The Celebrity Appearance Notification form for the 2010 SEMA Show are due by Friday, September 3.

SEMA Show exhibitors that will have an industry icon, TV personality or any other celebrity or famous vehicle in their booth can gain additional exposure for the special attraction at the Show. Let SEMA know about your famous guest by submitting the Celebrity Appearance Notification form by Friday, September 3.

Use the notification to have your special appearance publicized by including your company name, booth number and time they will appear. This information will be available to attendees and media during the Show.

Questions? Contact Lisa Shafer at lisas@sema.org or 909/978-6742.

The Celebrity Appearance Notification form for the 2010 SEMA Show are due by Friday, September 3.

SEMA Show exhibitors that will have an industry icon, TV personality or any other celebrity or famous vehicle in their booth can gain additional exposure for the special attraction at the Show. Let SEMA know about your famous guest by submitting the Celebrity Appearance Notification form by Friday, September 3.

Use the notification to have your special appearance publicized by including your company name, booth number and time they will appear. This information will be available to attendees and media during the Show.

Questions? Contact Lisa Shafer at lisas@sema.org or 909/978-6742.

The Celebrity Appearance Notification form for the 2010 SEMA Show are due by Friday, September 3.

SEMA Show exhibitors that will have an industry icon, TV personality or any other celebrity or famous vehicle in their booth can gain additional exposure for the special attraction at the Show. Let SEMA know about your famous guest by submitting the Celebrity Appearance Notification form by Friday, September 3.

Use the notification to have your special appearance publicized by including your company name, booth number and time they will appear. This information will be available to attendees and media during the Show.

Questions? Contact Lisa Shafer at lisas@sema.org or 909/978-6742.

The Celebrity Appearance Notification form for the 2010 SEMA Show are due by Friday, September 3.

SEMA Show exhibitors that will have an industry icon, TV personality or any other celebrity or famous vehicle in their booth can gain additional exposure for the special attraction at the Show. Let SEMA know about your famous guest by submitting the Celebrity Appearance Notification form by Friday, September 3.

Use the notification to have your special appearance publicized by including your company name, booth number and time they will appear. This information will be available to attendees and media during the Show.

Questions? Contact Lisa Shafer at lisas@sema.org or 909/978-6742.

The Celebrity Appearance Notification form for the 2010 SEMA Show are due by Friday, September 3.

SEMA Show exhibitors that will have an industry icon, TV personality or any other celebrity or famous vehicle in their booth can gain additional exposure for the special attraction at the Show. Let SEMA know about your famous guest by submitting the Celebrity Appearance Notification form by Friday, September 3.

Use the notification to have your special appearance publicized by including your company name, booth number and time they will appear. This information will be available to attendees and media during the Show.

Questions? Contact Lisa Shafer at lisas@sema.org or 909/978-6742.

The Celebrity Appearance Notification form for the 2010 SEMA Show are due by Friday, September 3.

SEMA Show exhibitors that will have an industry icon, TV personality or any other celebrity or famous vehicle in their booth can gain additional exposure for the special attraction at the Show. Let SEMA know about your famous guest by submitting the Celebrity Appearance Notification form by Friday, September 3.

Use the notification to have your special appearance publicized by including your company name, booth number and time they will appear. This information will be available to attendees and media during the Show.

Questions? Contact Lisa Shafer at lisas@sema.org or 909/978-6742.

From the newest innovators coming to the 2010 SEMA Show to seminars and tested tips for exhibitors and attendees alike, the September issue of SEMA News is your one-stop guide to preparing for the Show. And best, it's now all available online.

SEMA News - September 2010

BEST PRACTICES

By Steve Campbell

Delivering the Right Parts to the Right Markets

	This series of SEMA News stories is based on the idea of using reliable and repeatable methods to ensure business success. In coming issues, we will delve into a range of topics aimed at developing Best Practices through knowledge, motivation and skills.

Companies that wish to extend their reach beyond U.S. borders can branch into emerging automotive markets that offer huge potential for increased sales. The keys to successful international ventures are careful research and reasonable expectations. The first step is to discover what vehicles are available in the target locale, and the second is to discover what products resonate with consumers there. SEMA offers several programs that can help get member companies started.

Study the Market Reports

Chief among the resources available through the association are the SEMA Market Reports, which are available for a wide range of countries in Europe, South America, Asia and Australia. (To access the reports, select either “Resources by Region” or “Resources by Country.”) The reports deliver valuable data about selling products in the selected markets. Each provides a summary of the locale’s demographics and market status, an overview of the top vehicles sold and accessorized in the area, market and import trends, best sales prospects and an overview of the competitive situation. In addition, the reports provide an analysis of the consumers and end users in the market as well as a look at how the market may be accessed (i.e., through repair facilities or retail outlets). Each report concludes with a list of the area’s trade events and key contact information for press, distributors and importers. In some cases, a report may also include an overview of the area’s business rules and regulations and may include duty rates, taxes and other pertinent charges.

The association also offers international vehicle reports that list the top-selling cars, trucks, SUVs and minivans in a variety of countries, including make, model and units sold, and the SEMA website’s international pages include dozens of Department of Commerce reports on the accessories and auto parts industry.

Take Advantage of the SEMA Show

	SEMA Market Reports provide a summary of demographics and market status, an overview of the top vehicles sold and accessorized in a given area as well as market and import trends, best sales prospects and an overview of the competitive situation.

There may be no better U.S. venue for developing global contacts and learning about international markets than the resources available at the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas. An ever-expanding group of exhibitors and buyers come to the event from around the world to seek and buy new products, and the association hosts networking and educational activities throughout the Show (held the first week of November each year) where companies can make contacts, review possible markets and obtain practical advice from companies that are already active in the various locations.

One of the first places to visit during the SEMA Show for those interested in developing a global presence is the Center for International Commerce (CIC). The CIC provides conference rooms, interpreters, Internet access, international specialty-equipment magazines and up-to-date lists of SEMA Show international buyers and various international reports. It is a terrific place to network with other business people who are active in global commerce. SEMA personnel at the CIC also have information about U.S. Embassy, Consulate and Department of Commerce representatives who can offer export counseling and facilitate meetings with U.S. exhibitors.

SEMA also hosts an annual International Happy Hour at the SEMA Show. The event is an informal gathering place for hundreds of exhibitors and international buyers and offers the opportunity to develop relationships between potential distributors and overseas customers. The International Happy Hour is free on a first-come, first-served basis, but tickets are required to attend. Interested attendees at the Show may register at the CIC.

The 2010 International Happy Hour will include the seventh annual Global Media Awards Program. Top international journalists serve as judges, each reviewing and evaluating the more than 2,000 new-product entries at the SEMA Show before selecting their picks for the products they feel will appeal most to consumers in their home countries. The types of products that find success differ in response to consumer uses, demographics and lifestyle factors in the various markets. The Global Media Awards program can help manufacturers learn about the markets and identify products that interest buyers in a specific region or country.

	SEMA trade missions often include visits to consumer or trade shows, where attendees are able to gauge the suitability of their products to the local market. Such missions provide an opportunity for companies with global aspirations to investigate a country’s or region’s business environment and better understand the area’s market potential.

The SEMA Show now provides a program that matches buyers with the products they’re seeking. The matches are based on demographic questions the buyers answer during the registration process. All of the products that a buyer selects as items of interest are matched to suppliers who are exhibiting at the SEMA Show. In the event that new exhibitors register for the Show, buyers receive updated match notifications.

Exhibitors involved in international commerce are also provided with multilingual “We Export” signs for display at their SEMA Show booths, encouraging international buyers to stop and establish relationships.

The SEMA International Buyers’ Guide is another outlet for companies that are interested in global marketing for their products. SEMA Show exhibitors are listed in the guide, which is distributed to every international buyer attending the SEMA Show and is also shipped to more than 50 U.S. embassies throughout the world, including key overseas trade shows in Germany, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Japan, Australia, Italy, Brazil and South America. There is no charge to be included in the SEMA International Buyers’ Guide.

Join SEMA Trade Missions and Attend Overseas Trade Shows

SEMA periodically organizes trade missions to emerging global automotive markets. SEMA’s missions provide the opportunity for member companies to travel with its international and executive staff to meet government officials and industry contacts from wholesale, distribution and retail businesses. The missions often include visits to consumer or trade shows, where attendees are able to gauge the suitability of their products to the local market. Such missions provide an opportunity for companies with global aspirations to investigate a country’s or region’s business environment and better understand the area’s market potential.

Use Global Media for Research and Coverage

	Specialty-equipment magazines published for specific global markets are an invaluable research source and can also serve as prime advertising venues when a company chooses to market its products overseas.

Specialty-equipment magazines published for specific global markets are an invaluable research source and can also serve as prime advertising outlets when a company chooses to market its products overseas. Even publications that aren’t offered in English provide visual clues about the vehicles and products that are currently doing well in a given segment. SEMA offers a database of media contacts, and numerous international magazines from around the world are available at the CIC during the SEMA Show, including publications from key markets, such as Japan, Germany, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico and Venezuela.

For an in-depth discussion of how to approach global media for coverage of your company and its products, visit here to download a copy of the SEMA News magazine story, “Global Press Coverage.”

Become Aware of International Property Rights

There are regulatory differences between the U.S. and offshore markets, and any company planning to do business in a foreign market should investigate how to protect its intellectual property rights (IPR). Items such as trademarks, patents and domain names can be treated very differently. SEMA News, SEMA eNews and www.SEMA.org have published a variety of articles about IPR. A recent webinar entitled “Fine Tuning Your China IPR Strategy: Know Before You Go” as well as an article in this issue of SEMA News entitled “The Allure of China” (p. 98) both discuss the precautions exporting companies should pursue to protect their rights. The SEMA website also contains general information about IPR for product importers as well as exporters. Additional information on developing an IPR strategy is available here. A copy of the recent IPR webinar is available online here.

SEMA members may also contact SEMA Director of International Relations Linda Spencer at 202/783-4032 or for more information on any of the association’s international programs.  

SEMA News - September 2010

BEST PRACTICES

By Steve Campbell

Delivering the Right Parts to the Right Markets

	This series of SEMA News stories is based on the idea of using reliable and repeatable methods to ensure business success. In coming issues, we will delve into a range of topics aimed at developing Best Practices through knowledge, motivation and skills.

Companies that wish to extend their reach beyond U.S. borders can branch into emerging automotive markets that offer huge potential for increased sales. The keys to successful international ventures are careful research and reasonable expectations. The first step is to discover what vehicles are available in the target locale, and the second is to discover what products resonate with consumers there. SEMA offers several programs that can help get member companies started.

Study the Market Reports

Chief among the resources available through the association are the SEMA Market Reports, which are available for a wide range of countries in Europe, South America, Asia and Australia. (To access the reports, select either “Resources by Region” or “Resources by Country.”) The reports deliver valuable data about selling products in the selected markets. Each provides a summary of the locale’s demographics and market status, an overview of the top vehicles sold and accessorized in the area, market and import trends, best sales prospects and an overview of the competitive situation. In addition, the reports provide an analysis of the consumers and end users in the market as well as a look at how the market may be accessed (i.e., through repair facilities or retail outlets). Each report concludes with a list of the area’s trade events and key contact information for press, distributors and importers. In some cases, a report may also include an overview of the area’s business rules and regulations and may include duty rates, taxes and other pertinent charges.

The association also offers international vehicle reports that list the top-selling cars, trucks, SUVs and minivans in a variety of countries, including make, model and units sold, and the SEMA website’s international pages include dozens of Department of Commerce reports on the accessories and auto parts industry.

Take Advantage of the SEMA Show

	SEMA Market Reports provide a summary of demographics and market status, an overview of the top vehicles sold and accessorized in a given area as well as market and import trends, best sales prospects and an overview of the competitive situation.

There may be no better U.S. venue for developing global contacts and learning about international markets than the resources available at the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas. An ever-expanding group of exhibitors and buyers come to the event from around the world to seek and buy new products, and the association hosts networking and educational activities throughout the Show (held the first week of November each year) where companies can make contacts, review possible markets and obtain practical advice from companies that are already active in the various locations.

One of the first places to visit during the SEMA Show for those interested in developing a global presence is the Center for International Commerce (CIC). The CIC provides conference rooms, interpreters, Internet access, international specialty-equipment magazines and up-to-date lists of SEMA Show international buyers and various international reports. It is a terrific place to network with other business people who are active in global commerce. SEMA personnel at the CIC also have information about U.S. Embassy, Consulate and Department of Commerce representatives who can offer export counseling and facilitate meetings with U.S. exhibitors.

SEMA also hosts an annual International Happy Hour at the SEMA Show. The event is an informal gathering place for hundreds of exhibitors and international buyers and offers the opportunity to develop relationships between potential distributors and overseas customers. The International Happy Hour is free on a first-come, first-served basis, but tickets are required to attend. Interested attendees at the Show may register at the CIC.

The 2010 International Happy Hour will include the seventh annual Global Media Awards Program. Top international journalists serve as judges, each reviewing and evaluating the more than 2,000 new-product entries at the SEMA Show before selecting their picks for the products they feel will appeal most to consumers in their home countries. The types of products that find success differ in response to consumer uses, demographics and lifestyle factors in the various markets. The Global Media Awards program can help manufacturers learn about the markets and identify products that interest buyers in a specific region or country.

	SEMA trade missions often include visits to consumer or trade shows, where attendees are able to gauge the suitability of their products to the local market. Such missions provide an opportunity for companies with global aspirations to investigate a country’s or region’s business environment and better understand the area’s market potential.

The SEMA Show now provides a program that matches buyers with the products they’re seeking. The matches are based on demographic questions the buyers answer during the registration process. All of the products that a buyer selects as items of interest are matched to suppliers who are exhibiting at the SEMA Show. In the event that new exhibitors register for the Show, buyers receive updated match notifications.

Exhibitors involved in international commerce are also provided with multilingual “We Export” signs for display at their SEMA Show booths, encouraging international buyers to stop and establish relationships.

The SEMA International Buyers’ Guide is another outlet for companies that are interested in global marketing for their products. SEMA Show exhibitors are listed in the guide, which is distributed to every international buyer attending the SEMA Show and is also shipped to more than 50 U.S. embassies throughout the world, including key overseas trade shows in Germany, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Japan, Australia, Italy, Brazil and South America. There is no charge to be included in the SEMA International Buyers’ Guide.

Join SEMA Trade Missions and Attend Overseas Trade Shows

SEMA periodically organizes trade missions to emerging global automotive markets. SEMA’s missions provide the opportunity for member companies to travel with its international and executive staff to meet government officials and industry contacts from wholesale, distribution and retail businesses. The missions often include visits to consumer or trade shows, where attendees are able to gauge the suitability of their products to the local market. Such missions provide an opportunity for companies with global aspirations to investigate a country’s or region’s business environment and better understand the area’s market potential.

Use Global Media for Research and Coverage

	Specialty-equipment magazines published for specific global markets are an invaluable research source and can also serve as prime advertising venues when a company chooses to market its products overseas.

Specialty-equipment magazines published for specific global markets are an invaluable research source and can also serve as prime advertising outlets when a company chooses to market its products overseas. Even publications that aren’t offered in English provide visual clues about the vehicles and products that are currently doing well in a given segment. SEMA offers a database of media contacts, and numerous international magazines from around the world are available at the CIC during the SEMA Show, including publications from key markets, such as Japan, Germany, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico and Venezuela.

For an in-depth discussion of how to approach global media for coverage of your company and its products, visit here to download a copy of the SEMA News magazine story, “Global Press Coverage.”

Become Aware of International Property Rights

There are regulatory differences between the U.S. and offshore markets, and any company planning to do business in a foreign market should investigate how to protect its intellectual property rights (IPR). Items such as trademarks, patents and domain names can be treated very differently. SEMA News, SEMA eNews and www.SEMA.org have published a variety of articles about IPR. A recent webinar entitled “Fine Tuning Your China IPR Strategy: Know Before You Go” as well as an article in this issue of SEMA News entitled “The Allure of China” (p. 98) both discuss the precautions exporting companies should pursue to protect their rights. The SEMA website also contains general information about IPR for product importers as well as exporters. Additional information on developing an IPR strategy is available here. A copy of the recent IPR webinar is available online here.

SEMA members may also contact SEMA Director of International Relations Linda Spencer at 202/783-4032 or for more information on any of the association’s international programs.  

SEMA News - September 2010

Each year, the SEMA Show becomes the focal point for innovation in the automotive industry. It is the venue where manufacturers are able to connect with retailers to bring innovations to consumers around the world. So it won’t come as a surprise that the SEMA team is again doing its part with some great innovations in the SEMA Show itself. I want to tell you about a few of the new opportunities for Show attendees to learn more about new products and automotive systems at the 2010 gathering.

The first is the introduction of an exciting new industry award—“The Hottest Vehicles of the SEMA Show.” The award will allow us to celebrate the outstanding vehicles and trends in the specialty-parts industry and showcase this year’s coolest products. The three awards—Hottest Pickup Truck, Hottest 4x4 and Hottest Car of the SEMA Show—will be selected on the basis of the vehicle models that manufacturers display most often in their SEMA Show booths. The nominees will be limited to 2010 and 2011 model-year vehicles, reflecting the models that specialty-equipment manufacturers believe are the best platforms for accessorization and this year’s bumper crop of new products. The new award program will also emphasize the fruits of the cooperative relationship between the automakers and SEMA-member companies, evidenced by information-sharing programs, such as SEMA Measuring Sessions and Tech Transfer, which provide SEMA members access to advanced vehicle design information. Watch for upcoming news about the “Contender Vehicles” vying for honors as the Hottest of the SEMA Show, and then look for the announcement of the winners and a grand awards presentation at the Show in Las Vegas.

And speaking of advanced design, be sure to attend this year’s Technical Briefing SuperSessions on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (November 1–3) of the Show. These intriguing vehicle technology previews feature stellar panels of automotive experts, such as Mark Reuss, president of General Motors North America; Paul Williamsen, national manager of Lexus College, Toyota Motor Sales USA; Dr. Andrew Brown, SAE president and chief technical officer of Delphi; and Peter Appel, administrator of research and innovative administration for the U.S. Department of Transportation. These sessions will offer insights into vehicle dynamics, the future of high-performance hybrids and electrics, and the integration of automotive and consumer electronics.

Also be sure to check out the Clemson University (CU)-ICAR “Deep Orange” project, where students have designed and built a car using “a radical approach to designing the car of the future.” SEMA’s relationship with CU-ICAR continues to grow, helping member manufacturers engineer products that will integrate with today’s complex vehicle technology. For example, member companies working with CU-ICAR facilities are helping to develop a revolutionary means to design and integrate suspension products to work compatibly with electronic stability control systems. Check the SEMA Show schedule for opportunities to learn more about Clemson’s state-of-the-art facilities and programs—opportunities important to all SEMA manufacturing members.

You may also have heard about SEMA’s expanded relationship with the Tire Industry Association (TIA) and the debut of the Global Tire Expo—Powered by TIA at this year’s SEMA Show. The Expo is open to all segments of the tire industry, including automotive, commercial, retreading, recycling and more. The Expo will include more than 290 exhibiting companies as well as expanded educational sessions targeted at the tire market and led by experts in the tire industry. With so many businesses looking to include tire-related products, this dedicated floor section and the educational programs will help buyers discover the potential that the tire industry has to offer.

For a more detailed look at these and other new SEMA Show programs, be sure to check out “A 2010 SEMA Show Preview,” , “SEMA Show Tips and Freebies for Exhibitors” and “2010 Vehicle Technology Briefing Seminar Program” in your September issue of SEMA News. The SEMA Show is only a few months away, and it promises to be one of the best ever. I’ll see you there!  

—Chris Kersting, SEMA President and CEO