The U.S. Department of the Interior has withdrawn its controversial “wild lands” policy, which directed lands with potential wilderness qualities to be managed as wilderness. SEMA joined with a number of other organizations to oppose the program, implemented last December by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), since it usurps the exclusive authority of Congress to designate “wilderness.” The designation is consequential to SEMA members that produce equipment intended for off-road activities and their customers since no motorized activities are allowed on “wilderness” lands.

The BLM manages more than 250 million acres across the western United States and Alaska, 22% of which already has the wilderness designation. Under the wild lands program, the BLM was directed to review its inventory in search of more wild lands. Program opponents noted that it did not take into account input from local communities and elected officials on how the lands should be managed, such as permitting multiple uses that provide jobs and economic benefits. The controversial program was being challenged in Congress and in the courts.

In a separate action, the BLM closed 37 miles of roads and trails in southwest Idaho to protect a rare plant—the Packard's milkvetch. Last November, the plant was listed as a candidate for Endangered Species Act protection and off-highway vehicles were identified as a threat. The plant is known to grow in a small area of Payette County. The BLM closure of 37 miles of OHV recreation around Willow Creek will last at least two years as the issue is reviewed. While supporting the need to protect endangered plants and animals, SEMA has called on Congress to update the Endangered Species Act to allow the government to pursue recovery habitats rather than simply close huge tracts of land.

A federal judge has rejected Utah’s lawsuit claiming state rights to a 10.5 road in Canyonlands National Park. The National Park Service closed the road in 1998, blocking motorized access to Angel Arch. The state of Utah and San Juan County had argued that the dried-up Salt Creek Canyon riverbed had a history of continuous use by vehicles, homesteaders and cattle herders, which provided a right of way to the national park. Widely considered the most spectacular arch in the park, visitors must now walk about 12 miles to reach Angel Arch.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

The U.S. Department of the Interior has withdrawn its controversial “wild lands” policy, which directed lands with potential wilderness qualities to be managed as wilderness. SEMA joined with a number of other organizations to oppose the program, implemented last December by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), since it usurps the exclusive authority of Congress to designate “wilderness.” The designation is consequential to SEMA members that produce equipment intended for off-road activities and their customers since no motorized activities are allowed on “wilderness” lands.

The BLM manages more than 250 million acres across the western United States and Alaska, 22% of which already has the wilderness designation. Under the wild lands program, the BLM was directed to review its inventory in search of more wild lands. Program opponents noted that it did not take into account input from local communities and elected officials on how the lands should be managed, such as permitting multiple uses that provide jobs and economic benefits. The controversial program was being challenged in Congress and in the courts.

In a separate action, the BLM closed 37 miles of roads and trails in southwest Idaho to protect a rare plant—the Packard's milkvetch. Last November, the plant was listed as a candidate for Endangered Species Act protection and off-highway vehicles were identified as a threat. The plant is known to grow in a small area of Payette County. The BLM closure of 37 miles of OHV recreation around Willow Creek will last at least two years as the issue is reviewed. While supporting the need to protect endangered plants and animals, SEMA has called on Congress to update the Endangered Species Act to allow the government to pursue recovery habitats rather than simply close huge tracts of land.

A federal judge has rejected Utah’s lawsuit claiming state rights to a 10.5 road in Canyonlands National Park. The National Park Service closed the road in 1998, blocking motorized access to Angel Arch. The state of Utah and San Juan County had argued that the dried-up Salt Creek Canyon riverbed had a history of continuous use by vehicles, homesteaders and cattle herders, which provided a right of way to the national park. Widely considered the most spectacular arch in the park, visitors must now walk about 12 miles to reach Angel Arch.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

SEMA-supported legislation to exempt classic vehicles and classic rods from emissions inspections if owners pay a one-time $6 fee and submit a certification that their vehicle will not be driven more than 5,000 miles per year was signed into law by Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval.

Under previous law, classic rods and classic vehicles were subject to a 2,500-mile-per-year limit to qualify for an emissions exemption and had to pass an initial two-speed idle emissions inspection to qualify.

Also, each year the owners of classic rods and classic vehicles were required to certify that their vehicles had not been driven more than 2,500 miles during the previous year and the certification had to be verified by a DMV emissions technician. Under the new law, the initial emissions inspection is no longer required.

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA-supported legislation to exempt classic vehicles and classic rods from emissions inspections if owners pay a one-time $6 fee and submit a certification that their vehicle will not be driven more than 5,000 miles per year was signed into law by Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval.

Under previous law, classic rods and classic vehicles were subject to a 2,500-mile-per-year limit to qualify for an emissions exemption and had to pass an initial two-speed idle emissions inspection to qualify.

Also, each year the owners of classic rods and classic vehicles were required to certify that their vehicles had not been driven more than 2,500 miles during the previous year and the certification had to be verified by a DMV emissions technician. Under the new law, the initial emissions inspection is no longer required.

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

The 2011 SEMA Hall of Fame members will be introduced during the sit-down dinner portion of the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser.

Hundreds of leaders and professionals from the specialty-equipment industry will gather to honor noteworthy icons and volunteers during the 2011 SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser on Friday, July 29, at the Renaissance Hotel in Long Beach, California. The annual event serves as the industry’s premier celebration where the newly elected Board of Directors are sworn in and SEMA Hall of Fame inductees are introduced for the first time.

“The Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser has always been a special time to pay tribute to the individuals who are working to support and grow the industry and the association,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “I always look forward to the event—it really is a homecoming where industry friends and colleagues gather, swap stories and show their appreciation to the SEMA Board of Directors and Hall of Fame members.”

All industry professionals are invited to attend the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser. The event begins with cocktails at 6:00 p.m., where attendees are able to mix and mingle with industry icons and celebrities. During the sit-down dinner that follows, the 2011 SEMA Hall of Fame members are introduced: Gray Baskerville, Art Chrisman, Chris Economaki and John Towle. The newly elected SEMA Board of Directors, who will be announced in late-June, are also sworn in during the program.

Tickets and information are available at www.sema.org/gala or from Michelle Harris at michelleh@sema.org, 909/978-6684. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit two children’s charities: Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp.

The 2011 SEMA Hall of Fame members will be introduced during the sit-down dinner portion of the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser.

Hundreds of leaders and professionals from the specialty-equipment industry will gather to honor noteworthy icons and volunteers during the 2011 SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser on Friday, July 29, at the Renaissance Hotel in Long Beach, California. The annual event serves as the industry’s premier celebration where the newly elected Board of Directors are sworn in and SEMA Hall of Fame inductees are introduced for the first time.

“The Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser has always been a special time to pay tribute to the individuals who are working to support and grow the industry and the association,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “I always look forward to the event—it really is a homecoming where industry friends and colleagues gather, swap stories and show their appreciation to the SEMA Board of Directors and Hall of Fame members.”

All industry professionals are invited to attend the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser. The event begins with cocktails at 6:00 p.m., where attendees are able to mix and mingle with industry icons and celebrities. During the sit-down dinner that follows, the 2011 SEMA Hall of Fame members are introduced: Gray Baskerville, Art Chrisman, Chris Economaki and John Towle. The newly elected SEMA Board of Directors, who will be announced in late-June, are also sworn in during the program.

Tickets and information are available at www.sema.org/gala or from Michelle Harris at michelleh@sema.org, 909/978-6684. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit two children’s charities: Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp.

To reach more powersports buyers, exhibitors can secure a kiosk located in the Powersports & Utility Vehicle section in the upper South Hall, while maintaining their primary booth in another area of the Show.

With hundreds of SEMA Show exhibitors offering products for the powersports market, SEMA Show organizers are expanding the Powersports & Utility Vehicle section of the 2011 event. Through manufacturer kiosks that will be placed in the Powersports & Utility Vehicle section, exhibitors with booths in one of the Show’s 11 other sections will be able to increase awareness, market their products and effectively reach powersports buyers in the most logical and appropriate area of the Show.

“The number of members branching into the powersports market continues to grow each year,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “The new kiosks provide traditional SEMA Show exhibitors that have powersports lines with an efficient and affordable way to participate in the powersports area of the show.”

The kiosk program is open to manufacturers already exhibiting in one of the SEMA Show’s 11 other sections. For a nominal fee, exhibitors can secure a kiosk that will be located in the Powersports & Utility Vehicle section in the upper South Hall, while maintaining their primary booth in another area of the Show. The kiosk will feature the manufacturer’s branding and marketing materials so that targeted buyers will be able to see what the manufacturer has to offer.

To reserve your kiosk, contact Rebecca Mitchell at 702/216-5851 or e-mail rmitchell@convexx.com.

The 2011 SEMA Show is set for Tuesday–Friday, November 1–4, 2011, in Las Vegas. As the largest automotive trade gathering in the world, the annual event features nearly 2,000 manufacturers, 100,000 industry professionals, dozens of educational seminars and several networking opportunities. To learn more about the event, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

To reach more powersports buyers, exhibitors can secure a kiosk located in the Powersports & Utility Vehicle section in the upper South Hall, while maintaining their primary booth in another area of the Show.

With hundreds of SEMA Show exhibitors offering products for the powersports market, SEMA Show organizers are expanding the Powersports & Utility Vehicle section of the 2011 event. Through manufacturer kiosks that will be placed in the Powersports & Utility Vehicle section, exhibitors with booths in one of the Show’s 11 other sections will be able to increase awareness, market their products and effectively reach powersports buyers in the most logical and appropriate area of the Show.

“The number of members branching into the powersports market continues to grow each year,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “The new kiosks provide traditional SEMA Show exhibitors that have powersports lines with an efficient and affordable way to participate in the powersports area of the show.”

The kiosk program is open to manufacturers already exhibiting in one of the SEMA Show’s 11 other sections. For a nominal fee, exhibitors can secure a kiosk that will be located in the Powersports & Utility Vehicle section in the upper South Hall, while maintaining their primary booth in another area of the Show. The kiosk will feature the manufacturer’s branding and marketing materials so that targeted buyers will be able to see what the manufacturer has to offer.

To reserve your kiosk, contact Rebecca Mitchell at 702/216-5851 or e-mail rmitchell@convexx.com.

The 2011 SEMA Show is set for Tuesday–Friday, November 1–4, 2011, in Las Vegas. As the largest automotive trade gathering in the world, the annual event features nearly 2,000 manufacturers, 100,000 industry professionals, dozens of educational seminars and several networking opportunities. To learn more about the event, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

Popular Plates: Fall magazine, a national newsstand magazine published by Source Interlink Media, is planning to include a section on tailgate parties. The editor is planning editorial coverage of products that are appropriate for tailgating—including (but not limited to) grills, grilling tools, coolers, 12-volt accessories, hitch-mount accessories, compact portable tables and chairs, and EZ Ups/canopies, as well as relevant football team logo merchandise, such as aprons, tablecloths, plates and napkins.

If your company makes or sells these products, send a press release (or a brief description of the product) and a high-resolution image (300 dpi, at least 3 or 4 in. wide, in TIFF, JPEG or EPS format) to Sue Elliott at sue@easierwaymedia.com by close of business Friday, June 10.

Popular Plates: Fall magazine, a national newsstand magazine published by Source Interlink Media, is planning to include a section on tailgate parties. The editor is planning editorial coverage of products that are appropriate for tailgating—including (but not limited to) grills, grilling tools, coolers, 12-volt accessories, hitch-mount accessories, compact portable tables and chairs, and EZ Ups/canopies, as well as relevant football team logo merchandise, such as aprons, tablecloths, plates and napkins.

If your company makes or sells these products, send a press release (or a brief description of the product) and a high-resolution image (300 dpi, at least 3 or 4 in. wide, in TIFF, JPEG or EPS format) to Sue Elliott at sue@easierwaymedia.com by close of business Friday, June 10.