By SEMA Editors

	During the 2015 MPMC Media Trade Conference, journalists will have the opportunity to conduct private interviews with leading manufacturers.

The priority media registration deadline for the annual MPMC Media Trade Conference is Tuesday, December 16. Media who register before the early deadline will be able to obtain the best schedule possible.

The online registration form allows editors and reporters a chance to select the companies with which they wish to meet. A confirmation e-mail will automatically be sent to applicants, allowing them a chance to review the companies they are requesting to meet.

Complete details and registration is available at www.sema.org/mtcreg or can be obtained from Della Domingo at dellad@sema.org. For exhibitor information, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

	During the 2015 MPMC Media Trade Conference, journalists will have the opportunity to conduct private interviews with leading manufacturers.

The priority media registration deadline for the annual MPMC Media Trade Conference is Tuesday, December 16. Media who register before the early deadline will be able to obtain the best schedule possible.

The online registration form allows editors and reporters a chance to select the companies with which they wish to meet. A confirmation e-mail will automatically be sent to applicants, allowing them a chance to review the companies they are requesting to meet.

Complete details and registration is available at www.sema.org/mtcreg or can be obtained from Della Domingo at dellad@sema.org. For exhibitor information, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

The following is a message from SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting:

As a member of the association, we need your recommendation of industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors. Our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the SEMA Board, but oftentimes those individuals aren’t immediately apparent to the Nominating Committee when selecting the final candidates.

Please take a moment to tell us about whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board member position. We also ask that you include information to help the Nominating Committee know more about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements from a leadership standpoint.

For this year’s election, the following seats are open:

• One seat in the Chairman-elect category
• Two seats in the Manufacturer category
• Two seats in the Distributor/Retailer category
• One seat in the Services category
• There are no seats open in the Manufacturer Representatives category this year.

Nominations for the 2015 SEMA Board of Directors are due Tuesday, January 6, 2015. Please complete and submit the nomination form, and be sure to include the qualification information noted above.

A strong board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well.  We urge you to take part in the nominations process.

Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Chris Kersting, CAE
SEMA President and CEO

The following is a message from SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting:

As a member of the association, we need your recommendation of industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors. Our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the SEMA Board, but oftentimes those individuals aren’t immediately apparent to the Nominating Committee when selecting the final candidates.

Please take a moment to tell us about whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board member position. We also ask that you include information to help the Nominating Committee know more about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements from a leadership standpoint.

For this year’s election, the following seats are open:

• One seat in the Chairman-elect category
• Two seats in the Manufacturer category
• Two seats in the Distributor/Retailer category
• One seat in the Services category
• There are no seats open in the Manufacturer Representatives category this year.

Nominations for the 2015 SEMA Board of Directors are due Tuesday, January 6, 2015. Please complete and submit the nomination form, and be sure to include the qualification information noted above.

A strong board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well.  We urge you to take part in the nominations process.

Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Chris Kersting, CAE
SEMA President and CEO

By SEMA Editors

Mike Spagnola, SEMA vice president of OEM and Product Development Programs, recently did a Q&A about the SEMA Garage with Dennis Pittsenbarger, host of the Discovery Channel production “Highway to Sell” at the 2014 SEMA Show. During the interview, Spagnola explained how the SEMA Garage is actually a new-product development center. Thanks to a variety of high-tech solutions for manufacturers, SEMA members can access CAD data from several OEMs, use a state-of-the-art FARO Arm to scan either a product or a section of a vehicle and even make a 3-D printout based on their design files.  
 
After the interview, stay tuned for a short highlight video of ZZ Top’s own Billy Gibbons as he tours the SEMA Garage. In fact, Gibbons’ own vehicle gets a touch-up thanks to the guys at SO-CAL Speed Shop.

By SEMA Editors

Mike Spagnola, SEMA vice president of OEM and Product Development Programs, recently did a Q&A about the SEMA Garage with Dennis Pittsenbarger, host of the Discovery Channel production “Highway to Sell” at the 2014 SEMA Show. During the interview, Spagnola explained how the SEMA Garage is actually a new-product development center. Thanks to a variety of high-tech solutions for manufacturers, SEMA members can access CAD data from several OEMs, use a state-of-the-art FARO Arm to scan either a product or a section of a vehicle and even make a 3-D printout based on their design files.  
 
After the interview, stay tuned for a short highlight video of ZZ Top’s own Billy Gibbons as he tours the SEMA Garage. In fact, Gibbons’ own vehicle gets a touch-up thanks to the guys at SO-CAL Speed Shop.

	Chip Rabey

By SEMA Editors

Chip Rabey Named Group Marketing Manager for Air Lift
Aftermarket suspension products manufacturer Air Lift Company has appointed Chip Rabey to group marketing manager. He will oversee the company’s marketing department to guide product promotion, marketing communications, new product initiatives and partner relationship development for the company's towing and performance vehicle products. Rabey brings 21 years of marketing experience to Air Lift, with previous posts in distribution, agency and trade association environments.

Flaming River Receives ISO 9001:2008 Certification
Flaming River has received certification for ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems standards. By adhering to ISO 9001 quality standards, Flaming River’s manufacturing processes and products are certified to world-class specifications for quality, safety and efficiency. The ISO 9000 family of quality management system standards ensures that Flaming River Industries Inc. meets or exceeds customer needs and the standards of manufacturing excellence, as set forth by the guidelines of ISO 9000 and OEM standards per regulatory authorities.

Kelley Hendel

VP Racing Fuels Names Kelley Hendel General Manager of Consumer Products
VP Racing Fuels Inc. has appointed Kelley Hendel to general manager of consumer products. Based at the company’s corporate headquarters in San Antonio, Texas, Hendel will oversee customer service and support for distributors, dealers and retail customers. Hendel has been with VP Racing Fuels since 1995, most recently managing operations and customer service for the seven-state Western sales region.

In a related move, Josh Hoffner has been promoted to office manager for the VP Western Region office, replacing Hendel. Hendel can be reached at 210-635-7744 or kelley@vpracingfuels.com. Hoffner can be reached at 951-696-5100 or josh@vpracingfuels.com.

AWDA Members, Suppliers Donate $45,000 to University of the Aftermarket Foundation
Distributors and suppliers participating in the 2014 Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) Business and Education Conference made a sizeable donation of $45,000 to the University of the Aftermarket Foundation. The funds will be used to support the foundation’s mission of providing educational scholarships to worthy students interested in pursuing careers in the auto care industry.

The Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Automotive Distribution Network, Federated Auto Parts, National Pronto Association and Uni-Select each made a $10 donation for every one-on-one meeting held between their member distributors and vendor partners during the conference. Other participating distributors not aligned with one of these groups also committed to contribute.

Concurrently, many participating vendor companies, led by members of AWDA’s Manufacturers’ Advisory Council (MAC), each made a $25 donation per one-on-one meeting. The list of supplier donors includes: ADVICS North America, Affinia/WIX, Akebono Brake, Atsco, Bosch, Cardone Industries, Dayco, Delphi, Dorman, Dupli-Color, East Penn, Exide, Federal-Mogul, Fuse5, Gabriel, Gates, GB Remanufacturing, Innova/Equus, Interstate Batteries, Johnson Controls, KYB Americas, MAHLE, Mevotech, Motul USA, Moveras, NGK Spark Plugs, PlastiKote/Valspar, Plews & Edelmann, Prestone, Remy International, Remy/USA Industries, SKF USA, Standard Motor Products, Tenneco, Timken, Trico, Undercar Express, Valvoline, Veyance, Warren Distribution, Winhere Brake Parts and ZF Services. To learn more, visit www.automotivescholarships.com. 

	Michael Oakes

SLAMSTOP Announces Expansion, Appoints Michael Oakes VP of Business Development and Sales
SLAMSTOP announced that it’s expanding to the United States with a new headquarters, distribution center and certified installer network to position the product accessibly to businesses and consumers. The launch was influenced by the recent success the business experienced during the 2014 SEMA Show, where the company reported that it received ample positive feedback on the product.

Michael Oakes, now vice president of business development and sales at SLAMSTOP, explained the company is starting quickly with its U.S. company, SLAMSTOP USA LLC, with development of a Southern California-based distribution and customer service center, as well as an installation facility. Once completed, Oakes will join CFO Dmitry Iurgens and Director of Marketing Anton Dyshkant, as they continue to raise awareness about the SLAMSTOP.

Oakes comes to SLAMSTOP with more than 27 years in the automotive aftermarket industry. His background includes positions in retail management, independent sales and executive sales with some of the most well-known brands in the industry. At SLAMSTOP, Oakes will focus on management of the distribution network to expand the product and create awareness about its exclusive features.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.