By SEMA Editors

	Mark A. Smith

Mark A. Smith, 87, off-road icon and founder of Georgetown, California-based Jeep Jamboree USA, passed away June 8. Smith was an early pioneer of the sport of "Jeeping" in 1953, and in an effort to boost the local economy, he helped organize the first-ever Jeep trip on the Rubicon Trail in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. In 1954, Willys Motor—the manufacturer of Jeep vehicles—began sponsoring the off-road adventure.

Smith was a Jeep brand consultant and conducted intensive training for U.S. Army Special Forces and other agencies. In 1982, he founded Jeep Jamboree USA, which offers more than 30 annual off-road excursions across the country exclusively for Jeep owners.

His spirit of adventure led him to create and conquer the longest overland 4WD journey in history—the 1978–79 Expedición de Las Américas—a 20,000-mile, 120-day journey from the bottom of South America to the top of North America. His team was the first non-military group to achieve a vehicular crossing of the notoriously rugged Darién Gap between Panama and Colombia. Smith also headed the 1987 Camel Trophy in Madagascar.

In 1980, Smith was inducted into the Off Road Motorsports Hall of Fame, and in 1986, the United Four Wheel Drive Association named him “Four Wheeler of the Decade.” In 1989, Smith was inducted as a member of the Explorer’s Club of New York.

Smith was an inspiration to many and believed, "If you have a dream, make sure you pursue it." He is survived by his wife Irene; his children Robert, Patti, Greg and Jill; three grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

	Exhibitors have the opportunity to expand their reach at the 2014 SEMA Show by offering products to project builders through a weekly list that appears in SEMA eNews.

Exhibitors have the opportunity to expand their reach at the 2014 SEMA Show by offering products to project builders through a weekly list that appears in SEMA eNews. The Products Available to Project-Vehicle Builders list helps connect manufacturers looking for extra product exposure with the crafters seeking to customize and complete their builds with the industry’s latest wares.

The Show’s spectacular array of trendsetting vehicles are positioned throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center. With this valuable opportunity to showcase products across the Show’s landscape, manufacturers often offer builders products for free or at greatly reduced rates. All product-placement decisions and negotiations are the responsibility of the manufacturers and the builders. Participation in the list does not guarantee product placement at the 2014 SEMA Show.

Below are this week’s submissions. To participate in the list, access the Products for Project-Vehicle Builders form located in the SEMA Show Exhibitor Manual.

The list is open to exhibitors of the 2014 SEMA Show only. For questions or additional information, contact Jason Catullo at jasonc@sema.org.

Latest Additions

Engine/Underhood Components

Standard Motor Products Inc.: Performance ignition wires and battery cables. Contact: Mike Maxwell, mike.maxwell@smpcorp.com; 913-441-6500. Website: www.bluestreakwire.com.

Exterior Components/Accessories

Cequent Performance Products: Towing hitches, receiver tubes, hitch balls; fifth wheel hitches; weight distribution systems; pin boxes; goosenecks; jacks; couplers; winches. Bike racks, roof racks, cargo baskets and containers. Contact: Carol Doney, cdoney@cequentgroup.com; 734-656-3010. Website: www.cequentgroup.com/Brand/All.

Suspension/Brake Components

Cequent Performance Products: Brake controls for towing, vehicle illumination, wiring. Contact: Carol Doney, cdoney@cequentgroup.com; 734-656-3010. Website: www.cequentgroup.com/Brand/All.

MGP Caliper Covers: MGP Caliper Covers - Custom logo and color options are available for select vehicles. Officially Licensed by Ford, GM, Mopar, Shelby American and Weld Racing. Contact: Ben Wong, ben.wong@calipercovers.com; 877-995-0003. Website: www.calipercovers.com.

Wheels and Tires

Achilles Tire: Tires. Contact: Harue Gard, harue.gard@itatire.com; 818-715-7080. Website: www.achillestireusa.com.

	Exhibitors have the opportunity to expand their reach at the 2014 SEMA Show by offering products to project builders through a weekly list that appears in SEMA eNews.

Exhibitors have the opportunity to expand their reach at the 2014 SEMA Show by offering products to project builders through a weekly list that appears in SEMA eNews. The Products Available to Project-Vehicle Builders list helps connect manufacturers looking for extra product exposure with the crafters seeking to customize and complete their builds with the industry’s latest wares.

The Show’s spectacular array of trendsetting vehicles are positioned throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center. With this valuable opportunity to showcase products across the Show’s landscape, manufacturers often offer builders products for free or at greatly reduced rates. All product-placement decisions and negotiations are the responsibility of the manufacturers and the builders. Participation in the list does not guarantee product placement at the 2014 SEMA Show.

Below are this week’s submissions. To participate in the list, access the Products for Project-Vehicle Builders form located in the SEMA Show Exhibitor Manual.

The list is open to exhibitors of the 2014 SEMA Show only. For questions or additional information, contact Jason Catullo at jasonc@sema.org.

Latest Additions

Engine/Underhood Components

Standard Motor Products Inc.: Performance ignition wires and battery cables. Contact: Mike Maxwell, mike.maxwell@smpcorp.com; 913-441-6500. Website: www.bluestreakwire.com.

Exterior Components/Accessories

Cequent Performance Products: Towing hitches, receiver tubes, hitch balls; fifth wheel hitches; weight distribution systems; pin boxes; goosenecks; jacks; couplers; winches. Bike racks, roof racks, cargo baskets and containers. Contact: Carol Doney, cdoney@cequentgroup.com; 734-656-3010. Website: www.cequentgroup.com/Brand/All.

Suspension/Brake Components

Cequent Performance Products: Brake controls for towing, vehicle illumination, wiring. Contact: Carol Doney, cdoney@cequentgroup.com; 734-656-3010. Website: www.cequentgroup.com/Brand/All.

MGP Caliper Covers: MGP Caliper Covers - Custom logo and color options are available for select vehicles. Officially Licensed by Ford, GM, Mopar, Shelby American and Weld Racing. Contact: Ben Wong, ben.wong@calipercovers.com; 877-995-0003. Website: www.calipercovers.com.

Wheels and Tires

Achilles Tire: Tires. Contact: Harue Gard, harue.gard@itatire.com; 818-715-7080. Website: www.achillestireusa.com.

By Rebecca Butler

	Creating a consistent voice for your organization is key to brand awareness for potential buyers, according to Johnny Hunkins, an editor at TEN: The Enthusiast Network.

When it comes to making your mark in the media, consistency is the name of the game. Here are three tips from Johnny Hunkins, an editor at TEN: The Enthusiast Network, to help exhibitor’s accomplish this task.

First, you must designate one person to be in charge of all media relations for your organization. Creating a consistent voice is key to brand awareness for potential buyers.

Secondly, have a consistent target market. Read the magazines, websites and learn your media brands. If you want to maximize your media buzz, you need to identify with the magazines that best target your customers. Advertise in the outlets you know will reach your target market.

Lastly, be consistent in your relationships, and more importantly, build relationships. Set aside time to make a genuine attempt to cultivate long-term relationships with editors. This is a $31 billion per year business, and making allies will benefit you in the long run.

For more information and the complete list of tips by Johnny Hunkins, please contact Monika Earle at monikae@sema.org; 909-978-6722.

KGP Photography's man in the United Kingdom caught a less-camouflaged prototype for the all-new Land Rover Discovery Sport, providing their best look yet at the model that will replace Land Rover's Freelander (in Europe) and the LR2 (in the United States). The new Discovery Sport mixes Range Rover's new design language with design cues found on the company's Land Rover Vision concept, which bowed at this past spring's New York Auto Show.

The latest prototype gives an uncovered look at the new Discovery's grille design, and a less-clad view of the C- and D-pillar interplay. The new Disco will be offered as a five-seat model, along with a newly available seven-seat configuration, which will help broaden the appeal and marketability of the LR2-replacement. The new Discovery is expected to adopt an all-aluminum construction that will help shed weight and improve performance and handling amid a crowded, hyper-competitive market segment.

Photo credit: KGP Photography

KGP Photography's man in the United Kingdom caught a less-camouflaged prototype for the all-new Land Rover Discovery Sport, providing their best look yet at the model that will replace Land Rover's Freelander (in Europe) and the LR2 (in the United States). The new Discovery Sport mixes Range Rover's new design language with design cues found on the company's Land Rover Vision concept, which bowed at this past spring's New York Auto Show.

The latest prototype gives an uncovered look at the new Discovery's grille design, and a less-clad view of the C- and D-pillar interplay. The new Disco will be offered as a five-seat model, along with a newly available seven-seat configuration, which will help broaden the appeal and marketability of the LR2-replacement. The new Discovery is expected to adopt an all-aluminum construction that will help shed weight and improve performance and handling amid a crowded, hyper-competitive market segment.

Photo credit: KGP Photography

KGP Photography's man in the United Kingdom caught a less-camouflaged prototype for the all-new Land Rover Discovery Sport, providing their best look yet at the model that will replace Land Rover's Freelander (in Europe) and the LR2 (in the United States). The new Discovery Sport mixes Range Rover's new design language with design cues found on the company's Land Rover Vision concept, which bowed at this past spring's New York Auto Show.

The latest prototype gives an uncovered look at the new Discovery's grille design, and a less-clad view of the C- and D-pillar interplay. The new Disco will be offered as a five-seat model, along with a newly available seven-seat configuration, which will help broaden the appeal and marketability of the LR2-replacement. The new Discovery is expected to adopt an all-aluminum construction that will help shed weight and improve performance and handling amid a crowded, hyper-competitive market segment.

Photo credit: KGP Photography

By SEMA Editors

Elections for SEMA's council and network Select Committees are underway, and voting will remain open until 5:00 p.m. (PDT), Friday, June 13.

SEMA has collaborated with Association Voting to facilitate the election process. Members eligible to vote should have received an e-mail containing the online ballot information from announcement@associationvoting.com on May 30, 2014.

Each Select Committee works together with the general membership to develop programs, services and benefits that support the vision of the group. These volunteers also work with the association's leadership to provide strategic direction for the market they represent. Committee members serve two-year terms (three terms maximum) and act as individuals, not as company representatives.

Election winners will be announced mid-June, with the individuals beginning their terms July 1, 2014.

Questions? Contact Lindsay Bianco at 909-978-6692.