By Jim Graven

SEMA members are encouraged to take advantage of the SEMA Data Co-op’s (SDC) Platinum Rewards Program to receive $10,000 in marketing exposure at the 2018 SEMA Show.

The SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) is offering $10,000 in marketing outreach to participating SDC suppliers exhibiting at the 2018 SEMA Show that achieve or maintain Platinum status prior to July 13. The SDC is an industry-owned and operated project that provides full product data management capabilities to participating suppliers at the lowest possible cost.

Participating SDC suppliers exhibiting at the 2018 SEMA Show that achieve or maintain SDC Platinum status (prior to July 13) will receive $10,000 in marketing exposure, including:

• Carpet/floor ad near booth location.
• Meter-panel listing in the SEMA Show’s lobbies.
• Ad listing in the September, October and November issues of SEMA News magazine.
• Ad listing in each of the four SEMA Show Daily magazines.

Questions? Visit www.semadatacoop.org.

The SDC East Coast/Midwest contact is Jim Graven, 888-958-6698, ext. 4, jimg@semadatacoop.com. The SDC West Coast contact is Tim Stewart, 888-958-6698, ext. 9, tims@semadatacoop.com.

By Jason Catullo

Here is a timeline of key dates for the 2018 SEMA Show, taking place in Las Vegas, October 30–November 2.

Monday, April 30–Friday, May 16: 2018 SEMA Show Priority Space Selection
Based on exhibitor seniority, the Priority Space Selection provides companies with the opportunity to choose the best locations for their Show displays.

Monday, June 25–Tuesday, June 26: SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit – Tips and Training for Exhibitors
Designed for exhibitors with limited trade show experience, as well as companies new to the SEMA Show, the Exhibitor Summit features proven strategies and best practices for all Show aspects, from exhibit move-in and set-up to teardown and move-out. Summit attendees also learn how to minimize costs on booth services, take advantage of promotional and sponsorship opportunities, and apply expert strategies for attracting buyers at the Show.

The cost for the summit is intentionally low, with hotels, meals and workshops covered by SEMA. The only expense that attendees will incur is transportation to and from the event. Simply put: You get to Vegas, we’ll do the rest! Read more, or sign up for the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit.

More information about the 2018 SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com.

By Jason Catullo

Here is a timeline of key dates for the 2018 SEMA Show, taking place in Las Vegas, October 30–November 2.

Monday, April 30–Friday, May 16: 2018 SEMA Show Priority Space Selection
Based on exhibitor seniority, the Priority Space Selection provides companies with the opportunity to choose the best locations for their Show displays.

Monday, June 25–Tuesday, June 26: SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit – Tips and Training for Exhibitors
Designed for exhibitors with limited trade show experience, as well as companies new to the SEMA Show, the Exhibitor Summit features proven strategies and best practices for all Show aspects, from exhibit move-in and set-up to teardown and move-out. Summit attendees also learn how to minimize costs on booth services, take advantage of promotional and sponsorship opportunities, and apply expert strategies for attracting buyers at the Show.

The cost for the summit is intentionally low, with hotels, meals and workshops covered by SEMA. The only expense that attendees will incur is transportation to and from the event. Simply put: You get to Vegas, we’ll do the rest! Read more, or sign up for the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit.

More information about the 2018 SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com.

By Jason Catullo

Here is a timeline of key dates for the 2018 SEMA Show, taking place in Las Vegas, October 30–November 2.

Monday, April 30–Friday, May 16: 2018 SEMA Show Priority Space Selection
Based on exhibitor seniority, the Priority Space Selection provides companies with the opportunity to choose the best locations for their Show displays.

Monday, June 25–Tuesday, June 26: SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit – Tips and Training for Exhibitors
Designed for exhibitors with limited trade show experience, as well as companies new to the SEMA Show, the Exhibitor Summit features proven strategies and best practices for all Show aspects, from exhibit move-in and set-up to teardown and move-out. Summit attendees also learn how to minimize costs on booth services, take advantage of promotional and sponsorship opportunities, and apply expert strategies for attracting buyers at the Show.

The cost for the summit is intentionally low, with hotels, meals and workshops covered by SEMA. The only expense that attendees will incur is transportation to and from the event. Simply put: You get to Vegas, we’ll do the rest! Read more, or sign up for the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit.

More information about the 2018 SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com.

By SEMA Editors

This year, the SEMA Board of Directors has openings for two seats in the Manufacturers category, two seats in the Distributors/Retailers category and one seat in the Services category.

The following candidates are vying for a seat on the SEMA Board of Directors:

Manufacturers Category (two open seats)

• Steve Whipple, vice president, sales and marketing, Edelbrock LLC
• Dr. Jamie Meyer, performance parts program manager, General Motors
• Kim Pendergast, CEO, Magnuson Products LLC

Distributors/Retailers Category (two open seats)

• Donnie Eatherly, president, P&E Distributors Inc.
• Jon Pulli, CEO, Turn 14 Distribution
• Brian Lounsberry, CEO, Motovicity Distribution

Services Category (one open seat)

• Dan Kahn, president and CEO, Kahn Media Inc.
• Tom Deery, COO and president, World Racing Group

Voting will take place online May 8–22, 2018, and is open to current SEMA-member companies. Votes must be cast by each company’s primary contact. Details on the upcoming election will be sent to the member company’s designated primary contact beginning April 24. Winners will be announced by May 25 and formally inducted at the SEMA Installation & Gala, July 20.

For more information about the 2018 SEMA Board of Directors election, contact Susan Alfonso at 909-978-6671 or susana@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

This year, the SEMA Board of Directors has openings for two seats in the Manufacturers category, two seats in the Distributors/Retailers category and one seat in the Services category.

The following candidates are vying for a seat on the SEMA Board of Directors:

Manufacturers Category (two open seats)

• Steve Whipple, vice president, sales and marketing, Edelbrock LLC
• Dr. Jamie Meyer, performance parts program manager, General Motors
• Kim Pendergast, CEO, Magnuson Products LLC

Distributors/Retailers Category (two open seats)

• Donnie Eatherly, president, P&E Distributors Inc.
• Jon Pulli, CEO, Turn 14 Distribution
• Brian Lounsberry, CEO, Motovicity Distribution

Services Category (one open seat)

• Dan Kahn, president and CEO, Kahn Media Inc.
• Tom Deery, COO and president, World Racing Group

Voting will take place online May 8–22, 2018, and is open to current SEMA-member companies. Votes must be cast by each company’s primary contact. Details on the upcoming election will be sent to the member company’s designated primary contact beginning April 24. Winners will be announced by May 25 and formally inducted at the SEMA Installation & Gala, July 20.

For more information about the 2018 SEMA Board of Directors election, contact Susan Alfonso at 909-978-6671 or susana@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

If you know an industry leader under the age of 35 as of September 1, 2018, SEMA News would like to hear from you.

For the sixth consecutive year, SEMA News is looking to highlight top-tier talent in the automotive aftermarket industry who are age 35 and younger. We need your input. If you know a leader in that age range as of September 1, 2018—whether they are in manufacturing and design, marketing, retail, events and media, or distribution—we would like to hear from you.

It is very likely that SEMA members are currently working with creative and talented young professionals who are already moving the industry in new and different directions. They might be people who have played key roles in leveraging new and emerging technologies with a traditional automotive aftermarket business to expand company reach, improve product development, energize marketing efforts or upgrade customer interaction.

They could be budding superstars at an established company, entrepreneurs building their own brands or innovators who have launched companies that might become big names in the future. What they all will have in common are fresh ideas, enthusiasm, charisma and the drive to succeed. These are people who know what’s going on at the ground level, who see opportunities that are now forming and who travel in circles that may be very different from those of our “old-school” industry leaders.

Winners will be chosen based on their business success, contribution to their organization, industry knowledge and community involvement. We’ll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org.

Nominate a candidate now for the 2018 SEMA News 35 Under 35. Nominations are due May 31, 2018.

By SEMA Editors

If you know an industry leader under the age of 35 as of September 1, 2018, SEMA News would like to hear from you.

For the sixth consecutive year, SEMA News is looking to highlight top-tier talent in the automotive aftermarket industry who are age 35 and younger. We need your input. If you know a leader in that age range as of September 1, 2018—whether they are in manufacturing and design, marketing, retail, events and media, or distribution—we would like to hear from you.

It is very likely that SEMA members are currently working with creative and talented young professionals who are already moving the industry in new and different directions. They might be people who have played key roles in leveraging new and emerging technologies with a traditional automotive aftermarket business to expand company reach, improve product development, energize marketing efforts or upgrade customer interaction.

They could be budding superstars at an established company, entrepreneurs building their own brands or innovators who have launched companies that might become big names in the future. What they all will have in common are fresh ideas, enthusiasm, charisma and the drive to succeed. These are people who know what’s going on at the ground level, who see opportunities that are now forming and who travel in circles that may be very different from those of our “old-school” industry leaders.

Winners will be chosen based on their business success, contribution to their organization, industry knowledge and community involvement. We’ll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org.

Nominate a candidate now for the 2018 SEMA News 35 Under 35. Nominations are due May 31, 2018.

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 jobs posted to the website.

Customer Service Representative: HPS Performance is hiring a customer service representative to manage large amounts of incoming calls, identify and assess customers’ needs to achieve satisfaction, and build sustainable relationships of trust through open and interactive communication. The ideal candidate should have a track record of providing outstanding customer service with knowledge of the automotive industry.

Shop Technician: Northridge 4x4 is hiring a shop technician to install parts and accessories for Jeep customers, using quality-control methods to ensure that all builds are complete before they leave the shop. This position works under general direction and requires a high level of independent judgment. Candidates must have a minimum of two years’ related work experience or a combination of education and experience, which must include mechanical experience, including Jeep-related knowledge.

Collision Repair Instructor: VeriFacts Automotive is hiring experienced collision repair instructors to coach and train techs in its shops in Portland, Oregon. The VeriFacts coach is responsible for monthly coaching visits, collecting data on repair quality and communicating with shop management to advise on areas of opportunity or improvement. The ideal candidate will have more than 10 years’ hands-on experience with collision repair and I-CAR or ASE certifications. All VeriFacts coaches are highly experienced in collision repair.

National Sales Manager: ORACLE Lighting is hiring a national sales manager responsible for leading and developing the sales representative and sales support teams in all assigned sales in a given area and for given products and services. It is important that sales activity is controlled, organized and orchestrated from one desk at the corporate level, and that each salesperson has intimate knowledge of sales activity as it relates to them. The ideal candidate will have extensive industry knowledge and the ability to work closely with diverse groups of people and meet quotas.

Graphic Designer: Moss Motors Ltd. is hiring a graphic designer responsible for catalog production and layout, print and digital advertising materials, photo editing for print and digital and technical illustrations and schematics. A degree in graphic design is helpful, but real work experience is more important. Candidates should have strong graphic, layout and typographic skills, and advanced skills with Adobe Creative Cloud, InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator.

By SEMA Editors

Following are dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

• ARMO Hot Products Showcase at Spring Carlisle, April 19–21, 2018, Carlisle, Pennsylvania
• ARMO Mixer, April 19, 2018, Carlisle Fairgrounds, Carlisle, Pennsylvania
• SEMA Measuring Session: ’19 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ and High Country, April 24, 2018, Detroit
• YEN Meetup Formula DRIFT Atlanta, May 11, 2018, Road Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia
• SEMA Washington Rally, May 16, 2018, Washington, D.C.
• SEMA Australia Business Development Program, May 24–28, 2018, Melbourne, Australia
• SEMA Town Hall Meeting, June 7, 2018, Flaming River Industries, Berea, Ohio
• SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit, June 25–26, 2018, Las Vegas
• Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD), July 13, 2018
• SEMA Installation & Gala, July 20, 2018, Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City, Universal City, California
• SEMA China Business Development Conference, August 15–19, 2018, Shanghai, China
• SEMA Show, October 30–November 2, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas
• PRI Trade Show, December 6–8, 2018, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstore.com) at Travel Store USA, 949-930-9268.