SEMA News is searching for the best young talent in the automotive aftermarket industry…and we need your input.

We're asking for help finding upcoming industry leaders age 35 or younger. They might be working anywhere in the automotive aftermarket business, including manufacturing and design, retail, events and media, or distribution.

They could be budding superstars at an established company, entrepreneurs building their own brands, or innovators who have launched companies that are sure to become big names in the future. What they all will have in common are fresh ideas, enthusiasm, charisma and the drive to succeed.

Know someone? Nominate a candidate for 35 Under 35.

Winners will be chosen based on their business success, contribution to their organization, industry knowledge and community involvement. We'll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org. 

Nominations are due May 30, 2014. 

Strengthen Your Company Through Community

No matter what niche you're in—rods, restoration, racing, restyling, reps, trucks or wheels and tires—there's a SEMA council or professional network that's right for your company. SEMA councils and networks offer members a variety of niche-specific programs and activities designed to provide educational and networking opportunities while promoting their particular market segment.

Visit YEN's website

Launch Pad Competition Offers Winner Free SEMA Show Booth

By Bryan Harrison

After the success of last year’s Launch Pad competition, SEMA has announced that it will return for a second year.

This competition offers innovators under the age of 40 an industry platform to showcase their business for marketing a new automotive product or service.

Industrywide Awareness


The top 10 competitors will vie for the most votes on SEMA’s official Facebook/YouTube voting platform. The top five will receive an invitation to pitch their businesses in front of an industry-packed crowd during a live event at the SEMA Show.

Tools to Fuel Your Biz


The winner’s prize package will include a 10x10 booth at the 2015 SEMA Show, a one-page ad in SEMA News, an ad in Hot Rod magazine or 4-Wheel & Off Road magazine, a rep consultation with the Manufacturers’ Representative Network (MRN), public relations and social media consultation from Kahn Media, an event-level sponsorship package to either a Family Events truck and off-road group property or a Family Events performance car group property and much more.

Access to Decision Makers


This year’s event will feature another judging panel composed of industry experts who will offer coaching and advice to the contestants. Returning from the 2013 event will be Doug Evans, executive vice president and group publisher at Source Interlink Media, and SEMA’s chairman-elect of the Board, and Ron Coleman, president and CEO of COMP Performance Group. Joining them will be Tracie Nunez, president of the Performance Warehouse Association (PWA); Todd Ballard, director of sports marketing at GoPro; and Glenn Rogers, partner at Beyond Marketing.

Interested? It’s time to launch the next young automotive entrepreneur. For more information and to fill out an application, visit www.sema.org/launch-pad. If you have questions, please contact Bryan Harrison at bryanh@sema.org.

Visit TORA's website.

TORA to Host Media Preview at the 2014 SEMA Show

TORA will host a Media Preview for a limited number of manufacturer members at the 2014 SEMA Show. Participants will have the opportunity to meet with a wide variety of truck and off-road editors and writers in a designated area, Monday, November 3, from 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

These focused meetings ensure that editors and reporters can ask their most pressing questions and photograph new products while manufacturers give the full story.

By participating just before the start of the SEMA Show, media members gain an early scoop on the latest products, and manufacturers have quality time with editors and reporters without sacrificing valuable floor time with customers. Participating manufacturers will be provided with various media training resources through the SEMA Education Institute to help them prepare and maximize their meetings. To give manufacturers the best chance for success, participants will be asked to meet media kit production milestones.

To be considered for participation in the 2014 TORA Media Preview, your company’s application must be received by 5:00 p.m. (PDT), Friday, May 30, 2014. Review the rules and regulations and apply today.

Not yet an TORA member? Join today to become eligible for the 2014 Media Preview.

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For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstoreusa.com) at Travel Store USA, 949-930-9268.

By SEMA Editors

’15 Ford Mustang	’15 Ford F-150

On June 1, Ford Motor Co. will release CAD information on the ’15 Mustang and F-150. This data is available only to members who have subscribed to SEMA's Tech Transfer program. The fee is $360 per year. Other OEMs that are part of the program include Chrysler, General Motors and Scion.

Both the ’15 Mustang and F-150 will be available to SEMA members for a Measuring Session, May 29, at Ford Conference and Event Center in Dearborn, Michigan.

Interested? For more information and to sign up, contact Gary Pis at 909-978-6732 or garyp@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

’15 Ford Mustang	’15 Ford F-150

On June 1, Ford Motor Co. will release CAD information on the ’15 Mustang and F-150. This data is available only to members who have subscribed to SEMA's Tech Transfer program. The fee is $360 per year. Other OEMs that are part of the program include Chrysler, General Motors and Scion.

Both the ’15 Mustang and F-150 will be available to SEMA members for a Measuring Session, May 29, at Ford Conference and Event Center in Dearborn, Michigan.

Interested? For more information and to sign up, contact Gary Pis at 909-978-6732 or garyp@sema.org.

By Linda Spencer

Appointments are available with United States commercial diplomats representing 27 countries at the "Discover Global Markets: Focus on Europe" business forum series in Los Angeles.

The U.S. Commercial Service and the District Export Council of Southern California present "Discover Global Markets: Focus on Europe," June 3–4, at the Hyatt Regency in Los Angeles. Pre-registration is required.

Appointments are available with United States commercial diplomats representing the following 27 countries:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Italy
• Kazakhstan
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Russia
• Serbia
• Slovakia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Turkey
• Ukraine
• United Kingdom

Pre-scheduled one-on-one appointments are available to every registrant on a first-come, first-served basis. Information you provide will be sent to each diplomat in advance, meaning you get the customized consultations you need.

In addition to offering the latest actionable market intelligence and recommendations for strategic growth in the countries in which they work, commercial diplomats will deliver the information you need to develop customized multi-market industry solutions for the region.

Register Now!

	Matt Smith was named the national sales manager for Flex-a-lite.

Matt Smith Named Flex-a-lite National Sales Manager

Matt Smith was named the national sales manager for Flex-a-lite. The 50-year-old company manufactures performance aluminum radiators, electric cooling fans, belt-driven fans, compact Mojave heaters and more. Smith brings to Flex-a-lite a decade of sales experience in the automotive industry, including roles as regional sales manager for MANN+HUMMEL, where he achieved quarter-after-quarter of sales growth. He also worked for Foster Babcock & Associates as an account manager, overseeing sales and executing training seminars.

ACAT Global Recognized as Michigan’s Top 50 Companies to Watch

Advanced Clean Air Technologies (ACAT) Global was recognized as one of Michigan’s 50 Companies to Watch as part of the 2014 Michigan Celebrates Small Business awards. ACAT Global joins a select group of the 2014 honorees. Chosen by a panel of entrepreneurs and leaders in economic development, firms recognized are headquartered in the Great Lakes State and are beyond the start-up phase. The awards also require that honorees must show “evidence such as employee or sales growth, exceptional entrepreneurial leadership, sustainable competitive advantage or other notable factors that showcase the company’s success.” ACAT Global was recognized May 6, 2014, at the 10th annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business banquet, held at the Breslin Center in Lansing, Michigan.

Hammerking Taps Ron Stobaugh to Lead Sales Team

Hammerking Productions Inc., creators of the Griffin King of The Hammers Presented by Nitto Tire and ULTRA4 Racing, has appointed Ron Stobaugh as vice president of sales and business development. Stobaugh, who will oversee the operations of the Hammerking sales team, joins the organization with more than 25 years of off-road business experience and 80+ off-road races under his belt. He will immediately begin working with the existing management team to partner with existing and potential sponsors to promote the current 2014 ULTRA4 Racing Season, and begin planning for the 2015 Griffin King of The Hammers Presented by Nitto Tire.

"I've been a fan of King of the Hammers since the beginning." said Ron Stobaugh, who went on to say, "I truly believe Ultra4 Racing offers significant value to both industry partners and non-endemic companies. Hammerking has a diverse offering including event promotion, media production and race management. I look forward to leveraging these assets and providing a strong value proposition to our partners."

Mickey Thompson Sponsors Rockstar Performance Garage

Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels has announced that the company is an official sponsor of the Rockstar Performance Garage. Established in 2012 with Rockstar Energy Drinks and LDRSHIP Designs, the Rockstar Performance Garage (RPG) is a fully functioning performance automotive shop, specializing in custom project-vehicle development on behalf of major automotive and lifestyle brands.

Mickey Thompson joins numerous industry brands to participate in the 17-event RPG season. including the recent Moab Easter Jeep Safari. The Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ tires will be featured on the RPG trailer-hauling truck for all events, and both the truck and trailer will be branded with the Mickey Thompson logo.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org. 

By Jason Catullo

	More than 600 companies specializing in performance products have selected their booth locations within the Show's Racing & Performance section during the Priority Space Selection process, which runs through May 23.

More than 600 companies specializing in high-performance products and innovations have selected their spots within the 2014 SEMA Show’s Racing & Performance section. The companies are participating in the Priority Space Selection Process that began this week, May 5, and runs through Friday, May 23. View an updated layout of the Show’s Central Hall and the companies that have already confirmed locations for the section. For an overall layout of the 2014 SEMA Show, or to view the Show section by section, use the 2014 SEMA Show Floorplan.

Manufacturers interested in exhibiting at the upcoming event can visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth or e-mail sales@sema.org for information.

In addition to the Racing & Performance section, the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center also contains the Hot Rod Alley and the Restoration Marketplace. Prior to the May 5 launch of the Priority Space Selection process, Show organizers reported that the more than 2,000 companies reserving space for the 2014 Show represents an increase of nearly 10% over the 2013 selection process.

The 2014 SEMA Show, which takes place November 4–7, in Las Vegas, is on pace to attract more than 130,000 industry professionals, including 60,000 buyers, from all over the world. As a trade-only show, manufacturers exhibit at the Show to unveil new products and connect with buyers to do business.

About the Priority Selection Process
Prior to May 5, confirmation e-mails were sent to 2014 SEMA Show exhibitors verifying participation in the 2014 SEMA Show Priority Booth Space Drawing. The e-mails were sent to the “exhibitor contact” that was listed on the space application and include the assigned dates and times (with a one-hour time range), along with important information about the process and a link to the SEMA Show Floorplan.