SEMA eNews highlights SEMA-member companies’ websites weekly through the Hot Links to Cool Sites section. SEMA members: To be included in Hot Links to Cool Sites, email your company name and website to enews@sema.org. Note: Make sure to include “Hot Links” in the subject line of the email.
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 jobs posted to the website.
Manager of Customer Service and Sales Operations Extreme Dimensions Inc. is hiring a manager of customer service and sales operations with the experience and ability to manage, motivate and direct the company’s customer service and sales teams while overseeing the day-to-day operations of the departments. This person should be able to evaluate the current state of operations for the department and work on process improvement while ensuring all team members are thriving. Candidates should also be good with numbers, be able to analyze data and provide feedback and recommendations for future growth and success.
Sales Manager Vivid Racing is hiring a sales manager responsible for organizing and overseeing the company’s sales policies, objectives and initiatives; set short- and long-term sales strategies; and evaluate effectiveness of current sales programs. Candidates should be intimately familiar with the industry to be able to build, support and maintain sales initiatives relevant to current trends and work relentlessly to achieve short- and long-term sales goals by leading, developing and directing the work of your sales team.
Shop Technician Northridge 4x4 is hiring a shop technicianresponsible for installing parts and accessories for Jeep customers. This position uses quality-control methods to ensure that all builds are complete before the Jeep leaves the shop and also maintains the cleanliness and safety of the shop while working under general direction. Candidates must have a high school diploma, two years’ minimum work-related experience or a combination of education and experience. Hands-on mechanical expertise, including bodywork, Jeep-related knowledge and motor conversion knowledge is required.
Press conferences are a great way for exhibitors to announce
breaking news to the media.
Exhibitors are excited to make their announcements at the 2021 SEMA Show, taking place Tuesday–Friday, November 2–5, in Las Vegas. Below is the official press conference schedule as of September 15:
Monday, November 1
5:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m: SEMA Vehicle Reveal featuring the SEMA Award Presentation (outside the Grand Central Lobby entrance)
Tuesday, November 2
7:30 a.m.–9:00 a.m: New Products Breakfast; breakfast will be served (Paradise Event Center, located in the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino)
10:00 a.m.–10:20 a.m: Toyota Motor North America, Toyota Press Conference (Booth #24800)
10:30 a.m.–10:50 a.m: Ford Motor Co., Ford Motor Company – Reveal (Booth #22220)
The automotive industry is excited to reconnect with manufacturers this November in Las Vegas for the 2021 SEMA Show. While buyers at the SEMA Show often stop at booths that catch their eyes, 70% of buyers arrive at the SEMA Show with a plan and a list of exhibitors that they want to see. Here’s 5 ways to advertise you’re coming to this year’s Show.
Update your website!
Include messaging on your website to notify clients that you're attending this year's SEMA Show. Buyers and media start planning their SEMA Show activities early. Don't miss the opportunity to notify clientele that you're attending the industry's hottest trade event of the year! SEMA has compiled readymade tools that may be used in conjunction with your own marketing materials.
Write a Press Release!
The SEMA Show Online Media Center is an easy and effective tool to help exhibitors get their press releases to journalists covering the SEMA Show. Available exclusively to SEMA Show exhibitors, the site allows them to submit press releases and photos at no cost.
Tips To Writing an Effective Press Release
Post early. Many publications, including SEMA News, run preview stories with deadlines beginning in July. Releases often run in the order they are submitted. Include a photo. Releases with photos are more likely to be used than those without photos. Tag correctly when you upload to the site. Many editors use the search function to find news that is relevant to their audience.
An easy-to-read press release with relevant content can create a lasting impression, generate media coverage and ultimately drive traffic to an exhibitor's booth. Exhibitors can upload their press releases now.
Update Your Email Signature!
Notify existing buyers that you're attending the SEMA Show by updating your staff's email signature to include SEMA Show dates and your booth number. Need a hand? Download this official SEMA Show email signature graphic to get you started.
Tell Your Social Media Followers!
SEMA Show attendees are encouraged to continue updating their social media feeds with content focused on plans for November’s event. Free social tools can be downloaded from the SEMA Show website. Don't forget to use the official hashtag, #SEMA2021, and tag us so we can engage with your posts!
Social Copy Ideas
Did you hear? We're in for this year's SEMA Show! We can't wait to see you in Las Vegas – it's been too long!
We're In! Visit us in booth #_________ for this year's hottest automotive event. We're looking forward to reconnecting with you at #SEMA2021!
Don't miss out! This year's SEMA Show is on and WE'RE IN!
Newsletter/Email Notifications!
Update your newsletter, blog or emails to include information notifying clients that you're attending the 2021 SEMA Show. Need help with graphics? Download email tools here.
Register now for the following upcoming live webinars and stay tuned to SEMA eNews as additional sessions are announced throughout the year. For a comprehensive library of upcoming live and on-demand sessions that members can access anytime, visit www.sema.org/virtual-education.
Tuesday, September 14 – The Value of a Diverse Team Series: Team Management, Powered by SBN Track: Industry Segments, Powered by SEMA Councils and Networks
Having a diverse workforce brings new ideas, innovations and, ultimately, greater success to a team. Aftermarket managers will learn how individuals with disabilities can bring valuable diversity to the workplace, and how to support and respond when a direct report discloses that he or she has a disability. This webinar will provide managers with information that is not typically included in training for management positions.
Newly Added: Wednesday, September 15 – YEN Live Chat With Sean P. Holman Track: Industry Talks
Content director of Motor Trend’s Truck and Off-Road Group Sean P. Holman will discuss technology coming to the off-road segment, including active suspension and EVs during this Facebook live chat. A longtime automotive enthusiast and journalist, Holman consults with all of the major truck manufacturers on current and future products and is co-creator and co-host of the truck enthusiast podcast “The Truck Show Podcast with Lightning & Holman.”
Wednesday, September 15 – Emerging Trends: Electrification, Alternative Power and Advanced Technology Series: SEMA Industry Insights Track: Trends & Research
Vehicle electrification, alternative power and emerging technology continue to impact the future of automobiles. During this live webinar, the SEMA Market Research team will present an outlook and sales forecast for electric and other alternative energy vehicles, insight on the challenges and barriers to electric vehicle adoption, a look at the advanced safety technology being put in vehicles today, implications for the aftermarket and more.
Tuesday, September 28 – Network Your Way to Beneficial Connections Series: Sharpen Your Soft Skills, Powered by SBN Track: Industry Segments, Powered by SEMA Councils and Networks
Learn about the various networking channels and the ins and outs of different networking platforms during this webinar presented by the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN). Attendees will learn how proper networking can make all the difference in advancing one’s career, how to use networking to their advantage for job leads and how to stay connected over time once a relationship is established.
Frank Vasquez, brand manager at KW Automotive North America Inc., is the latest SEMA Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN) member to share his insight on how his company pivoted during the pandemic and utilized technology to keep business moving forward.
Get to know what tools his company has leaned on and what new trends he is seeing in sales and marketing in his interview with SEMA below.
SEMA: How has your company pivoted during the pandemic?
Frank Vasquez: Adjusting to the everchanging CDC guidelines created some interesting times, as I am sure we all experienced in some fashion. We were fortunate enough to remain open throughout the pandemic, but doing so certainly required some drastic changes. Creating alternating shifts and rearranging our work stations allowed us to comply with the social-distancing guidelines while minimizing the disruptions to normal business. The increased demand was the second major challenge we faced and required many additional resources to keep up with.
SEMA: What technology tools—new or old—have you leaned on recently?
FV: Cloud-based enterprise tools have become an absolute staple in workplace collaboration. As things went remote during the early onset of the pandemic, it was imperative that the entire team had access to drives and documents that could be shared and worked on together in real-time. Video conferencing and social content production have also been key to staying in touch with our customers and keeping them up-to-date with the new products we had been working on during a time when we were not able to visit them face-to-face.
SEMA: What new trends have you noticed with sales and marketing?
FV: Social-media marketing and digital content is on fire now more than ever before. It is abundantly clear that people use those channels to stay engaged in their hobbies, do their own research and share what they are passionate about so marketing through those channels is more important than ever.
SEMA: What, if any, changes in business do you feel will outlive the pandemic?
FV: I feel that teleconferencing is something that has proven to now be accessible for many and inherently useful. Being able to hop on a call with one person or large groups at a time is going to make keeping in touch with people much easier. There is still value in face-to-face visits, but I can see teleconferencing still being useful in allowing people to tune in to things they may otherwise not be able to attend or experience.
Fill out this form for a chance to be featured in the next ETTN member insight. By sharing your experiences, you can inspire and motivate other members to learn new tips and ideas. You may also be featured on ETTN’s social media and in SEMA eNews.
Chris Payne is the SEMA Young Executives Network’s (YEN) newest spotlight member. Payne is the owner of Truck Gurus and a leader in designing, building and marketing vehicle builds for the automotive aftermarket. An avid SEMA Show vehicle builder, Payne works directly with manufacturers to assist them on their journey to represent and grow their business and promote exposure of their products and accessories.
Find out what keeps Payne in the industry and how he prepares for important meetings in his interview with SEMA below.
SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?
Chris Payne: Do not run before you walk.
SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?
CP: Passion keeps me in the industry. I love being able to help companies grow, thrive and succeed. Being trusted by so many is an honor in and of itself.
SEMA: Where can you be found on a Saturday?
CP: If it is hot, probably at the lake with friends and family.
SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?
CP: A notepad, pen and personality is all you need!
SEMA: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who it would be?
CP: I would go to lunch with Gale Banks; he is the man. It’s hard to think of anyone who has been a pioneer as long as he has. He is a living legend.
If you are a current YEN member, fill out a YEN member spotlight form. Selected candidates may be featured on YEN’s social media, SEMA eNews and YEN-member updates.
This meetup is the ideal opportunity for council members who are at Overland Expo West to meet new contacts and strengthen their connections. Attendees will openly network with other industry professionals and learn about the council resources and volunteer opportunities that are available in the industry.
Registration, although not required, is encouraged so that the councils can plan accordingly.
If you or your business is interested in joining PRI, visit www.performanceracing.com to read a full discussion on the
PRI website and show your support for Performance Racing
Industry.
Performance Racing Industry (PRI) recently announced a new membership program that allows all members of the racing community—from businesses to enthusiasts—to unite and show their passion for and support of motorsports. SEMA News spoke with PRI President Dr. Jamie Meyer about the motivation behind the launch of this new program.
“Now more than ever, it is critical that the racing community unite to protect our businesses and our racing rights,” Meyer said. “PRI’s membership program now allows individuals to join the movement to push back against the challenges facing our industry and continue to support motorsports.”
As of press time, more than 300 businesses had voiced their commitment to the industry by joining PRI. In fact, there are a variety of contribution levels, each with its own exclusive benefits package. While some members have selected a maximum contribution at the Founding Member level of support ($2,500 per year times 10 years), individuals can join at the Pro Member level for just $40 a year. All membership tiers include the following slate of features:
Entrance to the PRI Trade Show for qualified attendees.
Save Our Race Cars Advocacy: Contribute to the fight to protect the racing community and ensure that racing continues and grows in the United States and internationally.
Inclusion in the Performance Racing Political Action Committee.
A 10% discount on PRI merchandise.
12 issues of PRI Magazine’s digital edition.
Subscription to the PRI eNewsletter.
Posting access on the PRI jobs board.
A membership card and welcome packet.
PRI stickers.
Dr. Meyer explained that the program allows enthusiasts to be part of PRI, and their support comes at a critical time.
“The racing industry is joining forces like never before, and we invite everyone—racers, enthusiasts, builders, track operators, sanctioning bodies and businesses—to be a part of this movement,” Meyer said. “This is the time to come together and unite.”
SEMA Chairman of the Board James Lawrence has been in love with cars since his youth. He got the Mustang he’d always wanted when he was 16. For the next 30 years his life, his family and his kids have been intertwined with cars—from racing to motorsports to go-karts. When he met his wife Melissa 16 years ago, she drove a twin-turbo Mustang to work. In fact they won two drag-racing championships together. With that history, Lawrence knows just how critical having support from enthusiasts can be when it comes to preserving the motorsports legacy.
“We are in the midst of some absolutely horrendous overreach when it comes to regulating our members’ ability to manufacture racing parts and to create emissions-legal components,” Lawrence said. “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has the position that essentially 75% of race cars are illegal. Their argument is that no vehicle originally produced as a production vehicle can ever be converted into a race car.”
Lawrence has been lobbying the government for years and has seen the power of tremendous public pressure to effect policy changes in Washington. However, he admits that there’s more work to be done despite all the effort.
Individuals can join PRI at the Pro Member level
for just $40 a year. To learn about all
membership levels and benefits visit www.performanceracing.com.
To help in the campaign, PRI has also created a political action committee called the Performance Racing PAC. The formation of the PAC creates a direct line between the motorsports community and lawmakers in our nation’s capital. As noted in the benefits section, members of PRI will also be included in the PAC and will receive exclusive updates on all its activities. Dr. Meyer explained that there’s work to be done at every level of government and why it’s truly an all-hands-on deck situation.
“We’re continuously identifying ways to support the interests of the racing community,” he said. “The membership program enables us to continue our advocacy efforts at the local, state and federal levels, and it provides the industry with legal support, education, research and world-class events and programs.”
Bre Fredritz with Callies Performance Products supported the PRI Membership Program immediately with a Founding Member contribution, and he’s hopeful that the industry will follow his company’s lead.
“If you want to be an industry leader in motorsports, you have to be fully involved with PRI,” Fredritz said. “Becoming a PRI Founding Member was a no-brainer for us. As a proud, independently owned American manufacturer, we support racing, the racing community, and the continual efforts to grow the motorsports industry.”
For Fredritz the motivation was crystal clear.
“We want to see our industry thrive for decades to come,” he said.
If you or your business is interested in joining, please take the time to read a full discussion on the PRI website. Visit www.performanceracing.com and show your support for Performance Racing Industry.
The automotive industry is excited to reconnect with manufacturers this November in Las Vegas for the 2021 SEMA Show. While buyers at the SEMA Show often stop at booths that catch their eyes, 70% of buyers arrive at the SEMA Show with a plan and a list of exhibitors that they want to see. Here’s 5 ways to advertise you’re coming to this year’s Show.
Register now for the following upcoming live webinars and stay tuned to SEMA eNews as additional sessions are announced throughout the year. For a comprehensive library of upcoming live and on-demand sessions that members can access anytime, visit 
Frank Vasquez, brand manager at KW Automotive North America Inc., is the latest SEMA 
Chris Payne is the 
Members of the SEMA 
