On March 1, 2016, the SEMA Garage will host a first-of-its-kind measuring session on the all-new ’17 Audi R8. Starting at $164,000, the 540hp naturally aspirated V10 Audi R8 represents the pinnacle of performance and engineering for the Audi brand. For SEMA members who support this niche category, don’t miss this one-day-only opportunity to get hands-on with the new Audi. Modest disassembly will be permitted, including wheels, brakes, suspension and limited interior component. Photography and scanning will also be permitted. Audi will also have an accessory marketing rep on hand to answer any questions.

On March 1, 2016, the SEMA Garage will host a first-of-its-kind measuring session on the all-new ’17 Audi R8. Starting at $164,000, the 540hp naturally aspirated V10 Audi R8 represents the pinnacle of performance and engineering for the Audi brand. For SEMA members who support this niche category, don’t miss this one-day-only opportunity to get hands-on with the new Audi. Modest disassembly will be permitted, including wheels, brakes, suspension and limited interior component. Photography and scanning will also be permitted. Audi will also have an accessory marketing rep on hand to answer any questions.

By SEMA Editors

(L-R): Joel Ayres, Dennis Gage and Jim Bingham were inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame in 2015.

It’s that time of year for SEMA Hall of Fame nominations. As a SEMA member, you have the opportunity to nominate a person for the 2016 SEMA Hall of Fame—an award established to honor outstanding persons in the automotive specialty-equipment industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments on a national basis have enhanced the stature of, and significantly contributed to, the industry’s growth.

A rule of thumb to qualify could be to ask yourself the following question: “If this person had never existed, how would SEMA and the industry be different?”

Please take a moment to review the SEMA Hall of Fame website, SEMA Hall of Fame criteria and listings of past inductees. In order to assist the Hall of Fame Committee in making their selection, please provide a brief statement, including accomplishments and comments as to why, based on the award criteria, the individual is deserving of this honor. Your completed nomination form is confidential and vital to helping the Hall of Fame Committee make their selection for the 2016 SEMA Hall of Fame.

Please submit your 2016 SEMA Hall of Fame form by March 11.

If you have any questions, contact Marcela Ortega at marcelao@sema.org or 909-978-6744.

By SEMA Editors

(L-R): Joel Ayres, Dennis Gage and Jim Bingham were inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame in 2015.

It’s that time of year for SEMA Hall of Fame nominations. As a SEMA member, you have the opportunity to nominate a person for the 2016 SEMA Hall of Fame—an award established to honor outstanding persons in the automotive specialty-equipment industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments on a national basis have enhanced the stature of, and significantly contributed to, the industry’s growth.

A rule of thumb to qualify could be to ask yourself the following question: “If this person had never existed, how would SEMA and the industry be different?”

Please take a moment to review the SEMA Hall of Fame website, SEMA Hall of Fame criteria and listings of past inductees. In order to assist the Hall of Fame Committee in making their selection, please provide a brief statement, including accomplishments and comments as to why, based on the award criteria, the individual is deserving of this honor. Your completed nomination form is confidential and vital to helping the Hall of Fame Committee make their selection for the 2016 SEMA Hall of Fame.

Please submit your 2016 SEMA Hall of Fame form by March 11.

If you have any questions, contact Marcela Ortega at marcelao@sema.org or 909-978-6744.

By SEMA Editors

Are you hunting for a new job? The “Positions Available” section in the SEMA Member Classifieds lists more than 50 job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest classifieds posted to the website.

Product Manager

Continental Automotive is hiring a product manager responsible for managing the Aftermarket TPMS Product Category and Program, including all new products that may be sourced or developed from the interior division business units, and development of external strategic supplier and/or distribution strategic electronic innovations alliances. The qualified candidate must have a bachelor’s of science in business or engineering and two or more years of automotive product management experience.

Brand Manager

3pConnect LLC is hiring a brand manager with sales experience responsible for managing and expanding the Australian-based company Aussie Rimshine. Responsibilities include achieving sales targets, closing and maintaining distributors and managing all major customer accounts. Intermediate computer skills with Word, Excel and Outlook/Gmail are required; knowledge and passion for trucks or the trucking industry is advantageous, as this position requires assisting customers with technical queries and demonstrating how the product works.

Council Director

SEMA is hiring a council director who will serve as a category expert and advocate for the association during industry events. This position will be responsible for developing strategic member groups, facilitating volunteer groups toward the achievement of annual goals and objectives and researching and assisting in the development of programs to properly market and maintain existing special aftermarket segments.

Office Administrator

Top Street Performance is hiring an office administrator for its operations department. This position will be responsible for answering phones, filing, creating shipping labels and performing other office duties. The successful candidate should be professional and knowledgeable of the industry.

Salesperson

Kraftwerks and Grams is hiring a full-time, mid-level technical salesperson. This position will be responsible for developing sales opportunities by researching and identifying potential accounts, soliciting new accounts and providing technical information and explanations. The successful candidate must have experience with CRM systems, excellent computer skills, more than two years’ sales experience and a thorough knowledge of the automotive aftermarket industry.

Strengthen Your Company Through Community

No matter what niche you're in—rods, restoration, racing, restyling, reps, trucks or wheels and tires—there's a SEMA council or professional network that's right for your company. SEMA councils and networks offer members a variety of market-specific programs and activities designed to provide educational and networking opportunities while promoting their particular industry segment.

Visit MPMC's website

Chad Reynolds of BangShift.com was named the 2015 Robert E. Petersen Award recipient.

Chad Reynolds of BangShift.com Named 2015 Robert E. Petersen Award Recipient

Chad Reynolds of BangShift.com was named the 2015 Robert E. Petersen Award recipient during last week’s Media Appreciation Reception at the 2016 Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference (MTC). The reception took place last Tuesday evening after exhibiting manufacturers spent the day in private one-on-one meetings with media to showcase their products.

The Robert E. Petersen award is named in honor of the man to whom the motorsports industry owes so much, and is presented to an individual from the media who has made a positive impact on the industry and MPMC during the previous calendar year. The MPMC general membership was called upon to nominate and eventually vote for an outstanding member of the media.

BangShift.com prides itself on having some of the most up-to-date and comprehensive motorsports coverage around. Reynolds writes, produces video and publishes a large collection of content that appears on the site. BangShift.com also produces live streaming from motorsports events around the country. Reynolds faithfully attends the MTC every year, and this year, he volunteered his time to be a part of a Media Advisory Task Force for the MPMC. On the Task Force, he provides input to the council on coming media trends and how to keep the MTC, and the MPMC, relevant in a changing media landscape.

Reynolds joins the previous Robert E. Petersen Award Winners:

• 2004: Jeff Smith
• 2005: David Freiburger
• 2006: Dick Berggren
• 2007: Ed Zinke
• 2008: Bill Middaugh
• 2009: Karl Fredrickson
• 2010: Steve Wolcott
• 2011: James Lawrence
• 2012: Jim Ryan
• 2013: KJ Jones
• 2014: John DiBartolomeo

Back to Top 

Attend WTC General Membership Meeting

SEMA's Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) will host its annual long-range planning meeting and industry discussion Wednesday, February 10, in Diamond Bar, California.

SEMA's Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) will host its annual long-range planning meeting and industry discussion Wednesday, February 10, at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California. This event is a chance for WTC members to work with council members to determine the focus and direction of the group for this year and beyond.

On the agenda are discussions of upcoming retailer education and consumer engagement resources in development by the council, as well as new sources of vehicle technical information available through SEMA. There will also be an open discussion on other challenges and opportunities in the wheel and tire industry.

The meeting will include a continental breakfast and networking lunch for attendees. All employees of WTC member companies and any wheel and tire professionals interested in learning more about SEMA and the WTC are invited to attend the event. Remote members are invited to participate in the discussion through our GoToMeeting portal.

RSVP to save your seat and submit discussion topics: click here.

For more information on WTC, contact Council Liaison Clayton Drescher at 909-978-6696 or claytond@sema.org.

Back to Top

Strengthen Your Company Through Community

No matter what niche you're in—rods, restoration, racing, restyling, reps, trucks or wheels and tires—there's a SEMA council or professional network that's right for your company. SEMA councils and networks offer members a variety of market-specific programs and activities designed to provide educational and networking opportunities while promoting their particular industry segment.

Visit MPMC's website

Chad Reynolds of BangShift.com was named the 2015 Robert E. Petersen Award recipient.

Chad Reynolds of BangShift.com Named 2015 Robert E. Petersen Award Recipient

Chad Reynolds of BangShift.com was named the 2015 Robert E. Petersen Award recipient during last week’s Media Appreciation Reception at the 2016 Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference (MTC). The reception took place last Tuesday evening after exhibiting manufacturers spent the day in private one-on-one meetings with media to showcase their products.

The Robert E. Petersen award is named in honor of the man to whom the motorsports industry owes so much, and is presented to an individual from the media who has made a positive impact on the industry and MPMC during the previous calendar year. The MPMC general membership was called upon to nominate and eventually vote for an outstanding member of the media.

BangShift.com prides itself on having some of the most up-to-date and comprehensive motorsports coverage around. Reynolds writes, produces video and publishes a large collection of content that appears on the site. BangShift.com also produces live streaming from motorsports events around the country. Reynolds faithfully attends the MTC every year, and this year, he volunteered his time to be a part of a Media Advisory Task Force for the MPMC. On the Task Force, he provides input to the council on coming media trends and how to keep the MTC, and the MPMC, relevant in a changing media landscape.

Reynolds joins the previous Robert E. Petersen Award Winners:

• 2004: Jeff Smith
• 2005: David Freiburger
• 2006: Dick Berggren
• 2007: Ed Zinke
• 2008: Bill Middaugh
• 2009: Karl Fredrickson
• 2010: Steve Wolcott
• 2011: James Lawrence
• 2012: Jim Ryan
• 2013: KJ Jones
• 2014: John DiBartolomeo

Back to Top 

Attend WTC General Membership Meeting

SEMA's Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) will host its annual long-range planning meeting and industry discussion Wednesday, February 10, in Diamond Bar, California.

SEMA's Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) will host its annual long-range planning meeting and industry discussion Wednesday, February 10, at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California. This event is a chance for WTC members to work with council members to determine the focus and direction of the group for this year and beyond.

On the agenda are discussions of upcoming retailer education and consumer engagement resources in development by the council, as well as new sources of vehicle technical information available through SEMA. There will also be an open discussion on other challenges and opportunities in the wheel and tire industry.

The meeting will include a continental breakfast and networking lunch for attendees. All employees of WTC member companies and any wheel and tire professionals interested in learning more about SEMA and the WTC are invited to attend the event. Remote members are invited to participate in the discussion through our GoToMeeting portal.

RSVP to save your seat and submit discussion topics: click here.

For more information on WTC, contact Council Liaison Clayton Drescher at 909-978-6696 or claytond@sema.org.

Back to Top

Strengthen Your Company Through Community

No matter what niche you're in—rods, restoration, racing, restyling, reps, trucks or wheels and tires—there's a SEMA council or professional network that's right for your company. SEMA councils and networks offer members a variety of market-specific programs and activities designed to provide educational and networking opportunities while promoting their particular industry segment.

Visit MPMC's website

Chad Reynolds of BangShift.com was named the 2015 Robert E. Petersen Award recipient.

Chad Reynolds of BangShift.com Named 2015 Robert E. Petersen Award Recipient

Chad Reynolds of BangShift.com was named the 2015 Robert E. Petersen Award recipient during last week’s Media Appreciation Reception at the 2016 Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference (MTC). The reception took place last Tuesday evening after exhibiting manufacturers spent the day in private one-on-one meetings with media to showcase their products.

The Robert E. Petersen award is named in honor of the man to whom the motorsports industry owes so much, and is presented to an individual from the media who has made a positive impact on the industry and MPMC during the previous calendar year. The MPMC general membership was called upon to nominate and eventually vote for an outstanding member of the media.

BangShift.com prides itself on having some of the most up-to-date and comprehensive motorsports coverage around. Reynolds writes, produces video and publishes a large collection of content that appears on the site. BangShift.com also produces live streaming from motorsports events around the country. Reynolds faithfully attends the MTC every year, and this year, he volunteered his time to be a part of a Media Advisory Task Force for the MPMC. On the Task Force, he provides input to the council on coming media trends and how to keep the MTC, and the MPMC, relevant in a changing media landscape.

Reynolds joins the previous Robert E. Petersen Award Winners:

• 2004: Jeff Smith
• 2005: David Freiburger
• 2006: Dick Berggren
• 2007: Ed Zinke
• 2008: Bill Middaugh
• 2009: Karl Fredrickson
• 2010: Steve Wolcott
• 2011: James Lawrence
• 2012: Jim Ryan
• 2013: KJ Jones
• 2014: John DiBartolomeo

Back to Top 

Attend WTC General Membership Meeting

SEMA's Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) will host its annual long-range planning meeting and industry discussion Wednesday, February 10, in Diamond Bar, California.

SEMA's Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) will host its annual long-range planning meeting and industry discussion Wednesday, February 10, at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California. This event is a chance for WTC members to work with council members to determine the focus and direction of the group for this year and beyond.

On the agenda are discussions of upcoming retailer education and consumer engagement resources in development by the council, as well as new sources of vehicle technical information available through SEMA. There will also be an open discussion on other challenges and opportunities in the wheel and tire industry.

The meeting will include a continental breakfast and networking lunch for attendees. All employees of WTC member companies and any wheel and tire professionals interested in learning more about SEMA and the WTC are invited to attend the event. Remote members are invited to participate in the discussion through our GoToMeeting portal.

RSVP to save your seat and submit discussion topics: click here.

For more information on WTC, contact Council Liaison Clayton Drescher at 909-978-6696 or claytond@sema.org.

Back to Top

By SEMA Editors

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

• WTC General Membership Meeting, February 10, 2016, SEMA Garage, Diamond Bar, California

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