Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO)

For more information about ARMO, visit www.sema.org/armo or contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)

HRIA Seminar Workshop Lineup for the Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show
Located in the Indiana Convention Center on Thursday, February 28, 2008, all SEMA members are encouraged to participate in the workshops that focus on product use, tips and techniques at the Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show  Click here to access additional information and a registration form, or contact Jan Desma (jand@sema.org) at 909/396-0289, ext. 134.

For more information about HRIA, visit www.sema.org/hria or contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

Light-Truck Accessory Alliance (TORA)

Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC)

For information about MPMC, visit www.sema.org/mpmc contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

Professional Restylers Organization (PRO)

For information about PRO, visit www.sema.org/pro or contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

Sport-Compact Council (SCC)

• SCC members have the unique opportunity to help shape the future of the industry by choosing appropriate representatives to serve on the SCC Select Committee as their eyes, ears and voice. Select Committee nomination forms have been mailed and are due Friday, March 7. The forms are also available on the SCC website at www.sema.org/scc. If you have any questions regarding the elections, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org.
  
  
• Read SCC's column featured in the January/February issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

Wheel & Tire Council (WTC)

• WTC members have the unique opportunity to help shape the future of the wheel and tire industry by choosing appropriate representatives to serve on the WTC Select Committee as their eyes, ears and voice. Select Committee nomination forms have been mailed and are due Friday, March 7. The forms are also available on the WTC website at www.sema.org/wtc. If you have any questions regarding the elections, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org.
  
  
• All members of the WTC are invited to join the WTC Select Committee at the council’s open Long-Range Planning Meeting. The details are:
   
  When: Thursday, March 13, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
  Where: SEMA Headquarters – AAA Building, 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765
   
  If you have any questions about the Long-Range Planning Meeting or to RSVP, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112, or e-mail paulm@sema.org.
  
  
• Read WTC's column featured in the January/February issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about WTC, visit www.sema.org/wtc or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN)

• Members of SBN have the unique opportunity to help shape the future of the automotive aftermarket by choosing appropriate representatives to serve on the SBN Select committee as their eyes, ears and voice. Select Committee nomination forms were mailed and are due Friday, March 7. The forms are also available at www.sema.org/sbn. If you have any questions regarding the elections, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org.
  
  
• Read SBN's column featured in the January/February issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

Discover the SEMA Mentoring Program, Powered by the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network

 “I’ll Get By With A Little Help From My Friends” Joe Cocker

Everyone needs help or expert advice from time to time and SEMA’s Mentoring Program is an excellent resource to get answers to all your questions. Whether you need to know more about SEMA, market information for a start-up company or advice on how to approach your boss about a new position, the SEMA Mentoring Program can help.

“We’ve got CEOs, SEMA Board members and many industry leaders with vast expertise in many different areas signed up as mentors willing to share their knowledge!” explained S. Kellie Colf, SBN Chairman.

The SEMA Mentoring Program is meant to create structured, confidential and trusting relationships between SEMA mentors who offer their automotive industry experience, guidance and support to mentees interested in further developing their professional careers in the automotive industry. This program is available to all SEMA-member company employees and is administered by the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network. 

There are three ways to benefit from the SEMA Mentoring Program:

• One-time question/issue 
• Short-term assistance/guidance with a task 
• Long-term relationship

“Ask A Mentor” is perfect for one-time questions. You can expect multiple SEMA mentors to provide online guidance and answers to your industry-related questions submitted on the “Ask a Mentor” section.

If you need help with a specific project or task, sign up for short-term assistance/guidance. A certified SEMA council/committee mentor with the expertise you seek will be paired up with you to provide guidance with your project.

Need help developing your professional career in the automotive industry sign up for a long-term relationship. In this program segment you will be paired with a certified SEMA council/committee mentor who will provide guidance and assistance for ongoing career development or a long-term project. Long-term mentoring relationships are meant to last for more than one year.

So whether you just need an answer to a question or you want to cultivate a mentoring friendship, the SEMA Mentoring Program, powered by the SBN, is available to help. After all, we can all use a little help from our friends. To sign up as a mentor or mentee online, go to: www.sema.org/mentoring. To learn more about SEMA’s Mentoring Program and the opportunity to network with proven industry leaders, attend the free SEMA Mentoring Seminar at the Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show.

Discover The SEMA Mentoring Program and What It Can Do for You

HRIA Education Day, in conjunction with the Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show
Date: February 28, 2008
Time: 4:15 – 5:15 p.m.
Place: Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis
To Register: http://www.hotrodshow.com/v4files/hotrodshow/08_Manufacturers_Workshop_Flyer12-20-07%20Updated.pdf

For information about SBN, visit www.sema.org/sbn or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

Young Executives Network (YEN)

• YEN members have the unique opportunity to help shape the future of the automotive aftermarket by choosing appropriate representatives to serve on the YEN Select Committee as their eyes, ears and voice. Select Committee nomination forms have been mailed and are due Friday, March 7. The forms are also available on the YEN website at www.sema.org/yen. If you have any questions regarding the elections, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org.
  
  
• Did you know that the SEMA Young Executives Network has over 500 members networking in the industry and is the largest SEMA committee? If you are employed by a SEMA-member company and are under the age of 39, then you can join the SEMA Young Executives Network for FREE. If you are interested in becoming part of the team, please visit our website at www.sema.org/yen.
  
  
• Did you know that YEN has a Member of the Month Spotlight on the SEMA website and that anyone can be nominated? To view previous selections or to make a nomination, visit www.sema.org/yen.
  
  
• Read YEN's column featured in the January/February issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about YEN, visit www.sema.org/yen or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

The SEMA National Education Conference, scheduled April 10–11 in Nashville, is a concentrated, two-day leadership program developed exclusively for automotive specialty-equipment executives. With the knowledge shared at this conference, you'll discover how to lead your company to new levels of success. You'll receive real-world skills for immediate application, targeted information presented specifically for the automotive specialty-equipment industry and inspiration to make the necessary changes to more easily and effectively meet the challenges of a rapidly changing future.

Learn how to identify your sales obstacles while gaining a competitive advantage, increasing revenue, lowering cost of sales, reducing stress and enhancing your ability to grow. Gil Cargil has been a consultant to more than 5,000 sales forces, is one of the Sales & Marketing magazine’s “Top Six Speakers in the Country," and is one of Successful Meetings magazine’s “Hot 25 Speakers to Watch.”    

Friday, April 11
10:30 a.m. - Noon
Speaker: Gil Cargill
Title: "Building a World-Class Sales Force: A How-To Blueprint From an Expert”

LAST CALL! SEMA Spring Expo and SEMA OFFROAD On-Site Sponsorship Opportunities!

Dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows and activities have been announced. Details are:

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities at www.sema.org/classifieds. Working for a SEMA-member company has many advantages. In addition to working for a company that supports and contributes to the success of the overall industry, being employed by a SEMA-member company enables employees to participate in webinars, access free market research, join SEMA committees and more. The newest classified listings posted under Positions Available include:

• AEWC Web site and Media Admin, Chino, California
• AEWC Engineer, York, South Carolina
• Sales Manager, Commerce, California
• Warehouse Manager, Pompano Beach, Florida
• Outside Sales, Renton, Washington

SEMA members: Have a job opening that you need filled? Members are invited to post classified ads on www.sema.org/classifieds free of charge. Categories available are: Positions Available, Positions Wanted, Rep Opportunities, WD Opportunities, For Sale, Items Wanted, Business Opportunities and Internships. Visit the site for details.

Filler for eNews

Prime booth space is still available at the Salon de SEMA, a premier section of the PAACE Automechanika Show, scheduled July 9–11, Mexico City. Show off your products to eager Mexican and Latin American buyers at the largest automotive aftermarket trade show in Latin America.

For more information or to book your booth space, contact lindas@sema.org or visit www.paaceautomechanika.com.

Is your company interested in expanding its business overseas? SEMA provides member companies with free international reports, statistics, contact databases and networking opportunities online at www.sema.org/international.

Pursuing a pro-growth, pro-U.S. manufacturing agenda, creating an even playing field in the global marketplace, combating counterfeit products, finding affordable health insurance for employees and countering overzealous vehicle-equipment regulations: These are just a few of the political issues SEMA members face today.

Rather than watch an unaware Congress legislate our industry out of business, join your fellow SEMA members in Washington, D.C., on May 14–15 to demonstrate to lawmakers the importance and strength of the $38-billion specialty-equipment industry. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to connect face-to-face with your legislators on Capitol Hill and inform them of the issues that matter most to you and your business. The SEMA Washington Rally is exclusively for SEMA members, and there is no charge to participate.

Scheduled Events to Include:

• Opening Reception and Briefing Session
• One-on-One Meetings With Your Legislators
• Political Insider Session
• Capitol Hill Reception
• Tour of the U.S. Capitol and other opportunities to visit attractions in the nation’s capital.

For travel arrangements and room reservations, contact Manya Petropaki at the Travel Store at 949/930-9268.

To register or for more information, visit www.sema.org/dcrally or contact Jason Tolleson at 909/396-0289, ext 168, or jasont@sema.org. 

Registration deadline: May 1, 2008

NHRA ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING HD PARTNERS ACQUISITION CORPORATION VOTE OF SHAREHOLDERS

In a press statement released today by the National Hot Rod Association, the NHRA has been notified by HD Partners Acquisition Corporation that it did not receive the necessary number of votes to finalize the transaction announced last May to acquire all of NHRA’s professional racing assets. 

Said Eddy Hartenstein, chairman and chief executive officer of HD Partners: “We are very disappointed with today’s vote, given our collective enthusiasm for NHRA and the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Unfortunately, in the time since we first announced this transaction in May of 2007, we have witnessed a dramatic shift in both the financial markets and the perceived strength of the U.S. economy, which we believe adversely impacted the final outcome of this transaction. With that said, we continue to believe that the NHRA and the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, led by Tom Compton and his management team, are very vibrant properties with a bright future. We wish them all the best for continued success.”

NHRA will continue to operate as it has in the past. NHRA worked closely with HD Partners the last several months to finalize the transaction. Given the time and energy spent on this effort, NHRA has no plans to pursue a similar opportunity in the near future. For now, NHRA will remain focused on the business and continued growth of NHRA.

“We appreciate the efforts put forth by Eddy and the entire HD Partners team the last year-and-a-half," said NHRA President Tom Compton. "NHRA is in the best financial position in its history and prospects for future growth are at an all-time high. It is the health of the company, the sport and strong future prospects that led HD Partners to pursue this transaction in the first place and those elements still exist.

“Few would argue we have a great product and an incredible opportunity in front of us to build and grow the sport of NHRA and NHRA POWERade Drag Racing," Compton added. "The initiatives communicated during this process still hold true and we will work together with the racing community, sponsors and business partners to achieve them and continue the growth of the sport.”

Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. It presents 24 events through its NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. NHRA has 80,000 members and 140 member tracks. The NHRA-sanctioned sportsman and bracket racing series provide competition opportunities for drivers of all levels. The NHRA develops the stars of tomorrow by offering the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal Drags presented by AAA. NHRA also offers the O’Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League for youths ages 8 to 17.