Rick Calvert will share his insights on using blogs to engage your customer base.

Blogs (shorthand for “weblogs”) have revolutionized commerce. They allow companies to directly address current customers while developing new business, explaining product benefits and answering customer questions. Blogs are cost-effective, generate “buzz” about your business, build brand loyalty and position the blogger as an expert in the field.



Rick Calvert, CEO and cofounder of BlogWorld & New Media Expo, the world’s only industry-wide conference and trade show for new media, will present an intriguing new SEMA webinar entitled “Connect with Customers on Blogs: What You Need to Know” on September 9 at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).

A blogger himself, Calvert has been active in the trade show industry since 1996, serving as sales manager and director of sales for three Tradeshow Week 200 events as well as one of the nation’s largest consumer shows. His presentation will include:

• User-Generated Content
• Commenting on Blogs
• Reaching Out to Bloggers and Social Influencers
• Starting Your Own Blog
• Evolving Your Strategy as You Learn
• Return on Investment

SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members. Click here to register for a look into this unique tool your business can use for valuable promotion and customer engagement (non-members can register here). Unable to tune in at the scheduled time? No problem. Visit www.SEMA.org/events/webinars after the event to download and review it at your convenience.

For more information on the SEMA Webinar Program and to view a list of all upcoming SEMA webinars, go to www.SEMA.org/webinars.

With the right shipping solutions, specialty-equipment businesses can tap into the well of rising global automotive demand.

UPS has signed on as a SEMA Show sponsor, marking the first time the global logistics company has partnered with the association. And with J.D. Power and Associates forecasting global light-vehicle production to rise 13% by the end of 2010, fueled by demand in markets such as Brazil, Russia, India and China, the timing couldn't be better.

Specialty-equipment companies are in a perfect position to capitalize on international demand, as automotive products comprise America’s largest export category of manufactured goods, according to UPS Marketing Manager Kristin DeBates.

“SEMA members must continue looking for new opportunities to reach customers in international markets,” DeBates says. “That’s why our alliance with SEMA is so timely. UPS can ensure that SEMA members understand the opportunities associated with exporting and then manage all aspects of that company’s global supply chain, from transportation to tracking to returns.”

UPS recently helped Mopar streamline the logistics model for its referral business, a segment that accounts for 12% of the company’s annual orders. UPS says Mopar customer satisfaction jumped more than 12%, and its transportation costs decreased 10%. UPS will exhibit at the 2010 SEMA Show in the North Hall (Booth #11937) of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

For more information, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

With the right shipping solutions, specialty-equipment businesses can tap into the well of rising global automotive demand.

UPS has signed on as a SEMA Show sponsor, marking the first time the global logistics company has partnered with the association. And with J.D. Power and Associates forecasting global light-vehicle production to rise 13% by the end of 2010, fueled by demand in markets such as Brazil, Russia, India and China, the timing couldn't be better.

Specialty-equipment companies are in a perfect position to capitalize on international demand, as automotive products comprise America’s largest export category of manufactured goods, according to UPS Marketing Manager Kristin DeBates.

“SEMA members must continue looking for new opportunities to reach customers in international markets,” DeBates says. “That’s why our alliance with SEMA is so timely. UPS can ensure that SEMA members understand the opportunities associated with exporting and then manage all aspects of that company’s global supply chain, from transportation to tracking to returns.”

UPS recently helped Mopar streamline the logistics model for its referral business, a segment that accounts for 12% of the company’s annual orders. UPS says Mopar customer satisfaction jumped more than 12%, and its transportation costs decreased 10%. UPS will exhibit at the 2010 SEMA Show in the North Hall (Booth #11937) of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

For more information, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

With the right shipping solutions, specialty-equipment businesses can tap into the well of rising global automotive demand.

UPS has signed on as a SEMA Show sponsor, marking the first time the global logistics company has partnered with the association. And with J.D. Power and Associates forecasting global light-vehicle production to rise 13% by the end of 2010, fueled by demand in markets such as Brazil, Russia, India and China, the timing couldn't be better.

Specialty-equipment companies are in a perfect position to capitalize on international demand, as automotive products comprise America’s largest export category of manufactured goods, according to UPS Marketing Manager Kristin DeBates.

“SEMA members must continue looking for new opportunities to reach customers in international markets,” DeBates says. “That’s why our alliance with SEMA is so timely. UPS can ensure that SEMA members understand the opportunities associated with exporting and then manage all aspects of that company’s global supply chain, from transportation to tracking to returns.”

UPS recently helped Mopar streamline the logistics model for its referral business, a segment that accounts for 12% of the company’s annual orders. UPS says Mopar customer satisfaction jumped more than 12%, and its transportation costs decreased 10%. UPS will exhibit at the 2010 SEMA Show in the North Hall (Booth #11937) of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

For more information, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has proposed a new regulation (Chapter Trans 123) to prohibit the registration of imported vehicles manufactured after 1967 that do not meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). U.S. law specifically exempts imported vehicles that are 25 years old and older from these safety standards. Trans 123 offers no such reasonable exemption.

The regulation permits the continued registration of subject vehicles that are already legally registered in Wisconsin, but only until they are transferred to a new owner. The rule is currently under review by the Senate and Assembly Transportation Committees, which have until September 10, 2010, to raise an objection. Click here to register your opposition to the proposal.

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has proposed a new regulation (Chapter Trans 123) to prohibit the registration of imported vehicles manufactured after 1967 that do not meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). U.S. law specifically exempts imported vehicles that are 25 years old and older from these safety standards. Trans 123 offers no such reasonable exemption.

The regulation permits the continued registration of subject vehicles that are already legally registered in Wisconsin, but only until they are transferred to a new owner. The rule is currently under review by the Senate and Assembly Transportation Committees, which have until September 10, 2010, to raise an objection. Click here to register your opposition to the proposal.

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Unlike other types of salespeople, manufacturers' representatives work for multiple companies across multiple product lines in a large geographic area, either as individuals or as part of an agency. A rep is an independent businessperson, an extension of the manufacturers' sales force, and he or she can also be a highly valuable jack-of-all-trades who not only closes deals, but also teaches in-house manufacturers, warehouse distributors or retailer/jobber salespeople how to best present the manufacturer's marketing plan to create sales. [Read more]

Unlike other types of salespeople, manufacturers' representatives work for multiple companies across multiple product lines in a large geographic area, either as individuals or as part of an agency. A rep is an independent businessperson, an extension of the manufacturers' sales force, and he or she can also be a highly valuable jack-of-all-trades who not only closes deals, but also teaches in-house manufacturers, warehouse distributors or retailer/jobber salespeople how to best present the manufacturer's marketing plan to create sales. [Read more]

Unlike other types of salespeople, manufacturers' representatives work for multiple companies across multiple product lines in a large geographic area, either as individuals or as part of an agency. A rep is an independent businessperson, an extension of the manufacturers' sales force, and he or she can also be a highly valuable jack-of-all-trades who not only closes deals, but also teaches in-house manufacturers, warehouse distributors or retailer/jobber salespeople how to best present the manufacturer's marketing plan to create sales. [Read more]

Unlike other types of salespeople, manufacturers' representatives work for multiple companies across multiple product lines in a large geographic area, either as individuals or as part of an agency. A rep is an independent businessperson, an extension of the manufacturers' sales force, and he or she can also be a highly valuable jack-of-all-trades who not only closes deals, but also teaches in-house manufacturers, warehouse distributors or retailer/jobber salespeople how to best present the manufacturer's marketing plan to create sales. [Read more]