By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Show annually includes Education Days—a complete lineup of educational sessions covering topics ranging from customer service and marketing, to cash flow and industry trends. Conducted by industry leaders and business experts from across the globe, the seminars are designed to help attendees sell more, be more productive, and prepare for emerging trends and opportunities.

SEMA Education will include SEMA Biz Tips weekly in SEMA eNews. Many of the experts featured in SEMA Biz Tips videos conducted seminars at the 2015 SEMA Show. This week, Mike Brown of the The Brainzooming Group discusses how businesses that focus on periodically asking the question “what are we trying to achieve?” can lead to better feedback and more innovative thinking companywide.

The 2016 SEMA Show will be held November 1–4, 2016, in Las Vegas. Exhibitors: buy a booth now!

To learn more about SEMA’s education resources, visit www.sema.org/education. Additional Biz Tips videos are available to view at www.sema.org/biz-tips.

By Michael Hart

Rick Hogan

Rick Hogan has spent his entire career in the automotive aftermarket industry, and has enjoyed every minute of it. As national sales manager for E3 Spark Plugs, he took the company from launch to a multi-million-dollar business in just seven years.

But then, in a freak accident in 2011, Hogan fell from the roof of his home in Orlando, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. With severe limitations on his ability to travel, Hogan, 59, has found it hard to keep his career on track.

The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) is assisting Hogan and his wife Cindy. The AACF was founded in 1959 to help automotive aftermarket industry members and families who, due to catastrophic illness or accident, have exhausted all other available financial resources.

“They’ve helped us with a lot of the rehab and treatments that insurance traditionally won’t pay for,” Hogan said.

And the SEMA Career Center is pitching in to help him get his career back on track. Over the next weeks and months, the Career Center will help Hogan create a job profile, update his résumé, optimize his LinkedIn profile, create a cover letter and help him find his next opportunity.

“This is about using the resources available through the SEMA Career Center to connect Rick to the right company, and a position for him to excel in,” said Zane Clark, SEMA’s senior director of education. “Rick has a wealth of knowledge and a vast industry network that could be a real benefit,” Clark added.   

Hogan, who began working in the automotive industry during his high-school years, has devoted decades to industry sales and marketing, but he’s willing to be creative in the future about how he can best serve the business that means so much to him.

“I’ve spent my whole life in this industry, and I really don’t want to leave it,” he said. “I’ll do anything I can think of to stick with it.”

Visit the SEMA Career Center to find qualified employees like Rick Hogan.

For questions, contact Zane Clark.

By Michael Hart

Rick Hogan

Rick Hogan has spent his entire career in the automotive aftermarket industry, and has enjoyed every minute of it. As national sales manager for E3 Spark Plugs, he took the company from launch to a multi-million-dollar business in just seven years.

But then, in a freak accident in 2011, Hogan fell from the roof of his home in Orlando, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. With severe limitations on his ability to travel, Hogan, 59, has found it hard to keep his career on track.

The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) is assisting Hogan and his wife Cindy. The AACF was founded in 1959 to help automotive aftermarket industry members and families who, due to catastrophic illness or accident, have exhausted all other available financial resources.

“They’ve helped us with a lot of the rehab and treatments that insurance traditionally won’t pay for,” Hogan said.

And the SEMA Career Center is pitching in to help him get his career back on track. Over the next weeks and months, the Career Center will help Hogan create a job profile, update his résumé, optimize his LinkedIn profile, create a cover letter and help him find his next opportunity.

“This is about using the resources available through the SEMA Career Center to connect Rick to the right company, and a position for him to excel in,” said Zane Clark, SEMA’s senior director of education. “Rick has a wealth of knowledge and a vast industry network that could be a real benefit,” Clark added.   

Hogan, who began working in the automotive industry during his high-school years, has devoted decades to industry sales and marketing, but he’s willing to be creative in the future about how he can best serve the business that means so much to him.

“I’ve spent my whole life in this industry, and I really don’t want to leave it,” he said. “I’ll do anything I can think of to stick with it.”

Visit the SEMA Career Center to find qualified employees like Rick Hogan.

For questions, contact Zane Clark.

By Michael Hart

The 2016 SEMA Show education session entitled “Working with YouTube and Facebook Stars to Reach the Next Generation of Automotive Enthusiasts” will show attendees how they can turn social media into money in their pockets.

By now, everyone should be marketing their businesses on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Guys such as ChrisFix, EricTheCarGuy and Jason Fenske are “influencers” in the automotive aftermarket industry who sometimes reach millions of people with a single YouTube video.

The 2016 SEMA Show education session entitled “Working with YouTube and Facebook Stars to Reach the Next Generation of Automotive Enthusiasts,” Wednesday, November 2, at 9:00 a.m., will show attendees how they can turn the strange new world of social media into money in their pockets.

“Social media is a marketing channel you can use,” said Joe Franzetta who, along with Steven Kuo, runs Garage Monkey, a company that connects social-media influencers—a.k.a. YouTube and Facebook stars—with aftermarket companies that can benefit from being associated with them.

“We’re going to break down the barriers and help you figure out how to harness this new phenomenon,” Franzetta said of the conference session. “This is social-media content marketing 101. If you don’t know what an influencer is, you’ll learn.”

Franzetta and Kuo will also have with them at the session some of the biggest stars of the aftermarket social media world. Among others, attendees will hear from ChrisFix, whose YouTube channel has 1 million subscribers, and Jason Fenske of Engineering Explained, who aired a video he produced at the Montreal Formula 1 race and got 1.5 million views in the first week. Add Matt Myrick of BustedKnuckleVideo and Matt Maranowski of SubaruWRXFan, and these influencers get 35 million views per month on YouTube and Facebook.

Franzetta, Kuo and the social-media stars will show attendees how to take advantage of social media to reach customers in a way traditional media no longer can.

“This is the magazine of the 21st century,” Franzetta said.

They will answer important questions, including:

• Why is social media even important to me?
• How can I get one of these guys to put my product in front of their audience?
• How much will it cost? And what’s the return for me?

For complete information on all the 2016 SEMA Show education tracks, visit SEMA Show Education.

By Michael Hart

The 2016 SEMA Show education session entitled “Working with YouTube and Facebook Stars to Reach the Next Generation of Automotive Enthusiasts” will show attendees how they can turn social media into money in their pockets.

By now, everyone should be marketing their businesses on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Guys such as ChrisFix, EricTheCarGuy and Jason Fenske are “influencers” in the automotive aftermarket industry who sometimes reach millions of people with a single YouTube video.

The 2016 SEMA Show education session entitled “Working with YouTube and Facebook Stars to Reach the Next Generation of Automotive Enthusiasts,” Wednesday, November 2, at 9:00 a.m., will show attendees how they can turn the strange new world of social media into money in their pockets.

“Social media is a marketing channel you can use,” said Joe Franzetta who, along with Steven Kuo, runs Garage Monkey, a company that connects social-media influencers—a.k.a. YouTube and Facebook stars—with aftermarket companies that can benefit from being associated with them.

“We’re going to break down the barriers and help you figure out how to harness this new phenomenon,” Franzetta said of the conference session. “This is social-media content marketing 101. If you don’t know what an influencer is, you’ll learn.”

Franzetta and Kuo will also have with them at the session some of the biggest stars of the aftermarket social media world. Among others, attendees will hear from ChrisFix, whose YouTube channel has 1 million subscribers, and Jason Fenske of Engineering Explained, who aired a video he produced at the Montreal Formula 1 race and got 1.5 million views in the first week. Add Matt Myrick of BustedKnuckleVideo and Matt Maranowski of SubaruWRXFan, and these influencers get 35 million views per month on YouTube and Facebook.

Franzetta, Kuo and the social-media stars will show attendees how to take advantage of social media to reach customers in a way traditional media no longer can.

“This is the magazine of the 21st century,” Franzetta said.

They will answer important questions, including:

• Why is social media even important to me?
• How can I get one of these guys to put my product in front of their audience?
• How much will it cost? And what’s the return for me?

For complete information on all the 2016 SEMA Show education tracks, visit SEMA Show Education.

By Michael Hart

The 2016 SEMA Show education session entitled “Working with YouTube and Facebook Stars to Reach the Next Generation of Automotive Enthusiasts” will show attendees how they can turn social media into money in their pockets.

By now, everyone should be marketing their businesses on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Guys such as ChrisFix, EricTheCarGuy and Jason Fenske are “influencers” in the automotive aftermarket industry who sometimes reach millions of people with a single YouTube video.

The 2016 SEMA Show education session entitled “Working with YouTube and Facebook Stars to Reach the Next Generation of Automotive Enthusiasts,” Wednesday, November 2, at 9:00 a.m., will show attendees how they can turn the strange new world of social media into money in their pockets.

“Social media is a marketing channel you can use,” said Joe Franzetta who, along with Steven Kuo, runs Garage Monkey, a company that connects social-media influencers—a.k.a. YouTube and Facebook stars—with aftermarket companies that can benefit from being associated with them.

“We’re going to break down the barriers and help you figure out how to harness this new phenomenon,” Franzetta said of the conference session. “This is social-media content marketing 101. If you don’t know what an influencer is, you’ll learn.”

Franzetta and Kuo will also have with them at the session some of the biggest stars of the aftermarket social media world. Among others, attendees will hear from ChrisFix, whose YouTube channel has 1 million subscribers, and Jason Fenske of Engineering Explained, who aired a video he produced at the Montreal Formula 1 race and got 1.5 million views in the first week. Add Matt Myrick of BustedKnuckleVideo and Matt Maranowski of SubaruWRXFan, and these influencers get 35 million views per month on YouTube and Facebook.

Franzetta, Kuo and the social-media stars will show attendees how to take advantage of social media to reach customers in a way traditional media no longer can.

“This is the magazine of the 21st century,” Franzetta said.

They will answer important questions, including:

• Why is social media even important to me?
• How can I get one of these guys to put my product in front of their audience?
• How much will it cost? And what’s the return for me?

For complete information on all the 2016 SEMA Show education tracks, visit SEMA Show Education.

SEMA News—September 2016

INTERNATIONAL

By Linda Spencer

Tips to Connect With International Buyers at the 2016 SEMA Show

Meet Australian retailers and wholesalers before the SEMA Show opens at the Australian roundtable Monday, October 31, at 12:00 p.m. in Upper North Hall, room N259. Take the opportunity to also hear about SEMA’s new Australia Regional Business Development program.

Tens of thousands of international buyers will be walking the 2016 SEMA Show looking for new products to export to their home markets. How do you, as an exhibitor, connect with these buyers who come to Las Vegas from Australia, the Middle East, Asia, Europe and more than 130 countries? They likely have just a few minutes to stop at any one booth, so how do you grab their attention and maintain their interest in order to introduce yourself and your product, scan their badges or collect their business cards? Here are some tips about how to attract buyers to your booth and what you can do even before the Show begins.

Exhibitors should create an action plan to attract and service international buyers visiting their booths. Make plans to:

• Arrange for your international sales and marketing staff to be on hand to greet overseas buyers.
  
  
• Request a “We Export” sign. Complimentary “We Export” signs are available to exhibitors for display in their booths. Let international buyers know that you are interested in doing business with them with this multilingual sign. Exhibitors can request signs at www.sema.org/international.
  
  
• Do you create products with international applications? Don’t forget signage for any product applications that would fit vehicles that may not be found in the United States. For example, if you created products for global vehicles popularly customized abroad but not sold in the United States—such as the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger T6, Mitsubishi L200 or UAZ Hunter—be sure to let visitors to your booth know.
  
  
• Attend the SEMA International Happy Hour and international roundtables as an easy way to meet global buyers as well as U.S. companies doing business abroad.

Forums on Top Emerging Markets

Each year SEMA hosts the annual International Happy Hour, which brings together more than 1,000 international buyers, exhibitors and global media. More information on registering for the International Happy Hour is available at www.sema.org/international.

Top automotive specialty-equipment buyers from the Middle East, Australia and China will speak about the opportunities and challenges U.S. manufacturers face in doing business in their home markets at roundtable discussions Monday, October 31, in room N259 of the Upper North Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). Sign up to attend the international seminars at www.sema.org/education.

Select the International Track on the education pull-down menu. The seminars include the following:

Middle East: Monday, October 31; 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.; Upper North Hall, Room N259

Learn how to cash in on this lucrative region. The United Arab Emirates and surrounding countries provide some of the best opportunities for U.S. automotive specialty-equipment manufacturers. Off-roading, classic-car collecting and motorsports are all growing in popularity. Attendees will also learn about the details of the sixth one-on-one matchmaking program to be held in Abu Dhabi over March 28–April 1, 2017.

Australia: Monday, October 31; 12:00–1:00 p.m.; Upper North Hall, Room N259

Meet for lunch and have a conversation with top buyers from Down Under. Hear about the opportunities in this country of pickup and SUV customizing fanatics and die-hard hot-rod enthusiasts. In particular, learn about the new business for the specialty-equipment market that has developed from the all-new Ford Mustang (in right-hand drive) landing on Australia’s shores this past year. Explore the challenges as well: All vehicles in the country are right-hand drive; many vehicles popularly customized in Australia are not sold in the United States; and a strong dollar makes exports to that market more expensive. Meet with SEMA members who exhibited in May 2016 at the inaugural SEMA Australia Regional Business Development Program in Melbourne and learn about future programs.

China: Monday, October 31; 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.; Upper North Hall, Room N259

Chinese distributors and SEMA members already successful in the region will provide insider tips. Learn the latest trends, applications and perceptions of U.S. brands in the Chinese market. This will be a great opportunity to meet with press and distributors of specialty products in this market of 1.3 billion people in an informal, practical session that will assist attendees in deciding if this market is a good fit for their products. Hear from SEMA members who are actively selling into the market as well as from buyers specializing in U.S. products.

International Happy Hour

Wednesday, November 2; 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m.; Upper North Hall, Room N255

The 2016 International Happy Hour will be the largest annual international specialty-equipment trade gathering. Network with international buyers, distributors and media right in the LVCC at the close of the day’s SEMA Show. More than 1,000 companies are expected to attend this year’s networking party. Registration for the International Happy Hour is available at www.sema.org/international.

Global Media Awards

Get your hottest new products in front of buyers and the media by participating in the New Products Showcase. The annual Global Media Awards will once again be selected by a group of 35 top automotive journalists from more than 20 countries. Each will name 10 products from the New Products Showcase that they think will most appeal to consumers in their home markets. Winning companies will be recognized at the International Happy Hour, receiving Global Media Awards that signify the global appeal of their products and their companies. Exhibitors can register for the Happy Hour at www.sema.org/international.

Center for International Commerce

The Center for International Commerce (CIC) is located in LVCC room N255. The CIC room offers complimentary private meeting space and interpreters to facilitate meetings between exhibitors and international buyers. On hand will be a team of interpreters to assist in bilingual communication in key languages, such as German, French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese. All international buyers and exhibitors are welcome to use these export-oriented services.

SEMA News—September 2016

INTERNATIONAL

By Linda Spencer

Tips to Connect With International Buyers at the 2016 SEMA Show

Meet Australian retailers and wholesalers before the SEMA Show opens at the Australian roundtable Monday, October 31, at 12:00 p.m. in Upper North Hall, room N259. Take the opportunity to also hear about SEMA’s new Australia Regional Business Development program.

Tens of thousands of international buyers will be walking the 2016 SEMA Show looking for new products to export to their home markets. How do you, as an exhibitor, connect with these buyers who come to Las Vegas from Australia, the Middle East, Asia, Europe and more than 130 countries? They likely have just a few minutes to stop at any one booth, so how do you grab their attention and maintain their interest in order to introduce yourself and your product, scan their badges or collect their business cards? Here are some tips about how to attract buyers to your booth and what you can do even before the Show begins.

Exhibitors should create an action plan to attract and service international buyers visiting their booths. Make plans to:

• Arrange for your international sales and marketing staff to be on hand to greet overseas buyers.
  
  
• Request a “We Export” sign. Complimentary “We Export” signs are available to exhibitors for display in their booths. Let international buyers know that you are interested in doing business with them with this multilingual sign. Exhibitors can request signs at www.sema.org/international.
  
  
• Do you create products with international applications? Don’t forget signage for any product applications that would fit vehicles that may not be found in the United States. For example, if you created products for global vehicles popularly customized abroad but not sold in the United States—such as the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger T6, Mitsubishi L200 or UAZ Hunter—be sure to let visitors to your booth know.
  
  
• Attend the SEMA International Happy Hour and international roundtables as an easy way to meet global buyers as well as U.S. companies doing business abroad.

Forums on Top Emerging Markets

Each year SEMA hosts the annual International Happy Hour, which brings together more than 1,000 international buyers, exhibitors and global media. More information on registering for the International Happy Hour is available at www.sema.org/international.

Top automotive specialty-equipment buyers from the Middle East, Australia and China will speak about the opportunities and challenges U.S. manufacturers face in doing business in their home markets at roundtable discussions Monday, October 31, in room N259 of the Upper North Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). Sign up to attend the international seminars at www.sema.org/education.

Select the International Track on the education pull-down menu. The seminars include the following:

Middle East: Monday, October 31; 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.; Upper North Hall, Room N259

Learn how to cash in on this lucrative region. The United Arab Emirates and surrounding countries provide some of the best opportunities for U.S. automotive specialty-equipment manufacturers. Off-roading, classic-car collecting and motorsports are all growing in popularity. Attendees will also learn about the details of the sixth one-on-one matchmaking program to be held in Abu Dhabi over March 28–April 1, 2017.

Australia: Monday, October 31; 12:00–1:00 p.m.; Upper North Hall, Room N259

Meet for lunch and have a conversation with top buyers from Down Under. Hear about the opportunities in this country of pickup and SUV customizing fanatics and die-hard hot-rod enthusiasts. In particular, learn about the new business for the specialty-equipment market that has developed from the all-new Ford Mustang (in right-hand drive) landing on Australia’s shores this past year. Explore the challenges as well: All vehicles in the country are right-hand drive; many vehicles popularly customized in Australia are not sold in the United States; and a strong dollar makes exports to that market more expensive. Meet with SEMA members who exhibited in May 2016 at the inaugural SEMA Australia Regional Business Development Program in Melbourne and learn about future programs.

China: Monday, October 31; 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.; Upper North Hall, Room N259

Chinese distributors and SEMA members already successful in the region will provide insider tips. Learn the latest trends, applications and perceptions of U.S. brands in the Chinese market. This will be a great opportunity to meet with press and distributors of specialty products in this market of 1.3 billion people in an informal, practical session that will assist attendees in deciding if this market is a good fit for their products. Hear from SEMA members who are actively selling into the market as well as from buyers specializing in U.S. products.

International Happy Hour

Wednesday, November 2; 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m.; Upper North Hall, Room N255

The 2016 International Happy Hour will be the largest annual international specialty-equipment trade gathering. Network with international buyers, distributors and media right in the LVCC at the close of the day’s SEMA Show. More than 1,000 companies are expected to attend this year’s networking party. Registration for the International Happy Hour is available at www.sema.org/international.

Global Media Awards

Get your hottest new products in front of buyers and the media by participating in the New Products Showcase. The annual Global Media Awards will once again be selected by a group of 35 top automotive journalists from more than 20 countries. Each will name 10 products from the New Products Showcase that they think will most appeal to consumers in their home markets. Winning companies will be recognized at the International Happy Hour, receiving Global Media Awards that signify the global appeal of their products and their companies. Exhibitors can register for the Happy Hour at www.sema.org/international.

Center for International Commerce

The Center for International Commerce (CIC) is located in LVCC room N255. The CIC room offers complimentary private meeting space and interpreters to facilitate meetings between exhibitors and international buyers. On hand will be a team of interpreters to assist in bilingual communication in key languages, such as German, French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese. All international buyers and exhibitors are welcome to use these export-oriented services.

SEMA News—September 2016

INTERNATIONAL

By Linda Spencer

Tips to Connect With International Buyers at the 2016 SEMA Show

Meet Australian retailers and wholesalers before the SEMA Show opens at the Australian roundtable Monday, October 31, at 12:00 p.m. in Upper North Hall, room N259. Take the opportunity to also hear about SEMA’s new Australia Regional Business Development program.

Tens of thousands of international buyers will be walking the 2016 SEMA Show looking for new products to export to their home markets. How do you, as an exhibitor, connect with these buyers who come to Las Vegas from Australia, the Middle East, Asia, Europe and more than 130 countries? They likely have just a few minutes to stop at any one booth, so how do you grab their attention and maintain their interest in order to introduce yourself and your product, scan their badges or collect their business cards? Here are some tips about how to attract buyers to your booth and what you can do even before the Show begins.

Exhibitors should create an action plan to attract and service international buyers visiting their booths. Make plans to:

• Arrange for your international sales and marketing staff to be on hand to greet overseas buyers.
  
  
• Request a “We Export” sign. Complimentary “We Export” signs are available to exhibitors for display in their booths. Let international buyers know that you are interested in doing business with them with this multilingual sign. Exhibitors can request signs at www.sema.org/international.
  
  
• Do you create products with international applications? Don’t forget signage for any product applications that would fit vehicles that may not be found in the United States. For example, if you created products for global vehicles popularly customized abroad but not sold in the United States—such as the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger T6, Mitsubishi L200 or UAZ Hunter—be sure to let visitors to your booth know.
  
  
• Attend the SEMA International Happy Hour and international roundtables as an easy way to meet global buyers as well as U.S. companies doing business abroad.

Forums on Top Emerging Markets

Each year SEMA hosts the annual International Happy Hour, which brings together more than 1,000 international buyers, exhibitors and global media. More information on registering for the International Happy Hour is available at www.sema.org/international.

Top automotive specialty-equipment buyers from the Middle East, Australia and China will speak about the opportunities and challenges U.S. manufacturers face in doing business in their home markets at roundtable discussions Monday, October 31, in room N259 of the Upper North Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). Sign up to attend the international seminars at www.sema.org/education.

Select the International Track on the education pull-down menu. The seminars include the following:

Middle East: Monday, October 31; 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.; Upper North Hall, Room N259

Learn how to cash in on this lucrative region. The United Arab Emirates and surrounding countries provide some of the best opportunities for U.S. automotive specialty-equipment manufacturers. Off-roading, classic-car collecting and motorsports are all growing in popularity. Attendees will also learn about the details of the sixth one-on-one matchmaking program to be held in Abu Dhabi over March 28–April 1, 2017.

Australia: Monday, October 31; 12:00–1:00 p.m.; Upper North Hall, Room N259

Meet for lunch and have a conversation with top buyers from Down Under. Hear about the opportunities in this country of pickup and SUV customizing fanatics and die-hard hot-rod enthusiasts. In particular, learn about the new business for the specialty-equipment market that has developed from the all-new Ford Mustang (in right-hand drive) landing on Australia’s shores this past year. Explore the challenges as well: All vehicles in the country are right-hand drive; many vehicles popularly customized in Australia are not sold in the United States; and a strong dollar makes exports to that market more expensive. Meet with SEMA members who exhibited in May 2016 at the inaugural SEMA Australia Regional Business Development Program in Melbourne and learn about future programs.

China: Monday, October 31; 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.; Upper North Hall, Room N259

Chinese distributors and SEMA members already successful in the region will provide insider tips. Learn the latest trends, applications and perceptions of U.S. brands in the Chinese market. This will be a great opportunity to meet with press and distributors of specialty products in this market of 1.3 billion people in an informal, practical session that will assist attendees in deciding if this market is a good fit for their products. Hear from SEMA members who are actively selling into the market as well as from buyers specializing in U.S. products.

International Happy Hour

Wednesday, November 2; 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m.; Upper North Hall, Room N255

The 2016 International Happy Hour will be the largest annual international specialty-equipment trade gathering. Network with international buyers, distributors and media right in the LVCC at the close of the day’s SEMA Show. More than 1,000 companies are expected to attend this year’s networking party. Registration for the International Happy Hour is available at www.sema.org/international.

Global Media Awards

Get your hottest new products in front of buyers and the media by participating in the New Products Showcase. The annual Global Media Awards will once again be selected by a group of 35 top automotive journalists from more than 20 countries. Each will name 10 products from the New Products Showcase that they think will most appeal to consumers in their home markets. Winning companies will be recognized at the International Happy Hour, receiving Global Media Awards that signify the global appeal of their products and their companies. Exhibitors can register for the Happy Hour at www.sema.org/international.

Center for International Commerce

The Center for International Commerce (CIC) is located in LVCC room N255. The CIC room offers complimentary private meeting space and interpreters to facilitate meetings between exhibitors and international buyers. On hand will be a team of interpreters to assist in bilingual communication in key languages, such as German, French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese. All international buyers and exhibitors are welcome to use these export-oriented services.

By Jason Catullo

The SEMA Show floorplan has been enhanced with user-friendly functions that make navigating the Show, planning the week and creating a personalized schedule quick and simple.

Research companies, locate exhibitor booths, create a personalized schedule and search the Show by product keywords with the updated 2016 SEMA Show floorplan.

The homepage features the Show Locations Map, highlighting the Show’s sections and the outside layout of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). Clicking on any of the halls will bring up a large map of the layout, showing the companies and booth numbers within the hall. The drop-down menu in the upper right-hand corner provides convenient links to areas throughout the Show, including the LVCC’s hall layouts, the Performance Pavilion and all three Silver Lots.

Buyers can use the search tool to locate companies by product keywords. As an example, a search for the term “exhaust” will produce a list of companies offering exhaust-related products, a button graphic with the number of those exhibitors per hall, and their locations on the floorplan. To navigate deeper, buyers can click on any of the buttons to bring up a larger version of the map, and the specific location and booth number for each company.

To form a plan for the Show, users create a free account and use the site’s features to research and plan. Buyers can make personalized meeting schedules, add exhibitors to a list of companies to visit, and use the “Share My Planner” option to share the information with their employer or other colleagues. To schedule educational sessions, users access the “Conference” tab at the top of the page to view the meetings and times. Clicking the star icon to the right of the education track will add it to the calendar. The floorplan’s additional features include a complete list of exhibiting companies and descriptions and the locations for shuttle and taxi stops.

To learn more about the 2016 SEMA Show and to register, visit www.SEMAShow.com.