By Kristen Fregoso

SEMA’s Town Hall Meetings provide both members and prospective members with the opportunity to learn about the Association’s current programs and objectives while networking with automotive aftermarket professionals from the same geographic region.

SEMA invites industry professionals to its Town Hall Meeting in Berea, Ohio, where members and prospective members will gather at Flaming River on Thursday, June 7, from 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m., for an evening of networking with local industry leaders and the SEMA team.

SEMA’s Town Hall Meetings provide members and prospective members with the opportunity to learn about the association’s current programs and objectives while networking with automotive aftermarket professionals from the same geographic region. These personal interactions give members a chance to share the business challenges and opportunities they face. As SEMA staff interacts with attendees, they also gain valuable feedback which helps identify how current benefits can enhance members’ business operations to better meet their needs.

For more information or to register, visit SEMA’s Town Hall Meetings website, contact Kristen Fregoso at 909-978-6681 or email kristenf@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

Following are dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

• SEMA Town Hall Meeting, June 7, 2018, Flaming River Industries, Berea, Ohio
• YEN Lunch & Learn: Grow Your Influence Through Collaboration, June 8, 2018, SEMA Garage, Diamond Bar, California
• PRO Long Range Planning Meeting, June 13, 2018, Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel, St. Louis, Missouri
• SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit, June 25–26, 2018, Las Vegas
• Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD), July 13, 2018
• SEMA Installation & Gala, July 20, 2018, Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City, Universal City, California
• SEMA China Business Development Conference, August 15–19, 2018, Shanghai, China
• SEMA Show, October 30–November 2, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas
• PRI Trade Show, December 6–8, 2018, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis
• SEMA Middle East Business Development Program, March 19–24, 2019, Abu Dhabi, UAE

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstore.com) at Travel Store USA, 949-930-9268.

Attendee, exhibitor and media registration for the 2018 SEMA Show is now open.

Attendee, exhibitor and media registration for the 2018 SEMA Show is now open.

The RPM Act needs your support. SEMA urges all race fans and businesses to continue to take action. Go to www.sema.org/RPM to support the RPM Act and secure the future of racing today!

The RPM Act needs your support. SEMA urges all race fans and businesses to continue to take action. Go to www.sema.org/RPM to support the RPM Act and secure the future of racing today!

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities (view all here) in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org. 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 2018 SEMA Show takes place Tuesday–Friday, October 30–November 2, in Las Vegas.

The 2018 SEMA Show takes place Tuesday–Friday, October 30–November 2, in Las Vegas.

By Andrea Carney

In collaboration with the Santa Fe Early College Opportunities Applied Science Magnet School (Santa Fe ECO) Auto Tech School, from Santa Fe, New Mexico, SEMA is building a ’15 four-wheel-drive Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Santa Fe ECO is a magnet high school that provides applied sciences and tech training, along with traditional academic classes. The build began in late 2017 with the delivery of the Jeep to students at Santa Fe ECO Auto Shop Program, which has elicited considerable industry support (23 companies contributed parts), and SEMA volunteer leaders, who have taken time to work with the students and help guide the project.

Jeremy Headlee of ICON Vehicle Dynamics recently had the opportunity to visit Santa Fe High School to tour the facility and interact with students participating in the ECO Auto Shop program.

“The Jeep build created excitement with the students, who were engaged, answering my questions, and asking some of their own,” said Headlee. “These students represent the fuel that will keep the industry pushing forward, and the program demonstrates to young people that they can make a living doing something they love.”

The Jeep will be auctioned through Bring-A-Trailer in early June, with 100% of the proceeds from the sale donated to the school to fund the next vehicle build for the purposes of creating a self-sustaining program. If successful, this program model can be expanded into auto-tech programs around the country, introducing young people to cool cars and trucks, automotive specialty equipment and potential careers in this segment of the industry.

More auction details are coming soon. Check out the video to learn more about the build and the students behind it.  

For information about the Santa Fe ECO Jeep build, contact Andrea Carney at 909-978-6697, or visit www.sema.org/jeep-build.