The U.S. Department of Commerce is sponsoring a webinar on the emerging automotive markets in China, which will take place on Thursday, August 2, 2007, at 7 p.m. (EST). This webinar will focus on the tremendous automotive market opportunities outside of primary cities such as Shanghai and Beijing, and Guangzhou, and instead looks to second-tier markets such as Chongqing, Xiamen, Nanjing, and Dalian, for example.

The program is intended to educate your automotive clients on these emerging, dynamic markets, why they are critical to long-term market penetration plans and how to best approach these markets. As a co-sponsor of the event, SEMA members are offered a special rate of $35 to participate. As part of the registration fee, participants receive a brief report on the automotive components sector in China’s second-tier cities. Recently completed by the U.S. Commercial Service in China, this market research report will not be released to the general public until January 2008, but will be provided to you at the time of registration.  For more information http://www.buyusa.gov/auto/china_webinar.html.  

Attention SEMA Show exhibitors: The 2007 SEMA Show Exhibitor Services Manual (ESM) is set to start hitting exhibitor mailboxes this week. The SEMA Show ESM contains all of the information that an exhibitor needs to prepare for and plan a meaningful and profitable SEMA Show experience. Not only does the ESM keep exhibitors on track with key deadlines and Show information, there are also many promotional and product-exposure opportunities available. Some of these include:

• The Products for Project-Vehicle Builders List
  The sign-up sheet for the very popular Products for Project-Vehicle List is included in the ESM. Looking to grab some extended play for your products both during and after the 2007 SEMA Show? Fill out the form, fax it in and let builders know what you have available for their SEMA Show project buildups.
  
  
• 2007 SEMA Show Internship Program
  The 2007 SEMA Show Internship Program does more than provide students with valuable learning experiences. It offers principals of SEMA-member companies and SEMA Show exhibitors with an excellent opportunity to serve as positive role models and observe qualified, dependable and productive potential employees.
  
  
• Technical Seminars
  Exhibitors are invited to promote and demonstrate the technical applications of their products by conducting seminars at the SEMA Show. Technical seminars will be promoted on the SEMA Show website (www.SEMAshow.com) and will be include in on-site promotions.

Note: Information on the programs listed above and additional exhibitor opportunities are outlined in the SEMA Show ESM under tab eight.

The 2007 SEMA Show is set for Tuesday–Friday, October 30–November 2, in Las Vegas. Show information and registration is available online at www.SEMAshow.com.

Alcoa, the world's largest producer of aluminum and key industry manufacturer of electrical distribution systems for vehicles, joins DUB Magazine, Hot Wheels and Advanstar as title and presenting sponsors of the SEMA Installation Banquet and Gala Fundraiser.

Additional important details concerning the event, to be held July 27, 2007 at the Hyatt Regency Irvine in Irvine, California, include:

-Dress for the event is cocktail attire or black-tie optional. The reception begins at 6:30 p.m., with dinner and program to follow at 7:30.

-Space is still available for Friday afternoon’s shopping excursion to nearby Fashion Island in Newport Beach. Transportation will be provided to and from Fashion Island, with a shuttle bus departing from the front of the Hyatt Regency Irvine Hotel at 9:30 a.m. With sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, Fashion Island features retailers like Bloomingdales, Neiman-Marcus, and Macy’s, as well as specialties including French furnisher Ligne Roset, Restoration Hardware, Indigo Palms and noted men’s fashion and tailor, Gary’s.

-Limited slots are still available for the Council Cup – Cash for Kids charity golf tournament. Reserve your spot now! Transportation will be provided from the Hyatt Regency to Strawberry Farms. Buses will depart from in front of the hotel at 6:30am sharp!

-Space is limited, but we are still accepting banquet sponsorships. If you would like to be a part of this event, please contact Arlene Wood (909/396-0289 x110; arlenew@sema.org) to make your banquet reservations or click here

For additional details, please visit the Installation Banquet and Gala Fundraiser website here

NASCAR event packages, tickets to "O" at the Bellagio, a new Cannondale Cyclocross road bike and a new 2008 Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Boy, donated by H-D, Vance & Hines and COMP Performance, are among the great items up for bid at the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser.

In addition to its charity golf tournament, the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser supported by DUB magazine and Hot Wheels presented by Advanstar will feature a silent auction to benefit the Petty Victory Junction Gang Camp and Childhelp children's charities. Other items on offer include exotic resort and cruise vacations, one-of-a-kind prints and photography, performance driving-school certificates and NASCAR collectibles.

The Gala Auction begins at 6 p.m., Friday, July 27, at the Hyatt Regency Irvine in Irvine, California.

If you would like to donate an item for the Silent Auction, please visit: http://www.sema.org/images/pdf/gala_silent_auction.pdf.

More exciting auction items are being added daily. Stay tuned to your weekly eNews update to view the latest additions to the auction lineup.

Items currently entered in the Gala Auction:

2008 Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Boy motorcycle, donated by Harley-Davidson, Vance & Hines and COMP Performance

Cannondale Cyclocross special edition road bicycle, donated by Cannondale (bike shown is only an example of Cyclocross series)




Two-night stay for (2) couples at Cibolo Creek Ranch, near Big Bend National Park, Texas, donated by Cibolo Creek Ranch

Jeff Gordon-signed mini hood, donated by Joel Ayres

 

'32 75th Anniversary Roadster Pedal Car, donated by Warehouse 36

Framed watercolor print “Caravan Stop," donated by Dana Forrester Automotive Art

RR-56 Brute Race Ramps, donated by Brute Industries

The Shadow, Volumes 1–8, with original art, covers and illustrations, donated by Nostalgia Ventures

Skateboard hand-painted with SEMA logo

How to Wire Your Hot Rod, autographed and donated by author Dennis Overholser

NASCAR jacket (size XXL), donated by Dennis Overholser

Large Giclee canvas piece by Bruce Kaiser, donated by Hot Rod Heritage

Tony Stewart autographed side panel, donated by Victory Junction Gang Camp

Full-page ad in Restyling Magazine, donated by Restyling Magazine

Tour of the National Corvette Museum, Bowling Green, Kentucky donated by Carl Sheffer

Garmin Nuvi 350 Personal Travel Assistant GPS receiver, donated by Lokar Performance Products

2007 Master’s Pin Flag signed by Fuzzy Zoeller donated by Tommy Daniels

2007 Master’s Pin Flag signed by Ben Crenshaw donated by Tommy Daniels

Framed photo of the 12th hole, Master’s Tournament, Augusta, Georgia, donated by Tommy Daniels

 

Framed photo of the 13th hole, Master’s Tournament, Augusta, Georgia, donated by Tommy Daniels

2008 SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals VIP Package, including air, hotel, tickets and parking for two, donated by Summit Racing Equipment

Philip Stein ladies watch donated by Diane and Peter MacGillivray

 

Kyle Petty’s 2006 Charity Ride jacket, donated by Jeff Kelderman, Kelderman Air Ride

 

Three certificates for two-day Grand Prix Specialty Driving Course at Bob Bondurant’s School of Performance, donated by Ira Gabriel, Primedia.

“Backstage” Dinner for 10 at the 2007 SEMA Show Industry Banquet

Get Your Empties First at the 2007 SEMA Show certificate (Mobile Electronics, Racing & Performance hall, Wheel & Tire hall)

VIP Parking at the 2007 SEMA Show certificate (2)

 

Marriott gift basket certificate, donated by Experient

$500 towards a reception in a SEMA Show booth, donated by Aramark

-Two tickets to “O” at the Bellagio, donated by the Bellagio Hotel & Casino

-Audio/visual services to be provided in a booth/meeting room at the 2007 SEMA Show, donated by AVW-Telav

-’32 Ford Deuce book signed and donated by author Tony Thacker

-Front wheel from former BAR Honda Formula 1 car donated by Tony Thacker

-Vintage-style NHRA tin sign autographed by Wally Parks, donated by the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum

-Vintage-style tin sign for Wally’s Fuel & Gas autographed by Wally Parks, donated by the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum

-Vintage-style NHRA wool jacket autographed by Wally Parks, donated by the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum

-COGApa Automotive PA Systems (2 pieces), donated by COGApa

-Deluxe Kreepstool AT (aluminum frame deluxe rolling stool), donated by 4Teck

-Philip Stein Tesler Technology Ladies Watch donated by Anne Johnson

-Signed print of Chili’s Little Deuce Coupe

-Barrett-Jackson Fundraiser and Auction tickets, donated by Childhelp

-(2) Power Wheels Ford Mustang, donated by Mattel

-NASCAR Nextel Cup package and NASCAR Family Album, donated by NASCAR

-Richard Petty Shadow Box, donated by Victory Junction Gang Camp

-Kyle Petty-signed Hot Wheels print

-Richard and Kyle Petty-signed Victory Junction Gang Camp race helmet, donated by Victory Junction Gang Camp

-Bobby Labonte-signed leather jacket, donated by Victory Junction

-Tony Stewart-signed side panel, donated by Victory Junction

-Kevin Harvick-signed diecast, donated by Victory Junction

-Watch from JCK/Peter Frigeri-Expoease

-Artwork, four pictures framed, donated by Childhelp

-Limited edition Giclee print "Hurryin Back" w/ laser-etched plaque, donated by Dwayne Vance

-Limited edition Giclee print "Mission Over," donated by Dwayne Vance

-Maui Jim sunglasses (non-prescription), donated by Joel Ayres

-(2) domestic round-trip airline tickets on United Airlines (blackout dates apply), donated by Experient

-Seven-day Mexican Riviera cruise with a balcony room. Ports of call include Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas (departs 9/30/07), donated by Patrick Judge, Keystone Automotive Operations

3-day/2-night deluxe accommodations at Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, donated by Planet Hollywood

3-day/2-night one-bedroom suite at the Hilton Grand, Las Vegas Strip, donated by Hilton Grand Vacations Las Vegas

3-day/2-night MGM Grand and Signature package including bungalow suite accommodations, limo transfer between airport and hotel and two tickets to Cirque Du Soliel’s “KA,” donated by MGM Grand Hotel and Casino

3-day/2-night package at the Las Vegas Hilton, including deluxe room and dinner for two at Benihana Village, donated by the Las Vegas Hilton

3-day/2-night stay at Circus Circus, donated by Circus Circus

3-day/2-night stay at Excalibur Hotel and two tickets to "Tournament of Kings" show, donated by Excalibur

2-night VIP accommodations at the Westin Casuarina, donated by the Westin Casuarina

3-day/2-night stay at Hooter’s Casino, including deluxe room and dinner for two at Hooter’s restaurant, donated by Hooters Casino Hotel

-3-day/2 night Imperial Palace package, including free bottle of champagne, "Legends" concert tickets w/one cocktail, Emperor’s Buffet and admission to IP Auto Collection, donated by Imperial Palace

-3-day/2 night stay at Sahara Hotel and dinner for two at Paco’s Mexican restaurant, donated by Sahara Hotel & Casino

More exciting auction items are being added daily. Stay tuned to your weekly eNews update to view the latest additions to the auction lineup.

SEMA manufacturing members are invited to get an up-close preview of the new 2008 Ford Focus coupe and sedan at an exclusive members-only July 24 measuring session in Diamond Bar, California. This is a California measuring session only, and cameras ARE permitted. The deadline to register is Friday, July 20.

To participate, e-mail a response with name(s), company name, address, phone and e-mail address(es) to: measuringsession@sema.org.

Location   
AAA - Southern California
Auto Research & Inspection Center
1577 S. Valley Vista Dr.
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
(next door to SEMA headquarters)        

Date and Time
Tuesday, July 24
8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Questions? Contact Bill Wolf at 909/396-0289, ext. 177; or Sandy Conolly at 909/396-0289, ext. 155.

More info is available from SEMA’s OEM department by visiting: www.sema.org/oem.

John Waraniak, SEMA vice president of vehicle technology, will join Brett Smith, assistant director of manufacturing, engineering and technology for the Center for Automotive Research; Nancy Philippart, executive director of GM Accessories Business Channel of General Motors Corp.; Michael Chetcuti, CEO of Quality Metalcraft Inc. and principal for Streetcar USA; Mike O’Brien, corporate manager product planning for Toyota Motor Sales USA; Beau Boeckmann, president for Galpin Auto Sports and vice president for Galpin Motors; and George Dettloff, CEO and president for SKF North America; Dave Yegge, operations manager, American Expedition Vehicles; Larry Conville, industry & public relations manager, Skyjacker Suspensions; and Steve Irby, founder and president, Kicker Car Audio to present “Designing for Customization” during the 2007 Management Briefing Seminars, set for August 6–10, at the Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City, Michigan.

The session, “Designing for Customization,” organized by Waraniak and Smith and supported by SEMA, will provide insight about how leading companies are applying design for customization and accessorization (DFC/A) to meet the increasing demand for differentiation, while maintaining high-volume profitability.

As OEMs are looking for products, processes and partners to help them create and launch the most accessory-friendly vehicles for fragmenting markets—in order to drive increased profits—the future of aftermarket suppliers is all about the micro-niche delivering, fully integrated customization while significantly reducing capital investment for tooling and time to profit. However, it takes a new manufacturing, marketing and production mind-set to make it work.

“Designing for Customization,” will include presentations and a panel discussion from OEMs and SEMA suppliers that highlight how successful programs achieve this balance and will present a forum for the OEMs to showcase some of their more creative programs to the traditional suppliers and automotive press community. SEMA-member companies participating in the session include Kicker, Quality Metalcraft Inc., Skyjacker and SKF; OEMs include Toyota and General Motors.

Key points that will be included and reinforced with examples from presenters are:

• Speed to market and profit with the right formula is essential to successfully delivering high-demand vehicles, modules and systems.
• Leveraging the creativity of suppliers with strong brands and authentically sharing brand equity and identity as the vehicles come to market is critical.

This session and others will be featured in the annual 2007 Management Briefing Seminars, a week of educational sessions and networking with high-level executives from the automotive industry. For complete information and a list of additional confirmed participants, visit http://www.cargroup.org.

Topics and speakers have been secured for 50 business and professional development seminars taking place in conjunction with the 2007 SEMA Show. The educational program, which is available at no additional cost to SEMA Show attendees, is a key component of the annual trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"As a trade association, SEMA is committed to giving industry professionals knowledge, motivation and resources for succeeding in the business world," said Pat Benson, SEMA director of educational services. "With more than 100,000 industry professionals in Las Vegas for the SEMA Show, SEMA Education Week is a key component to this commitment."

SEMA Education Week takes place every year during the SEMA Show and includes educational seminars featuring some of the world's leading experts discussing hot industry topics. Seminars begin on Monday, October 29, 2007—the day before the official SEMA Show opening—and conclude on Thursday, November 1. All seminars are held in the Las Vegas Convention Center and anyone registered to attend the SEMA Show is able to participate in the seminars, free of charge.

Through this year's SEMA Show seminar schedule, attendees will discover:

• secrets to building a top-notch team
• hot trends in search-engine marketing
• low-cost ways to maximize marketing effectiveness
• what's new in the performance diesel market
• what RFID (radio-frequency identification) is all about
• what makes a successful counterman
• how to stop unproductive meetings
• and more

Seminar details, including topics, dates, times, locations and descriptions, are posted on www.SEMAshow.com. The website also includes updates and information about the SEMA Show, as well as an online registration form. Industry professionals who attended the 2005 or 2006 SEMA Show are encouraged to register using their personalized alumni number, which will save them time and allow them to register without having to resubmit proof of trade status.

Alumni numbers were sent to all past attendees or can be obtained by contacting customer service at registration@aaiwshow.com or calling toll-free at 866/229-3687 or 301/694-5243.

The SEMA Show attracts more than 100,000 industry leaders from 100 countries each year. In addition to business and professional development seminars, the event features more than 2,000 exhibiting manufacturers, product demonstrations, special activities and networking events.

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The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) has released its 2006/2007 annual report. The SEMA council, which consists of more than 300 companies and represents the hot-rod niche, issues the report annually to update members about critically important information, including industry trends, educational opportunities and legislative activities.

The eight-page report points to positive growth for the hot-rod market. "For those of us in the (hot rod) industry, growth has been solid and stable," reads the report. "When looking back at the yearly retail sales numbers of the street rod and custom vehicle segment from 1997–2006, we have had an exceptional average annual growth rate of just over 7%. Compare this to an average 3% to 3.5% for the United States GDP growth rate for the same period, and this niche market is doing very, very well."

Readers will also learn about the SEMA Action Network (SAN), its activities and accomplishments and what can be done to help preserve the integrity and longevity of the industry.

Visit www.sema.org/hria to download a copy of the report and to learn about the many programs and opportunities available through SEMA and HRIA.

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