By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Americans for Free Trade (AFT) coalition, which includes SEMA, sent a letter urging the U.S. Congress to pass bipartisan legislation to extend product exclusions granted under the Section 301 China tariffs for at least one year. More than 160 trade associations signed the letter, citing the need to provide certainty for companies that have been granted exclusions and to give transparency to the current exclusion process.

The AFT coalition represents every part of the U.S. economy, including manufacturers, farmers, retailers and service suppliers, and collectively represents tens of millions of American jobs. The legislation (H.R. 7665) was introduced by Representatives Jackie Walorski (R-IN) and Collin Peterson (D-MN).

“As businesses around the country try to recover from the economic harm caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, they need as much certainty as possible to ensure a full and successful recovery,” Americans for Free Trade wrote. “The exclusion process as implemented by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) should not stand as a barrier to a businesses’ ability to recover. Businesses often have to wait months—and some have waited up to a year—to find out from USTR whether they have been granted an exclusion.”

The AFT coalition has previously asked the Trump Administration to suspend or defer the collection of all tariffs during COVID-19 given the economic uncertainty faced by American businesses. To date, those requests have been largely denied.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Americans for Free Trade (AFT) coalition, which includes SEMA, sent a letter urging the U.S. Congress to pass bipartisan legislation to extend product exclusions granted under the Section 301 China tariffs for at least one year. More than 160 trade associations signed the letter, citing the need to provide certainty for companies that have been granted exclusions and to give transparency to the current exclusion process.

The AFT coalition represents every part of the U.S. economy, including manufacturers, farmers, retailers and service suppliers, and collectively represents tens of millions of American jobs. The legislation (H.R. 7665) was introduced by Representatives Jackie Walorski (R-IN) and Collin Peterson (D-MN).

“As businesses around the country try to recover from the economic harm caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, they need as much certainty as possible to ensure a full and successful recovery,” Americans for Free Trade wrote. “The exclusion process as implemented by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) should not stand as a barrier to a businesses’ ability to recover. Businesses often have to wait months—and some have waited up to a year—to find out from USTR whether they have been granted an exclusion.”

The AFT coalition has previously asked the Trump Administration to suspend or defer the collection of all tariffs during COVID-19 given the economic uncertainty faced by American businesses. To date, those requests have been largely denied.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Americans for Free Trade (AFT) coalition, which includes SEMA, sent a letter urging the U.S. Congress to pass bipartisan legislation to extend product exclusions granted under the Section 301 China tariffs for at least one year. More than 160 trade associations signed the letter, citing the need to provide certainty for companies that have been granted exclusions and to give transparency to the current exclusion process.

The AFT coalition represents every part of the U.S. economy, including manufacturers, farmers, retailers and service suppliers, and collectively represents tens of millions of American jobs. The legislation (H.R. 7665) was introduced by Representatives Jackie Walorski (R-IN) and Collin Peterson (D-MN).

“As businesses around the country try to recover from the economic harm caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, they need as much certainty as possible to ensure a full and successful recovery,” Americans for Free Trade wrote. “The exclusion process as implemented by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) should not stand as a barrier to a businesses’ ability to recover. Businesses often have to wait months—and some have waited up to a year—to find out from USTR whether they have been granted an exclusion.”

The AFT coalition has previously asked the Trump Administration to suspend or defer the collection of all tariffs during COVID-19 given the economic uncertainty faced by American businesses. To date, those requests have been largely denied.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA, along with hundreds of trade associations and companies, have called on the U.S. Congress to provide temporary and targeted COVID-19 liability protection by passing the “Safe to Work Act” (S. 4317). This SEMA-supported bill would provide businesses, non-profit organizations and educational institutions, in addition to healthcare workers, providers and facilities with liability relief from unfair lawsuits through October 1, 2024, when operating under applicable public health guidelines. The threat of liability exposure and frivolous lawsuits are a deterrent for businesses and other entities seeking to operate in the wake of the pandemic.

In addition to federal efforts to limit business liability, at least 12 states have enacted or are considering SEMA-supported legislation to provide legal liability protections for businesses, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah and Wyoming. Other states, such as Nevada, have announced plans to consider similar bills during upcoming special legislative sessions.

There is a growing effort in the U.S. Senate to include the “Safe to Work Act” as part of the next round of COVID relief legislation, known as the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection and Schools (HEALS) Act, which includes additional financial incentives, such as a second round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding for the hardest hit businesses, an expansion of the employee retention tax credit (ERTC) and the work opportunity tax credit (WOTC), full deduction of business meals through the end of 2020 (50% currently) and creation of a refundable payroll tax credit equal to 50% of an employer’s qualified employee protection expenses. The bill also provides $306 billion in emergency appropriations for coronavirus health response, including $105 billion to help reopen schools, economic stimulus checks and an extension of federal unemployment benefits. Below is additional information on key business incentive programs in the HEALS Act:

PPP: Provide another round of PPP loans that would be limited to businesses with fewer than 300 employees and a 50% or more reduction in revenue. The bill would add $60 billion to PPP, which still has $130 billion in unspent funding, in addition to providing $100 billion in long-term, low-cost loans to “recovery sector” businesses, including seasonal businesses and those located in low-income areas which experience a reduction in revenues of at least 50%.

ERTC: Greatly increase the size of the ERTC and expand the universe of companies that are eligible for it. The ERTC would increase from 50% to 65% of wages and healthcare costs paid by employers to employees from March 12, 2020, and before January 1, 2021, and would allow the credit to apply to $30,000 in wages per employee (currently the credit is limited to $10,000 in wages per employee). ERTC eligibility would be expanded to cover companies that have experienced at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts (currently only businesses experiencing a 50% or larger loss of revenue are eligible for the tax credit) and allow companies with 500 or fewer full-time employees to claim the credit for wages paid to employees, regardless of whether they are working or not. Under current law, companies with more than 100 employees can only claim the ERTC for employee wages that compensate employees for not performing services. The bill would also allow businesses to claim both PPP and the ERTC, although companies couldn’t use both programs for the same payroll costs.

WOTC: Temporarily expand the WOTC to employers hiring individuals in qualified groups, including 2020 qualified COVID-19 unemployment recipients. The maximum credit would be expanded from $2,400 (40% of the first $6,000 of qualified first-year wages) to $5,000 (50% of the first $10,000 of qualified first year wages).

Refundable Payroll Tax Credit: The credit would be equal to 50% of an employer’s qualified expenses incurred between March 12, 2020, and January 1, 2021, for coronavirus testing, cleaning supplies and protective personal equipment. The bill caps qualified expenses at $1,000 for each of the first 500 employees, plus $750 for each employee between 500 and 1,000, and $500 for each employee over 1,000.

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA, along with hundreds of trade associations and companies, have called on the U.S. Congress to provide temporary and targeted COVID-19 liability protection by passing the “Safe to Work Act” (S. 4317). This SEMA-supported bill would provide businesses, non-profit organizations and educational institutions, in addition to healthcare workers, providers and facilities with liability relief from unfair lawsuits through October 1, 2024, when operating under applicable public health guidelines. The threat of liability exposure and frivolous lawsuits are a deterrent for businesses and other entities seeking to operate in the wake of the pandemic.

In addition to federal efforts to limit business liability, at least 12 states have enacted or are considering SEMA-supported legislation to provide legal liability protections for businesses, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah and Wyoming. Other states, such as Nevada, have announced plans to consider similar bills during upcoming special legislative sessions.

There is a growing effort in the U.S. Senate to include the “Safe to Work Act” as part of the next round of COVID relief legislation, known as the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection and Schools (HEALS) Act, which includes additional financial incentives, such as a second round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding for the hardest hit businesses, an expansion of the employee retention tax credit (ERTC) and the work opportunity tax credit (WOTC), full deduction of business meals through the end of 2020 (50% currently) and creation of a refundable payroll tax credit equal to 50% of an employer’s qualified employee protection expenses. The bill also provides $306 billion in emergency appropriations for coronavirus health response, including $105 billion to help reopen schools, economic stimulus checks and an extension of federal unemployment benefits. Below is additional information on key business incentive programs in the HEALS Act:

PPP: Provide another round of PPP loans that would be limited to businesses with fewer than 300 employees and a 50% or more reduction in revenue. The bill would add $60 billion to PPP, which still has $130 billion in unspent funding, in addition to providing $100 billion in long-term, low-cost loans to “recovery sector” businesses, including seasonal businesses and those located in low-income areas which experience a reduction in revenues of at least 50%.

ERTC: Greatly increase the size of the ERTC and expand the universe of companies that are eligible for it. The ERTC would increase from 50% to 65% of wages and healthcare costs paid by employers to employees from March 12, 2020, and before January 1, 2021, and would allow the credit to apply to $30,000 in wages per employee (currently the credit is limited to $10,000 in wages per employee). ERTC eligibility would be expanded to cover companies that have experienced at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts (currently only businesses experiencing a 50% or larger loss of revenue are eligible for the tax credit) and allow companies with 500 or fewer full-time employees to claim the credit for wages paid to employees, regardless of whether they are working or not. Under current law, companies with more than 100 employees can only claim the ERTC for employee wages that compensate employees for not performing services. The bill would also allow businesses to claim both PPP and the ERTC, although companies couldn’t use both programs for the same payroll costs.

WOTC: Temporarily expand the WOTC to employers hiring individuals in qualified groups, including 2020 qualified COVID-19 unemployment recipients. The maximum credit would be expanded from $2,400 (40% of the first $6,000 of qualified first-year wages) to $5,000 (50% of the first $10,000 of qualified first year wages).

Refundable Payroll Tax Credit: The credit would be equal to 50% of an employer’s qualified expenses incurred between March 12, 2020, and January 1, 2021, for coronavirus testing, cleaning supplies and protective personal equipment. The bill caps qualified expenses at $1,000 for each of the first 500 employees, plus $750 for each employee between 500 and 1,000, and $500 for each employee over 1,000.

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA, along with hundreds of trade associations and companies, have called on the U.S. Congress to provide temporary and targeted COVID-19 liability protection by passing the “Safe to Work Act” (S. 4317). This SEMA-supported bill would provide businesses, non-profit organizations and educational institutions, in addition to healthcare workers, providers and facilities with liability relief from unfair lawsuits through October 1, 2024, when operating under applicable public health guidelines. The threat of liability exposure and frivolous lawsuits are a deterrent for businesses and other entities seeking to operate in the wake of the pandemic.

In addition to federal efforts to limit business liability, at least 12 states have enacted or are considering SEMA-supported legislation to provide legal liability protections for businesses, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah and Wyoming. Other states, such as Nevada, have announced plans to consider similar bills during upcoming special legislative sessions.

There is a growing effort in the U.S. Senate to include the “Safe to Work Act” as part of the next round of COVID relief legislation, known as the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection and Schools (HEALS) Act, which includes additional financial incentives, such as a second round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding for the hardest hit businesses, an expansion of the employee retention tax credit (ERTC) and the work opportunity tax credit (WOTC), full deduction of business meals through the end of 2020 (50% currently) and creation of a refundable payroll tax credit equal to 50% of an employer’s qualified employee protection expenses. The bill also provides $306 billion in emergency appropriations for coronavirus health response, including $105 billion to help reopen schools, economic stimulus checks and an extension of federal unemployment benefits. Below is additional information on key business incentive programs in the HEALS Act:

PPP: Provide another round of PPP loans that would be limited to businesses with fewer than 300 employees and a 50% or more reduction in revenue. The bill would add $60 billion to PPP, which still has $130 billion in unspent funding, in addition to providing $100 billion in long-term, low-cost loans to “recovery sector” businesses, including seasonal businesses and those located in low-income areas which experience a reduction in revenues of at least 50%.

ERTC: Greatly increase the size of the ERTC and expand the universe of companies that are eligible for it. The ERTC would increase from 50% to 65% of wages and healthcare costs paid by employers to employees from March 12, 2020, and before January 1, 2021, and would allow the credit to apply to $30,000 in wages per employee (currently the credit is limited to $10,000 in wages per employee). ERTC eligibility would be expanded to cover companies that have experienced at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts (currently only businesses experiencing a 50% or larger loss of revenue are eligible for the tax credit) and allow companies with 500 or fewer full-time employees to claim the credit for wages paid to employees, regardless of whether they are working or not. Under current law, companies with more than 100 employees can only claim the ERTC for employee wages that compensate employees for not performing services. The bill would also allow businesses to claim both PPP and the ERTC, although companies couldn’t use both programs for the same payroll costs.

WOTC: Temporarily expand the WOTC to employers hiring individuals in qualified groups, including 2020 qualified COVID-19 unemployment recipients. The maximum credit would be expanded from $2,400 (40% of the first $6,000 of qualified first-year wages) to $5,000 (50% of the first $10,000 of qualified first year wages).

Refundable Payroll Tax Credit: The credit would be equal to 50% of an employer’s qualified expenses incurred between March 12, 2020, and January 1, 2021, for coronavirus testing, cleaning supplies and protective personal equipment. The bill caps qualified expenses at $1,000 for each of the first 500 employees, plus $750 for each employee between 500 and 1,000, and $500 for each employee over 1,000.

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

Sid Polan

Industry pioneer Sid Polan, 83, of Cumming, Georgia, passed away June 18 due to failing health. Born in Chicago, the former CEO and founder of Future Group launched his career in the ’60s with his brother-in-law Herb Goldstein (“Mr. Phone”). Polan was among the first regionals to help build distribution representing key product lines across the nation with Mr. Phone being one of the few national rep agencies in the industry.

Polan helped spearhead the start up of the Mr. Phone Service Rep. national jobber pull-through program to help warehouse distributors send products and information to speed shops, parts stores and specialty locations.

Years later, Polan was also involved with a few manufacturing opportunities, such as Burbank Spring and Custom Truck Fiberglass, but his passion was as a sales rep. He was a mentor to many in the industry. 

Polan is survived by his wife Madeline, who shared that his cherished ’04 T-bird, black-on-black, tan convertible top and the black hard top is still available.

By Jason Catullo

The SEMA Show New Products Showcase annually features the latest products from specialty-equipment manufacturers, and is known as the No. 1 destination for Show buyers and media.

The SEMA Show New Products Showcase annually features the latest products from specialty-equipment manufacturers, and is known as the No. 1 destination for Show buyers and media. The Showcase is the most convenient way to highlight your company's products and generate buyer leads outside of your booth. In addition to new products, the Showcase includes a "Featured Products" section to spotlight your company's existing brands and innovations that aren't necessarily considered “new.”

Each product entered into the Showcase includes detailed information and descriptive signs, and the product information is immediately available to Show buyers. All submissions are also professionally photographed, and the photos are used by media for Show coverage, made available to exhibitors to use for promotional purposes, and featured in SEMA News magazine in the upcoming year.

SEMA Show management is making plans to preserve the Show’s core business value in a safety-first environment. Face coverings are required for entry into the 2020 SEMA Show. Those who arrive without a face covering will be provided a complimentary one on-site.

The New Products Showcase section for 2020 will be constructed to meet social distancing requirements. Traffic control and one-way aisles will be included to reduce crowd gatherings. The cabinets, display cases and surfaces will be disinfected in cooperation with safety protocols.

By Jason Catullo

The SEMA Show New Products Showcase annually features the latest products from specialty-equipment manufacturers, and is known as the No. 1 destination for Show buyers and media.

The SEMA Show New Products Showcase annually features the latest products from specialty-equipment manufacturers, and is known as the No. 1 destination for Show buyers and media. The Showcase is the most convenient way to highlight your company's products and generate buyer leads outside of your booth. In addition to new products, the Showcase includes a "Featured Products" section to spotlight your company's existing brands and innovations that aren't necessarily considered “new.”

Each product entered into the Showcase includes detailed information and descriptive signs, and the product information is immediately available to Show buyers. All submissions are also professionally photographed, and the photos are used by media for Show coverage, made available to exhibitors to use for promotional purposes, and featured in SEMA News magazine in the upcoming year.

SEMA Show management is making plans to preserve the Show’s core business value in a safety-first environment. Face coverings are required for entry into the 2020 SEMA Show. Those who arrive without a face covering will be provided a complimentary one on-site.

The New Products Showcase section for 2020 will be constructed to meet social distancing requirements. Traffic control and one-way aisles will be included to reduce crowd gatherings. The cabinets, display cases and surfaces will be disinfected in cooperation with safety protocols.

By SEMA Editors

Exhibitors can take advantage of the New Products Showcase by entering a qualified product for free.

Getting your share of attention from reporters at the SEMA Show can be a challenge that requires a good media strategy, along with a well-executed trade-show plan. Key strategies for SEMA Show exhibitors include:

• Post press releases in the SEMA Show Online Media Center: By posting news releases in the SEMA Show Online Media Center, you ensure that reporters looking for Show-related news do not miss out on your story. Posting to the Online Media Center can also generate coverage from SEMA’s publications and social media outlets. Post your release today.

• Enter the New Products Showcase: Exhibitors can take advantage of the New Products Showcase by entering a qualified product for free. Providing a detailed description of that product can generate additional exposure and drive traffic to the booth. The Showcase often generates additional coverage in SEMA publications and online. Enter a product now.

• Have someone dedicated to media efforts: Having an outside agency/consultant has many benefits, especially since they typically have media-relations experience and resources. However, exhibitors can still be successful by keeping their media relations in-house. The key is to assign someone the responsibility of managing the media program and to not treat it as a secondary thought. While your primary business is getting the product ready and selling to buyers, making the media a priority will lead to top results.

• Targeted media outreach: Media at the SEMA Show cover an array of market segments, including motorsports, off-road, mobile electronics and more. Reach out to media targeted to your market and industry. Conduct web-based research and audit to identify relevant media who covered the SEMA Show in previous years and reporters who would potentially be interested in your story.

• Pitch to media before the SEMA Show opens: Reporters are often contacted months before the SEMA Show and offered story ideas, images, facts and access to high-level company executives. Invite publications that are planning special SEMA Show editions, under embargo, to individual briefings with company executives in advance of the Show opening.

• Create a comprehensive press kit: Knowing that thousands of media outlets will be at the SEMA Show, develop a comprehensive press kit to distribute onsite at the event. In addition to having press kits available to reporters in the booth, exhibitors are able to place press kits and releases in the official SEMA Show Media Center at no cost.

To learn more about all of the PR opportunities available for exhibitors, visit the Exhibitor Services Manual or contact an account rep at sales@sema.org or 909-396-0289.