By Monika Earle

	The MPMC Media Trade Conference provides journalists with a chance to interview key staff from manufacturing companies and obtain content for stories quickly, easily and efficiently.

The 2015 MPMC Media Trade Conference takes place next week, January 20-22, 2015, in Santa Ana, California, where more than 250 media representatives are scheduled to sit down in private, uninterrupted meetings with executives from leading manufacturing companies.

Journalists who registered by the early deadline of December 16, 2014, should have already received their personalized schedules. Media who signed up after the deadline, including those who sign up after today, will receive their schedules onsite at the event.

To register, visit www.sema.org/mtcreg. For questions about media participation, contact Monika Earle at monikae@sema.org or 909-978-6722. For exhibitor information, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org or 909-978-6690.

Seventeen SEMA-member companies presented their products in a two-city visit to China during the September 2014 SEMA China Business Development tour. The SEMA delegation had the opportunity to exhibit both in Beijing and Shanghai. The group was briefed by the U.S. Embassy and participated in networking events in both cities, where members had the chance to meet with buyers from throughout the country. Buyers attended the SEMA events from 23 provinces located throughout China.

Seventeen SEMA-member companies presented their products in a two-city visit to China during the September 2014 SEMA China Business Development tour. The SEMA delegation had the opportunity to exhibit both in Beijing and Shanghai. The group was briefed by the U.S. Embassy and participated in networking events in both cities, where members had the chance to meet with buyers from throughout the country. Buyers attended the SEMA events from 23 provinces located throughout China.

Seventeen SEMA-member companies presented their products in a two-city visit to China during the September 2014 SEMA China Business Development tour. The SEMA delegation had the opportunity to exhibit both in Beijing and Shanghai. The group was briefed by the U.S. Embassy and participated in networking events in both cities, where members had the chance to meet with buyers from throughout the country. Buyers attended the SEMA events from 23 provinces located throughout China.

	Featuring $30,000 in aftermarket parts and accessories, the Omix-ADA Jeep Wrangler JK Sport featured at the 2014 SEMA Show raised $85,000 to benefit SEMA Cares charities during this week’s Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona.

By SEMA Editors

The Omix-ADA Jeep Wrangler JK Sport featured at the 2014 SEMA Show raised $85,000 to benefit SEMA Cares charities through the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The Wrangler was purchased using funds from Omix-ADA’s 2013 SEMA Cares donation and then customized through a collaboration with the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts. The upfitted, dirt-ready Jeep features $30,000 in aftermarket parts and accessories. As part of the build, a team of students from the school modified the standard four-door JK Sport at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, using parts from several donor companies.

“We enjoyed our role in the Jeep build,” stated Henk Van Dongen, director of marketing for Omix-ADA/Rigged Ridge. “It is always exciting when you can work with organizations that are giving back to either society as a whole or to organizations that support our industry.”

SEMA’s Mike Spagnola, vice president of OEM and product development programs, who attended the auction, was excited about the funds raised and the chance to collaborate with several industry partners.

“This is the sixth SEMA Cares project build and the second build we’ve done with the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts (AXC), and I really enjoy working with these young adults as well as our involved manufacturers and SEMA staff,” said Spagnola. “They all bring a lot of energy to the build and do a great job overall.”

For additional details, visit www.barrett-jackson.com or contact Mike Spagnola at mikes@sema.org or 909-978-6707.

The SEMA Cares committee was established by the SEMA Board of Directors and brings the voice and resources of the SEMA community together to make a positive difference in the lives of others. More than $1 million has been raised since SEMA Cares was established in 2007.

	Featuring $30,000 in aftermarket parts and accessories, the Omix-ADA Jeep Wrangler JK Sport featured at the 2014 SEMA Show raised $85,000 to benefit SEMA Cares charities during this week’s Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona.

By SEMA Editors

The Omix-ADA Jeep Wrangler JK Sport featured at the 2014 SEMA Show raised $85,000 to benefit SEMA Cares charities through the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The Wrangler was purchased using funds from Omix-ADA’s 2013 SEMA Cares donation and then customized through a collaboration with the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts. The upfitted, dirt-ready Jeep features $30,000 in aftermarket parts and accessories. As part of the build, a team of students from the school modified the standard four-door JK Sport at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, using parts from several donor companies.

“We enjoyed our role in the Jeep build,” stated Henk Van Dongen, director of marketing for Omix-ADA/Rigged Ridge. “It is always exciting when you can work with organizations that are giving back to either society as a whole or to organizations that support our industry.”

SEMA’s Mike Spagnola, vice president of OEM and product development programs, who attended the auction, was excited about the funds raised and the chance to collaborate with several industry partners.

“This is the sixth SEMA Cares project build and the second build we’ve done with the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts (AXC), and I really enjoy working with these young adults as well as our involved manufacturers and SEMA staff,” said Spagnola. “They all bring a lot of energy to the build and do a great job overall.”

For additional details, visit www.barrett-jackson.com or contact Mike Spagnola at mikes@sema.org or 909-978-6707.

The SEMA Cares committee was established by the SEMA Board of Directors and brings the voice and resources of the SEMA community together to make a positive difference in the lives of others. More than $1 million has been raised since SEMA Cares was established in 2007.

KGP's photographer in the UK has just gotten a terrific set of shots showing the Range Rover Evoque Convertible from all angles.

A concept for the Evoque Convertible was shown at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, but the gestation for the production version took a while. In that time, reports had claimed that the program was cancelled, but then rumors began swirling that the open-air Evoque had been green-lit. With conclusive proof now caught testing on Jaguar Land Rover hunting grounds, the Evoque Convertible is really a thing. The question is, will the market treat it better than it treated the awkward Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet?

These spy shots suggest that the production execution of the Evoque Convertible will differ from the original concept. The prototype's rear fenders appear to have different cut lines than the concept. There is also a different rear deck-lid design, with the prototype showing what appears to be a less elegant, squared-off lip spoiler. It's likely that these changes were made with more cost-effective manufacturing in mind. Here's hoping that the design changes deemed necessary don't hinder what is already a risky proposition for such a unique niche model.

Photo credit: KGP Photography

KGP's photographer in the UK has just gotten a terrific set of shots showing the Range Rover Evoque Convertible from all angles.

A concept for the Evoque Convertible was shown at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, but the gestation for the production version took a while. In that time, reports had claimed that the program was cancelled, but then rumors began swirling that the open-air Evoque had been green-lit. With conclusive proof now caught testing on Jaguar Land Rover hunting grounds, the Evoque Convertible is really a thing. The question is, will the market treat it better than it treated the awkward Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet?

These spy shots suggest that the production execution of the Evoque Convertible will differ from the original concept. The prototype's rear fenders appear to have different cut lines than the concept. There is also a different rear deck-lid design, with the prototype showing what appears to be a less elegant, squared-off lip spoiler. It's likely that these changes were made with more cost-effective manufacturing in mind. Here's hoping that the design changes deemed necessary don't hinder what is already a risky proposition for such a unique niche model.

Photo credit: KGP Photography

KGP's photographer in the UK has just gotten a terrific set of shots showing the Range Rover Evoque Convertible from all angles.

A concept for the Evoque Convertible was shown at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, but the gestation for the production version took a while. In that time, reports had claimed that the program was cancelled, but then rumors began swirling that the open-air Evoque had been green-lit. With conclusive proof now caught testing on Jaguar Land Rover hunting grounds, the Evoque Convertible is really a thing. The question is, will the market treat it better than it treated the awkward Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet?

These spy shots suggest that the production execution of the Evoque Convertible will differ from the original concept. The prototype's rear fenders appear to have different cut lines than the concept. There is also a different rear deck-lid design, with the prototype showing what appears to be a less elegant, squared-off lip spoiler. It's likely that these changes were made with more cost-effective manufacturing in mind. Here's hoping that the design changes deemed necessary don't hinder what is already a risky proposition for such a unique niche model.

Photo credit: KGP Photography

	A main feature of the Nissan display at the North American International Auto Show, the all-new ’16 Nissan Titan XD will make a special series of appearances this coming weekend.

Only days after a Detroit world debut, the all-new 2016 Nissan Titan XD fullsize will make three weekend appearances in Southern California. The striking "SolarFlare Yellow" PRO-4X model was one of the Titan models that commanded the stage in Detroit.

The current schedule for the stops in So Cal are:

Saturday, January 17

• 4 Wheel Parts Superstore, 400 W. Artesia Blvd., Compton, 8:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m. (PST)
• Dirt Rider/Nissan Titan Meet-Up @ Supercross, 2390 E. Orangewood Ave., Anaheim (across from Angel Stadium), 1:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. (PST).  

Sunday, January 18

• Super Car Sunday at the Westfield Promenade Mall, Woodland Hills, 7:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m. (PST)  

Nissan fans are invited to follow along via Twitter using the hashtag #Nissantitan and take photos and share their impressions about the new pickup. They also have the opportunity to receive special Titan keepsakes at each spot. According to Nissan, the ’16 Titan XD is a ground-up redesign the fullsize pickup that adds more power through a new Cummins 5.0L Turbo Diesel V8, as well as more capability, utility and variety to truck customers.

For more information on the all-new ’16 Nissan TITAN XD, please visit www.nissan-usa.com.