By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Governor Jim Justice signed into law legislation to eliminate the requirement that roof-mounted off-road light bars be covered when vehicles are operated on roads and highways.

Legislation to eliminate the requirement that roof-mounted off-road light bars be covered when vehicles are operated on roads and highways was signed into law by Governor Jim Justice. The bill also raises the number of permissible auxiliary passing lamps and auxiliary driving lamps from one to two. The new law requires that light bars be turned off when vehicles are being operated on roads and highways, and promotes the fact that aftermarket lighting systems are manufactured to improve off-road safety. 

For details. contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Governor Jim Justice signed into law legislation to eliminate the requirement that roof-mounted off-road light bars be covered when vehicles are operated on roads and highways.

Legislation to eliminate the requirement that roof-mounted off-road light bars be covered when vehicles are operated on roads and highways was signed into law by Governor Jim Justice. The bill also raises the number of permissible auxiliary passing lamps and auxiliary driving lamps from one to two. The new law requires that light bars be turned off when vehicles are being operated on roads and highways, and promotes the fact that aftermarket lighting systems are manufactured to improve off-road safety. 

For details. contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By Linda Spencer

Participating buyers will have an opportunity to visit accessory, performance and off-road retailers and wholesalers during the 2017 SEMA Australia Business Development Program in Melbourne.

Three more slots remain for the 2017 SEMA Australia Business Development Program, to be held May 23–27, in Melbourne. Buyers of engine products, exterior accessories, lighting, wheel/tire, exhaust, interior styling, suspension, drivetrain, truck accessories, auto detailing, restoration and brake products are pre-registered to attend, and may be eligible for a $1,000 grant.

Schedule:

May 23: Briefing with U.S. government officials.
May 24: SEMA Business Development Program Opens at the Park Hyatt Melbourne.
May 25: Visit accessory, performance and off-road retailers and wholesalers. Evening networking reception with Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA).    
May 26: Breakfast meeting with enthusiast press, and an evening delegation dinner.      
May 27: (Optional) Private meetings with buyers, depart for the United States.

The cost to attend is $4,300 per company (one employee), which includes a turnkey booth at the SEMA Australia Business Development Program, four nights’ hotel and meals (airfare and airport transportation are not included). The federal grant drops the cost to $3,300.

View the 2016 SEMA Australia post-show report.

Watch a video of the 2016 trip.

Register now for the 2017 SEMA Australia Business Development Conference. (Click on this link to learn how to qualify/self-certify for the grants).

For questions about any of SEMA’s overseas trips, including the SEMA Australia Business Development Program, May 23–27, 2017, and the SEMA China Business Development Program, September 6–10, 2017, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

By Linda Spencer

Participating buyers will have an opportunity to visit accessory, performance and off-road retailers and wholesalers during the 2017 SEMA Australia Business Development Program in Melbourne.

Three more slots remain for the 2017 SEMA Australia Business Development Program, to be held May 23–27, in Melbourne. Buyers of engine products, exterior accessories, lighting, wheel/tire, exhaust, interior styling, suspension, drivetrain, truck accessories, auto detailing, restoration and brake products are pre-registered to attend, and may be eligible for a $1,000 grant.

Schedule:

May 23: Briefing with U.S. government officials.
May 24: SEMA Business Development Program Opens at the Park Hyatt Melbourne.
May 25: Visit accessory, performance and off-road retailers and wholesalers. Evening networking reception with Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA).    
May 26: Breakfast meeting with enthusiast press, and an evening delegation dinner.      
May 27: (Optional) Private meetings with buyers, depart for the United States.

The cost to attend is $4,300 per company (one employee), which includes a turnkey booth at the SEMA Australia Business Development Program, four nights’ hotel and meals (airfare and airport transportation are not included). The federal grant drops the cost to $3,300.

View the 2016 SEMA Australia post-show report.

Watch a video of the 2016 trip.

Register now for the 2017 SEMA Australia Business Development Conference. (Click on this link to learn how to qualify/self-certify for the grants).

For questions about any of SEMA’s overseas trips, including the SEMA Australia Business Development Program, May 23–27, 2017, and the SEMA China Business Development Program, September 6–10, 2017, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation that would have made it a criminal offense to disturb the peace with “noise from an exhaust system of any vehicle that is not equipped or constructed to prevent any disturbing or unreasonably loud noise” died when the legislature adjourned for the year.

Legislation that would have made it a criminal offense to disturb the peace with “noise from an exhaust system of any vehicle that is not equipped or constructed to prevent any disturbing or unreasonably loud noise” died when the legislature adjourned for the year. Under the bill, vehicle owners convicted of a violation would have been fined up to $1,000 per occurrence, confined up to six months in jail or both.

Current West Virginia law only allows a muffler originally installed by the manufacturer or an equivalent. The law provides no objective noise measurement standard for exhaust systems that would benefit consumers, industry and police officers charged with enforcing the law. The term “disturbing or unreasonably loud” is highly subjective and open to wide interpretation. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org. 

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation that would have made it a criminal offense to disturb the peace with “noise from an exhaust system of any vehicle that is not equipped or constructed to prevent any disturbing or unreasonably loud noise” died when the legislature adjourned for the year.

Legislation that would have made it a criminal offense to disturb the peace with “noise from an exhaust system of any vehicle that is not equipped or constructed to prevent any disturbing or unreasonably loud noise” died when the legislature adjourned for the year. Under the bill, vehicle owners convicted of a violation would have been fined up to $1,000 per occurrence, confined up to six months in jail or both.

Current West Virginia law only allows a muffler originally installed by the manufacturer or an equivalent. The law provides no objective noise measurement standard for exhaust systems that would benefit consumers, industry and police officers charged with enforcing the law. The term “disturbing or unreasonably loud” is highly subjective and open to wide interpretation. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org. 

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation that would have made it a criminal offense to disturb the peace with “noise from an exhaust system of any vehicle that is not equipped or constructed to prevent any disturbing or unreasonably loud noise” died when the legislature adjourned for the year.

Legislation that would have made it a criminal offense to disturb the peace with “noise from an exhaust system of any vehicle that is not equipped or constructed to prevent any disturbing or unreasonably loud noise” died when the legislature adjourned for the year. Under the bill, vehicle owners convicted of a violation would have been fined up to $1,000 per occurrence, confined up to six months in jail or both.

Current West Virginia law only allows a muffler originally installed by the manufacturer or an equivalent. The law provides no objective noise measurement standard for exhaust systems that would benefit consumers, industry and police officers charged with enforcing the law. The term “disturbing or unreasonably loud” is highly subjective and open to wide interpretation. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org. 

By Jason Catullo

At the SEMA Exhibitor Summit, SEMA’s Trade Shows Director Tom Gattuso will highlight the value-added Show programs available and the tools and resources needed to help companies plan ahead.

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.

Featuring industry experts, including SEMA Trade Shows Director Tom Gattuso, exhibitors will learn how to structure their budgets with programs created to enhance Show ROI, as well as saving money on material handling, electrical and other Show-related expenses.

Experts will also outline proven strategies to attract additional buyers and increase business at the Show, and explain the pre- and post-event benefits of the Show’s sponsorships and promotional opportunities.

There is no cost to participate in the Summit. Limited complimentary hotel rooms are available to exhibitors and their staff. Space is limited. Register today!

By Jason Catullo

At the SEMA Exhibitor Summit, SEMA’s Trade Shows Director Tom Gattuso will highlight the value-added Show programs available and the tools and resources needed to help companies plan ahead.

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.

Featuring industry experts, including SEMA Trade Shows Director Tom Gattuso, exhibitors will learn how to structure their budgets with programs created to enhance Show ROI, as well as saving money on material handling, electrical and other Show-related expenses.

Experts will also outline proven strategies to attract additional buyers and increase business at the Show, and explain the pre- and post-event benefits of the Show’s sponsorships and promotional opportunities.

There is no cost to participate in the Summit. Limited complimentary hotel rooms are available to exhibitors and their staff. Space is limited. Register today!

By Jason Catullo

At the SEMA Exhibitor Summit, SEMA’s Trade Shows Director Tom Gattuso will highlight the value-added Show programs available and the tools and resources needed to help companies plan ahead.

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.

Featuring industry experts, including SEMA Trade Shows Director Tom Gattuso, exhibitors will learn how to structure their budgets with programs created to enhance Show ROI, as well as saving money on material handling, electrical and other Show-related expenses.

Experts will also outline proven strategies to attract additional buyers and increase business at the Show, and explain the pre- and post-event benefits of the Show’s sponsorships and promotional opportunities.

There is no cost to participate in the Summit. Limited complimentary hotel rooms are available to exhibitors and their staff. Space is limited. Register today!