By Della Domingo

Hosting a press conference can be an effective way to reach a large number of media.

Applications to be included on the official SEMA Show press conference schedule are now available. Hosting a press conference can be an effective way to reach a large number of media; however, they do require a great deal of time and effort, and are not suited for every type of news announcement.

Here are a few tips for exhibitors who are interested in hosting a 2017 SEMA Show press conference:

• The application deadline is Friday, July 28. Upon submitting your application, you should receive a confirmation email. Be sure to follow up if you do not receive an email confirmation.
• All applications will be reviewed and the final schedule will be announced in September. Note that submitting an application does not guarantee inclusion on the official schedule.
• The success of your press conference is based on a variety of different factors, one of the most important being the amount of outreach to the media done prior to the Show. Be prepared to invest a considerable amount of time and effort into the planning of your press conference.
• Press conferences are just one of the many ways exhibitors can attract media and generate coverage at the SEMA Show. Other ways include entering the New Products Showcase, posting a release to the Online Media Center and participating in social media using the hashtag #SEMA2017, all at little to no cost!
• View the full list of all the SEMA Show PR opportunities.

Press conference applications will be accepted until Friday, July 28. If you have questions, contact SEMA PR.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Barrett-Jackson and Prestone are teaming up this summer for a one-of-a-kind restoration build named “Project Prestone,” featuring an ’87 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Aero Coupe.

Barrett-Jackson, Prestone Team Up for “Project Prestone” Restoration Build

Barrett-Jackson and Prestone are teaming up this summer for a one-of-a-kind restoration build named “Project Prestone.” The project car, an ’87 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Aero Coupe, was unveiled at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, along with the restoration plan that will see the completed vehicle auctioned at Barrett-Jackson’s 2018 Scottsdale Auction in January. At the completion of Barrett-Jackson’s 2017 Northeast Auction, the vehicle will be transported to Scottsdale, Arizona, and set up within the Barrett-Jackson Collection Showroom, where a majority of the restoration build will take place. Over the summer months, the showroom division manager and team will complete a variety of work on the restoration build that includes replacing and upgrading the stock suspension, brakes and exhaust. The ’87 Monte Carlo SS Aero Coupe will also have a rebuilt transmission, new sound system and graphics package. The restoration build will be completed at the Las Vegas Auction, October 19–21, 2017, and will be on display during the show. The vehicle will also be included at the Prestone trailer display at the 2017 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, October 31–November 3, 2017, along with various events in Arizona that Barrett-Jackson will attend. Contributing partners include Chevrolet Performance Parts, Detroit Speed Inc., MagnaFlow Performance Exhaust, Summit Racing, Stanley Black & Decker, Mac Tools, Direct-Lift, BFGoodrich, Adam’s Polishes, The Eastwood Company, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering and Wilwood Engineering.

Yokohama Tire Corp. has announced a new partnership with Horsepower Adventures.

Yokohama Tire Corp. Forms New Off-Road Partnership With Horsepower Adventures; Names Rick Alonzo Senior Director of Supply Chain and Logistics

Yokohama Tire Corp.  announced a new partnership with Horsepower Adventures (HPA), a specialized off-road driving experience company operating on Mexico’s Baja peninsula. Yokohama is now the Official Tire of HPA, and its GEOLANDAR tires will be featured on all of HPA’s high-performance, purpose-built tour vehicles and support vehicles as they traverse Baja’s landscape. Yokohama’s HPA sponsorship also includes branding at the iconic, 50-room Horsepower Ranch Resort, located in the mountains above Ensenada, Mexico. Yokohama also has announced that Rick Alonzo has joined the company as senior director of supply chain and logistics. He will report to Yokohama COO Jeff Barna. Alonzo joins Yokohama from Roche Diagnostics, where he was a director of global supply chain management.    

Rancho Extends Promotion on Lift Kits, Shocks Purchases Through Summer

The Rancho “Summer of Savings” mail-in rebate promotion—an extension of the successful spring promotion—will offer truck and Jeep owners Visa Prepaid cards worth up to $300 until August 31. The products featured in the promotion include qualifying Rancho quickLIFT Loaded assemblies; RS9000XL, RS7000MT, RS5000X and RS5000 series shocks and struts; RS7000MT and RS5000 series steering stabilizers; and qualifying Rancho lift kits. To learn more about specific product purchase combinations, visit www.gorancho.com. Submissions must be postmarked by September 30, 2017, to qualify.

Gerot Ritzdorf

Avery Dennison Appoints Gernot Ritzdorf to Vice President of Sales, Label and Packaging Materials, North America

Avery Dennison has announced it has appointed Gernot Ritzdorf to vice president, sales, label and packaging materials (LPM), North America. In this role, Ritzdorf will lead the business’ field sales, technical sales, customer service and technical support teams for LPM. Gernot brings 12 years of experience in the company, with various roles, including leading both regional and global sales organizations. Previously, he held the role of vice president, sales, for LGM Europe. Most recently, he served as vice president, global accounts.

The Quaker State “Best in Class Challenge” vehicle was restored by the students at Jordan Vocational High School in Columbus, Georgia.

Quaker State’s “Best in Class Challenge” Vehicle Sells for $65,000

The Quaker State “Best in Class Challenge” vehicle, a ’96 Ford Mustang, sold for $65,000 last weekend at the Barrett-Jackson Northeast auction at Mohegan Sun. The six-week automotive education competition featured high-school auto-shop classes across the United States charged with the task of tuning, restoring and customizing a pre-owned car into a pristine, creative representation of their school. The Mustang, restored by the students at Jordan Vocational High School in Columbus, Georgia, is no stranger to the auction block. Back in April, the students proudly auctioned the revamped vehicle at Barrett-Jackson’s West Palm Beach event, which sold for $50,000 before being donated back for auction at Mohegan Sun.

DENSO Awards Battle Creek Student Scholarships

DENSO has renewed its commitment to support and provide educational opportunities for the communities it serves in West Michigan. DENSO Manufacturing Michigan (DMMI) in Battle Creek has awarded scholarships to four outstanding students through partnerships with the Battle Creek Community Foundation (BCCF) and the Battle Creek Area Math and Science Center (BCAMSC). Scholarship resources come from the DMMI Scholarship Fund, which DENSO established in 1997 to assist children of employees with the rising cost of higher education. The 2017 BCCF scholarship recipients are Jayson Butler and Calder Lachance of Lakeview High School, and Ian Mullis of Saint Philip Catholic Central High School. Butler plans to attend Michigan State University and major in chemistry this fall. Lachance will study political science at the University of Michigan and Mullis will begin engineering studies at Kellogg Community College. A selection committee from the BCCF chooses winners based on student activities and work experience. The BCAMSC scholarship promotes math and science education and excellence, recognizing outstanding graduates with financial assistance for college expenses. Staff at the BCAMSC selects two outstanding students for the scholarship each year. Lachance and Ana Singh, also of Lakeview High School, received this year’s scholarships. Singh will attend Calvin College to study biology and Spanish.

Jason Reiss

Power Automedia Expands Editorial Department, Hires Jason Reiss as Executive Editor, Technical Content

Power Automedia has announced the return of Jason Reiss, who joins the editorial department as executive editor, technical content. His responsibilities will include managing and leading technical content across the Power Automedia publications, as well as editor of EngineLabs.com. Reiss returns to Power Automedia with roughly 15 years of experience in automotive journalism. His previous experience with Power Automedia includes time as editor of EngineLabs, along with contributions to the company’s other magazines. Reiss’ work has also been featured in other titles, including Hot Rod, Super Chevy, Race Pages, Fastest Street Car, Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords and 5.0 Mustang & Super Fords.

Evans Cooling Partners With Automatic Distributors

Evans Waterless Coolant will now be sold through Automatic Distributors—a wholesale distributor of more than 75,000 powersports parts and accessories headquartered in Bangor, Maine. Automatic Distributors will make Evans’ coolant technology available to ATV, UTV, Motocross, PWC/marine, snowmobile, street bike and utility trailer owners.

John Simmons

NPW Expands Staff in Miami With Addition of Vice President of Purchasing

National Performance Warehouse’s (NPW) President and CEO Larry Pacey has tapped industry veteran John Simmons to enhance the NPW Purchasing Group. Simmons brings with him a wide range of experience in the traditional, performance and truck accessories categories. He formally held positions as the corporate merchandise manager for Whitlock/WSR Corp, president of VSI and, until recently, VSI/Meyers operations manager with Meyer Distributing’s acquisition of VSI. Simmons has been involved in various industry associations and groups and was awarded the Auto Merchandising News (AMN) “Man of the Year Award” in 1988.

KAMM Industries Acquires SpeedStrap

KAMM Industries—parent company of PRP Seats—has announced the acquisition of SpeedStrap, maker of the SpeedStrap recovery strap and premium tie-downs and accessories for off-road vehicles. KAMM plans to keep the SpeedStrap name and suite of products to sell alongside the PRP brand at shows and events as well as on www.speedstrap.com.

Sentury Tire North America Announces Partnership With King’s Tire Wholesale

Sentury Tire’s GroundSpeed tire line will now be available in California through King’s Tire Wholesale (KTW), which has multiple distribution centers in California that will provide tires to their many retail partners. The GroundSpeed line manufactured in Thailand, will move production to the new USA plant and R&D Center in LaGrange, Georgia. The factory groundbreaking is scheduled for 2017.

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.

Measuring sessions featuring the ’18 Ford F-150, ’18 Mustang and ’18 Expedition will be held at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, July 24–25, 2017. At the measuring sessions, attendees will be allowed to examine pre-production ’18-MY vehicles. These vehicles are as “production representative” as possible and may aid your development process for future upfits.

Measuring sessions featuring the ’18 Ford F-150, ’18 Mustang and ’18 Expedition will be held at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, July 24–25, 2017. At the measuring sessions, attendees will be allowed to examine pre-production ’18-MY vehicles. These vehicles are as “production representative” as possible and may aid your development process for future upfits.

Measuring sessions featuring the ’18 Ford F-150, ’18 Mustang and ’18 Expedition will be held at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, July 24–25, 2017. At the measuring sessions, attendees will be allowed to examine pre-production ’18-MY vehicles. These vehicles are as “production representative” as possible and may aid your development process for future upfits.

Measuring sessions featuring the ’18 Ford F-150, ’18 Mustang and ’18 Expedition will be held at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, July 24–25, 2017. At the measuring sessions, attendees will be allowed to examine pre-production ’18-MY vehicles. These vehicles are as “production representative” as possible and may aid your development process for future upfits.

By SEMA Editors

Tim Martin, K&N Engineering vice president and SEMA chairman-elect, thanked an audience of more than 2,500 who had gathered for the annual SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet, where he was named the association’s Person of the Year for 2016. The award is among SEMA’s highest honors.

Nominations are now open for SEMA’s prestigious industry awards that are presented at the Industry Awards Banquet at the SEMA Show. The awards are Manufacturer of the Year, Person of the Year, Representative Agency of the Year, Warehouse Distributor of the Year and GEN-III Innovator of the Year. All SEMA members are invited to nominate individuals and companies who have made a significant impact on the specialty-equipment market.

The 2017 SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet takes place Thursday, November 2, from 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m., at the Westgate Garden Patio & Paradise Event Center in Las Vegas.

Nominate now!

Person of the Year: The SEMA Person of the Year Award was established in 1969 to honor individuals for their outstanding contributions to the association and the automotive aftermarket as a whole. During the selection process, the task force takes into consideration the nominees’ service beyond their normal job functions over the past year. Full criteria is available on the SEMA Awards webpage, along with a listing of past honorees. In order to assist the Person of the Year Task Force in making its selection, a brief statement, including the nominee’s accomplishments, is required at the time of submission.

Manufacturer of the Year: The SEMA Manufacturer of the Year Award has been established to honor a Manufacturer for their outstanding contribution to the industry during the past 12 months corresponding with the SEMA fiscal year, July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. 

GEN-III Innovator of the Year: SEMA is also seeking nominations to recognize young innovators who exhibit the same pioneering spirit as the original industry founders, and whose work is changing the way the automotive aftermarket does business. He or she may have been the first to act on a new trend, invented an original product or devised and implemented ideas that better suit the current marketplace. Qualifying nominees must be younger than 40 as of December 31, 2016.

Rep Agency of the Year: The SEMA Rep Agency of the Year Award honors a manufacturers’ rep agency for its contribution to the industry for the past 12 months. Considerations include product-line knowledge, communication of critical information between supplier and the client network, updated catalogs, databases and price sheets and continuous training and education programs.

Warehouse Distributor of the Year: The SEMA WD of the Year Award recognizes a warehouse distributor that operates with the integrity and business practices that set the company apart as an industry leader. Over the last year, the ideal candidate will have been involved in industry events, serviced and communicated with suppliers and resellers with excellence and provided development opportunities for clients and staff.

All SEMA members are invited to nominate the companies and individuals that conduct business in a way that furthers the interests of the entire industry. The SEMA awards website provides photos from previous banquets and information regarding the rich history of award winners, award criteria and how to nominate industry leaders for awards in multiple categories.

For questions regarding the SEMA awards program, contact Lindsay Bianco at lindsayb@sema.org or 909-978-6692.

By SEMA Editors

Tim Martin, K&N Engineering vice president and SEMA chairman-elect, thanked an audience of more than 2,500 who had gathered for the annual SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet, where he was named the association’s Person of the Year for 2016. The award is among SEMA’s highest honors.

Nominations are now open for SEMA’s prestigious industry awards that are presented at the Industry Awards Banquet at the SEMA Show. The awards are Manufacturer of the Year, Person of the Year, Representative Agency of the Year, Warehouse Distributor of the Year and GEN-III Innovator of the Year. All SEMA members are invited to nominate individuals and companies who have made a significant impact on the specialty-equipment market.

The 2017 SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet takes place Thursday, November 2, from 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m., at the Westgate Garden Patio & Paradise Event Center in Las Vegas.

Nominate now!

Person of the Year: The SEMA Person of the Year Award was established in 1969 to honor individuals for their outstanding contributions to the association and the automotive aftermarket as a whole. During the selection process, the task force takes into consideration the nominees’ service beyond their normal job functions over the past year. Full criteria is available on the SEMA Awards webpage, along with a listing of past honorees. In order to assist the Person of the Year Task Force in making its selection, a brief statement, including the nominee’s accomplishments, is required at the time of submission.

Manufacturer of the Year: The SEMA Manufacturer of the Year Award has been established to honor a Manufacturer for their outstanding contribution to the industry during the past 12 months corresponding with the SEMA fiscal year, July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. 

GEN-III Innovator of the Year: SEMA is also seeking nominations to recognize young innovators who exhibit the same pioneering spirit as the original industry founders, and whose work is changing the way the automotive aftermarket does business. He or she may have been the first to act on a new trend, invented an original product or devised and implemented ideas that better suit the current marketplace. Qualifying nominees must be younger than 40 as of December 31, 2016.

Rep Agency of the Year: The SEMA Rep Agency of the Year Award honors a manufacturers’ rep agency for its contribution to the industry for the past 12 months. Considerations include product-line knowledge, communication of critical information between supplier and the client network, updated catalogs, databases and price sheets and continuous training and education programs.

Warehouse Distributor of the Year: The SEMA WD of the Year Award recognizes a warehouse distributor that operates with the integrity and business practices that set the company apart as an industry leader. Over the last year, the ideal candidate will have been involved in industry events, serviced and communicated with suppliers and resellers with excellence and provided development opportunities for clients and staff.

All SEMA members are invited to nominate the companies and individuals that conduct business in a way that furthers the interests of the entire industry. The SEMA awards website provides photos from previous banquets and information regarding the rich history of award winners, award criteria and how to nominate industry leaders for awards in multiple categories.

For questions regarding the SEMA awards program, contact Lindsay Bianco at lindsayb@sema.org or 909-978-6692.

By SEMA Editors

Tim Martin, K&N Engineering vice president and SEMA chairman-elect, thanked an audience of more than 2,500 who had gathered for the annual SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet, where he was named the association’s Person of the Year for 2016. The award is among SEMA’s highest honors.

Nominations are now open for SEMA’s prestigious industry awards that are presented at the Industry Awards Banquet at the SEMA Show. The awards are Manufacturer of the Year, Person of the Year, Representative Agency of the Year, Warehouse Distributor of the Year and GEN-III Innovator of the Year. All SEMA members are invited to nominate individuals and companies who have made a significant impact on the specialty-equipment market.

The 2017 SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet takes place Thursday, November 2, from 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m., at the Westgate Garden Patio & Paradise Event Center in Las Vegas.

Nominate now!

Person of the Year: The SEMA Person of the Year Award was established in 1969 to honor individuals for their outstanding contributions to the association and the automotive aftermarket as a whole. During the selection process, the task force takes into consideration the nominees’ service beyond their normal job functions over the past year. Full criteria is available on the SEMA Awards webpage, along with a listing of past honorees. In order to assist the Person of the Year Task Force in making its selection, a brief statement, including the nominee’s accomplishments, is required at the time of submission.

Manufacturer of the Year: The SEMA Manufacturer of the Year Award has been established to honor a Manufacturer for their outstanding contribution to the industry during the past 12 months corresponding with the SEMA fiscal year, July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. 

GEN-III Innovator of the Year: SEMA is also seeking nominations to recognize young innovators who exhibit the same pioneering spirit as the original industry founders, and whose work is changing the way the automotive aftermarket does business. He or she may have been the first to act on a new trend, invented an original product or devised and implemented ideas that better suit the current marketplace. Qualifying nominees must be younger than 40 as of December 31, 2016.

Rep Agency of the Year: The SEMA Rep Agency of the Year Award honors a manufacturers’ rep agency for its contribution to the industry for the past 12 months. Considerations include product-line knowledge, communication of critical information between supplier and the client network, updated catalogs, databases and price sheets and continuous training and education programs.

Warehouse Distributor of the Year: The SEMA WD of the Year Award recognizes a warehouse distributor that operates with the integrity and business practices that set the company apart as an industry leader. Over the last year, the ideal candidate will have been involved in industry events, serviced and communicated with suppliers and resellers with excellence and provided development opportunities for clients and staff.

All SEMA members are invited to nominate the companies and individuals that conduct business in a way that furthers the interests of the entire industry. The SEMA awards website provides photos from previous banquets and information regarding the rich history of award winners, award criteria and how to nominate industry leaders for awards in multiple categories.

For questions regarding the SEMA awards program, contact Lindsay Bianco at lindsayb@sema.org or 909-978-6692.

By SEMA Editors

Latest Jobs Added to SEMA Career Center

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest classifieds posted to the website.

Product Specialist: Grand General Accessories Manufacturing is hiring a product specialist responsible for identifying market trends and needs for new-product development and defining product vision; participating in creating, implementing, testing and launching new products; and defining product objectives and report performance. The successful candidate will have a bachelor’s degree and 3–5 years of successful product-development experience.

Automotive Accessory/Performance Product Sales: R&R Marketing Consultants Inc. is hiring an automotive accessory/performance product sales representative responsible for providing the company’s automotive accessory and performance reselling account base with regular visits to update product information and merchandise displays, conduct product training and offer warranty support. This candidate must be willing to travel within a defined territory with weekly overnight stays averaging 2–3 nights and the occasional weekend event. A strong automotive background with knowledge in aftermarket accessories and performance is preferred.

Automotive Technician: Pendragon North America is hiring an automotive technician with a Universal Technical Institute, WyoTech, community college vocational certificate/degree or other dealership technician experience. The ideal candidate will be able to work full time and have strong diagnostic skills.

Aftermarket Parts Installers/Mechanic: Extreme Offroad and Performance is hiring aftermarket parts installers responsible for basic installation and building custom vehicles. Experience is highly encouraged. The ideal candidate must have his or her own tools, be able to perform suspension installations, mount and balance wheels and tires, perform alignments and do front-end work.

Automotive Customer Service/Tech: Energy Suspension is hiring an automotive customer service technician to provide customer service, automotive product application information, technical assistance, order processing and respond to emails. Occasional travel to local trade shows and events is required. The ideal candidate must have basic automotive knowledge and prior customer service experience. Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus, and ACES and PIES knowledge is preferred.