By SEMA Editors

SEMA is now accepting applications for industry leaders to host a seminar at the 2017 SEMA Show.

Applications are now 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. 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 are:

• 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 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 now accepting applications for industry leaders to host a seminar at the 2017 SEMA Show.

Applications are now 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. 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 are:

• 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 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 Washington, D.C., Staff

In response to a request from Congress, the Copyright Office issued a final report on the interplay between copyright law and products that operate using software, including motor vehicles and parts. Many facets of software are generally protected by copyright, so the report is important for all businesses that make use of software in their products and whose products interact with the software installed in motor vehicles.  

The report issued by the Copyright Office supports SEMA’s position that current copyright laws adequately provide for the activities undertaken by companies producing aftermarket products that interact with, modify and supplement the software installed in modern vehicles. For companies seeking guidance on how the law applies, the Office notes that the “report itself can serve as a roadmap of sorts for those seeking to make legitimate use of embedded software.” The Office concluded that no legislation is necessary to allow for these activities to continue. 

“The Office recognizes the value of allowing the public to freely repair defective consumer products and tinker with products to improve their function. But establishing a new statutory framework explicitly permitting repair and tinkering does not appear to be necessary at this time. Properly understood, existing copyright law doctrines—including the idea/expression dichotomy, fair use, merger, scenes a faire, and section 117—should continue to facilitate these types of activities.”

The full report may be accessed online.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

In response to a request from Congress, the Copyright Office issued a final report on the interplay between copyright law and products that operate using software, including motor vehicles and parts. Many facets of software are generally protected by copyright, so the report is important for all businesses that make use of software in their products and whose products interact with the software installed in motor vehicles.  

The report issued by the Copyright Office supports SEMA’s position that current copyright laws adequately provide for the activities undertaken by companies producing aftermarket products that interact with, modify and supplement the software installed in modern vehicles. For companies seeking guidance on how the law applies, the Office notes that the “report itself can serve as a roadmap of sorts for those seeking to make legitimate use of embedded software.” The Office concluded that no legislation is necessary to allow for these activities to continue. 

“The Office recognizes the value of allowing the public to freely repair defective consumer products and tinker with products to improve their function. But establishing a new statutory framework explicitly permitting repair and tinkering does not appear to be necessary at this time. Properly understood, existing copyright law doctrines—including the idea/expression dichotomy, fair use, merger, scenes a faire, and section 117—should continue to facilitate these types of activities.”

The full report may be accessed online.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

In response to a request from Congress, the Copyright Office issued a final report on the interplay between copyright law and products that operate using software, including motor vehicles and parts. Many facets of software are generally protected by copyright, so the report is important for all businesses that make use of software in their products and whose products interact with the software installed in motor vehicles.  

The report issued by the Copyright Office supports SEMA’s position that current copyright laws adequately provide for the activities undertaken by companies producing aftermarket products that interact with, modify and supplement the software installed in modern vehicles. For companies seeking guidance on how the law applies, the Office notes that the “report itself can serve as a roadmap of sorts for those seeking to make legitimate use of embedded software.” The Office concluded that no legislation is necessary to allow for these activities to continue. 

“The Office recognizes the value of allowing the public to freely repair defective consumer products and tinker with products to improve their function. But establishing a new statutory framework explicitly permitting repair and tinkering does not appear to be necessary at this time. Properly understood, existing copyright law doctrines—including the idea/expression dichotomy, fair use, merger, scenes a faire, and section 117—should continue to facilitate these types of activities.”

The full report may be accessed online.

By SEMA Editors

Sheila Perkins (left) with Dennis Gage of “My Classic Car.”

Sheila Perkins of Evansville, Indiana, passed away peacefully Saturday, December 17, 2016, after a two-year battle with a rare form of ampullary cancer. She had just turned 44 years old. 

Perkins was vice president of MadStache Inc., producers of the TV show, “My Classic Car.” She was elected to multiple terms on both the Young Executives Network (YEN) and Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) select committees, and volunteered on many other SEMA taskforces. Her beautiful voice and love of music enabled her the opportunity to sing at numerous SEMA Banquet after-party events. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those who wish to pay their respects hug their loved ones a little bit tighter and find the good in each and every day.

Perkins is survived by her husband of 20 years, John “Chip” Perkins, and daughter Paige Perkins.

By SEMA Editors

Sheila Perkins (left) with Dennis Gage of “My Classic Car.”

Sheila Perkins of Evansville, Indiana, passed away peacefully Saturday, December 17, 2016, after a two-year battle with a rare form of ampullary cancer. She had just turned 44 years old. 

Perkins was vice president of MadStache Inc., producers of the TV show, “My Classic Car.” She was elected to multiple terms on both the Young Executives Network (YEN) and Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) select committees, and volunteered on many other SEMA taskforces. Her beautiful voice and love of music enabled her the opportunity to sing at numerous SEMA Banquet after-party events. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those who wish to pay their respects hug their loved ones a little bit tighter and find the good in each and every day.

Perkins is survived by her husband of 20 years, John “Chip” Perkins, and daughter Paige Perkins.

By SEMA Editors

Sheila Perkins (left) with Dennis Gage of “My Classic Car.”

Sheila Perkins of Evansville, Indiana, passed away peacefully Saturday, December 17, 2016, after a two-year battle with a rare form of ampullary cancer. She had just turned 44 years old. 

Perkins was vice president of MadStache Inc., producers of the TV show, “My Classic Car.” She was elected to multiple terms on both the Young Executives Network (YEN) and Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) select committees, and volunteered on many other SEMA taskforces. Her beautiful voice and love of music enabled her the opportunity to sing at numerous SEMA Banquet after-party events. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those who wish to pay their respects hug their loved ones a little bit tighter and find the good in each and every day.

Perkins is survived by her husband of 20 years, John “Chip” Perkins, and daughter Paige Perkins.

By SEMA Editors

Sheila Perkins (left) with Dennis Gage of “My Classic Car.”

Sheila Perkins of Evansville, Indiana, passed away peacefully Saturday, December 17, 2016, after a two-year battle with a rare form of ampullary cancer. She had just turned 44 years old. 

Perkins was vice president of MadStache Inc., producers of the TV show, “My Classic Car.” She was elected to multiple terms on both the Young Executives Network (YEN) and Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) select committees, and volunteered on many other SEMA taskforces. Her beautiful voice and love of music enabled her the opportunity to sing at numerous SEMA Banquet after-party events. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those who wish to pay their respects hug their loved ones a little bit tighter and find the good in each and every day.

Perkins is survived by her husband of 20 years, John “Chip” Perkins, and daughter Paige Perkins.

By SEMA Editors

Bill Trumpfheller

Bill Trumpfheller, president and CEO of the Nuffer, Smith, Tucker public relations firm in San Diego, suffered cardiac arrest while in the San Bernardino mountains with his family last week. He passed away December 29.

Trumpfheller joined Nuffer, Smith, Tucker as an intern in 1986 and became its president in 2000. As the PR firm that represented WD-40, Trumpfheller was instrumental in putting together the SEMA Cares/WD-40 relationship eight years ago.

He also directed organizations ranging from the San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross to the San Diego State University Alumni Association to CowParade La Jolla, according to the San Diego Union Tribune. He was named Public Relations Professional of the Year by the Public Relations Society of America’s local chapter, which also presented him with the Otto Bos Lifetime Achievement Award and the Eva Irving Award for Community Service.

Trumpfheller has served on the boards of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Senior Community Centers, LEAD San Diego and the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau. He regularly turned out for fundraising galas supporting the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Council on Literacy and other events.

He is survived by his wife Nola and two daughters. Arrangements for a memorial service are pending.