WTC

View Press Releases

SEMA Member News - July/August 2010

How to Get More Involved

Take Advantage of WTC Membership

  SEMA Member News-July/August 2010-WTC 
  The WTC operates within four task force groups, including science and technology, education, communications and marketing and the SEMA Show. The council’s goal is to identify common problems and opportunities related to the wheel and tire industries.  
   
As with most associations, SEMA’s strength comes from its members. Too often, however, a person joins an association without a meaningful understanding of how he can best benefit from the services and programs provided. If a company or an individual fails to take advantage of such benefits, it’s understandable that he will question the value received. The simple and honest response to such a question is, “the more you give, the more you will get in return.” A worthwhile association promotes the interests of its members, but those interests can only be fully comprehended through an active, reciprocal partnership. This, of course, begs the question, “How do I get more involved?”

One way to get involved is to join a council. The mission of the Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) is “to identify common problems and opportunities relating to the wheel and tire industries that the council, as an interested body of companies, can address for the common good.”

The WTC is comprised of roughly 120 motivated companies that span the tire, wheel and accessory markets. “As we move forward and address the challenges before us, we must at the same time be mindful of the imprint we leave for those who will follow,” said WTC Chairman Tim Dietz. “An active membership is critical to the sustained viability of an industry that we are all passionate about.”

The WTC operates on many levels of community awareness. However, the largest sector that it concerns itself with is government regulations and industry research. The WTC operates within four task force groups to achieve its goals:
  • Science and Technology
  • Education
  • Communications and Marketing
  • SEMA Show

Science and Technology

WTC Official LogoAs vehicle technology and standards continue to evolve, it is important that WTC members stay abreast of the latest changes. The council’s efforts on the SAE J2530 aftermarket wheel test standard, tire-pressure monitoring systems and electronic stability controls are all examples of how the WTC acts to not only protect its members, but to also improve their position in the marketplace.

Education

Over the years, the WTC has worked closely with the SEMA Education Institute (SEI) to ensure that the council’s members are given the resources to succeed. The WTC also holds the position that an emphasis on education will ultimately raise industry standards and create successful industry succession. For example, the WTC recently created an online learning tool that focuses on three critical areas:

  • Introduction to the Industry
  • Effective Selling Techniques
  • Successful Customer Service

Kelly Austin, WTC immediate past chairman and advisor, encouraged all members to look at the council’s new training aid, which was created to help all retail salespeople sell wheels easier and more effectively. “The WTC has pooled information and past experience from all our Select Committee members with help from the SEI to create this program,” Austin said. “If you can give the training program a small amount of time, you will be rewarded with a simple and effective process that will make selling aftermarket wheels much easier and less time consuming.”

Communications and Marketing

  • WTC members enjoy full access to the council’s multiple communications vehicles. So that it may better communicate news and events, WTC encourages all members to take advantage of the following resources:
  • A quarterly newsletter with information regarding the council and the projects it is working on.
  • The bimonthly SEMA Member News section within SEMA News, highlighting industry events, members, resources, tools and all other pertinent information.
  • The weekly SEMA eNews electronic newsletter, which provides members with the best access to current events and allows them to keep abreast of the industry.
  • Detailed information on the WTC homepage that covers the entire industry. In addition, you can utilize “MyDashboard” to create industry-specific networks and take advantage of emerging social media by interacting with other WTC members.

SEMA Show

Once a year at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, WTC hosts a reception that provides an opportunity for council members to get together, honor one another and network with all those who share common interests and passions. This is the WTC’s culminating event and highlights the year. Most importantly, the reception provides a great forum for the Select Committee and the general membership to personally interact with and gain valuable insight about each other’s challenges and accomplishments. 

To get involved, please contact Zane Clark at zanec@sema.org.