By Linda Spencer

SEMA Export Fair participants will have the opportunity to network with key international performance and off-road distributors without leaving the United States.

A panel of top international buyers from Australia, China, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia will headline the SEMA Export Fair, co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce, July 27, at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California.

SEMA members are encouraged to participate in roundtables and seminars featuring seasoned exporters, top overseas buyers and other key stakeholders. Attendees will have the opportunity to:

• Network with key international performance and off-road distributors without leaving the United States.
• Learn best practices and discuss strategies for overcoming challenges that cost time and money. This includes identifying the right mix of products based on the targeted market’s vehicles on the road; the most cost-effective and expedient way for getting your products to overseas customers; getting paid; and protecting your trademarks, patents and copyrights.
• Find out what grants are available to help defray the costs associated with growing your overseas customer base.
• Learn about SEMA and U.S. government initiatives to meet with pre-vetted international buyers.
• Participate in a 30-minute confidential meeting with an IPR attorney to learn about taking the appropriate steps to protect your patents and trademarks. 
• Network with fellow SEMA members from around the country interested in growing their export sales.

A limited number of slots are still available for the SEMA Export Fair.

By Amanda Gubbins

The deadline to apply for a feature vehicle at the 2016 SEMA Show is August 1. This year’s deadline is several weeks earlier than in the past, so be sure to mark your calendar if you are planning a feature vehicle as part of your Show exhibit experience.

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 vehicle 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.

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 eye-popping colors, unique style and unmatched innovations, feature vehicles are a visual marketing tool to help generate an organic appeal for an exhibitor’s products.

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 Amanda Gubbins

The deadline to apply for a feature vehicle at the 2016 SEMA Show is August 1. This year’s deadline is several weeks earlier than in the past, so be sure to mark your calendar if you are planning a feature vehicle as part of your Show exhibit experience.

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 vehicle 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.

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 eye-popping colors, unique style and unmatched innovations, feature vehicles are a visual marketing tool to help generate an organic appeal for an exhibitor’s products.

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 Amanda Gubbins

The deadline to apply for a feature vehicle at the 2016 SEMA Show is August 1. This year’s deadline is several weeks earlier than in the past, so be sure to mark your calendar if you are planning a feature vehicle as part of your Show exhibit experience.

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 vehicle 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.

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 eye-popping colors, unique style and unmatched innovations, feature vehicles are a visual marketing tool to help generate an organic appeal for an exhibitor’s products.

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 Katie Carson

Nick Gramelspacher (center) accepted last year’s WD of the Year award on behalf of Meyer Distributing.

Nominations are continuing to be accepted for SEMA’s Warehouse Distributor of the Year (WD) and other annual industry awards. All SEMA members are invited to nominate individuals and companies who have made a significant impact on the specialty-equipment market. The award winners will be celebrated for their accomplishments at the 2016 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, Thursday, November 3, during the 2016 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

“The SEMA industry award winners represent a highly distinguished group of people and companies,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “The awards are presented to those who have demonstrated proven contributions, leadership and integrity. They help to inspire and motivate the entire industry to greatness.”

The new 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 to win awards in multiple categories, including:

• Warehouse Distributor of the Year
• GEN-III Innovator of the Year
• Manufacturer of the Year
• Person of the Year
• Rep Agency of the Year

Nominate Now!

By Katie Carson

Nick Gramelspacher (center) accepted last year’s WD of the Year award on behalf of Meyer Distributing.

Nominations are continuing to be accepted for SEMA’s Warehouse Distributor of the Year (WD) and other annual industry awards. All SEMA members are invited to nominate individuals and companies who have made a significant impact on the specialty-equipment market. The award winners will be celebrated for their accomplishments at the 2016 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, Thursday, November 3, during the 2016 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

“The SEMA industry award winners represent a highly distinguished group of people and companies,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “The awards are presented to those who have demonstrated proven contributions, leadership and integrity. They help to inspire and motivate the entire industry to greatness.”

The new 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 to win awards in multiple categories, including:

• Warehouse Distributor of the Year
• GEN-III Innovator of the Year
• Manufacturer of the Year
• Person of the Year
• Rep Agency of the Year

Nominate Now!

By Katie Carson

Nick Gramelspacher (center) accepted last year’s WD of the Year award on behalf of Meyer Distributing.

Nominations are continuing to be accepted for SEMA’s Warehouse Distributor of the Year (WD) and other annual industry awards. All SEMA members are invited to nominate individuals and companies who have made a significant impact on the specialty-equipment market. The award winners will be celebrated for their accomplishments at the 2016 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, Thursday, November 3, during the 2016 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

“The SEMA industry award winners represent a highly distinguished group of people and companies,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “The awards are presented to those who have demonstrated proven contributions, leadership and integrity. They help to inspire and motivate the entire industry to greatness.”

The new 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 to win awards in multiple categories, including:

• Warehouse Distributor of the Year
• GEN-III Innovator of the Year
• Manufacturer of the Year
• Person of the Year
• Rep Agency of the Year

Nominate Now!

By Katie Carson

Nick Gramelspacher (center) accepted last year’s WD of the Year award on behalf of Meyer Distributing.

Nominations are continuing to be accepted for SEMA’s Warehouse Distributor of the Year (WD) and other annual industry awards. All SEMA members are invited to nominate individuals and companies who have made a significant impact on the specialty-equipment market. The award winners will be celebrated for their accomplishments at the 2016 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, Thursday, November 3, during the 2016 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

“The SEMA industry award winners represent a highly distinguished group of people and companies,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “The awards are presented to those who have demonstrated proven contributions, leadership and integrity. They help to inspire and motivate the entire industry to greatness.”

The new 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 to win awards in multiple categories, including:

• Warehouse Distributor of the Year
• GEN-III Innovator of the Year
• Manufacturer of the Year
• Person of the Year
• Rep Agency of the Year

Nominate Now!

By Linda Spencer

The new Mustang is a big hit in China, and Ford just announced plans to export the new Raptor to that market. Jeeps and large pickups are already popular with off-roaders, and excitement is building among enthusiasts for the new Raptor that will hit the showrooms in China shortly after it makes its U.S. debut. Federal and State awards are available to defray the costs for participating in this four-day trip to Shanghai, China, with SEMA.

The California State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) has announced new $1,500 grants to California-based SEMA members who are interested in exploring the Chinese market, September 7–11, at the SEMA China Business Development Conference in Shanghai. A total of $2,400 in grants—$900 from the U.S. International Trade Administration coupled with this new award—will greatly defray travel costs.

SEMA China Business Development Conference participants will have the opportunity to:

• Meet with hundreds of pre-vetted buyers from throughout China at the SEMA section in the sold-out China Auto Salon.
• Be assigned an interpreter to work exclusively with each company.
• Visit new performance and off-road shops.

Hotels, meals and all exhibition fees are included. Register now!

For more information, or to learn about possible grants covering firms outside of California, contact Linda Spencer lindas@sema.org.

By Linda Spencer

The new Mustang is a big hit in China, and Ford just announced plans to export the new Raptor to that market. Jeeps and large pickups are already popular with off-roaders, and excitement is building among enthusiasts for the new Raptor that will hit the showrooms in China shortly after it makes its U.S. debut. Federal and State awards are available to defray the costs for participating in this four-day trip to Shanghai, China, with SEMA.

The California State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) has announced new $1,500 grants to California-based SEMA members who are interested in exploring the Chinese market, September 7–11, at the SEMA China Business Development Conference in Shanghai. A total of $2,400 in grants—$900 from the U.S. International Trade Administration coupled with this new award—will greatly defray travel costs.

SEMA China Business Development Conference participants will have the opportunity to:

• Meet with hundreds of pre-vetted buyers from throughout China at the SEMA section in the sold-out China Auto Salon.
• Be assigned an interpreter to work exclusively with each company.
• Visit new performance and off-road shops.

Hotels, meals and all exhibition fees are included. Register now!

For more information, or to learn about possible grants covering firms outside of California, contact Linda Spencer lindas@sema.org.