https://www.sema.org/sema-news/2017/02/tim-martin

The core mission of SEMA is to help its members succeed and prosper, and a spirit of volunteerism permeates that mission. To grow the automotive specialty-equipment industry and address the broad range of issues facing association members, SEMA continues to rely on the vision and leadership of dedicated individuals from every industry segment who give freely of their time and energy for the benefit of all. In that spirit each year, SEMA bestows its highest honor—the Person of the Year Award—on an individual who embodies the association’s mission. For 2016, that person is Tim Martin of K&N Engineering.

https://www.sema.org/sema-news/2017/02/tim-martin

The core mission of SEMA is to help its members succeed and prosper, and a spirit of volunteerism permeates that mission. To grow the automotive specialty-equipment industry and address the broad range of issues facing association members, SEMA continues to rely on the vision and leadership of dedicated individuals from every industry segment who give freely of their time and energy for the benefit of all. In that spirit each year, SEMA bestows its highest honor—the Person of the Year Award—on an individual who embodies the association’s mission. For 2016, that person is Tim Martin of K&N Engineering.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA is interested in speakers with experience in marketing and sales, customer service, business management, automotive trends, social media, and vehicle customization.

Applications are still being accepted for industry leaders to host a seminar at the 2017 SEMA Show, taking place October 31–November 3, 2017, in Las Vegas. The association is especially interested in speakers with experience in marketing and sales, customer service, business management, automotive trends, social media and vehicle customization.

The educational seminars make up an essential component of the SEMA Show—the premier automotive trade event that attracts more than 140,000 industry professionals annually. In addition to connecting automotive manufacturers with professional buyers from all over the world, the four-day SEMA Show is the leading venue for industry experts to network in person and learn new business strategies.

“The SEMA Show is about helping businesses succeed, and a big part of that is providing participants with information that will help their businesses,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “The seminars give SEMA Show participants greater return on their investment and an opportunity to learn about better ways to do business.”

The SEMA Show education program typically includes more than five dozen sessions. While topics address basic business practices, such as customer service, marketing and social media, the 2017 program will emphasize issues that are of greatest concern to businesses in the automotive aftermarket.

Topics of interest for the 2017 SEMA Show include:

• How YELP has Changed the Trust Landscape in Business
• The Automotive Industry in Five Years
• Hire and Retain Social Employees
• Vehicle Building and Fabrication
• Business Technology and Applications to Advance Business
• Practical Solutions for Small Businesses
• What Is Next in Social Media Marketing
• Bookkeeping and Payroll

All speakers should be able to focus on industry issues and not a specific company position or agenda.

“We pride ourselves in providing top-rated information from industry experts to attendees through the education program,” said SEMA Senior Director of Education Zane Clark. “These seminars are some of the many benefits of attending the SEMA Show.”

Applications for speaker submissions are available at www.sema.org/speakers until February 20, 2017. Speaker entries will be answered no later than April 20, 2017. For more details, contact Clark at zanec@sema.org, 909-978-6743.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA is interested in speakers with experience in marketing and sales, customer service, business management, automotive trends, social media, and vehicle customization.

Applications are still being accepted for industry leaders to host a seminar at the 2017 SEMA Show, taking place October 31–November 3, 2017, in Las Vegas. The association is especially interested in speakers with experience in marketing and sales, customer service, business management, automotive trends, social media and vehicle customization.

The educational seminars make up an essential component of the SEMA Show—the premier automotive trade event that attracts more than 140,000 industry professionals annually. In addition to connecting automotive manufacturers with professional buyers from all over the world, the four-day SEMA Show is the leading venue for industry experts to network in person and learn new business strategies.

“The SEMA Show is about helping businesses succeed, and a big part of that is providing participants with information that will help their businesses,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “The seminars give SEMA Show participants greater return on their investment and an opportunity to learn about better ways to do business.”

The SEMA Show education program typically includes more than five dozen sessions. While topics address basic business practices, such as customer service, marketing and social media, the 2017 program will emphasize issues that are of greatest concern to businesses in the automotive aftermarket.

Topics of interest for the 2017 SEMA Show include:

• How YELP has Changed the Trust Landscape in Business
• The Automotive Industry in Five Years
• Hire and Retain Social Employees
• Vehicle Building and Fabrication
• Business Technology and Applications to Advance Business
• Practical Solutions for Small Businesses
• What Is Next in Social Media Marketing
• Bookkeeping and Payroll

All speakers should be able to focus on industry issues and not a specific company position or agenda.

“We pride ourselves in providing top-rated information from industry experts to attendees through the education program,” said SEMA Senior Director of Education Zane Clark. “These seminars are some of the many benefits of attending the SEMA Show.”

Applications for speaker submissions are available at www.sema.org/speakers until February 20, 2017. Speaker entries will be answered no later than April 20, 2017. For more details, contact Clark at zanec@sema.org, 909-978-6743.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA is interested in speakers with experience in marketing and sales, customer service, business management, automotive trends, social media, and vehicle customization.

Applications are still being accepted for industry leaders to host a seminar at the 2017 SEMA Show, taking place October 31–November 3, 2017, in Las Vegas. The association is especially interested in speakers with experience in marketing and sales, customer service, business management, automotive trends, social media and vehicle customization.

The educational seminars make up an essential component of the SEMA Show—the premier automotive trade event that attracts more than 140,000 industry professionals annually. In addition to connecting automotive manufacturers with professional buyers from all over the world, the four-day SEMA Show is the leading venue for industry experts to network in person and learn new business strategies.

“The SEMA Show is about helping businesses succeed, and a big part of that is providing participants with information that will help their businesses,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “The seminars give SEMA Show participants greater return on their investment and an opportunity to learn about better ways to do business.”

The SEMA Show education program typically includes more than five dozen sessions. While topics address basic business practices, such as customer service, marketing and social media, the 2017 program will emphasize issues that are of greatest concern to businesses in the automotive aftermarket.

Topics of interest for the 2017 SEMA Show include:

• How YELP has Changed the Trust Landscape in Business
• The Automotive Industry in Five Years
• Hire and Retain Social Employees
• Vehicle Building and Fabrication
• Business Technology and Applications to Advance Business
• Practical Solutions for Small Businesses
• What Is Next in Social Media Marketing
• Bookkeeping and Payroll

All speakers should be able to focus on industry issues and not a specific company position or agenda.

“We pride ourselves in providing top-rated information from industry experts to attendees through the education program,” said SEMA Senior Director of Education Zane Clark. “These seminars are some of the many benefits of attending the SEMA Show.”

Applications for speaker submissions are available at www.sema.org/speakers until February 20, 2017. Speaker entries will be answered no later than April 20, 2017. For more details, contact Clark at zanec@sema.org, 909-978-6743.

By Amelia Zwecher

The user-friendly SEMA HR Hub offers material analyzed by experts focused on HR-related common matters.

The newly launched SEMA HR Hub is live and accessible today! SEMA urges members to regularly take advantage of this new benefit offered to all automotive aftermarket employers. This invaluable tool can help guide human resources practices in the following areas:

• Benefits and compensation
• Best practices in HR
• Discrimination and retaliation
• Employee development
• Employee relations
• Federal employment laws
• HR management and strategy
• Retention
• Risk management and compliance
• State employment laws
• Succession planning
• Talent acquisition and staffing
• Unions
• Workplace safety and security

Small businesses with or without a dedicated HR team can find great benefit in this new Career Center feature. A business that cares about its employees builds a strong foundation for a successful company and resilient industry. This user-friendly hub offers material analyzed by experts focused on HR-related common matters. Download sample policies and forms that are both dependable and relevant, which can help expedite and organize business processes.

As an optional added bonus, users can create bookmarks and receive automatic email alerts based on the parameters they set in their preferences. This feature will help users to stay up-to-date on new trends and best practices.

The SEMA Career Center is a one-stop shop for expert advice and talent acquisition. Look out for upcoming articles in SEMA eNews highlighting additional useful HR Hub features soon.

Visit the SEMA HR Hub and check out the HR Hub User Guide. For more information, contact manager of career services, Amelia F. Zwecher, PhD, PHR, at ameliaz@sema.org.

By Amelia Zwecher

The user-friendly SEMA HR Hub offers material analyzed by experts focused on HR-related common matters.

The newly launched SEMA HR Hub is live and accessible today! SEMA urges members to regularly take advantage of this new benefit offered to all automotive aftermarket employers. This invaluable tool can help guide human resources practices in the following areas:

• Benefits and compensation
• Best practices in HR
• Discrimination and retaliation
• Employee development
• Employee relations
• Federal employment laws
• HR management and strategy
• Retention
• Risk management and compliance
• State employment laws
• Succession planning
• Talent acquisition and staffing
• Unions
• Workplace safety and security

Small businesses with or without a dedicated HR team can find great benefit in this new Career Center feature. A business that cares about its employees builds a strong foundation for a successful company and resilient industry. This user-friendly hub offers material analyzed by experts focused on HR-related common matters. Download sample policies and forms that are both dependable and relevant, which can help expedite and organize business processes.

As an optional added bonus, users can create bookmarks and receive automatic email alerts based on the parameters they set in their preferences. This feature will help users to stay up-to-date on new trends and best practices.

The SEMA Career Center is a one-stop shop for expert advice and talent acquisition. Look out for upcoming articles in SEMA eNews highlighting additional useful HR Hub features soon.

Visit the SEMA HR Hub and check out the HR Hub User Guide. For more information, contact manager of career services, Amelia F. Zwecher, PhD, PHR, at ameliaz@sema.org.

By Amelia Zwecher

The user-friendly SEMA HR Hub offers material analyzed by experts focused on HR-related common matters.

The newly launched SEMA HR Hub is live and accessible today! SEMA urges members to regularly take advantage of this new benefit offered to all automotive aftermarket employers. This invaluable tool can help guide human resources practices in the following areas:

• Benefits and compensation
• Best practices in HR
• Discrimination and retaliation
• Employee development
• Employee relations
• Federal employment laws
• HR management and strategy
• Retention
• Risk management and compliance
• State employment laws
• Succession planning
• Talent acquisition and staffing
• Unions
• Workplace safety and security

Small businesses with or without a dedicated HR team can find great benefit in this new Career Center feature. A business that cares about its employees builds a strong foundation for a successful company and resilient industry. This user-friendly hub offers material analyzed by experts focused on HR-related common matters. Download sample policies and forms that are both dependable and relevant, which can help expedite and organize business processes.

As an optional added bonus, users can create bookmarks and receive automatic email alerts based on the parameters they set in their preferences. This feature will help users to stay up-to-date on new trends and best practices.

The SEMA Career Center is a one-stop shop for expert advice and talent acquisition. Look out for upcoming articles in SEMA eNews highlighting additional useful HR Hub features soon.

Visit the SEMA HR Hub and check out the HR Hub User Guide. For more information, contact manager of career services, Amelia F. Zwecher, PhD, PHR, at ameliaz@sema.org.

By Linda Spencer

Trip participants spend a day touring specialty-equipment retailers, wholesalers and installers on each overseas trade mission. Here, Wade Kawasaki, president and chief operating officer of the Coker Group and SEMA Board of Directors chair-elect, tours an off-road shop in Melbourne, Australia.

Edelbrock LLC participated in the first SEMA Australia trip and will be back again in 2017.

At each show, exhibitors are provided a turnkey booth as part of the trip package. Here, Baja Designs promotes their products to Middle East buyers at the 2016 show.

Two SEMA overseas business development programs taking place this spring in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), March 28–April 1, and Australia, May 23–28, are rapidly filling up.

These two markets were chosen due to their top rankings as good prospects for SEMA members based on the following:

• Sizable population interested in customizing.
• Discretionary income to afford U.S. specialty-equipment products.
• Vehicle parc (total number of vehicles in the country/region that fit a manufacturer’s product line or one for which they are willing to make product).
• Legal/regulatory environment allowing customization, or in the case of emerging markets, a willingness by the local government to engage in discussions about developing laws governing modification.

The 2017 SEMA Middle East Business Development Program, to be held March 28–April 1, in Abu Dhabi, UAE, will provide participating SEMA members the opportunity to get their products in front of buyers from the UAE and other countries in the region.

Event schedule:

• March 28: Briefing with U.S. government officials, buyer panel.
• March 29: Visit accessory, performance and off-road retailers and wholesalers. Evening networking event with buyers.
• March 30: SEMA section at the Custom Show Emirates, open only to pre-vetted trade buyers.
• March 31: SEMA measuring session demonstration. SEMA section open to all.
• April 1: Trip officially over.

Federal and state grants are available to defray the costs, which include a turnkey booth at the Custom Show Emirates, four nights’ hotel and meals, for qualified attendees.

Five reasons to consider the Middle East markets:

• Deep pockets. The UAE has one of the world’s highest per capita (ranking sixth worldwide) disposable incomes, and thus the funds to pursue their hobbies.
• Important market for U.S.-built vehicles. The Saudi Arabian market is the fifth top market for U.S. vehicle sales, and the UAE market ranks eighth. All six of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE) are in the top 20 destinations for U.S.-made vehicles.
• Positive perception of U.S. products and culture. In a nod to the popularity of U.S. culture in the region and the recognition that the UAE has a strong enthusiast base, the Furious 7 was filmed in the UAE. TV car customizing shows, such as “Pimp My Ride” and “Overhaulin’,” attracted big audiences.
• Strong car culture and also a multi-car-per-family culture. The UAE has the most motorsports facilities per capita in the world. Off-roading (primarily on sand) is a national pastime, and the UAE’s national day would not be complete without an all-out classic-car display and parade including customized vehicles.
• Light trucks are extremely popular in the Middle East. In fact, half of the passenger vehicles on Middle East roads are light trucks, with the Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol, Toyota FJ Cruiser, Ford Explorer and Jeep among the top-selling SUVs. Top pickups include the Toyota HiLux, Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F-Series, among others.

For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or visit www.sema.org/middleeast.

View a copy of the 2016 SEMA Middle East post-show report.

Watch a video of the 2016 trip.

Read the flyer for the 2017 trip.

Register now for the 2017 SEMA Middle East Business Development Program.

The second trip is to Melbourne, Australia, May 23–27, 2017, for the “GearHeads Down Under” program, which includes a table-top display attended by pre-vetted buyers; visiting retailers, distributors and installers of performance, styling and off-road products; attending a briefing with the U.S. Department of Commerce; and a session with New Zealander and Australian print and TV enthusiast media. Federal and state grants are available to defray the costs, which include a turnkey booth, four nights’ hotel and meals, for qualified attendees.

Five reasons to consider Australia:

• A well-established, passionate car culture. Australians and New Zealanders are diehard enthusiasts. It is not farfetched to estimate that consumers in these two markets spend more per capita than Americans do.
• On a per-capita basis, it is one of the world’s 20 richest countries. Unemployment remains low, and Australia hasn’t had a recession in more than 24 years.
• The Australian and New Zealand specialty market covers all of the niches found in the United States. This includes off-roading, street performance, racing, styling, classic/vintage and car care.
• Positive perception of U.S. products. The United States enjoys a strong reputation as a manufacturer of high-quality, well-engineered automotive aftermarket and specialty products. Thanks to a free-trade agreement betweeen the United States and Australia, U.S. products enter the market duty free. Australia is also an important market for U.S.-built vehicles; Australia imported 42,000 vehicles from the United States in the first eight months of last year, making it the sixth highest destination for U.S.-built vehicles.
• Half of the vehicles sold annually in Australia are SUVs and pickups (or "utes" as they call them).

For more information contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or visit www.sema.org/australia.

View a copy of the 2016 SEMA Australia post-show report.

Watch a video of the 2016 trip.

Read a flyer for the 2017 trip.

Register now for the 2017 SEMA Australia Regional Business Development Program.

By Linda Spencer

Trip participants spend a day touring specialty-equipment retailers, wholesalers and installers on each overseas trade mission. Here, Wade Kawasaki, president and chief operating officer of the Coker Group and SEMA Board of Directors chair-elect, tours an off-road shop in Melbourne, Australia.

Edelbrock LLC participated in the first SEMA Australia trip and will be back again in 2017.

At each show, exhibitors are provided a turnkey booth as part of the trip package. Here, Baja Designs promotes their products to Middle East buyers at the 2016 show.

Two SEMA overseas business development programs taking place this spring in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), March 28–April 1, and Australia, May 23–28, are rapidly filling up.

These two markets were chosen due to their top rankings as good prospects for SEMA members based on the following:

• Sizable population interested in customizing.
• Discretionary income to afford U.S. specialty-equipment products.
• Vehicle parc (total number of vehicles in the country/region that fit a manufacturer’s product line or one for which they are willing to make product).
• Legal/regulatory environment allowing customization, or in the case of emerging markets, a willingness by the local government to engage in discussions about developing laws governing modification.

The 2017 SEMA Middle East Business Development Program, to be held March 28–April 1, in Abu Dhabi, UAE, will provide participating SEMA members the opportunity to get their products in front of buyers from the UAE and other countries in the region.

Event schedule:

• March 28: Briefing with U.S. government officials, buyer panel.
• March 29: Visit accessory, performance and off-road retailers and wholesalers. Evening networking event with buyers.
• March 30: SEMA section at the Custom Show Emirates, open only to pre-vetted trade buyers.
• March 31: SEMA measuring session demonstration. SEMA section open to all.
• April 1: Trip officially over.

Federal and state grants are available to defray the costs, which include a turnkey booth at the Custom Show Emirates, four nights’ hotel and meals, for qualified attendees.

Five reasons to consider the Middle East markets:

• Deep pockets. The UAE has one of the world’s highest per capita (ranking sixth worldwide) disposable incomes, and thus the funds to pursue their hobbies.
• Important market for U.S.-built vehicles. The Saudi Arabian market is the fifth top market for U.S. vehicle sales, and the UAE market ranks eighth. All six of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE) are in the top 20 destinations for U.S.-made vehicles.
• Positive perception of U.S. products and culture. In a nod to the popularity of U.S. culture in the region and the recognition that the UAE has a strong enthusiast base, the Furious 7 was filmed in the UAE. TV car customizing shows, such as “Pimp My Ride” and “Overhaulin’,” attracted big audiences.
• Strong car culture and also a multi-car-per-family culture. The UAE has the most motorsports facilities per capita in the world. Off-roading (primarily on sand) is a national pastime, and the UAE’s national day would not be complete without an all-out classic-car display and parade including customized vehicles.
• Light trucks are extremely popular in the Middle East. In fact, half of the passenger vehicles on Middle East roads are light trucks, with the Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol, Toyota FJ Cruiser, Ford Explorer and Jeep among the top-selling SUVs. Top pickups include the Toyota HiLux, Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F-Series, among others.

For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or visit www.sema.org/middleeast.

View a copy of the 2016 SEMA Middle East post-show report.

Watch a video of the 2016 trip.

Read the flyer for the 2017 trip.

Register now for the 2017 SEMA Middle East Business Development Program.

The second trip is to Melbourne, Australia, May 23–27, 2017, for the “GearHeads Down Under” program, which includes a table-top display attended by pre-vetted buyers; visiting retailers, distributors and installers of performance, styling and off-road products; attending a briefing with the U.S. Department of Commerce; and a session with New Zealander and Australian print and TV enthusiast media. Federal and state grants are available to defray the costs, which include a turnkey booth, four nights’ hotel and meals, for qualified attendees.

Five reasons to consider Australia:

• A well-established, passionate car culture. Australians and New Zealanders are diehard enthusiasts. It is not farfetched to estimate that consumers in these two markets spend more per capita than Americans do.
• On a per-capita basis, it is one of the world’s 20 richest countries. Unemployment remains low, and Australia hasn’t had a recession in more than 24 years.
• The Australian and New Zealand specialty market covers all of the niches found in the United States. This includes off-roading, street performance, racing, styling, classic/vintage and car care.
• Positive perception of U.S. products. The United States enjoys a strong reputation as a manufacturer of high-quality, well-engineered automotive aftermarket and specialty products. Thanks to a free-trade agreement betweeen the United States and Australia, U.S. products enter the market duty free. Australia is also an important market for U.S.-built vehicles; Australia imported 42,000 vehicles from the United States in the first eight months of last year, making it the sixth highest destination for U.S.-built vehicles.
• Half of the vehicles sold annually in Australia are SUVs and pickups (or "utes" as they call them).

For more information contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or visit www.sema.org/australia.

View a copy of the 2016 SEMA Australia post-show report.

Watch a video of the 2016 trip.

Read a flyer for the 2017 trip.

Register now for the 2017 SEMA Australia Regional Business Development Program.