By Ashley Reyes

Kendra Sommer

This month’s SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) #SheIsSEMA Member Spotlight features SBN select committee member Kendra Sommer of CWK Media. She is the head of her brand, “Cruisin’ with Kendra,” where she thrives as a motorsports reporter and helps provide a voice for women in the automotive specialty-equipment industry.  

Throughout her career, she has excelled as an automotive storyteller by reporting on car culture all over the world, highlighting manufacturers, covering motorsports events and installing products during “How-To” productions. Her work can be found in contributing articles and photography and video reports for many industry-leading publications. It’s volunteers like Sommer who truly make a difference to the industry.

Get to know Sommer in her Q&A with SEMA and the SBN: 

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Kendra Sommer: “Just jump and the parachute will open.” – Steve Harvey

“You have to follow your passions and sometimes, it takes a bold move to spark your success.” – Myself

Both of those have been mottos that I live by—the latter being my own.

SEMA: What keeps you involved in this industry?

KS: The people who are in this industry are incredibly supportive, welcoming and passionate about their work, so who wouldn't want to be around that kind of environment? Aside from the amazing people in this field, this is an industry I love. I grew up with my father and in his fleet of Old International Trucks.

SEMA: On a Saturday, where can you be found?

KS: On Saturdays you will likely find me on location producing and filming content that not only celebrates our industry, but also promotes engagement in the trades and profiles the wonderful people who make up this industry.

SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?

KS: I try to be as relaxed as possible before meetings. I try to find a few moments for myself to relax, drink water and focus my thoughts.

SEMA: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who would it be?

KS: I would love to have lunch with Alice Huyler Ramsey. In 1909, Ramsey was the first woman to drive across the country—coast to coast—at the young age of just 22. During her drive, she endured various obstacles, but stayed true to her path. I admire her bravery and dedication to act as a role model to women, especially since women drivers were rare during that time.

Fill out this form to be a part of the #SheIsSEMA family. You will have the opportunity to be featured on SBN’s social media, SEMA eNews and be recognized on the www.sema.org/sheissema website. While there, check out other inspirational women who are leading the industry and are paving the path for future success.

Not an SBN member? Fill out this form to join today.

By Ashley Reyes

Kendra Sommer

This month’s SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) #SheIsSEMA Member Spotlight features SBN select committee member Kendra Sommer of CWK Media. She is the head of her brand, “Cruisin’ with Kendra,” where she thrives as a motorsports reporter and helps provide a voice for women in the automotive specialty-equipment industry.  

Throughout her career, she has excelled as an automotive storyteller by reporting on car culture all over the world, highlighting manufacturers, covering motorsports events and installing products during “How-To” productions. Her work can be found in contributing articles and photography and video reports for many industry-leading publications. It’s volunteers like Sommer who truly make a difference to the industry.

Get to know Sommer in her Q&A with SEMA and the SBN: 

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Kendra Sommer: “Just jump and the parachute will open.” – Steve Harvey

“You have to follow your passions and sometimes, it takes a bold move to spark your success.” – Myself

Both of those have been mottos that I live by—the latter being my own.

SEMA: What keeps you involved in this industry?

KS: The people who are in this industry are incredibly supportive, welcoming and passionate about their work, so who wouldn't want to be around that kind of environment? Aside from the amazing people in this field, this is an industry I love. I grew up with my father and in his fleet of Old International Trucks.

SEMA: On a Saturday, where can you be found?

KS: On Saturdays you will likely find me on location producing and filming content that not only celebrates our industry, but also promotes engagement in the trades and profiles the wonderful people who make up this industry.

SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?

KS: I try to be as relaxed as possible before meetings. I try to find a few moments for myself to relax, drink water and focus my thoughts.

SEMA: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who would it be?

KS: I would love to have lunch with Alice Huyler Ramsey. In 1909, Ramsey was the first woman to drive across the country—coast to coast—at the young age of just 22. During her drive, she endured various obstacles, but stayed true to her path. I admire her bravery and dedication to act as a role model to women, especially since women drivers were rare during that time.

Fill out this form to be a part of the #SheIsSEMA family. You will have the opportunity to be featured on SBN’s social media, SEMA eNews and be recognized on the www.sema.org/sheissema website. While there, check out other inspirational women who are leading the industry and are paving the path for future success.

Not an SBN member? Fill out this form to join today.

By Byron Bergmann

Joe Opperman

The SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN) presents a live chat with Joe Opperman, executive director of Iola, one of America’s largest and most historic classic car shows and swap meets. This live chat is an open Q&A in which participants will have a chance to communicate directly with Opperman as he answers questions regarding the value of exhibiting, engaging and marketing at consumer events. Join the Live Chat on YEN’s Facebook page April 17, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT), and come ready with questions to tap into Opperman’s expertise.

At the age of 34, Opperman is the youngest executive director ever to serve at the Iola Car Show. He is credited with being a catalyst for modernizing and rejuvenating the nearly 50-year-old show. Iola Old Car Show Inc. is a non-profit, small-budget organization, operated in the tiny Wisconsin town of Iola (population 1,301). The nationally recognized show, which dates back to 1972, annually hosts more than 100,000 attendees over three days in July.

Opperman credits the team around him and before him at the show for the organization’s continued success. The Iola Car Show has a small year-round staff and relies on thousands of volunteers to execute the event each year. The organization has given back more than $8.4 million to more than 130 different civic organizations in recent years.  

Date: Friday, April 17
Time: 12:00 p.m.–12:15 p.m. (PDT)
Event Location: YEN Facebook

By Byron Bergmann

Joe Opperman

The SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN) presents a live chat with Joe Opperman, executive director of Iola, one of America’s largest and most historic classic car shows and swap meets. This live chat is an open Q&A in which participants will have a chance to communicate directly with Opperman as he answers questions regarding the value of exhibiting, engaging and marketing at consumer events. Join the Live Chat on YEN’s Facebook page April 17, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT), and come ready with questions to tap into Opperman’s expertise.

At the age of 34, Opperman is the youngest executive director ever to serve at the Iola Car Show. He is credited with being a catalyst for modernizing and rejuvenating the nearly 50-year-old show. Iola Old Car Show Inc. is a non-profit, small-budget organization, operated in the tiny Wisconsin town of Iola (population 1,301). The nationally recognized show, which dates back to 1972, annually hosts more than 100,000 attendees over three days in July.

Opperman credits the team around him and before him at the show for the organization’s continued success. The Iola Car Show has a small year-round staff and relies on thousands of volunteers to execute the event each year. The organization has given back more than $8.4 million to more than 130 different civic organizations in recent years.  

Date: Friday, April 17
Time: 12:00 p.m.–12:15 p.m. (PDT)
Event Location: YEN Facebook

By Gigi Ho

With businesses throughout the aftermarket suffering interruptions due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the current economic climate is more challenging than ever.

However, the surge of consumers shopping online also presents an opportunity to mitigate the impact of this downturn for both manufacturers and resellers, and enhanced product data can be a key component in weathering the storm.

The SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) values the role we play in helping our members' businesses succeed and prosper. Our teams are continuing with full-force, uninterrupted support to help suppliers and resellers alike with their data-enhancement goals.

For manufacturers, data can convey your brand and message to the market at a time when online shopping and buying activities are up. Take the time now to work with your SDC team to add new products or improve your product data. Potential areas for enhancement might include product attributes, vehicle fitment review and coverage, detailed product descriptions and an upgrade of digital assets where possible.

For resellers, consider adding or refreshing your data from the SDC. You can also install the SDC eCommerce plugin for WooCommerce (and soon Shopify) for a quicker launch of your online sales. The best part is your membership to SDC and access to the plugins are free.

One-on-one training is available to all member companies, so now is an ideal time for businesses of all sizes to review their data options for strengthening their brands and sales. For more information, contact the SDC at 888-958-6698 or email info@semadatacoop.org.

By Gigi Ho

With businesses throughout the aftermarket suffering interruptions due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the current economic climate is more challenging than ever.

However, the surge of consumers shopping online also presents an opportunity to mitigate the impact of this downturn for both manufacturers and resellers, and enhanced product data can be a key component in weathering the storm.

The SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) values the role we play in helping our members' businesses succeed and prosper. Our teams are continuing with full-force, uninterrupted support to help suppliers and resellers alike with their data-enhancement goals.

For manufacturers, data can convey your brand and message to the market at a time when online shopping and buying activities are up. Take the time now to work with your SDC team to add new products or improve your product data. Potential areas for enhancement might include product attributes, vehicle fitment review and coverage, detailed product descriptions and an upgrade of digital assets where possible.

For resellers, consider adding or refreshing your data from the SDC. You can also install the SDC eCommerce plugin for WooCommerce (and soon Shopify) for a quicker launch of your online sales. The best part is your membership to SDC and access to the plugins are free.

One-on-one training is available to all member companies, so now is an ideal time for businesses of all sizes to review their data options for strengthening their brands and sales. For more information, contact the SDC at 888-958-6698 or email info@semadatacoop.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA and 113 other trade associations sent a letter urging President Donald Trump, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to help businesses survive the COVID-19 crisis by employing an economic response matching the scale now being taken to end the pandemic. To minimize the number of businesses closed and workers unemployed, the response needs to be coordinated, massive and focused on ensuring that all businesses have the resources necessary to ride out the pandemic. This letter notes that the response should include—but not be limited to—the following areas:

• Immediately provide readily accessible, unsecured credit to businesses of all sizes to ensure they have the cash to pay their workers, rent and other costs during this crisis. While Congress, Treasury and the Federal Reserve have recently announced policies to increase the availability of credit to some businesses, these policies need to be expanded to make certain they are comprehensive and that credit is readily available to all operating businesses in the short term.
• Suspend the filing of business returns and the payment of all business taxes to the federal government for the duration of the pandemic. These suspended taxes should include taxes owed for the 2019 Tax Year, estimated payments for 2020 and all payroll tax obligations. The suspension should be broad and apply to all businesses. When the pandemic is over, the repayment of any deferred taxes should be spread out over time.
• Amend the Tax Code to, among other items, restore the ability of businesses to carryback any net operating losses against previous year tax payments, suspend the application of the Section 163(j) limitation on interest expense deductions for tax year 2020 to avoid penalizing businesses for borrowing during this crisis and suspend the Section 461(l) loss limitation on pass-through businesses to allow owners to fully deduct any losses they incur this year.

Congress has passed two short-term bills to increase coronavirus testing, provide worker benefits for sick and family leave and offer low-interest small-business disaster loans. Lawmakers are now working on additional packages to address the pandemic. The bills will likely include direct cash payments to individuals, financial aid to business sectors suffering significant impact and potentially addition financial stimulus. SEMA will continue to work with other industry organizations in a coordinated effort to help protect businesses and restore the economy.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA and 113 other trade associations sent a letter urging President Donald Trump, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to help businesses survive the COVID-19 crisis by employing an economic response matching the scale now being taken to end the pandemic. To minimize the number of businesses closed and workers unemployed, the response needs to be coordinated, massive and focused on ensuring that all businesses have the resources necessary to ride out the pandemic. This letter notes that the response should include—but not be limited to—the following areas:

• Immediately provide readily accessible, unsecured credit to businesses of all sizes to ensure they have the cash to pay their workers, rent and other costs during this crisis. While Congress, Treasury and the Federal Reserve have recently announced policies to increase the availability of credit to some businesses, these policies need to be expanded to make certain they are comprehensive and that credit is readily available to all operating businesses in the short term.
• Suspend the filing of business returns and the payment of all business taxes to the federal government for the duration of the pandemic. These suspended taxes should include taxes owed for the 2019 Tax Year, estimated payments for 2020 and all payroll tax obligations. The suspension should be broad and apply to all businesses. When the pandemic is over, the repayment of any deferred taxes should be spread out over time.
• Amend the Tax Code to, among other items, restore the ability of businesses to carryback any net operating losses against previous year tax payments, suspend the application of the Section 163(j) limitation on interest expense deductions for tax year 2020 to avoid penalizing businesses for borrowing during this crisis and suspend the Section 461(l) loss limitation on pass-through businesses to allow owners to fully deduct any losses they incur this year.

Congress has passed two short-term bills to increase coronavirus testing, provide worker benefits for sick and family leave and offer low-interest small-business disaster loans. Lawmakers are now working on additional packages to address the pandemic. The bills will likely include direct cash payments to individuals, financial aid to business sectors suffering significant impact and potentially addition financial stimulus. SEMA will continue to work with other industry organizations in a coordinated effort to help protect businesses and restore the economy.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA and 113 other trade associations sent a letter urging President Donald Trump, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to help businesses survive the COVID-19 crisis by employing an economic response matching the scale now being taken to end the pandemic. To minimize the number of businesses closed and workers unemployed, the response needs to be coordinated, massive and focused on ensuring that all businesses have the resources necessary to ride out the pandemic. This letter notes that the response should include—but not be limited to—the following areas:

• Immediately provide readily accessible, unsecured credit to businesses of all sizes to ensure they have the cash to pay their workers, rent and other costs during this crisis. While Congress, Treasury and the Federal Reserve have recently announced policies to increase the availability of credit to some businesses, these policies need to be expanded to make certain they are comprehensive and that credit is readily available to all operating businesses in the short term.
• Suspend the filing of business returns and the payment of all business taxes to the federal government for the duration of the pandemic. These suspended taxes should include taxes owed for the 2019 Tax Year, estimated payments for 2020 and all payroll tax obligations. The suspension should be broad and apply to all businesses. When the pandemic is over, the repayment of any deferred taxes should be spread out over time.
• Amend the Tax Code to, among other items, restore the ability of businesses to carryback any net operating losses against previous year tax payments, suspend the application of the Section 163(j) limitation on interest expense deductions for tax year 2020 to avoid penalizing businesses for borrowing during this crisis and suspend the Section 461(l) loss limitation on pass-through businesses to allow owners to fully deduct any losses they incur this year.

Congress has passed two short-term bills to increase coronavirus testing, provide worker benefits for sick and family leave and offer low-interest small-business disaster loans. Lawmakers are now working on additional packages to address the pandemic. The bills will likely include direct cash payments to individuals, financial aid to business sectors suffering significant impact and potentially addition financial stimulus. SEMA will continue to work with other industry organizations in a coordinated effort to help protect businesses and restore the economy.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

President Trump signed a bill into law in response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak that provides paid sick and family leave, expands unemployment benefits and offers free coronavirus testing. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, H.R. 6201, passed the House by a margin of 363 to 40 before clearing the Senate 90 to 8.

The law provides 10 days of paid sick leave at 100% of an employee’s salary (capped at $511 per day and $5,110 total) for those working at businesses with 500 or fewer employees. This benefit applies to employees who have been told to quarantine, show symptoms, were exposed to the virus or those who are trying to get a test or preventive care. The new law requires part-time employees receive the paid sick leave equivalent to the number of hours they typically work during a two-week period. For example, if an employee typically works 20 hours a week, they are eligible for up to 40 hours of pay.

The new law provides up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave at 67% of an employee’s normal pay (capped at $200 per day cap and $10,000 total), although companies with 50 or fewer employees would be permitted to apply to the U.S. Department of Labor for a waiver from offering the benefit if it “would jeopardize the viability of the business.” The family and medical leave provision applies to all employees who are adhering to a quarantine recommendation or are caring for an at-risk family member, which includes caring for a child whose school or child-care facility is closed due to the coronavirus. The law provides employers with refundable tax credits to cover the costs of the paid leave requirements. Both paid leave benefits are in effect for the next 12 months.

Additionally, the law provides more than $1 billion in additional unemployment insurance funding to states in the form of grants to help them respond to the increasing number of applications for the benefit that are anticipated in the coming weeks and months. The law also provides up to 52 weeks of unemployment insurance for displaced workers in states where the unemployment rate increases by more than 10%. Part-time employees will also be able to collect unemployment compensation to make up for any reductions in hours which would otherwise result in lost wages.

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