By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to extend the emissions-inspection exemption for new cars from six to eight model years has been approved by the California Assembly.

Legislation to extend the emissions-inspection exemption for new cars from six to eight model years has been approved by the California Assembly. Under the bill, the newly exempted motor vehicles (model years seven and eight) would be subject to an annual smog abatement fee of $24. Given that the average smog test costs between $29 and $69, vehicle owners can expect to save up to $45 per vehicle for each year of the exemption. If enacted into law, the exemption would become effective January 1, 2018. The bill has now been referred to the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee for consideration. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA Show Feature Vehicles are not just eye-candy for enthusiasts, they also serve as a canvas that combine crafty paint work, installation techniques, and new and custom products that fuel imagination and generate consumer appeal.

Feature vehicles provide exhibitors the ability to highlight products and upgrades on cars and trucks positioned in designated areas away from the company’s SEMA Show booth. With unique style and unmatched innovations, feature vehicles are a visual marketing tool to help generate an organic appeal for an exhibitor’s products.

The deadline to apply for a feature vehicle at the 2017 SEMA Show is August 1. Exhibitors planning a feature vehicle for the Show are encouraged to mark their calendars now to allow ample time to choose the best car to represent their brand and promote its appearance appropriately.

All feature vehicles must be approved and paid for by qualified exhibiting companies. Criteria for placement is based on how the exhibiting company’s products are showcased on the vehicle, whether the car has been featured in the SEMA Show previously, how complete the vehicle build is, and to what degree the vehicle captures all elements of the specialty-equipment market.

Each qualified exhibiting company is guaranteed placement for one feature vehicle. Additional vehicles will be prioritized by the exhibitors, using an electronic form that will be provided by SEMA Show management after August 1. Exhibitors will be notified as to the confirmation status of their feature vehicles on [August 19].

Complete details about feature vehicle registration are available in the SEMA Show Exhibitor Services Manual.

Questions about the process can be directed to Brendan Gillespie; brendang@sema.org, 909-978-6661.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA Show Feature Vehicles are not just eye-candy for enthusiasts, they also serve as a canvas that combine crafty paint work, installation techniques, and new and custom products that fuel imagination and generate consumer appeal.

Feature vehicles provide exhibitors the ability to highlight products and upgrades on cars and trucks positioned in designated areas away from the company’s SEMA Show booth. With unique style and unmatched innovations, feature vehicles are a visual marketing tool to help generate an organic appeal for an exhibitor’s products.

The deadline to apply for a feature vehicle at the 2017 SEMA Show is August 1. Exhibitors planning a feature vehicle for the Show are encouraged to mark their calendars now to allow ample time to choose the best car to represent their brand and promote its appearance appropriately.

All feature vehicles must be approved and paid for by qualified exhibiting companies. Criteria for placement is based on how the exhibiting company’s products are showcased on the vehicle, whether the car has been featured in the SEMA Show previously, how complete the vehicle build is, and to what degree the vehicle captures all elements of the specialty-equipment market.

Each qualified exhibiting company is guaranteed placement for one feature vehicle. Additional vehicles will be prioritized by the exhibitors, using an electronic form that will be provided by SEMA Show management after August 1. Exhibitors will be notified as to the confirmation status of their feature vehicles on [August 19].

Complete details about feature vehicle registration are available in the SEMA Show Exhibitor Services Manual.

Questions about the process can be directed to Brendan Gillespie; brendang@sema.org, 909-978-6661.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA Show Feature Vehicles are not just eye-candy for enthusiasts, they also serve as a canvas that combine crafty paint work, installation techniques, and new and custom products that fuel imagination and generate consumer appeal.

Feature vehicles provide exhibitors the ability to highlight products and upgrades on cars and trucks positioned in designated areas away from the company’s SEMA Show booth. With unique style and unmatched innovations, feature vehicles are a visual marketing tool to help generate an organic appeal for an exhibitor’s products.

The deadline to apply for a feature vehicle at the 2017 SEMA Show is August 1. Exhibitors planning a feature vehicle for the Show are encouraged to mark their calendars now to allow ample time to choose the best car to represent their brand and promote its appearance appropriately.

All feature vehicles must be approved and paid for by qualified exhibiting companies. Criteria for placement is based on how the exhibiting company’s products are showcased on the vehicle, whether the car has been featured in the SEMA Show previously, how complete the vehicle build is, and to what degree the vehicle captures all elements of the specialty-equipment market.

Each qualified exhibiting company is guaranteed placement for one feature vehicle. Additional vehicles will be prioritized by the exhibitors, using an electronic form that will be provided by SEMA Show management after August 1. Exhibitors will be notified as to the confirmation status of their feature vehicles on [August 19].

Complete details about feature vehicle registration are available in the SEMA Show Exhibitor Services Manual.

Questions about the process can be directed to Brendan Gillespie; brendang@sema.org, 909-978-6661.

By Jason Catullo

The first step to getting announcements out to the media and in SEMA’s Show publications is to upload releases to the Online Media Center, www.SEMAShow.com/press.

From now until the opening of the 2017 SEMA Show, exhibitors are encouraged to highlight their Show plans through SEMA’s Online Media Center. Announcements about new product releases, celebrity appearances, demonstrations and unique booth attractions are just some examples of what companies submit. As the database of information grows, it serves as a beneficial, one-stop resource for buyers and media leading up to the Show. There is no cost to upload press releases and related images.

An additional benefit of using the Online Media Center is that many of the releases and announcements are used in SEMA Show publications, both electronic printed materials, prior to and during the Show. SEMA’s Show publications are ideal for promoting Show plans and new products, while creating more outreach opportunities for business. 

There are three content types that are relevant for both October and November issues of SEMA News and the four-issue SEMA Show Daily: new product announcements, Show-related actives and custom-vehicle premieres.

SEMA News Magazine

October SEMA News
Commonly known as the “pre-Show” issue, the October issue features a dedicated section previewing the products to be unveiled during the Show. The deadline for submissions is August 10.

November SEMA News
As the “Show” issue, November includes a preview of some of the world’s most impressive, innovative project vehicles and rare builds, as well as a Show map, schedule of celebrity appearances, Show educational seminars schedule and more. The deadline for submissions is September 8. The issue also contains a sneak peek of several vehicles that are taking part in the 2017 SEMA Battle of the Builders® competition. More information is available at www.SEMAShow.com/botb.

SEMA Show Daily

There are four issues of the SEMA Show Daily, three of which are distributed at the Show on (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday).

• The first issue has a circulation of 40,000 and mails October 1, providing a sneak-peek of the SEMA Show’s major attractions and can’t-miss features. The deadline for the first issue is August 3.
• Show Daily #2 will be distributed Tuesday, October 31—the first day of the 2017 SEMA Show. It has a circulation of 10,000 and will be distributed at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The deadline is [September 1].
• Show Daily #3 and #4 also have a circulation of 10,000 each. They will be distributed Wednesday, November 1, and Thursday, November 2. The deadline for both issues is September 15.

SEMA News November and all issues of Show Daily feature press releases regarding celebrity appearances and related Show activities. Exhibitors should closely monitor editorial deadlines to finalize their Show promotions. To submit a release for consideration, upload it directly to the Online Media Center.

Editorial content is chosen on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, once you do have a release and image ready, submit it, even if it is after the deadline. Journalists from around the world access this library for potential stories. When additional space becomes available, SEMA’s editorial team will continue to utilize the Online Media Center for new stories.

In terms of releases, oftentimes there is only space for 100–200 words. Our editorial team will shorten a longer release given space constraints. When it comes to images, the art department is looking for high-resolution images. That means 300 dpi and in one of the following file types—JPG, EPS or TIF. It is also perfectly acceptable to submit renderings of new products or a picture of a car while it’s still being built.

Key contacts for SEMA’s Online Media Center and SEMA’s editorial department:

Della Domingo
Public Relations Director
dellad@sema.org

John Stewart
Vice President, Editorial Director
johns@sema.org

By Jason Catullo

The first step to getting announcements out to the media and in SEMA’s Show publications is to upload releases to the Online Media Center, www.SEMAShow.com/press.

From now until the opening of the 2017 SEMA Show, exhibitors are encouraged to highlight their Show plans through SEMA’s Online Media Center. Announcements about new product releases, celebrity appearances, demonstrations and unique booth attractions are just some examples of what companies submit. As the database of information grows, it serves as a beneficial, one-stop resource for buyers and media leading up to the Show. There is no cost to upload press releases and related images.

An additional benefit of using the Online Media Center is that many of the releases and announcements are used in SEMA Show publications, both electronic printed materials, prior to and during the Show. SEMA’s Show publications are ideal for promoting Show plans and new products, while creating more outreach opportunities for business. 

There are three content types that are relevant for both October and November issues of SEMA News and the four-issue SEMA Show Daily: new product announcements, Show-related actives and custom-vehicle premieres.

SEMA News Magazine

October SEMA News
Commonly known as the “pre-Show” issue, the October issue features a dedicated section previewing the products to be unveiled during the Show. The deadline for submissions is August 10.

November SEMA News
As the “Show” issue, November includes a preview of some of the world’s most impressive, innovative project vehicles and rare builds, as well as a Show map, schedule of celebrity appearances, Show educational seminars schedule and more. The deadline for submissions is September 8. The issue also contains a sneak peek of several vehicles that are taking part in the 2017 SEMA Battle of the Builders® competition. More information is available at www.SEMAShow.com/botb.

SEMA Show Daily

There are four issues of the SEMA Show Daily, three of which are distributed at the Show on (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday).

• The first issue has a circulation of 40,000 and mails October 1, providing a sneak-peek of the SEMA Show’s major attractions and can’t-miss features. The deadline for the first issue is August 3.
• Show Daily #2 will be distributed Tuesday, October 31—the first day of the 2017 SEMA Show. It has a circulation of 10,000 and will be distributed at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The deadline is [September 1].
• Show Daily #3 and #4 also have a circulation of 10,000 each. They will be distributed Wednesday, November 1, and Thursday, November 2. The deadline for both issues is September 15.

SEMA News November and all issues of Show Daily feature press releases regarding celebrity appearances and related Show activities. Exhibitors should closely monitor editorial deadlines to finalize their Show promotions. To submit a release for consideration, upload it directly to the Online Media Center.

Editorial content is chosen on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, once you do have a release and image ready, submit it, even if it is after the deadline. Journalists from around the world access this library for potential stories. When additional space becomes available, SEMA’s editorial team will continue to utilize the Online Media Center for new stories.

In terms of releases, oftentimes there is only space for 100–200 words. Our editorial team will shorten a longer release given space constraints. When it comes to images, the art department is looking for high-resolution images. That means 300 dpi and in one of the following file types—JPG, EPS or TIF. It is also perfectly acceptable to submit renderings of new products or a picture of a car while it’s still being built.

Key contacts for SEMA’s Online Media Center and SEMA’s editorial department:

Della Domingo
Public Relations Director
dellad@sema.org

John Stewart
Vice President, Editorial Director
johns@sema.org

By Katie Carson

The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) is hosting a series of general membership meetings at the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association events taking place in Columbus, Ohio; Pleasanton, California; and at the NSRA Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky.

The meetings serve as an opportunity for hot-rod industry professionals to connect with the SEMA council that represents their market. Learn about the latest initiatives and projects the council is working on, and let your voice be heard by bringing your ideas to the table.

Select Committee members and SEMA staff will be onsite to network and discuss opportunities on how to become more involved.

By Katie Carson

The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) is hosting a series of general membership meetings at the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association events taking place in Columbus, Ohio; Pleasanton, California; and at the NSRA Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky.

The meetings serve as an opportunity for hot-rod industry professionals to connect with the SEMA council that represents their market. Learn about the latest initiatives and projects the council is working on, and let your voice be heard by bringing your ideas to the table.

Select Committee members and SEMA staff will be onsite to network and discuss opportunities on how to become more involved.

By Katie Carson

ARMO's Hot Products Showcase photo gallery features product images that were taken at Spring Carlisle in April.

Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) members sent their products to be displayed at the ARMO Hot Products Showcase, held annually at the Spring Carlisle Car Swap Meet, where nine companies received new product awards in multiple categories. This free program for ARMO members potentially exposes their products to 100,000 automotive enthusiasts.

In addition to free product exposure, participating ARMO-member companies also receive professionally photographed images to use for their own marketing purposes. These photos will be displayed in a gallery on SEMA’s website and at the ARMO booth at the 2017 SEMA Show.

View the 2017 ARMO Hot Products Showcase gallery.

If you have any questions about the ARMO Hot Products Showcase program and how you can participate next year, contact SEMA Director of Councils Jim Skelly at 909-978-6690 or jimsk@sema.org.

By Katie Carson

ARMO's Hot Products Showcase photo gallery features product images that were taken at Spring Carlisle in April.

Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) members sent their products to be displayed at the ARMO Hot Products Showcase, held annually at the Spring Carlisle Car Swap Meet, where nine companies received new product awards in multiple categories. This free program for ARMO members potentially exposes their products to 100,000 automotive enthusiasts.

In addition to free product exposure, participating ARMO-member companies also receive professionally photographed images to use for their own marketing purposes. These photos will be displayed in a gallery on SEMA’s website and at the ARMO booth at the 2017 SEMA Show.

View the 2017 ARMO Hot Products Showcase gallery.

If you have any questions about the ARMO Hot Products Showcase program and how you can participate next year, contact SEMA Director of Councils Jim Skelly at 909-978-6690 or jimsk@sema.org.