SEMA Member News—July 2019

Providing a Pathway to Professional Growth

	In a casual setting, council and network leadership work together to cultivate new ideas to further advance the automotive aftermarket industry.

Walk around the SEMA Show or attend any industry meeting or event anywhere, and you’ll cross paths with scores of businesswomen engaged in all aspects and at all levels of the automotive specialty-equipment industry. That wasn’t always the case.

Back in the early days, and as recently as the mid-’90s, there were very few women employed in key positions within the industry, and even fewer attended the SEMA Show. While men had many opportunities to network and elevate their roles in the industry, it wasn’t until spring 1987 that industry women had similar opportunities.

It began with the formation of SEMA’s Professional Women’s League (PWL). An offshoot of a SEMA spouse program—the Women’s Activities Committee, which held events for wives during the SEMA Show—PWL was specifically created as a forum for women employed in the aftermarket.

PWL’s stated goal was to “provide professional women in the aftermarket with a venue through which they can enhance and strengthen their position and role in the performance and appearance segments of the industry.” Through women’s-only events, guest presentations and roundtable discussions, PWL allowed for a level of camaraderie and shared learning and mentoring experiences that had not existed previously, and PWL was elevated to SEMA committee status in 1990.

“When we initially discussed the Professional Women’s League as a SEMA committee, I privately thought this could be another project with virtually unlimited potential,” wrote then-SEMA President Chuck Blum in PWL’s first-ever membership directory. “Perhaps today we’re seeing only the meager beginnings of what can and should be a viable force in our industry’s progress.”

SBN incoming Chair Lana Chrisman (left) and incoming Chair-elect Denise Waddingham met with other council and network chair and chair-elects in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, for a leadership retreat to discuss current initiatives within the industry, and to help bond future collaborations between each council and network.

Building a Foundation

Flash forward to 1993. A handful of PWL members gathered to talk about next steps. The result: PWL soon was transformed into the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN). Since its inception, SBN’s mission has been to “provide networking, education and recognition opportunities for professional women in the specialty-equipment industry, which will enhance their careers and positively impact the growth of the entire automotive aftermarket.”

As SBN’s ranks swelled to more than 550 members over the years, the group engaged in various worthwhile activities. Early initiatives included producing the SEMA Silent Auction to raise funds in support of the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund; establishing a scholarship award to honor the late Trudy Thompson; and hosting an annual Speed
Networking Breakfast.

More recent endeavors include a high-profile Mustang build to showcase women’s industry involvement and to auction the car to raise money for the scholarship fund as well as such current activities as Gear-up Girl, SBN’s SEMA Show reception, and SheIsSEMA profiles. To advance its focus on education, SBN last year powered women-only seminars at the Show and is currently planning sessions for this year.

Enhancing Value as a Resource

With so many feathers in its cap and a growing membership base, SBN remains focused on ways to deliver value-added resources and overcome the perception of being just a “girls’ group,” noted SBN Chair Lana Chrissman, who recently attended a SEMA Leadership Retreat for council and network chairs and chairs-elect.

“The Retreat was awesome,” Chrissman said. “It not only gave us a chance to meet and interact with other council and network leaders but also opportunities to talk about how SBN is perceived by other women not involved in SBN, as well as by men. What we learned is that they look at us as a social/networking group and as mentors but not as a resource. It gave us a lot to think about—how we can provide value and have an impact on the industry for women and what is the essence of SBN.”

A follow-up open-forum meeting at the Keystone Big Show provided an opportunity for a deeper dive.

“During our meet-up at the Big Show, there was a lot of discussion about gender pay gap, and having that equal platform is something we’re going to explore,” Chrissman said. “We are also focused on a website refresh and on conducting a member survey to find out how we can help.

“Women provide a unique perspective, and we’re committed to promoting the value of women in the workplace, so it’s important for us to gain executive support at the C-suite level. We want them to encourage their female employees to join SBN and get involved, because we will continue to provide resources to advance their careers, which in turn will benefit their companies and the industry.”

SEMA’s Professional Women’s League—the forerunner to the SEMA Business Women’s Network—was established in 1987. The first edition of PWL’s newsletter touted the group’s event at the 1987 SEMA Show and addressed obstacles women were then facing in the industry. Photo Courtesy Ellen McKoy, EMK Marketing.

SBN incoming Chair Lana Chrisman (left) and incoming Chair-elect Denise Waddingham met with other council and network chair and chair-elects in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, for a leadership retreat to discuss current initiatives within the industry, and to help bond future collaborations between each council and network.

Female Industry Leaders Join the SBN Select Committee

SBN extends a warm welcome to three industry professionals who join the network’s select committee on July 1: Sarah Morosan of LGE-CTS Motorsports, Charlene Bower from Bower Media and the Ladies Offroad Network, and Kendra Sommer from Cruisin’ With Kendra. Incumbents Tiffany Dorin from Battery-Biz and Cathy Clark from Bob Cook Sales will rejoin the select committee.

SEMA Member News—July 2019

Providing a Pathway to Professional Growth

	In a casual setting, council and network leadership work together to cultivate new ideas to further advance the automotive aftermarket industry.

Walk around the SEMA Show or attend any industry meeting or event anywhere, and you’ll cross paths with scores of businesswomen engaged in all aspects and at all levels of the automotive specialty-equipment industry. That wasn’t always the case.

Back in the early days, and as recently as the mid-’90s, there were very few women employed in key positions within the industry, and even fewer attended the SEMA Show. While men had many opportunities to network and elevate their roles in the industry, it wasn’t until spring 1987 that industry women had similar opportunities.

It began with the formation of SEMA’s Professional Women’s League (PWL). An offshoot of a SEMA spouse program—the Women’s Activities Committee, which held events for wives during the SEMA Show—PWL was specifically created as a forum for women employed in the aftermarket.

PWL’s stated goal was to “provide professional women in the aftermarket with a venue through which they can enhance and strengthen their position and role in the performance and appearance segments of the industry.” Through women’s-only events, guest presentations and roundtable discussions, PWL allowed for a level of camaraderie and shared learning and mentoring experiences that had not existed previously, and PWL was elevated to SEMA committee status in 1990.

“When we initially discussed the Professional Women’s League as a SEMA committee, I privately thought this could be another project with virtually unlimited potential,” wrote then-SEMA President Chuck Blum in PWL’s first-ever membership directory. “Perhaps today we’re seeing only the meager beginnings of what can and should be a viable force in our industry’s progress.”

SBN incoming Chair Lana Chrisman (left) and incoming Chair-elect Denise Waddingham met with other council and network chair and chair-elects in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, for a leadership retreat to discuss current initiatives within the industry, and to help bond future collaborations between each council and network.

Building a Foundation

Flash forward to 1993. A handful of PWL members gathered to talk about next steps. The result: PWL soon was transformed into the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN). Since its inception, SBN’s mission has been to “provide networking, education and recognition opportunities for professional women in the specialty-equipment industry, which will enhance their careers and positively impact the growth of the entire automotive aftermarket.”

As SBN’s ranks swelled to more than 550 members over the years, the group engaged in various worthwhile activities. Early initiatives included producing the SEMA Silent Auction to raise funds in support of the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund; establishing a scholarship award to honor the late Trudy Thompson; and hosting an annual Speed
Networking Breakfast.

More recent endeavors include a high-profile Mustang build to showcase women’s industry involvement and to auction the car to raise money for the scholarship fund as well as such current activities as Gear-up Girl, SBN’s SEMA Show reception, and SheIsSEMA profiles. To advance its focus on education, SBN last year powered women-only seminars at the Show and is currently planning sessions for this year.

Enhancing Value as a Resource

With so many feathers in its cap and a growing membership base, SBN remains focused on ways to deliver value-added resources and overcome the perception of being just a “girls’ group,” noted SBN Chair Lana Chrissman, who recently attended a SEMA Leadership Retreat for council and network chairs and chairs-elect.

“The Retreat was awesome,” Chrissman said. “It not only gave us a chance to meet and interact with other council and network leaders but also opportunities to talk about how SBN is perceived by other women not involved in SBN, as well as by men. What we learned is that they look at us as a social/networking group and as mentors but not as a resource. It gave us a lot to think about—how we can provide value and have an impact on the industry for women and what is the essence of SBN.”

A follow-up open-forum meeting at the Keystone Big Show provided an opportunity for a deeper dive.

“During our meet-up at the Big Show, there was a lot of discussion about gender pay gap, and having that equal platform is something we’re going to explore,” Chrissman said. “We are also focused on a website refresh and on conducting a member survey to find out how we can help.

“Women provide a unique perspective, and we’re committed to promoting the value of women in the workplace, so it’s important for us to gain executive support at the C-suite level. We want them to encourage their female employees to join SBN and get involved, because we will continue to provide resources to advance their careers, which in turn will benefit their companies and the industry.”

SEMA’s Professional Women’s League—the forerunner to the SEMA Business Women’s Network—was established in 1987. The first edition of PWL’s newsletter touted the group’s event at the 1987 SEMA Show and addressed obstacles women were then facing in the industry. Photo Courtesy Ellen McKoy, EMK Marketing.

SBN incoming Chair Lana Chrisman (left) and incoming Chair-elect Denise Waddingham met with other council and network chair and chair-elects in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, for a leadership retreat to discuss current initiatives within the industry, and to help bond future collaborations between each council and network.

Female Industry Leaders Join the SBN Select Committee

SBN extends a warm welcome to three industry professionals who join the network’s select committee on July 1: Sarah Morosan of LGE-CTS Motorsports, Charlene Bower from Bower Media and the Ladies Offroad Network, and Kendra Sommer from Cruisin’ With Kendra. Incumbents Tiffany Dorin from Battery-Biz and Cathy Clark from Bob Cook Sales will rejoin the select committee.

SEMA Member News—July 2019

Providing a Pathway to Professional Growth

	In a casual setting, council and network leadership work together to cultivate new ideas to further advance the automotive aftermarket industry.

Walk around the SEMA Show or attend any industry meeting or event anywhere, and you’ll cross paths with scores of businesswomen engaged in all aspects and at all levels of the automotive specialty-equipment industry. That wasn’t always the case.

Back in the early days, and as recently as the mid-’90s, there were very few women employed in key positions within the industry, and even fewer attended the SEMA Show. While men had many opportunities to network and elevate their roles in the industry, it wasn’t until spring 1987 that industry women had similar opportunities.

It began with the formation of SEMA’s Professional Women’s League (PWL). An offshoot of a SEMA spouse program—the Women’s Activities Committee, which held events for wives during the SEMA Show—PWL was specifically created as a forum for women employed in the aftermarket.

PWL’s stated goal was to “provide professional women in the aftermarket with a venue through which they can enhance and strengthen their position and role in the performance and appearance segments of the industry.” Through women’s-only events, guest presentations and roundtable discussions, PWL allowed for a level of camaraderie and shared learning and mentoring experiences that had not existed previously, and PWL was elevated to SEMA committee status in 1990.

“When we initially discussed the Professional Women’s League as a SEMA committee, I privately thought this could be another project with virtually unlimited potential,” wrote then-SEMA President Chuck Blum in PWL’s first-ever membership directory. “Perhaps today we’re seeing only the meager beginnings of what can and should be a viable force in our industry’s progress.”

SBN incoming Chair Lana Chrisman (left) and incoming Chair-elect Denise Waddingham met with other council and network chair and chair-elects in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, for a leadership retreat to discuss current initiatives within the industry, and to help bond future collaborations between each council and network.

Building a Foundation

Flash forward to 1993. A handful of PWL members gathered to talk about next steps. The result: PWL soon was transformed into the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN). Since its inception, SBN’s mission has been to “provide networking, education and recognition opportunities for professional women in the specialty-equipment industry, which will enhance their careers and positively impact the growth of the entire automotive aftermarket.”

As SBN’s ranks swelled to more than 550 members over the years, the group engaged in various worthwhile activities. Early initiatives included producing the SEMA Silent Auction to raise funds in support of the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund; establishing a scholarship award to honor the late Trudy Thompson; and hosting an annual Speed
Networking Breakfast.

More recent endeavors include a high-profile Mustang build to showcase women’s industry involvement and to auction the car to raise money for the scholarship fund as well as such current activities as Gear-up Girl, SBN’s SEMA Show reception, and SheIsSEMA profiles. To advance its focus on education, SBN last year powered women-only seminars at the Show and is currently planning sessions for this year.

Enhancing Value as a Resource

With so many feathers in its cap and a growing membership base, SBN remains focused on ways to deliver value-added resources and overcome the perception of being just a “girls’ group,” noted SBN Chair Lana Chrissman, who recently attended a SEMA Leadership Retreat for council and network chairs and chairs-elect.

“The Retreat was awesome,” Chrissman said. “It not only gave us a chance to meet and interact with other council and network leaders but also opportunities to talk about how SBN is perceived by other women not involved in SBN, as well as by men. What we learned is that they look at us as a social/networking group and as mentors but not as a resource. It gave us a lot to think about—how we can provide value and have an impact on the industry for women and what is the essence of SBN.”

A follow-up open-forum meeting at the Keystone Big Show provided an opportunity for a deeper dive.

“During our meet-up at the Big Show, there was a lot of discussion about gender pay gap, and having that equal platform is something we’re going to explore,” Chrissman said. “We are also focused on a website refresh and on conducting a member survey to find out how we can help.

“Women provide a unique perspective, and we’re committed to promoting the value of women in the workplace, so it’s important for us to gain executive support at the C-suite level. We want them to encourage their female employees to join SBN and get involved, because we will continue to provide resources to advance their careers, which in turn will benefit their companies and the industry.”

SEMA’s Professional Women’s League—the forerunner to the SEMA Business Women’s Network—was established in 1987. The first edition of PWL’s newsletter touted the group’s event at the 1987 SEMA Show and addressed obstacles women were then facing in the industry. Photo Courtesy Ellen McKoy, EMK Marketing.

SBN incoming Chair Lana Chrisman (left) and incoming Chair-elect Denise Waddingham met with other council and network chair and chair-elects in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, for a leadership retreat to discuss current initiatives within the industry, and to help bond future collaborations between each council and network.

Female Industry Leaders Join the SBN Select Committee

SBN extends a warm welcome to three industry professionals who join the network’s select committee on July 1: Sarah Morosan of LGE-CTS Motorsports, Charlene Bower from Bower Media and the Ladies Offroad Network, and Kendra Sommer from Cruisin’ With Kendra. Incumbents Tiffany Dorin from Battery-Biz and Cathy Clark from Bob Cook Sales will rejoin the select committee.

SEMA Member News—July 2019

ETTN: The Vehicle Technology Connection

Vehicle technology is evolving at lightning speed. For the automotive aftermarket, revolutionary new technologies such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and light detection and ranging (LIDAR) present both challenges and opportunities.

For the Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN), the mission is to identify, communicate and provide stakeholders—engineers, programmers, industrial designers and product developers—with the knowledge of emerging trends and new technology to ensure success.

The SEMA Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN), in conjunction with the SEMA Garage, brings you the SEMA “ETTN Design & Validation Resource Guide.” This guide is designed to help manufacturers connect with companies capable of testing and validating products or software.

In more practical terms, the network is both a resource and a repository. One example is a manufacturer’s need to test and validate a suspension system or electrical components to ensure that the product meets durability, safety and other guidelines. Finding a conveniently located test lab capable of performing the work can be difficult and time-consuming.

That scenario is what motivated the network’s select committee to compile the “ETTN Design & Validation Resource Guide,” said Marla Moore, who will become ETTN’s immediate past chair in July. The reference guide was created in conjunction with the SEMA Garage and is designed to help manufacturers connect with companies capable of testing and validating products or software.

“Finding a company that can validate your products and provide the testing to make sure the products do what they’re supposed to do would take a lot of research,” Moore said. “Between all of us on the select committee, we already had a pretty good list that we had vetted and used. We added additional resources that have been used by other members or the SEMA Garage. And now, if somebody is looking to test suspension parts, you can find all of that information in the guide instead of spending hours searching online and not knowing if the company does what you’re looking for.”

The guide is divided into six product categories: body/structural; electrical; emissions; engine/performance; suspension; and wheels and tires. Each category contains a list of resources. Simply click on a listing to be connected to the company website. To access the guide, visit www.sema.org/ettn_resource_guide. To submit additional listings for consideration, email SEMA Director of Networks Bryan Harrison at bryanh@sema.org.

Connecting Through Collaboration

There are other groups within SEMA that also have constituent interest in advanced vehicle technology and its impact on the market segment each group serves. They include the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council; the Truck & Off-Road Alliance (formerly the Light Truck Accessory Alliance); the Professional Restylers Organization; and the Wheel &
Tire Council.

To provide a forum for inter-council conversation and collaboration, ETTN created the Cross-Council Tech Subcommittee. Comprised of technically charged engineers, owners, product developers and the SEMA Garage technical staff, the subcommittee represents every segment of the industry.

During monthly open forums, subcommittee members work as a team to identify and discuss tech-related challenges or opportunities specific to each council or network. SEMA Garage staff also share updates on projects that pose vehicle-tech challenges, and they seek feedback from the group. Additional participants are always welcome and encouraged to join the conversation.

“The subcommittee is predicting that the most impactful technology revolution is on the horizon, and we must be armed with the latest knowledge and insights to position our industry for expansion and monetization of this technology,” Moore noted. “Every SEMA-member manufacturer should have its technically charged staff join ETTN to ensure that they have access to the most current information available.

“It is easy to get involved. Any employee of any member company can join, and it’s free! Our hope is that all members will be actively involved to help make a difference in the future of our industry.”

To join ETTN, visit www.sema.org/ettn-signup.

ETTN Welcomes New Select Committee Members

ETTN is pleased to welcome three newly elected members to its select committee: Jonathan Mill from Wheelwell; Robert Morreale from The Tuning School and Robert Prucka from Clemson University. Joining them are incumbents Nick DiBlasi of Race Winning Brands and Gabe Hall from MagnaFlow.

SEMA Member News—July 2019

ETTN: The Vehicle Technology Connection

Vehicle technology is evolving at lightning speed. For the automotive aftermarket, revolutionary new technologies such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and light detection and ranging (LIDAR) present both challenges and opportunities.

For the Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN), the mission is to identify, communicate and provide stakeholders—engineers, programmers, industrial designers and product developers—with the knowledge of emerging trends and new technology to ensure success.

The SEMA Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN), in conjunction with the SEMA Garage, brings you the SEMA “ETTN Design & Validation Resource Guide.” This guide is designed to help manufacturers connect with companies capable of testing and validating products or software.

In more practical terms, the network is both a resource and a repository. One example is a manufacturer’s need to test and validate a suspension system or electrical components to ensure that the product meets durability, safety and other guidelines. Finding a conveniently located test lab capable of performing the work can be difficult and time-consuming.

That scenario is what motivated the network’s select committee to compile the “ETTN Design & Validation Resource Guide,” said Marla Moore, who will become ETTN’s immediate past chair in July. The reference guide was created in conjunction with the SEMA Garage and is designed to help manufacturers connect with companies capable of testing and validating products or software.

“Finding a company that can validate your products and provide the testing to make sure the products do what they’re supposed to do would take a lot of research,” Moore said. “Between all of us on the select committee, we already had a pretty good list that we had vetted and used. We added additional resources that have been used by other members or the SEMA Garage. And now, if somebody is looking to test suspension parts, you can find all of that information in the guide instead of spending hours searching online and not knowing if the company does what you’re looking for.”

The guide is divided into six product categories: body/structural; electrical; emissions; engine/performance; suspension; and wheels and tires. Each category contains a list of resources. Simply click on a listing to be connected to the company website. To access the guide, visit www.sema.org/ettn_resource_guide. To submit additional listings for consideration, email SEMA Director of Networks Bryan Harrison at bryanh@sema.org.

Connecting Through Collaboration

There are other groups within SEMA that also have constituent interest in advanced vehicle technology and its impact on the market segment each group serves. They include the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council; the Truck & Off-Road Alliance (formerly the Light Truck Accessory Alliance); the Professional Restylers Organization; and the Wheel &
Tire Council.

To provide a forum for inter-council conversation and collaboration, ETTN created the Cross-Council Tech Subcommittee. Comprised of technically charged engineers, owners, product developers and the SEMA Garage technical staff, the subcommittee represents every segment of the industry.

During monthly open forums, subcommittee members work as a team to identify and discuss tech-related challenges or opportunities specific to each council or network. SEMA Garage staff also share updates on projects that pose vehicle-tech challenges, and they seek feedback from the group. Additional participants are always welcome and encouraged to join the conversation.

“The subcommittee is predicting that the most impactful technology revolution is on the horizon, and we must be armed with the latest knowledge and insights to position our industry for expansion and monetization of this technology,” Moore noted. “Every SEMA-member manufacturer should have its technically charged staff join ETTN to ensure that they have access to the most current information available.

“It is easy to get involved. Any employee of any member company can join, and it’s free! Our hope is that all members will be actively involved to help make a difference in the future of our industry.”

To join ETTN, visit www.sema.org/ettn-signup.

ETTN Welcomes New Select Committee Members

ETTN is pleased to welcome three newly elected members to its select committee: Jonathan Mill from Wheelwell; Robert Morreale from The Tuning School and Robert Prucka from Clemson University. Joining them are incumbents Nick DiBlasi of Race Winning Brands and Gabe Hall from MagnaFlow.

SEMA Member News—July 2019

ETTN: The Vehicle Technology Connection

Vehicle technology is evolving at lightning speed. For the automotive aftermarket, revolutionary new technologies such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and light detection and ranging (LIDAR) present both challenges and opportunities.

For the Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN), the mission is to identify, communicate and provide stakeholders—engineers, programmers, industrial designers and product developers—with the knowledge of emerging trends and new technology to ensure success.

The SEMA Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN), in conjunction with the SEMA Garage, brings you the SEMA “ETTN Design & Validation Resource Guide.” This guide is designed to help manufacturers connect with companies capable of testing and validating products or software.

In more practical terms, the network is both a resource and a repository. One example is a manufacturer’s need to test and validate a suspension system or electrical components to ensure that the product meets durability, safety and other guidelines. Finding a conveniently located test lab capable of performing the work can be difficult and time-consuming.

That scenario is what motivated the network’s select committee to compile the “ETTN Design & Validation Resource Guide,” said Marla Moore, who will become ETTN’s immediate past chair in July. The reference guide was created in conjunction with the SEMA Garage and is designed to help manufacturers connect with companies capable of testing and validating products or software.

“Finding a company that can validate your products and provide the testing to make sure the products do what they’re supposed to do would take a lot of research,” Moore said. “Between all of us on the select committee, we already had a pretty good list that we had vetted and used. We added additional resources that have been used by other members or the SEMA Garage. And now, if somebody is looking to test suspension parts, you can find all of that information in the guide instead of spending hours searching online and not knowing if the company does what you’re looking for.”

The guide is divided into six product categories: body/structural; electrical; emissions; engine/performance; suspension; and wheels and tires. Each category contains a list of resources. Simply click on a listing to be connected to the company website. To access the guide, visit www.sema.org/ettn_resource_guide. To submit additional listings for consideration, email SEMA Director of Networks Bryan Harrison at bryanh@sema.org.

Connecting Through Collaboration

There are other groups within SEMA that also have constituent interest in advanced vehicle technology and its impact on the market segment each group serves. They include the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council; the Truck & Off-Road Alliance (formerly the Light Truck Accessory Alliance); the Professional Restylers Organization; and the Wheel &
Tire Council.

To provide a forum for inter-council conversation and collaboration, ETTN created the Cross-Council Tech Subcommittee. Comprised of technically charged engineers, owners, product developers and the SEMA Garage technical staff, the subcommittee represents every segment of the industry.

During monthly open forums, subcommittee members work as a team to identify and discuss tech-related challenges or opportunities specific to each council or network. SEMA Garage staff also share updates on projects that pose vehicle-tech challenges, and they seek feedback from the group. Additional participants are always welcome and encouraged to join the conversation.

“The subcommittee is predicting that the most impactful technology revolution is on the horizon, and we must be armed with the latest knowledge and insights to position our industry for expansion and monetization of this technology,” Moore noted. “Every SEMA-member manufacturer should have its technically charged staff join ETTN to ensure that they have access to the most current information available.

“It is easy to get involved. Any employee of any member company can join, and it’s free! Our hope is that all members will be actively involved to help make a difference in the future of our industry.”

To join ETTN, visit www.sema.org/ettn-signup.

ETTN Welcomes New Select Committee Members

ETTN is pleased to welcome three newly elected members to its select committee: Jonathan Mill from Wheelwell; Robert Morreale from The Tuning School and Robert Prucka from Clemson University. Joining them are incumbents Nick DiBlasi of Race Winning Brands and Gabe Hall from MagnaFlow.

SEMA Member News—July 2019

Rolling Along With Technology

Entrance to Lower South Hall during the 2018 SEMA Show.

Over the years, the Wheel & Tire Council (WTC, formerly known as the Wheel Industry Council, WIC) has not only brought together two related industry segments for the common good but has also centered its sights on the collective technical and educational needs of its members.

The council has developed various deliverables to help its members improve their business practices and procedures. The “WTC Wheel Care Guide” is but one example. Designed as an internal training piece or as a retail countertop display, the guide offers tips and FAQs on proper wheel care, and it explains the common wheel surface finishes and the types of cleaning solutions for each.

Measuring sessions held at the SEMA Garage are often a big draw for WTC manufacturers seeking early access to new vehicle models to assist in the development of new products. But as not all WTC members are able to participate in those sessions, the council took the additional step of creating the WTC Wheel Measurement Database. The database contains wheel measurement information on new vehicles accessible through the measuring sessions.

The WTC added another resource to assist members traveling from out of town to attend measuring sessions but who may be unable to transport their tools. The WTC Measuring Kit, now stored at the SEMA Garage, includes more than a dozen tools, ranging from contour, PCD and lug gauges and 6- and 8-in. digital calipers to an 18-in. metal ruler and an assortment of plum ball components.

“WTC has always been focused on providing value to our members, and we look at doing that in a variety of ways,” said Gavin Horlick, who chairs the council’s technical subcommittee. “The tool kit is a real benefit, in that it helps our members who travel to the Garage for measuring sessions.”

According to Horlick, WTC is now working on another initiative: a brand-new wheel and tire installation guide. Long-time members of WTC, will recall the tire and wheel installation poster created more than a decade ago. While still in widespread use industry-wide, the poster has outlived its timeliness.

“The tire and wheel poster was actually created by WIC,” Horlick said. “It talked about simple things such as how to match the right bolt pattern to the right wheel or the right lug nut to the right wheel—basic safety-related guidelines. The poster was distributed through a variety of channels and still hangs in many retails shops. But the poster is outdated at this point.”

The new installation guide, Horlick noted, will include some of the basics, but it will also be expanded to address more current procedures and technologies, such as tire-pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), which weren’t even on the radar screen when the original poster was developed.

“The new installation guide will be focused on the independent tire shop—a tool to teach their techs about proper procedures,” Horlick said, noting that the guide will be released in time for the 2019 SEMA Show. “It will be another tool that SEMA provides that comes from WTC. It’s the biggest task we’re working on now, and we think it’s going to be the
biggest deliverable.”

Addressing Educational Needs

Education sessions are in the works for the 2019 SEMA Show to cater towards the wheel and tire industry.

With education top of mind for WTC, the council is committed to offering learning opportunities to its members. At last year’s SEMA Show, WTC tackled the topic of tariffs in two forums. While an expert panel addressed “Tariffs, Technology and Trends,” a seminar titled “Legal and Regulatory: Navigating the World of Import Tariffs” provided a status review of tariffs on steel and aluminum.

Recently, WTC collaborated with SEMA’s office in Washington, D.C., to present a June webinar, also on the topic of tariffs, which was led by Stuart Gosswein, SEMA senior director of governmental affairs. And though this year’s Show is still several months away, the WTC is already looking ahead.

While seminar topics have yet to be nailed down, Tyson Boyer, who takes over as WTC chair in July, noted that several ideas are under consideration, including a panel discussion and a roundtable featuring wheel and tire pros. But while Boyer is pleased with the prospect of WTC hosting educational sessions, he is more enthusiastic about the prospect of the sessions being held in the South Hall for the very first time.

Traditionally, most Show seminars have been held in the North Hall, requiring both South Hall exhibitors and attendees to trek through the entire Las Vegas Convention Center. According to Boyer, that has not only been an inconvenience but has also drawn traffic away for the Global Tire Expo.

“To have an educational center in the South Hall is outstanding,” Boyer said. “It shows the importance of our industry and was something the wheel and tire industry has longed for. The lower South Hall is labeled the Global Tire Expo, and we want a presence there. We discussed how we could achieve that with the SEMA Show leadership, and we’re excited that we’re putting the focus on the Global Tire Expo.”

SEMA Member News—July 2019

Rolling Along With Technology

Entrance to Lower South Hall during the 2018 SEMA Show.

Over the years, the Wheel & Tire Council (WTC, formerly known as the Wheel Industry Council, WIC) has not only brought together two related industry segments for the common good but has also centered its sights on the collective technical and educational needs of its members.

The council has developed various deliverables to help its members improve their business practices and procedures. The “WTC Wheel Care Guide” is but one example. Designed as an internal training piece or as a retail countertop display, the guide offers tips and FAQs on proper wheel care, and it explains the common wheel surface finishes and the types of cleaning solutions for each.

Measuring sessions held at the SEMA Garage are often a big draw for WTC manufacturers seeking early access to new vehicle models to assist in the development of new products. But as not all WTC members are able to participate in those sessions, the council took the additional step of creating the WTC Wheel Measurement Database. The database contains wheel measurement information on new vehicles accessible through the measuring sessions.

The WTC added another resource to assist members traveling from out of town to attend measuring sessions but who may be unable to transport their tools. The WTC Measuring Kit, now stored at the SEMA Garage, includes more than a dozen tools, ranging from contour, PCD and lug gauges and 6- and 8-in. digital calipers to an 18-in. metal ruler and an assortment of plum ball components.

“WTC has always been focused on providing value to our members, and we look at doing that in a variety of ways,” said Gavin Horlick, who chairs the council’s technical subcommittee. “The tool kit is a real benefit, in that it helps our members who travel to the Garage for measuring sessions.”

According to Horlick, WTC is now working on another initiative: a brand-new wheel and tire installation guide. Long-time members of WTC, will recall the tire and wheel installation poster created more than a decade ago. While still in widespread use industry-wide, the poster has outlived its timeliness.

“The tire and wheel poster was actually created by WIC,” Horlick said. “It talked about simple things such as how to match the right bolt pattern to the right wheel or the right lug nut to the right wheel—basic safety-related guidelines. The poster was distributed through a variety of channels and still hangs in many retails shops. But the poster is outdated at this point.”

The new installation guide, Horlick noted, will include some of the basics, but it will also be expanded to address more current procedures and technologies, such as tire-pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), which weren’t even on the radar screen when the original poster was developed.

“The new installation guide will be focused on the independent tire shop—a tool to teach their techs about proper procedures,” Horlick said, noting that the guide will be released in time for the 2019 SEMA Show. “It will be another tool that SEMA provides that comes from WTC. It’s the biggest task we’re working on now, and we think it’s going to be the
biggest deliverable.”

Addressing Educational Needs

Education sessions are in the works for the 2019 SEMA Show to cater towards the wheel and tire industry.

With education top of mind for WTC, the council is committed to offering learning opportunities to its members. At last year’s SEMA Show, WTC tackled the topic of tariffs in two forums. While an expert panel addressed “Tariffs, Technology and Trends,” a seminar titled “Legal and Regulatory: Navigating the World of Import Tariffs” provided a status review of tariffs on steel and aluminum.

Recently, WTC collaborated with SEMA’s office in Washington, D.C., to present a June webinar, also on the topic of tariffs, which was led by Stuart Gosswein, SEMA senior director of governmental affairs. And though this year’s Show is still several months away, the WTC is already looking ahead.

While seminar topics have yet to be nailed down, Tyson Boyer, who takes over as WTC chair in July, noted that several ideas are under consideration, including a panel discussion and a roundtable featuring wheel and tire pros. But while Boyer is pleased with the prospect of WTC hosting educational sessions, he is more enthusiastic about the prospect of the sessions being held in the South Hall for the very first time.

Traditionally, most Show seminars have been held in the North Hall, requiring both South Hall exhibitors and attendees to trek through the entire Las Vegas Convention Center. According to Boyer, that has not only been an inconvenience but has also drawn traffic away for the Global Tire Expo.

“To have an educational center in the South Hall is outstanding,” Boyer said. “It shows the importance of our industry and was something the wheel and tire industry has longed for. The lower South Hall is labeled the Global Tire Expo, and we want a presence there. We discussed how we could achieve that with the SEMA Show leadership, and we’re excited that we’re putting the focus on the Global Tire Expo.”

SEMA Member News—July 2019

Rolling Along With Technology

Entrance to Lower South Hall during the 2018 SEMA Show.

Over the years, the Wheel & Tire Council (WTC, formerly known as the Wheel Industry Council, WIC) has not only brought together two related industry segments for the common good but has also centered its sights on the collective technical and educational needs of its members.

The council has developed various deliverables to help its members improve their business practices and procedures. The “WTC Wheel Care Guide” is but one example. Designed as an internal training piece or as a retail countertop display, the guide offers tips and FAQs on proper wheel care, and it explains the common wheel surface finishes and the types of cleaning solutions for each.

Measuring sessions held at the SEMA Garage are often a big draw for WTC manufacturers seeking early access to new vehicle models to assist in the development of new products. But as not all WTC members are able to participate in those sessions, the council took the additional step of creating the WTC Wheel Measurement Database. The database contains wheel measurement information on new vehicles accessible through the measuring sessions.

The WTC added another resource to assist members traveling from out of town to attend measuring sessions but who may be unable to transport their tools. The WTC Measuring Kit, now stored at the SEMA Garage, includes more than a dozen tools, ranging from contour, PCD and lug gauges and 6- and 8-in. digital calipers to an 18-in. metal ruler and an assortment of plum ball components.

“WTC has always been focused on providing value to our members, and we look at doing that in a variety of ways,” said Gavin Horlick, who chairs the council’s technical subcommittee. “The tool kit is a real benefit, in that it helps our members who travel to the Garage for measuring sessions.”

According to Horlick, WTC is now working on another initiative: a brand-new wheel and tire installation guide. Long-time members of WTC, will recall the tire and wheel installation poster created more than a decade ago. While still in widespread use industry-wide, the poster has outlived its timeliness.

“The tire and wheel poster was actually created by WIC,” Horlick said. “It talked about simple things such as how to match the right bolt pattern to the right wheel or the right lug nut to the right wheel—basic safety-related guidelines. The poster was distributed through a variety of channels and still hangs in many retails shops. But the poster is outdated at this point.”

The new installation guide, Horlick noted, will include some of the basics, but it will also be expanded to address more current procedures and technologies, such as tire-pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), which weren’t even on the radar screen when the original poster was developed.

“The new installation guide will be focused on the independent tire shop—a tool to teach their techs about proper procedures,” Horlick said, noting that the guide will be released in time for the 2019 SEMA Show. “It will be another tool that SEMA provides that comes from WTC. It’s the biggest task we’re working on now, and we think it’s going to be the
biggest deliverable.”

Addressing Educational Needs

Education sessions are in the works for the 2019 SEMA Show to cater towards the wheel and tire industry.

With education top of mind for WTC, the council is committed to offering learning opportunities to its members. At last year’s SEMA Show, WTC tackled the topic of tariffs in two forums. While an expert panel addressed “Tariffs, Technology and Trends,” a seminar titled “Legal and Regulatory: Navigating the World of Import Tariffs” provided a status review of tariffs on steel and aluminum.

Recently, WTC collaborated with SEMA’s office in Washington, D.C., to present a June webinar, also on the topic of tariffs, which was led by Stuart Gosswein, SEMA senior director of governmental affairs. And though this year’s Show is still several months away, the WTC is already looking ahead.

While seminar topics have yet to be nailed down, Tyson Boyer, who takes over as WTC chair in July, noted that several ideas are under consideration, including a panel discussion and a roundtable featuring wheel and tire pros. But while Boyer is pleased with the prospect of WTC hosting educational sessions, he is more enthusiastic about the prospect of the sessions being held in the South Hall for the very first time.

Traditionally, most Show seminars have been held in the North Hall, requiring both South Hall exhibitors and attendees to trek through the entire Las Vegas Convention Center. According to Boyer, that has not only been an inconvenience but has also drawn traffic away for the Global Tire Expo.

“To have an educational center in the South Hall is outstanding,” Boyer said. “It shows the importance of our industry and was something the wheel and tire industry has longed for. The lower South Hall is labeled the Global Tire Expo, and we want a presence there. We discussed how we could achieve that with the SEMA Show leadership, and we’re excited that we’re putting the focus on the Global Tire Expo.”

SEMA Member News—July 2019

Heralding a New Era

TORA launches new branding during their launch party in Moab, Utah.

It’s official. Against an awe-inspiring backdrop of towering red rock formations for which Moab, Utah, is renowned, the light-truck and off-road communities celebrated the rebranding of the Light Truck Accessories Alliance (LTAA) into the more inclusive Truck & Off-Road Alliance (TORA) at an official launch party on April 18.

The ground-breaking union of two vibrant market segments represents LTAA’s decision to embrace the off-road market. But the decision wasn’t made lightly, nor did it happen overnight.

According to Kathryn Reinhardt, outgoing chair of LTAA, who helped shepherd the transition, the conversation first began with thoughts of how to grow council membership. It quickly turned into a more thoughtful look at a shifting market and what the changes might mean to LTAA.

“The conversation started with an idea to open LTAA to a bigger membership, not because we didn’t have the largest membership of all the SEMA councils, but because we saw a market shift,” Reinhardt said. “Whether it was Jeeps going to Moab, overlanding vehicles going to remote areas, or trophy trucks doing the Baja 1000, we saw this collection of shops that were building these vehicles and manufacturers that were making products for these off-road vehicles. We thought we were speaking to that audience, but we realized that there was some confusion over the LTAA name. In their minds, a light truck is a small pickup. So in reality, we weren’t speaking their language.”

To address that conundrum and brainstorm next steps, LTAA held an open meeting during last year’s Off-Road Expo. Participants included council members along with a cross-section of other players—distributors, manufacturers, racers, as well as non-LTAA members who belong to SEMA.

“We did an entire day of research on the market segment, on the definition of a truck, an ATV, a UTV,” Reinhardt said. “We wanted to define who our members are and if we are giving them all the tools, programs and products necessary to make their companies successful. We tried to hit every segment we could to get an opinion on the direction we ought to go and to [identify] if there was anybody we might have left out. After an entire day, we came to the conclusion that we needed to change the name to open the doors to every market segment out there that reflects the truck culture.”

Evolving With the Times

Jeep enthusiasts go off-road in Moab, Utah.

To reflect the change, the SEMA Board of Directors approved LTAA’s proposal to embrace the off-road segment and rebrand the council as TORA. But it wasn’t the first time that the board was charged with approving a proposal to bring a truck-centric group under the SEMA umbrella.

In 1999, the Truck Cap & Accessory Association (TCAA) began exploring the possibility of becoming a SEMA council. First established in 1989 as the Truck Cap Industry Association, it had already marked its first major transition by changing its name to TCAA to better represent the broader collective interests of the truck-accessory market.

Following yearlong negotiations and a nod from the SEMA Board, TCAA merged into SEMA as its largest council in 2000. Soon thereafter, it was rebranded again—this time as the Light Truck Accessory Alliance.

So what does the latest rebranding mean for LTAA’s current core members? In describing the TORA designation, Reinhardt sees it as a blending of two markets into one united coalition.

“The ‘T’ still stands for truck, with the ‘OR’ for off-road,” she explained. “But the word ‘alliance’ is so important. It’s a carryover from LTAA, but it also says that we are opening our arms to all those other entities to be more inclusive.

“It’s a sign of the times. We have to be willing to change. We aren’t losing the LTAA spirit. The truck cap and accessory companies are still within our realm. With the word alliance in the name, we’re recognizing that current members are an integral part of who we are. At the same time, we are bringing together a new community of companies and people who want to be represented.”