Wheel & Tire Council (WTC)

SEMA Show Open Meeting
Monday, October 29, 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room S219 (on the Skybridge)
 
Guest Speaker: Daniel Smith, Associate Administrator for Enforcement, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
 
Topic
As the chief enforcement officer for the National Highway Traffic & Safety Administration (NHTSA), Mr. Smith will lead a discussion on regulatory restrictions of critical importance to companies that source products from other countries: importers. Participants will be provided with authoritative guidance on how importers share all of the same obligations and responsibilities as manufacturers, including the application of measures that self-certify products covered by NHTSA safety standards. It is incumbent on all wheel and tire manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers and shop owners to attend what is being praised by industry experts as a very timely seminar. Mr. Smith will discuss the NHTSA’s enforcement activity as the regulations apply to wheels and tires, such as compliance with FMVSS No. 139 (passenger and light-truck tires) and FMVSS No. 138 (tire-pressure monitoring systems), emphasizing its importance to all companies doing business in the tire and wheel industry.
 
To RSVP or if you have any questions about the WTC Open Meeting, contact Arlene Wood at 909/396-0289, ext. 110, or arlenew@sema.org.

• Like to get some exposure for your company in front of the wheel and tire industries’ top companies and also have a good time? Become a sponsor of the WTC Reception during the 2007 SEMA Show. The reception is scheduled for Wednesday, October 31, 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m., at the Las Vegas Hilton, Pavilion 1. Sponsorship Agreement forms have been mailed to all WTC members. If you need a Sponsorship Agreement form or have any questions about the WTC Reception, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org.

To learn more about the WTC, visit www.sema.org/wtc or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO)

All ARMO-member companies, branch offices and individuals are invited to attend the events the council has scheduled for SEMA Show week.

ARMO Functions at the SEMA Show

ARMO Industry Awards Reception, with emcee Dennis Gage, host of "My Classic Car"
Date: Tuesday, October 30
Time: 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Location: Ballroom C, Las Vegas Hilton Hotel

ARMO Open General Membership Meeting
Date: Wednesday, October 31
Time: 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Location: CR 1–3, Las Vegas Hilton Hotel

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

Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)

During SEMA Show week, all HRIA members are invited to celebrate and honor exceptional industry individuals during the HRIA Industry Awards Reception, Wednesday, October 31, 5:30 p.m., in the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel, Ballrooms A & B.

Seminar #1
Maximum Bang for Your Marketing Bucks—How to Bring a Flood of New Customers for Little or No Money
7:30 a.m.–8:30 a.m.—White River Ballroom
Keynote speaker: Bob Negen, WhizBang! Training

To download an application form, visit www.sema.org/hria. For more information on SEMA educational opportunities, visit www.sema.org/education.

To learn more about the HRIA, visit www.sema.org/hria or contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

Light-Truck Accessory Alliance (TORA)

To learn more about the TORA, visit www.sema.org/TORA or contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

Manufacturers' Representatives Council (MRC)

Here is a breakdown of MRC's activities for the rest of the year:

SEMA Show 2007
General Membership Meeting & Awards Ceremony—Presentation of the Hall of Fame and STAR Awards
Date: Sunday October 28
Location: Las Vegas Hilton Hotel, Pavilion 6
Time: 4 p.m.–6 p.m.

Rep Center for MRC Reps Only
Date: Sunday, October 28–Friday, November 5
Location: Center Hall, Room C104 (Front of building)

Rep Center Hours
Sunday: Noon–4 p.m.
Monday: Thursday–8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

To reserve a meeting room, contact Nancy Lund to confirm availability at mrc@sema.org or 909/396-0289. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Click here to download sponsorship form.

Breakfast with the Interns
Date: Thursday, November 1, 2007
Location: Room S233, South Hall
Time:  7:30 a.m.–8:30 a.m. 

Long Range Planning Open Meeting – PRI Show
Date:  Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Location: Orlando, Florida – Hotel and Room TBD
Time:  8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

To learn more about the MRC, visit www.sema.org/mrc or contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC)

• The 11th annual MPMC Media Trade Conference is set for Tuesday, January 22–Thursday, January 24, 2008, at the Embassy Suites Hotel LAX South in Los Angeles. For more information on the MPMC Media Trade Conference, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

To learn more about the MPMC, visit www.sema.org/mpmc.

Professional Restylers Organization (PRO)

To learn more about PRO, visit www.sema.org/pro or contact Ellen McKoy at ellenm@sema.org.

Sport-Compact Council (SCC)

To learn more about the SCC, visit www.sema.org/scc or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

• Like to get some exposure for your company in front of the industries’ top companies and also meet new people? Become a sponsor of the SEMA Networking Breakfast, Powered by SBN during the 2007 SEMA Show. The breakfast is scheduled for Thursday, November 1, 2007, 7:15 a.m.–9:00 a.m., Las Vegas Hilton, Ballroom A. Sponsorship Agreement forms have been mailed to all SBN members. If you need a Sponsorship Agreement form or have any questions about the SBN Networking Breakfast, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112 or paulm@sema.org. 

• Get expert advice on a business-related problem. The SEMA Mentoring Program, Powered by the SBN, is available to all employees of SEMA-member companies. Ask a one-time question or be matched with an established leader. Visit www.sema.org/mentoring for details.

• SBN has sponsorship opportunities available for its annual breakfast held in conjunction with the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. For information, visit www.sema.org/images/pdf/2007SBNBreakfastSponsorshipAgreement.pdf.

To learn more about the SBN, visit www.sema.org/sbn.

Young Executives Network (YEN)

• The annual SEMA Show Silent Auction, hosted by YEN, raised more than $70,000 for the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund in 2006. The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to students pursuing careers in automotive-related fields. SEMA members and Show exhibitors interested in donating an item or becoming involved in the 2007 Silent Auction are encouraged to visit the SEMA Silent Auction website at www.sema.org/silentauction or the YEN SEMA Silent Auction website at www.semasilentauction.com.

• Would you like to gain more exposure for your company among our industry’s rising young executives? Would you like to enjoy a fun evening getting to know these future industry leaders? Become a sponsor of the Young Executives Network Reception! The reception is scheduled for Tuesday, October 30, 5:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m., at the Las Vegas Hilton, Ballrooms E—G. The reception will have a '50s theme. Sponsorship Agreement forms have been mailed to all YEN members. If you need a Sponsorship Agreement form or have any questions about the YEN Reception, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org. 

• Did you know that the 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 our website at www.sema.org/yen.

To learn more about the YEN, visit www.sema.org/yen or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

Filler for eNews

In addition to finding manufacturers showcasing products for musclecars, vintage and classic vehicles, visitors to the Restoration Marketplace will be treated to many finely crafted restored vehicles.

To view all of the exhibitors in Restoration Marketplace, click here.

Filler for eNews

Filler for eNews

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

>> SEMA Webinar: Making the Most of Your Media Moments at the SEMA Show, Thursday, October 11, 10:00 a.m. (PST)
>> SEMA Webinar: Lean Thinking—The Toyota Way of Doing Business, Friday, October 19, 10 a.m. (PST)
>> SEMA Show, October 30–November 2, Las Vegas
>> MPMC Media Trade Conference, January 22–24, 2008, Los Angeles
>> SEMA Spring Expo/SEMA OFFROAD, February 8–9, 2008, Indianapolis
>> SEMA National Education Conference, April 10–11, 2008 Nashville
>> SEMA Washington Rally, May 14–15, 2008, Washington, D.C.
>> PAACE Automechanika Mexico, July 9–11, 2008, Mexico City

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 enable the employee to participate in webinars, access free market research, join SEMA committees and more. The newest classified listings posted under Positions Available include:

Sales of specialty-equipment parts and accessories reached $36.7 billion at the retail level in 2006, marking a 7% jump from 2005 sales. Regionally, enthusiasts in Pacific states purchased $6.68 billion in parts and accessories, slightly more than 18% of the total U.S. market share. South Atlantic state enthusiasts bought parts at nearly the same rate, accounting for 17.4% of market share. Enthusiasts in this part of the United States also purchased more performance parts than consumers in other regions.

In order to uncover the top accessory and appearance, performance and suspension and handling purchases by specific product, SEMA conducts an annual Automotive Lifestyles Survey of automotive magazine subscribers and website visitors. Results from the 2007 survey, which garnered nearly 3,000 complete results, showed that the top performance parts purchased nationwide included performance air filter replacements (43%), exhaust kits (42%) and cold air intake conversions (34%).

On the accessory & appearance side: polish (40%), performance fluids (36%) and custom floor mats (25%) topped the list. Enthusiasts surveyed indicated that the top suspension & handling products purchased included performance tires (35%), custom wheels (33%) and custom springs/shocks/suspension/sway bars (31%).

SEMA publishes market studies and reports on yearly and quarterly intervals, each designed to provide SEMA members with information on current market trends. For more information, visit www.sema.org/research.

Exhaust kits, air intakes/filters and polishes/waxes are among the products most purchased by light-truck owners, according to SEMA research. Of enthusiasts queried for SEMA’s 2007 Automotive Lifestyles Survey (chosen from subscribers to popular automotive magazines and website visitors), 39% of the 3,000 respondents said they owned a light truck.

Of three key light-truck market segments—accessory/appearance, performance and suspension/handling parts—accessory and appearance products dominate, comprising 62.6% of market share, a 9% increase from 1996 to 2006. During the same period, both performance and suspension/handling segments declined 5%, suspension/handling comprising 27.3% and performance parts by 10.1%.

In the performance segment, light-truck owners reached for exhaust kits, air filters and cold air intakes most often. Nearly 46% of respondents had purchased some kind of exhaust system modification.

Polish and wax top the accessory/appearance wishlist, with performance fluids (oils and lubricants) and window tinting/lamination following. 

The top suspension/handling mods are, perhaps not surprisingly, plus-size tires, custom wheels and hard suspension parts, including springs, shocks and sway bars.

For a deeper look into the preferences of pickup owners, visit www.sema.org/research and download the 2006 Light Truck Report Update and 2006 Light Truck Accessorization Report, available exclusively to SEMA members as another membership benefit.

Manufacturer sales in the specialty-equipment market’s street-performance segment have grown from $438 million in 1993 to $717 million in 2006, a 64% increase, according to SEMA research. Within the segment, performance parts have recorded some of the steadiest growth, up 16% from 2000 to 2006 ($262.4 million last year, third only to performance parts sold in the compact-performance and light-truck segments, respectively).

Suspension components and accessories in the street-performance segment grew with less fire than performance parts, although suspension did experience the single greatest spike in sales over the 13-year period. In 2001, suspension sales peaked at $290.6 million before dropping down to $194.3 million the following year.

For more on the street-performance market, read the Racing & Performance Market Update prepared by the SEMA Research & Information Center in the October 2007 issue of SEMA News.