired or participated in virtually every council task force and is one of the original contributing authors of the Business Guidelines Manual.
Hill was voted PWA Person of the Year in 1998 and received the Street Performance Council President’s Award in 2004. Over and above those contributions, he is best remembered as a mentor to newcomers in the industry and for making others feel welcome. In retirement, he is still an active hobbyist, cruising in his ‘56 Chevy or ‘26 Lakes Roadster, attending NHRA races, and serving as crew on a Fuel Altered. He feels both proud and blessed to be a part of the performance aftermarket.
Longtime friend, fellow SEMA Board and MPMC select committee member and now fellow MPMC Hall of Fame inductee Chris Thomson noted: “Contrary to the bold persona that is part of Dick’s image, he’s really a warm and loving man who never misses an opportunity to mentor young people and challenge them to be engaged in the industry.”
Media Appreciation Reception
 MPMC heads into the new year looking forward to its 22nd Media Trade Conference, to be held in Santa Ana, California, January 23–25. | |
The MPMC holds a reception on Tuesday evening of the Media Trade Conference to show its appreciation of motorsports media. The evening serves as a further opportunity for manufacturers and media to connect in a less-formal atmosphere. Reception attendees enjoy food and beverages while networking with industry friends.
The council honors one exceptional member of the media with the Robert E. Petersen Award each year. The Robert E. Petersen Award is named in honor of the man to whom the motorsports industry owes so much and is presented to an individual from the media who has made a positive impact on the industry and the MPMC during the previous calendar year.
Full Steam Ahead
The MPMC heads into the new year looking forward to its 22nd Media Trade Conference, held annually in Santa Ana, California. On January 23–25, 100 motorsports parts manufacturers will set up “showrooms” and meeting spaces within their suites at the Embassy Suites hotel and host private, one-on-one meetings with motorsports media. Hundreds of media members attend this event, and the exhibiting manufacturers have the opportunity for 42 scheduled meetings in three days.
The MPMC Media Trade Conference is invaluable to both manufacturers and media. It serves as an opportunity to have uninterrupted face time with current connections while also serving as an opportunity to create new connections. Many manufacturers bring their products for display, giving the media the chance to see, touch, feel and photograph innovative parts, providing them with useful content for months to come.
Along with the jam-packed meeting schedules, Media Trade Conference attendees will also be invited to other industry events.
MPMC heads into the new year looking forward to its 22nd Media Trade Conference, to be held in Santa Ana, California, January 23–25.