By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

A federal judge has ruled that the Federal Reserve improperly inflated the fees banks and card companies are allowed to charge retailers when their customers swipe debit cards. The fees are currently set at $.21 per transaction plus $.01–$.03 more to cover fraud prevention and other adjustments. Retailers argued that the fees are too high to compensate the financial institution’s “authorization, clearance or settlement” costs.  

The Dodd-Frank financial reform law provides the Federal Reserve with oversight of fees for processing debit card transactions (“interchange” fees). When the Dodd-Frank legislation was being debated in 2010, SEMA and 54 other trade associations asked Congress to limit the amount card companies could charge merchants when processing payments. Congress addressed swipe fees but not credit card fees. The Federal Reserve had initially recommended a $.12 transaction cap but then raised the fee to $.21.

The judge’s ruling does not take immediate effect. The Federal Reserve will now have time to reconsider its fee structure. 

For more information, please contact Dan Sadowski at dans@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

A federal judge has ruled that the Federal Reserve improperly inflated the fees banks and card companies are allowed to charge retailers when their customers swipe debit cards. The fees are currently set at $.21 per transaction plus $.01–$.03 more to cover fraud prevention and other adjustments. Retailers argued that the fees are too high to compensate the financial institution’s “authorization, clearance or settlement” costs.  

The Dodd-Frank financial reform law provides the Federal Reserve with oversight of fees for processing debit card transactions (“interchange” fees). When the Dodd-Frank legislation was being debated in 2010, SEMA and 54 other trade associations asked Congress to limit the amount card companies could charge merchants when processing payments. Congress addressed swipe fees but not credit card fees. The Federal Reserve had initially recommended a $.12 transaction cap but then raised the fee to $.21.

The judge’s ruling does not take immediate effect. The Federal Reserve will now have time to reconsider its fee structure. 

For more information, please contact Dan Sadowski at dans@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

	Show Director Tom Gatusso will present a comprehensive webinar that will guide exhibitors through everything from basic setup to little-known tips on getting the best return on their SEMA Show investment.

Learn from the experts! Discover the most efficient way to prepare for the 2013 SEMA Show and manage your booth space. On Thursday, August 15, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT), Show Director Tom Gattuso and Jennifer Carr, director of operations for ConvExx—the company that manages the SEMA Show—will present a comprehensive webinar that will guide exhibitors through everything from basic setup to little-known tips on getting the best return on their SEMA Show investment. Participation requires only a computer and an Internet connection.

This webinar will thoroughly cover the online exhibitor manual, Show hours, frequently asked questions, how to book hotels, where to park, how to use press releases and other means to promote a booth and publicize celebrity appearances, and how to use the online exhibitor directory to bring buyers to your space.

The webinar will also cover how to order booth materials, such as carpeting and rental exhibits, as well as contracting for electrical service and the best ways to transport freight to and from the Show. Carr and Gattuso will explain how to use official SEMA Show contractors to obtain best pricing for floral arrangements, buyer lists, lead-retrieval systems, audiovisual equipment, computers, security and more.

Join us Thursday, August 15, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT) for a webinar packed full of important information. Register now for this timely educational opportunity!

This SEMA Education Institute (SEI) webinar will provide member companies with the information they need, and you don’t even have to leave your desk or office to participate! And remember: SEI webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

Members can view the first webinar in this series for free.

By SEMA Editors

	Show Director Tom Gatusso will present a comprehensive webinar that will guide exhibitors through everything from basic setup to little-known tips on getting the best return on their SEMA Show investment.

Learn from the experts! Discover the most efficient way to prepare for the 2013 SEMA Show and manage your booth space. On Thursday, August 15, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT), Show Director Tom Gattuso and Jennifer Carr, director of operations for ConvExx—the company that manages the SEMA Show—will present a comprehensive webinar that will guide exhibitors through everything from basic setup to little-known tips on getting the best return on their SEMA Show investment. Participation requires only a computer and an Internet connection.

This webinar will thoroughly cover the online exhibitor manual, Show hours, frequently asked questions, how to book hotels, where to park, how to use press releases and other means to promote a booth and publicize celebrity appearances, and how to use the online exhibitor directory to bring buyers to your space.

The webinar will also cover how to order booth materials, such as carpeting and rental exhibits, as well as contracting for electrical service and the best ways to transport freight to and from the Show. Carr and Gattuso will explain how to use official SEMA Show contractors to obtain best pricing for floral arrangements, buyer lists, lead-retrieval systems, audiovisual equipment, computers, security and more.

Join us Thursday, August 15, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT) for a webinar packed full of important information. Register now for this timely educational opportunity!

This SEMA Education Institute (SEI) webinar will provide member companies with the information they need, and you don’t even have to leave your desk or office to participate! And remember: SEI webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

Members can view the first webinar in this series for free.

By SEMA Editors

	Show Director Tom Gatusso will present a comprehensive webinar that will guide exhibitors through everything from basic setup to little-known tips on getting the best return on their SEMA Show investment.

Learn from the experts! Discover the most efficient way to prepare for the 2013 SEMA Show and manage your booth space. On Thursday, August 15, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT), Show Director Tom Gattuso and Jennifer Carr, director of operations for ConvExx—the company that manages the SEMA Show—will present a comprehensive webinar that will guide exhibitors through everything from basic setup to little-known tips on getting the best return on their SEMA Show investment. Participation requires only a computer and an Internet connection.

This webinar will thoroughly cover the online exhibitor manual, Show hours, frequently asked questions, how to book hotels, where to park, how to use press releases and other means to promote a booth and publicize celebrity appearances, and how to use the online exhibitor directory to bring buyers to your space.

The webinar will also cover how to order booth materials, such as carpeting and rental exhibits, as well as contracting for electrical service and the best ways to transport freight to and from the Show. Carr and Gattuso will explain how to use official SEMA Show contractors to obtain best pricing for floral arrangements, buyer lists, lead-retrieval systems, audiovisual equipment, computers, security and more.

Join us Thursday, August 15, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT) for a webinar packed full of important information. Register now for this timely educational opportunity!

This SEMA Education Institute (SEI) webinar will provide member companies with the information they need, and you don’t even have to leave your desk or office to participate! And remember: SEI webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

Members can view the first webinar in this series for free.

By SEMA Editors

Exhibiting companies with special pricing, promotions, two-for-one offers, Show demonstrations and other incentives or specials are encouraged to let SEMA know.

SEMA Show exhibitors are invited to generate more opportunities and awareness for their company and products by announcing SEMA Show incentives in SEMA eNews.

Exhibiting companies with special pricing, promotions, two-for-one offers, Show demonstrations and other incentives or specials are encouraged to let SEMA know. The information will be included each week in SEMA eNews from now until the opening of the 2013 SEMA Show. To be included, send information to editors@sema.org.

For more information on the 2013 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

By SEMA Editors

Exhibiting companies with special pricing, promotions, two-for-one offers, Show demonstrations and other incentives or specials are encouraged to let SEMA know.

SEMA Show exhibitors are invited to generate more opportunities and awareness for their company and products by announcing SEMA Show incentives in SEMA eNews.

Exhibiting companies with special pricing, promotions, two-for-one offers, Show demonstrations and other incentives or specials are encouraged to let SEMA know. The information will be included each week in SEMA eNews from now until the opening of the 2013 SEMA Show. To be included, send information to editors@sema.org.

For more information on the 2013 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

	The SEMA Education Institute (SEI) will offer more than 50 free education sessions and several “pay-to-attend” courses during the SEMA Show.

• The latest tips and tricks for online marketing
• Sales and customer-service strategies
• Industry trends that will impact your business
• Business management tactics

This week’s featured presentations:

Debunking the Myths: Resale Price and MAP Policies to Control Resale Price Erosion – Powered by the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC)

Presenter: Eugene F. Zelek, Jr., co-chair, Antitrust and Trade Regulation Group, Freeborn & Peters LLP
Description: An increasingly common problem faced by suppliers is resale price erosion caused by corrosive competition among traditional resellers and those with lower costs of doing business, such as online sellers, big boxes or large distributors. In a realistic, no-nonsense presentation, various lawful approaches that a supplier can take to prevent or manage this situation will be discussed, as well as which alternatives work best in particular circumstances.
When: Monday, November 4, 2013, from 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. (PST)
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center – N256

Advanced Interior Panel Fabrication Techniques

Presenter: Bryan Schmitt, president of Mobile Solutions USA
Description: Upscale interior enhancements are an integral part of today’s customized vehicles, whether in a street rod, musclecar or modern vehicle. This exciting training session with world-class interior designer and fabricator Bryan Schmitt will demonstrate multiple effective and time-saving techniques to get vehicle interiors on par with other automotive performance enhancements. The techniques and tools shown in this session are designed to spawn creativity with repeatable methods any installer or interior professional can employ immediately for better results and higher profitability.
When: Tuesday, November 5, 2013, from 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. (PST)
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center – N256

For the complete details and the latest education schedule, visit 2013 Education Days.