By Zane Clark

John Waraniak	Jeff Varick	Scott Wolin

SEMA will offer a professional development and small-business training program in Detroit, Wednesday, June 14. The program will kick off at 3:00 p.m. with a session entitled “Planning for the Future: New Vehicle Technologies,” which will address the aftermarket industry’s increasingly important role in retrofitting and installing connected and automated systems and technologies on the 250 million vehicles already on U.S. roads.

Panelists include:

• John Waraniak, vice president of vehicle technology, SEMA
• Jeff Varick, president, Brandmotion
• Scott Wolin, district sales manager – restyling, Chicago Parts & Sound LLC

Following this session, attendees will hear from special guests from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Michigan District Office. The SBA will share insights on business financing programs that support infrastructure improvements needed to assure business sustainability into the future. The educational programs will be immediately followed by a networking reception.

The next morning, attendees will be invited to tour both the American Center for Mobility and the innovative Mobility Transformation Facility, more commonly known as Mcity at the University of Michigan. The 32-acre facility is located on campus and is the first of its kind in testing new automated vehicle technologies and their capabilities to safely maneuver actual roadways. Hosted by the Professional Restylers Organization (PRO), a SEMA council, attendees will enjoy a guided private tour of the facility. Register now!

When: Wednesday, June 14, from 3:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m. (EDT)
Where: Detroit Metro Airport Marriott, 30559 Flynn Dr., Romulus, MI 48174
Cost: $25 for SEMA members/$35 non-members

Fees include the education program, networking mixer and optional tour on June 15.

Space is limited. Register now!

For additional information, please contact SEMA’s Senior Director of Education Zane Clark.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed a bill to repeal and replace portions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), more commonly referred to as Obamacare. Considered the first phase of reforming the ACA, the American Health Care Act (AHCA) repeals the ACA’s tax provisions, including tax penalties for individuals and employers, provides tax credits to individuals to purchase health insurance, expands Health Savings Accounts, provides money to states to manage a safety net fund and phases out the ACA’s expansion of Medicaid. 

The AHCA was pulled from House floor consideration in March when it became clear there were not enough votes for passage. The bill was recently revised to provide states with the ability to waive some of the benefits that health insurance plans are required to provide under the ACA, which opponents of the 2010 law maintain have led to insurers leaving the marketplace. Insurers will also be allowed to charge higher premiums for customers with preexisting conditions, and the federal government will set up an $8 billion fund to help patients pay those costs.  

The bill only requires a majority threshold for passage in the Senate, since it is tied to the budget. Other non-budget issues are subject to a 60-vote requirement. Among those issues subject to a 60-vote majority are legislation to authorize interstate shopping for health care, creation of nationwide health insurance buying pools and medical liability reform. It is unclear when the U.S. Senate will consider the House bill or its own version of health care reform legislation. 

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed a bill to repeal and replace portions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), more commonly referred to as Obamacare. Considered the first phase of reforming the ACA, the American Health Care Act (AHCA) repeals the ACA’s tax provisions, including tax penalties for individuals and employers, provides tax credits to individuals to purchase health insurance, expands Health Savings Accounts, provides money to states to manage a safety net fund and phases out the ACA’s expansion of Medicaid. 

The AHCA was pulled from House floor consideration in March when it became clear there were not enough votes for passage. The bill was recently revised to provide states with the ability to waive some of the benefits that health insurance plans are required to provide under the ACA, which opponents of the 2010 law maintain have led to insurers leaving the marketplace. Insurers will also be allowed to charge higher premiums for customers with preexisting conditions, and the federal government will set up an $8 billion fund to help patients pay those costs.  

The bill only requires a majority threshold for passage in the Senate, since it is tied to the budget. Other non-budget issues are subject to a 60-vote requirement. Among those issues subject to a 60-vote majority are legislation to authorize interstate shopping for health care, creation of nationwide health insurance buying pools and medical liability reform. It is unclear when the U.S. Senate will consider the House bill or its own version of health care reform legislation. 

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed a bill to repeal and replace portions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), more commonly referred to as Obamacare. Considered the first phase of reforming the ACA, the American Health Care Act (AHCA) repeals the ACA’s tax provisions, including tax penalties for individuals and employers, provides tax credits to individuals to purchase health insurance, expands Health Savings Accounts, provides money to states to manage a safety net fund and phases out the ACA’s expansion of Medicaid. 

The AHCA was pulled from House floor consideration in March when it became clear there were not enough votes for passage. The bill was recently revised to provide states with the ability to waive some of the benefits that health insurance plans are required to provide under the ACA, which opponents of the 2010 law maintain have led to insurers leaving the marketplace. Insurers will also be allowed to charge higher premiums for customers with preexisting conditions, and the federal government will set up an $8 billion fund to help patients pay those costs.  

The bill only requires a majority threshold for passage in the Senate, since it is tied to the budget. Other non-budget issues are subject to a 60-vote requirement. Among those issues subject to a 60-vote majority are legislation to authorize interstate shopping for health care, creation of nationwide health insurance buying pools and medical liability reform. It is unclear when the U.S. Senate will consider the House bill or its own version of health care reform legislation. 

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By Jason Catullo

Join trade show experts in Las Vegas for the 2017 SEMA Exhibitor Summit, Monday–Tuesday, June 19–20, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Now in its eighth year, the Summit is designed to provide direct advice on how to plan for the SEMA Show by highlighting cost-saving techniques and discount programs available.

By Jason Catullo

Join trade show experts in Las Vegas for the 2017 SEMA Exhibitor Summit, Monday–Tuesday, June 19–20, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Now in its eighth year, the Summit is designed to provide direct advice on how to plan for the SEMA Show by highlighting cost-saving techniques and discount programs available.

By Jason Catullo

Join trade show experts in Las Vegas for the 2017 SEMA Exhibitor Summit, Monday–Tuesday, June 19–20, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Now in its eighth year, the Summit is designed to provide direct advice on how to plan for the SEMA Show by highlighting cost-saving techniques and discount programs available.

The SEMA Garage’s Tech Transfer program was originally conceived as a way to help member companies acquire original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) computer-aided design (CAD) data, making it possible to quickly produce parts that fit the latest models. By logging into the Tech Transfer online portal, a member has access to OEM CAD data and the opportunity to request specific data for one or more vehicles.

Tech Transfer partners with OEMs that include Ford, Lincoln, General Motors/Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Jeep, Fiat and Scion, providing members with the opportunity to access manufacturer vehicle data within those networks. Participating members must be manufacturers, and downloads of OEM data must be approved by the OEM.

The SEMA Garage’s Tech Transfer program was originally conceived as a way to help member companies acquire original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) computer-aided design (CAD) data, making it possible to quickly produce parts that fit the latest models. By logging into the Tech Transfer online portal, a member has access to OEM CAD data and the opportunity to request specific data for one or more vehicles.

Tech Transfer partners with OEMs that include Ford, Lincoln, General Motors/Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Jeep, Fiat and Scion, providing members with the opportunity to access manufacturer vehicle data within those networks. Participating members must be manufacturers, and downloads of OEM data must be approved by the OEM.

By Amelia Zwecher

HR professionals can find answers to the toughest and most common HR questions by visiting the “Issues & Answers” section of the HR Hub.

In the HR industry, change is quite normal as benefits, employee relations and employment laws and regulations modify often. It’s important for business professionals (HR teams, hiring managers or general managers) to stay abreast of HR updates to remain compliant. Busy work schedules can make this a challenge for most professionals, but SEMA’s HR Hub offers a resolution. Setting up alerts on the HR Hub based on preferred parameters makes it easier to stay up-to-date on local state laws. Find answers to the toughest and most common HR questions by visiting the “Issues & Answers” section of the HR Hub.

According to SEMA’s HR Hub, the top-five hot topics for the week include:

1. Employers taking a variety of steps to stem cost increases and improve employee health (survey results).
2. A Korn Ferry CHRO survey revealing serious gaps in HR talent, including low business IQ (survey results).
3. A survey exposing an alarming divide between male and female executives about gender parity (survey results).
4. Majority of executives saying that talking politics at work is a no-no (survey results).
5. Florida lawmakers finalizing a rideshare bill (state law).

Find an answer to these issues by visiting the SEMA HR Hub. For more information, contact manager of career services, Amelia F. Zwecher, PhD, PHR, at ameliaz@sema.org.