Thu, 07/21/2016 - 12:25

By Michael Hart

education
Seventy-two percent of last year’s education session attendees said the SEMA Show conference tracks were the best way to keep up with the latest industry trends.

There may have never been a more crucial time than now to keep your eye on the ball when it comes to running your specialty-equipment business. And there’s never been a better way to ensure you are equipped for the challenges of a competitive marketplace than by attending the education sessions at the 2016 SEMA Show.

For anybody who works in the industry, this is both the best and the worst of times. Business is booming, with the 2016 SEMA Market Report indicating annual revenue in the specialty-equipment accessories and parts industry is more than $39 billion. Sales in the light-truck and off-road accessories sectors are growing faster than some retailers can keep up.

At the same time, however, the competition for those dollars has never been fiercer, and consumer anxiety about the economy has never been greater. The correct response to this situation is to be equally prepared for opportunity and uncertainty, and the best way to do that is to arm yourself with the information and education you need to move forward toward success.

Look at some of the survey findings SEMA Show education session attendees submitted after last year’s event:

  • 79% said they attended education sessions because it was the best place to get new ideas.
  • 72% said the SEMA Show conference tracks were the best way to keep up with the latest industry trends.
  • A full 85%—nearly nine out of 10—rated the education they received at the SEMA Show as excellent or good.

Registering for and attending education sessions at the 2016 SEMA Show will be the greatest investment you can make in your career and business. It doesn’t matter whether you need to learn how to cash in on the latest consumer demands, what you need to do to recruit and retain the best staff or how to compete in a quickly changing marketplace. The 2016 SEMA Show is the place for you to be.

Thu, 07/21/2016 - 12:25

By Michael Hart

education
Seventy-two percent of last year’s education session attendees said the SEMA Show conference tracks were the best way to keep up with the latest industry trends.

There may have never been a more crucial time than now to keep your eye on the ball when it comes to running your specialty-equipment business. And there’s never been a better way to ensure you are equipped for the challenges of a competitive marketplace than by attending the education sessions at the 2016 SEMA Show.

For anybody who works in the industry, this is both the best and the worst of times. Business is booming, with the 2016 SEMA Market Report indicating annual revenue in the specialty-equipment accessories and parts industry is more than $39 billion. Sales in the light-truck and off-road accessories sectors are growing faster than some retailers can keep up.

At the same time, however, the competition for those dollars has never been fiercer, and consumer anxiety about the economy has never been greater. The correct response to this situation is to be equally prepared for opportunity and uncertainty, and the best way to do that is to arm yourself with the information and education you need to move forward toward success.

Look at some of the survey findings SEMA Show education session attendees submitted after last year’s event:

  • 79% said they attended education sessions because it was the best place to get new ideas.
  • 72% said the SEMA Show conference tracks were the best way to keep up with the latest industry trends.
  • A full 85%—nearly nine out of 10—rated the education they received at the SEMA Show as excellent or good.

Registering for and attending education sessions at the 2016 SEMA Show will be the greatest investment you can make in your career and business. It doesn’t matter whether you need to learn how to cash in on the latest consumer demands, what you need to do to recruit and retain the best staff or how to compete in a quickly changing marketplace. The 2016 SEMA Show is the place for you to be.

Thu, 07/21/2016 - 12:18

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting recently sat down with Henry Payne, auto critic for the Detroit News, to discuss the hot-button issues happening in the automotive aftermarket industry, including the industry’s continued efforts to clarify the EPA’s position on racecar modification. Kersting and Payne talk about the need for long-term certainty for the racing community and industry, and the growing bipartisan support in Congress for the RPM Act. SEMA member David Ziozios of Motovicity Distribution in Madison Heights, Michigan, also weighs in, noting that if left unresolved, the EPA’s stance “would be a complete job killer.”

Check out the full story.

Thu, 07/21/2016 - 12:18

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting recently sat down with Henry Payne, auto critic for the Detroit News, to discuss the hot-button issues happening in the automotive aftermarket industry, including the industry’s continued efforts to clarify the EPA’s position on racecar modification. Kersting and Payne talk about the need for long-term certainty for the racing community and industry, and the growing bipartisan support in Congress for the RPM Act. SEMA member David Ziozios of Motovicity Distribution in Madison Heights, Michigan, also weighs in, noting that if left unresolved, the EPA’s stance “would be a complete job killer.”

Check out the full story.

Thu, 07/21/2016 - 12:18

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting recently sat down with Henry Payne, auto critic for the Detroit News, to discuss the hot-button issues happening in the automotive aftermarket industry, including the industry’s continued efforts to clarify the EPA’s position on racecar modification. Kersting and Payne talk about the need for long-term certainty for the racing community and industry, and the growing bipartisan support in Congress for the RPM Act. SEMA member David Ziozios of Motovicity Distribution in Madison Heights, Michigan, also weighs in, noting that if left unresolved, the EPA’s stance “would be a complete job killer.”

Check out the full story.

Thu, 07/21/2016 - 12:18

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting recently sat down with Henry Payne, auto critic for the Detroit News, to discuss the hot-button issues happening in the automotive aftermarket industry, including the industry’s continued efforts to clarify the EPA’s position on racecar modification. Kersting and Payne talk about the need for long-term certainty for the racing community and industry, and the growing bipartisan support in Congress for the RPM Act. SEMA member David Ziozios of Motovicity Distribution in Madison Heights, Michigan, also weighs in, noting that if left unresolved, the EPA’s stance “would be a complete job killer.”

Check out the full story.

Thu, 07/21/2016 - 11:46

By Jason Catullo

SEMA Show Publications
Participating in SEMA’s Show publications is a simple, no-cost process that begins by submitting a press release to the SEMA Show Online Media Center.

SEMA’s Online Media Center is available to Show Exhibitors to post product and news releases at no cost. All it takes is about 100 words of copy and a high-resolution image, and you can upload a press release to help create excitement and exposure for your company’s products and Show participation. This valuable opportunity puts your company, your booth number, and your new product in front of thousands of potential buyers.

SEMA’s editorial team is currently pulling releases for use in both SEMA News and the SEMA Show Daily. If you want to be considered for publication, it’s time to finalize your text and select the best image of your new product.

The products featured in SEMA’s Pre-Show publications will be chosen on a first-come, first-served basis. Exhibitors are encouraged to continue uploading new materials to the Online Media Center up until the Show opens. For all media covering the SEMA Show, the Online Media Center is designed as a resource that offers visitors a preview of the 2016 SEMA Show.

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

Thu, 07/21/2016 - 11:46

By Jason Catullo

SEMA Show Publications
Participating in SEMA’s Show publications is a simple, no-cost process that begins by submitting a press release to the SEMA Show Online Media Center.

SEMA’s Online Media Center is available to Show Exhibitors to post product and news releases at no cost. All it takes is about 100 words of copy and a high-resolution image, and you can upload a press release to help create excitement and exposure for your company’s products and Show participation. This valuable opportunity puts your company, your booth number, and your new product in front of thousands of potential buyers.

SEMA’s editorial team is currently pulling releases for use in both SEMA News and the SEMA Show Daily. If you want to be considered for publication, it’s time to finalize your text and select the best image of your new product.

The products featured in SEMA’s Pre-Show publications will be chosen on a first-come, first-served basis. Exhibitors are encouraged to continue uploading new materials to the Online Media Center up until the Show opens. For all media covering the SEMA Show, the Online Media Center is designed as a resource that offers visitors a preview of the 2016 SEMA Show.

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

Thu, 07/21/2016 - 11:46

By Jason Catullo

SEMA Show Publications
Participating in SEMA’s Show publications is a simple, no-cost process that begins by submitting a press release to the SEMA Show Online Media Center.

SEMA’s Online Media Center is available to Show Exhibitors to post product and news releases at no cost. All it takes is about 100 words of copy and a high-resolution image, and you can upload a press release to help create excitement and exposure for your company’s products and Show participation. This valuable opportunity puts your company, your booth number, and your new product in front of thousands of potential buyers.

SEMA’s editorial team is currently pulling releases for use in both SEMA News and the SEMA Show Daily. If you want to be considered for publication, it’s time to finalize your text and select the best image of your new product.

The products featured in SEMA’s Pre-Show publications will be chosen on a first-come, first-served basis. Exhibitors are encouraged to continue uploading new materials to the Online Media Center up until the Show opens. For all media covering the SEMA Show, the Online Media Center is designed as a resource that offers visitors a preview of the 2016 SEMA Show.

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

Thu, 07/21/2016 - 11:36

Dennis Pittsenbarger interviews John Waraniak, SEMA’s vice president of vehicle technology, during the 2015 SEMA Show.