SEMA Education has put together a series of videos from the industry's best and brightest to provide the skills to keep your business in the game.

SEMA Show Education Days is the convergence of Industry and Business thought leaders.  The vast diversity and innovation driven focus of the SEMA Show makes it an unparalleled platform for stimulating and exchanging ideas. Practical and progressive, these ideas will challenge and equip both the individual and business to meet the needs of today while preparing for the opportunities of tomorrow. 

The SEMA Show education program typically includes more than five dozen sessions. Topics will focus on industry trends, technologies, and opportunities, while also addressing basic business practices such as customer service, accounting, marketing and social media.

By SEMA Editors

	The Petty’s Garage Stage 2 Mustang GT’s custom two-tone paint job features Petty Blue for the car's lower half and a custom tri-coat pearlescent blend of Ford Tuxedo Black for the upper half.

Ford Motor Co. and Petty’s Garage are teaming up to build a new 627hp Mustang GT—a limited-edition fastback inspired by the Petty’s Garage Mustang GT that was on display at the 2014 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Two versions of the Petty’s Garage Mustang GT will be built this year; the Stage 1 version will be limited to 100 units, while the even more exclusive Stage 2 version will total 43 units. Stage 1 Petty’s Garage Mustang GT will feature a host of custom modifications—both visual tweaks and under the hood.

A Petty’s Garage fascia at the front imparts a unique look, while a reworked rear fascia features a center exit exhaust and prominently showcased race-inspired spoiler. Inside, the Mustang GT features custom embroidered head restraints, floor mats and Richard Petty’s own signature on the dashboard.

A Ford Racing/Roush supercharger, cold-air intake, custom engine calibration and MagnaFlow exhaust system are fitted to Mustang GT’s 5.0L engine, boosting output to 627 hp. Power is delivered to the road by custom 20-in. Petty’s Garage HRE FlowForm wheels shod with Continental tires. Stage 1 Mustang GT can be ordered in any color, with all unique bodywork painted to match in-house at Petty’s Garage.

Along with the features found on the Stage 1 car, the Stage 2 version includes a Petty’s Garage Wilwood big-brake upgrade and a complete Petty’s Garage custom two-tone paint job. Stage 2 Mustang GT will ride on Petty’s Garage HRE three-piece forged aluminum wheels. Of the 43 Petty’s Garage Stage 2 Mustang GTs planned, only 42 remain, as rock n’ roll legend Brian Johnson has an order in for the first car.

The Petty’s Garage Stage 2 Mustang GT’s custom two-tone paint job is identical to the 2014 SEMA Show car. Using crushed-and-tumbled glass combined with Petty Blue paint, Petty’s Garage has created a one-of-a-kind color for the lower half of the car. A custom tri-coat pearlescent blend of Ford Tuxedo Black complements Petty Blue for the upper half. “The King’s” legendary No. 43 is ghosted into the paint on the fastback Mustang GT’s hood and C-pillar.

The Petty’s Garage Stage 1 car carries an MSRP of $62,210, while the Stage 2 car comes in at $92,210. Orders for this limited-edition Mustang GT can be placed at any Ford dealership on a first-come, first-served basis.

By SEMA Editors

	The Petty’s Garage Stage 2 Mustang GT’s custom two-tone paint job features Petty Blue for the car's lower half and a custom tri-coat pearlescent blend of Ford Tuxedo Black for the upper half.

Ford Motor Co. and Petty’s Garage are teaming up to build a new 627hp Mustang GT—a limited-edition fastback inspired by the Petty’s Garage Mustang GT that was on display at the 2014 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Two versions of the Petty’s Garage Mustang GT will be built this year; the Stage 1 version will be limited to 100 units, while the even more exclusive Stage 2 version will total 43 units. Stage 1 Petty’s Garage Mustang GT will feature a host of custom modifications—both visual tweaks and under the hood.

A Petty’s Garage fascia at the front imparts a unique look, while a reworked rear fascia features a center exit exhaust and prominently showcased race-inspired spoiler. Inside, the Mustang GT features custom embroidered head restraints, floor mats and Richard Petty’s own signature on the dashboard.

A Ford Racing/Roush supercharger, cold-air intake, custom engine calibration and MagnaFlow exhaust system are fitted to Mustang GT’s 5.0L engine, boosting output to 627 hp. Power is delivered to the road by custom 20-in. Petty’s Garage HRE FlowForm wheels shod with Continental tires. Stage 1 Mustang GT can be ordered in any color, with all unique bodywork painted to match in-house at Petty’s Garage.

Along with the features found on the Stage 1 car, the Stage 2 version includes a Petty’s Garage Wilwood big-brake upgrade and a complete Petty’s Garage custom two-tone paint job. Stage 2 Mustang GT will ride on Petty’s Garage HRE three-piece forged aluminum wheels. Of the 43 Petty’s Garage Stage 2 Mustang GTs planned, only 42 remain, as rock n’ roll legend Brian Johnson has an order in for the first car.

The Petty’s Garage Stage 2 Mustang GT’s custom two-tone paint job is identical to the 2014 SEMA Show car. Using crushed-and-tumbled glass combined with Petty Blue paint, Petty’s Garage has created a one-of-a-kind color for the lower half of the car. A custom tri-coat pearlescent blend of Ford Tuxedo Black complements Petty Blue for the upper half. “The King’s” legendary No. 43 is ghosted into the paint on the fastback Mustang GT’s hood and C-pillar.

The Petty’s Garage Stage 1 car carries an MSRP of $62,210, while the Stage 2 car comes in at $92,210. Orders for this limited-edition Mustang GT can be placed at any Ford dealership on a first-come, first-served basis.

By SEMA Editors

	Yutaka Katayama, “Mr. K”

Nissan legend Yutaka Katayama, the man known as “Mr. K,” died February 20. He was 105. Katayama ran Nissan’s U.S. operations in the ’70s and was widely known as the father of the Datsun Z sports car. He retired from Nissan in 1977.

By Amanda Gubbins

	Education Day will consist of 24 sessions, led by some of the biggest names in hot-rod parts manufacturing, including Comp Cams, Holley, MSD and more.

For more information about Education Day or HRIA, contact Council Director Jim Skelly.

By Amanda Gubbins

	Education Day will consist of 24 sessions, led by some of the biggest names in hot-rod parts manufacturing, including Comp Cams, Holley, MSD and more.

For more information about Education Day or HRIA, contact Council Director Jim Skelly.

By Linda Spencer

	Robert Park (far left), international key account manager for Rigid Industries LED Lighting in Gilbert, Arizona, described his company’s products to a large off-road distributor. “It’s great to see that the aftermarket customizing scene is alive in Russia and that U.S. products are highly sought after,” he said.

SEMA is organizing a small delegation to travel to Moscow in May to meet with buyers from throughout Russia. The trip is for those companies interested in developing brand recognition, product loyalty and working toward mid- and longer-term goals. 

Please note that immediate business gains are more difficult given the current Russian economic downturn and the strong dollar (vis-à-vis the ruble). Consider whether now is the right time for you to meet with key buyers and begin your entry or expansion into this market, which includes a large number of U.S.-made vehicles, and at some point in the next five years is expected to become Europe’s largest passenger-vehicle market.

Interesting facts about the Russian automotive market:

• About 48,000 U.S.-made vehicles were imported into Russia in 2013, according to a U.S. Department of Commerce report. In addition to U.S.-made vehicles exported to Russia, Ford’s 50–50 joint venture in 2013 produced the millionth Russian-built Ford-badged vehicle. In addition, Russia is GM’s fifth-largest market for its Chevrolet brand. GM sold 174,649 vehicles in Russia overall. Popularly customized vehicles, such as the Jeep Wrangler, are now officially sold in Russia.

• Russia is the world’s sixth-largest automotive market in terms of annual passenger-vehicle sales and is the second largest in Europe after Germany. Before the economic and political crisis hit, industry experts predicted that Russia would soon become the No. 1 market. Though still expected, the date for this change in positions has been delayed by several years at least as car sales are down sharply amid the uncertainty and fiscal crisis.

• Last year’s event attracted buyers from throughout Russia. Many of these buyers traveled to the 2014 SEMA Show and participated in the U.S.–Russia roundtable.

Events schedule (tentative):

Sunday, May 17

United States government briefing and networking dinner with a select group of buyers.

Monday, May 18

Visit specialty-equipment shops.

Tuesday, May 19

Roundtable discussion with buyers and a chance for private one-on-one meetings with pre-vetted buyers.

Wednesday, May 20

Depart for the United States.

By Linda Spencer

	Robert Park (far left), international key account manager for Rigid Industries LED Lighting in Gilbert, Arizona, described his company’s products to a large off-road distributor. “It’s great to see that the aftermarket customizing scene is alive in Russia and that U.S. products are highly sought after,” he said.

SEMA is organizing a small delegation to travel to Moscow in May to meet with buyers from throughout Russia. The trip is for those companies interested in developing brand recognition, product loyalty and working toward mid- and longer-term goals. 

Please note that immediate business gains are more difficult given the current Russian economic downturn and the strong dollar (vis-à-vis the ruble). Consider whether now is the right time for you to meet with key buyers and begin your entry or expansion into this market, which includes a large number of U.S.-made vehicles, and at some point in the next five years is expected to become Europe’s largest passenger-vehicle market.

Interesting facts about the Russian automotive market:

• About 48,000 U.S.-made vehicles were imported into Russia in 2013, according to a U.S. Department of Commerce report. In addition to U.S.-made vehicles exported to Russia, Ford’s 50–50 joint venture in 2013 produced the millionth Russian-built Ford-badged vehicle. In addition, Russia is GM’s fifth-largest market for its Chevrolet brand. GM sold 174,649 vehicles in Russia overall. Popularly customized vehicles, such as the Jeep Wrangler, are now officially sold in Russia.

• Russia is the world’s sixth-largest automotive market in terms of annual passenger-vehicle sales and is the second largest in Europe after Germany. Before the economic and political crisis hit, industry experts predicted that Russia would soon become the No. 1 market. Though still expected, the date for this change in positions has been delayed by several years at least as car sales are down sharply amid the uncertainty and fiscal crisis.

• Last year’s event attracted buyers from throughout Russia. Many of these buyers traveled to the 2014 SEMA Show and participated in the U.S.–Russia roundtable.

Events schedule (tentative):

Sunday, May 17

United States government briefing and networking dinner with a select group of buyers.

Monday, May 18

Visit specialty-equipment shops.

Tuesday, May 19

Roundtable discussion with buyers and a chance for private one-on-one meetings with pre-vetted buyers.

Wednesday, May 20

Depart for the United States.

By Linda Spencer

	Robert Park (far left), international key account manager for Rigid Industries LED Lighting in Gilbert, Arizona, described his company’s products to a large off-road distributor. “It’s great to see that the aftermarket customizing scene is alive in Russia and that U.S. products are highly sought after,” he said.

SEMA is organizing a small delegation to travel to Moscow in May to meet with buyers from throughout Russia. The trip is for those companies interested in developing brand recognition, product loyalty and working toward mid- and longer-term goals. 

Please note that immediate business gains are more difficult given the current Russian economic downturn and the strong dollar (vis-à-vis the ruble). Consider whether now is the right time for you to meet with key buyers and begin your entry or expansion into this market, which includes a large number of U.S.-made vehicles, and at some point in the next five years is expected to become Europe’s largest passenger-vehicle market.

Interesting facts about the Russian automotive market:

• About 48,000 U.S.-made vehicles were imported into Russia in 2013, according to a U.S. Department of Commerce report. In addition to U.S.-made vehicles exported to Russia, Ford’s 50–50 joint venture in 2013 produced the millionth Russian-built Ford-badged vehicle. In addition, Russia is GM’s fifth-largest market for its Chevrolet brand. GM sold 174,649 vehicles in Russia overall. Popularly customized vehicles, such as the Jeep Wrangler, are now officially sold in Russia.

• Russia is the world’s sixth-largest automotive market in terms of annual passenger-vehicle sales and is the second largest in Europe after Germany. Before the economic and political crisis hit, industry experts predicted that Russia would soon become the No. 1 market. Though still expected, the date for this change in positions has been delayed by several years at least as car sales are down sharply amid the uncertainty and fiscal crisis.

• Last year’s event attracted buyers from throughout Russia. Many of these buyers traveled to the 2014 SEMA Show and participated in the U.S.–Russia roundtable.

Events schedule (tentative):

Sunday, May 17

United States government briefing and networking dinner with a select group of buyers.

Monday, May 18

Visit specialty-equipment shops.

Tuesday, May 19

Roundtable discussion with buyers and a chance for private one-on-one meetings with pre-vetted buyers.

Wednesday, May 20

Depart for the United States.

By AJ Carney

	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 second Town Hall Meeting of 2015 in Memphis, where members and prospective members will gather at COMP Performance Group, Thursday, April 23, 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 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. 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.

Watch SEMA members talk about the benefits of attending Town Hall Meetings.

For more information, or to register, visit SEMA's Town Hall Meetings website or contact Andrea “AJ” Carney at 909-978-6697 or andreac@sema.org.