By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

SEMA has endorsed a proposal by Rep. Paul Cook (R-CA) that would end a five-year debate on how to expand the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) base at Twentynine Palms, California. Under the compromise, the Marines would have access to the adjoining Johnson Valley Off-Highway (OHV) Recreation Area for up to 42 days per year for training exercises. However, the land would be designated a “national” OHV recreation area under the continued management of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. 

Johnson Valley is the largest OHV area in the United States, totaling nearly 189,000 acres. The land is used year-round by OHV enthusiasts, as well as mountain bikers, equestrians and hunters. The area is also home to numerous motorized events that draw thousands of competitors and spectators to the area every year, including the famous King of the Hammers event. SEMA and the SEMA Action Network (SAN) are urging lawmakers to adopt the solution and enact the legislation into law. SEMA represents thousands of companies that market products for OHV vehicles and, through the SAN, millions of enthusiasts who buy and operate these vehicles. 

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

SEMA has endorsed a proposal by Rep. Paul Cook (R-CA) that would end a five-year debate on how to expand the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) base at Twentynine Palms, California. Under the compromise, the Marines would have access to the adjoining Johnson Valley Off-Highway (OHV) Recreation Area for up to 42 days per year for training exercises. However, the land would be designated a “national” OHV recreation area under the continued management of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. 

Johnson Valley is the largest OHV area in the United States, totaling nearly 189,000 acres. The land is used year-round by OHV enthusiasts, as well as mountain bikers, equestrians and hunters. The area is also home to numerous motorized events that draw thousands of competitors and spectators to the area every year, including the famous King of the Hammers event. SEMA and the SEMA Action Network (SAN) are urging lawmakers to adopt the solution and enact the legislation into law. SEMA represents thousands of companies that market products for OHV vehicles and, through the SAN, millions of enthusiasts who buy and operate these vehicles. 

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

SEMA has endorsed a proposal by Rep. Paul Cook (R-CA) that would end a five-year debate on how to expand the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) base at Twentynine Palms, California. Under the compromise, the Marines would have access to the adjoining Johnson Valley Off-Highway (OHV) Recreation Area for up to 42 days per year for training exercises. However, the land would be designated a “national” OHV recreation area under the continued management of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. 

Johnson Valley is the largest OHV area in the United States, totaling nearly 189,000 acres. The land is used year-round by OHV enthusiasts, as well as mountain bikers, equestrians and hunters. The area is also home to numerous motorized events that draw thousands of competitors and spectators to the area every year, including the famous King of the Hammers event. SEMA and the SEMA Action Network (SAN) are urging lawmakers to adopt the solution and enact the legislation into law. SEMA represents thousands of companies that market products for OHV vehicles and, through the SAN, millions of enthusiasts who buy and operate these vehicles. 

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By Amanda Gubbins

	Brian Reese is chair-elect of SEMA's newest network, the Emerging Trends and Technology Network (ETTN).

SEMA’s councils and membership department introduces the Emerging Trends and Technology Network (ETTN). The mission of the ETTN is to “identify, understand and communicate emerging trends and technologies to help members improve.” The launch comes after the Street Performance Council (SPC) sunset earlier this year.

Chair-Elect Brian Reese believes the network will benefit all segments of the automotive aftermarket. “My biggest focus is for the network to deliver tremendous value to our membership,” says Reese.

His vision is to educate members on how to leverage trends in business, customer relations, product or brand technology and vehicle technology for their own businesses. “We have identified emerging technology and automotive trends as important sources of information for success in today’s business world. The purpose of [ETTN] is to identify emerging trends that affect or improve the automotive aftermarket and deliver them in a concise manner to busy business professionals,” he says.

By studying other successful business models, network members will gain knowledge about managing information and creating successful brands. “The ETTN helps member companies see what others are doing; it helps in connecting the dots and showing members how to leverage these trends in their own business,” says Reese.

Because technology and automotive trends are constantly changing, it can be difficult for members to keep up. With all the day-to-day tasks that must be completed in an organization, it’s easy to overlook new business strategies. Reese’s goal is to make it easier to know which ideas to try. “We’ll put members in the know as new technology and trends emerge,” he says.

Members of the network will have many opportunities for education and professional development. A great deal of those opportunities will be through digital publications, online communities and educational events. Reese hopes that members will bring their own experiences to the table and contribute to the conversations that take place.

The ETTN is open to all SEMA members, and free to join. The network’s main discussion area will be the ETTN LinkedIn property, which makes joining the conversation easy. Reese even hopes to reach out to members in other industries. “We want to strategically tap in to their resources for speakers and seminars. In listening to different opinions and industries, there’s something to learn there.”

For more information about the ETTN, contact Bryan Harrison, senior manager of councils, or visit the website www.sema.org/ettn.

By Amanda Gubbins

	Brian Reese is chair-elect of SEMA's newest network, the Emerging Trends and Technology Network (ETTN).

SEMA’s councils and membership department introduces the Emerging Trends and Technology Network (ETTN). The mission of the ETTN is to “identify, understand and communicate emerging trends and technologies to help members improve.” The launch comes after the Street Performance Council (SPC) sunset earlier this year.

Chair-Elect Brian Reese believes the network will benefit all segments of the automotive aftermarket. “My biggest focus is for the network to deliver tremendous value to our membership,” says Reese.

His vision is to educate members on how to leverage trends in business, customer relations, product or brand technology and vehicle technology for their own businesses. “We have identified emerging technology and automotive trends as important sources of information for success in today’s business world. The purpose of [ETTN] is to identify emerging trends that affect or improve the automotive aftermarket and deliver them in a concise manner to busy business professionals,” he says.

By studying other successful business models, network members will gain knowledge about managing information and creating successful brands. “The ETTN helps member companies see what others are doing; it helps in connecting the dots and showing members how to leverage these trends in their own business,” says Reese.

Because technology and automotive trends are constantly changing, it can be difficult for members to keep up. With all the day-to-day tasks that must be completed in an organization, it’s easy to overlook new business strategies. Reese’s goal is to make it easier to know which ideas to try. “We’ll put members in the know as new technology and trends emerge,” he says.

Members of the network will have many opportunities for education and professional development. A great deal of those opportunities will be through digital publications, online communities and educational events. Reese hopes that members will bring their own experiences to the table and contribute to the conversations that take place.

The ETTN is open to all SEMA members, and free to join. The network’s main discussion area will be the ETTN LinkedIn property, which makes joining the conversation easy. Reese even hopes to reach out to members in other industries. “We want to strategically tap in to their resources for speakers and seminars. In listening to different opinions and industries, there’s something to learn there.”

For more information about the ETTN, contact Bryan Harrison, senior manager of councils, or visit the website www.sema.org/ettn.

By Bryan Harrison

	YEN's first-ever “SEMA Launch Pad” contest offers executive-level innovators under the age of 40 an industry platform to showcase their business plan for marketing a new automotive product or service.

The SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN) celebrates young entrepreneurs by announcing the first-ever “SEMA Launch Pad” contest. This new competition offers executive-level innovators under the age of 40 an industry platform to showcase their business plan for marketing a new automotive product or service.

Through this competition, five finalists will have their business plans peer-reviewed by industry leaders at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The grand-prize winner will receive a package of advertising tools to help take their business to the next level. The participant’s company will win an array of prizes, including a 10x10-ft. booth at the 2014 SEMA Show, an ad in Hot Rod or 4 Wheel & Off Road magazine, a Family Events sponsorship package and more. Even if you don’t win the grand prize, you and your company may be promoted to thousands of industry professionals curious to learn more about your innovative product or service.

Details:

• The company’s leading executive (company president, CEO or owner) is the participant on behalf of the company. As a YEN member (under age 40), you, the executive, will complete the online application and submit a three-minute video detailing your company’s innovative product or service.

• Your brief video will be reviewed by the YEN Task Force, from which the top 10 candidates will be selected.

• The 10 candidates will be reduced to five, according to which ones receive the most “like” votes via a YEN Facebook page campaign this summer.

• The five candidates will be invited to participate in a live peer review presentation at the 2013 SEMA Show.

• The SEMA Show judges will select the winning YEN executive.

Key deadlines:

• Three-minute video and application due by June 11, 2013.

• Top 10 candidates’ submissions posted on the YEN Facebook page. Facebook voting campaign runs from July 29, 2013, to September 5, 2013. The five candidates with the most “like” votes proceed to the contest finals.

• Top five candidates make a live, 10-minute presentation to the panel of judges at the SEMA Show.

Basic Requirements:

• Participants must be a YEN member (under 40 years old on November 8, 2013) and a legal resident of the United States. Not a YEN member? Become one now.

• YEN member’s company must be a SEMA member. Not a SEMA member? Become one now.

• YEN member’s company must qualify to exhibit at the 2013 SEMA Show (but does not have to exhibit).

• The automotive product or service competing in the SEMA Launch Pad contest must be functioning and currently for sale. No concepts accepted.

• The top five YEN participants will travel to the SEMA Show at their own expense to compete in the live event. The YEN participant must make the presentation before the SEMA Show judges (no substitutes).

• All taxes on prizes are the sole responsibility of the prize-winning company. Tax liability is based on the value of the prizes.

• By participating in the contest, the YEN participant certifies that he/she has ownership rights to the trademarks, service marks, copyrights, patents and any other intellectual property rights or proprietary information of the company and product/service being marketed, or authorization from the owner of such rights.

It’s time to launch the next Young Automotive Entrepreneur. For more information and to fill out the application, visit www.sema.org/launch-pad. If you have questions, please contact Bryan Harrison, SEMA's senior manager of councils, at BryanH@sema.org.

By Bryan Harrison

	YEN's first-ever “SEMA Launch Pad” contest offers executive-level innovators under the age of 40 an industry platform to showcase their business plan for marketing a new automotive product or service.

The SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN) celebrates young entrepreneurs by announcing the first-ever “SEMA Launch Pad” contest. This new competition offers executive-level innovators under the age of 40 an industry platform to showcase their business plan for marketing a new automotive product or service.

Through this competition, five finalists will have their business plans peer-reviewed by industry leaders at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The grand-prize winner will receive a package of advertising tools to help take their business to the next level. The participant’s company will win an array of prizes, including a 10x10-ft. booth at the 2014 SEMA Show, an ad in Hot Rod or 4 Wheel & Off Road magazine, a Family Events sponsorship package and more. Even if you don’t win the grand prize, you and your company may be promoted to thousands of industry professionals curious to learn more about your innovative product or service.

Details:

• The company’s leading executive (company president, CEO or owner) is the participant on behalf of the company. As a YEN member (under age 40), you, the executive, will complete the online application and submit a three-minute video detailing your company’s innovative product or service.

• Your brief video will be reviewed by the YEN Task Force, from which the top 10 candidates will be selected.

• The 10 candidates will be reduced to five, according to which ones receive the most “like” votes via a YEN Facebook page campaign this summer.

• The five candidates will be invited to participate in a live peer review presentation at the 2013 SEMA Show.

• The SEMA Show judges will select the winning YEN executive.

Key deadlines:

• Three-minute video and application due by June 11, 2013.

• Top 10 candidates’ submissions posted on the YEN Facebook page. Facebook voting campaign runs from July 29, 2013, to September 5, 2013. The five candidates with the most “like” votes proceed to the contest finals.

• Top five candidates make a live, 10-minute presentation to the panel of judges at the SEMA Show.

Basic Requirements:

• Participants must be a YEN member (under 40 years old on November 8, 2013) and a legal resident of the United States. Not a YEN member? Become one now.

• YEN member’s company must be a SEMA member. Not a SEMA member? Become one now.

• YEN member’s company must qualify to exhibit at the 2013 SEMA Show (but does not have to exhibit).

• The automotive product or service competing in the SEMA Launch Pad contest must be functioning and currently for sale. No concepts accepted.

• The top five YEN participants will travel to the SEMA Show at their own expense to compete in the live event. The YEN participant must make the presentation before the SEMA Show judges (no substitutes).

• All taxes on prizes are the sole responsibility of the prize-winning company. Tax liability is based on the value of the prizes.

• By participating in the contest, the YEN participant certifies that he/she has ownership rights to the trademarks, service marks, copyrights, patents and any other intellectual property rights or proprietary information of the company and product/service being marketed, or authorization from the owner of such rights.

It’s time to launch the next Young Automotive Entrepreneur. For more information and to fill out the application, visit www.sema.org/launch-pad. If you have questions, please contact Bryan Harrison, SEMA's senior manager of councils, at BryanH@sema.org.

By Bryan Harrison

	YEN's first-ever “SEMA Launch Pad” contest offers executive-level innovators under the age of 40 an industry platform to showcase their business plan for marketing a new automotive product or service.

The SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN) celebrates young entrepreneurs by announcing the first-ever “SEMA Launch Pad” contest. This new competition offers executive-level innovators under the age of 40 an industry platform to showcase their business plan for marketing a new automotive product or service.

Through this competition, five finalists will have their business plans peer-reviewed by industry leaders at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The grand-prize winner will receive a package of advertising tools to help take their business to the next level. The participant’s company will win an array of prizes, including a 10x10-ft. booth at the 2014 SEMA Show, an ad in Hot Rod or 4 Wheel & Off Road magazine, a Family Events sponsorship package and more. Even if you don’t win the grand prize, you and your company may be promoted to thousands of industry professionals curious to learn more about your innovative product or service.

Details:

• The company’s leading executive (company president, CEO or owner) is the participant on behalf of the company. As a YEN member (under age 40), you, the executive, will complete the online application and submit a three-minute video detailing your company’s innovative product or service.

• Your brief video will be reviewed by the YEN Task Force, from which the top 10 candidates will be selected.

• The 10 candidates will be reduced to five, according to which ones receive the most “like” votes via a YEN Facebook page campaign this summer.

• The five candidates will be invited to participate in a live peer review presentation at the 2013 SEMA Show.

• The SEMA Show judges will select the winning YEN executive.

Key deadlines:

• Three-minute video and application due by June 11, 2013.

• Top 10 candidates’ submissions posted on the YEN Facebook page. Facebook voting campaign runs from July 29, 2013, to September 5, 2013. The five candidates with the most “like” votes proceed to the contest finals.

• Top five candidates make a live, 10-minute presentation to the panel of judges at the SEMA Show.

Basic Requirements:

• Participants must be a YEN member (under 40 years old on November 8, 2013) and a legal resident of the United States. Not a YEN member? Become one now.

• YEN member’s company must be a SEMA member. Not a SEMA member? Become one now.

• YEN member’s company must qualify to exhibit at the 2013 SEMA Show (but does not have to exhibit).

• The automotive product or service competing in the SEMA Launch Pad contest must be functioning and currently for sale. No concepts accepted.

• The top five YEN participants will travel to the SEMA Show at their own expense to compete in the live event. The YEN participant must make the presentation before the SEMA Show judges (no substitutes).

• All taxes on prizes are the sole responsibility of the prize-winning company. Tax liability is based on the value of the prizes.

• By participating in the contest, the YEN participant certifies that he/she has ownership rights to the trademarks, service marks, copyrights, patents and any other intellectual property rights or proprietary information of the company and product/service being marketed, or authorization from the owner of such rights.

It’s time to launch the next Young Automotive Entrepreneur. For more information and to fill out the application, visit www.sema.org/launch-pad. If you have questions, please contact Bryan Harrison, SEMA's senior manager of councils, at BryanH@sema.org.

By Bryan Harrison

	YEN's first-ever “SEMA Launch Pad” contest offers executive-level innovators under the age of 40 an industry platform to showcase their business plan for marketing a new automotive product or service.

The SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN) celebrates young entrepreneurs by announcing the first-ever “SEMA Launch Pad” contest. This new competition offers executive-level innovators under the age of 40 an industry platform to showcase their business plan for marketing a new automotive product or service.

Through this competition, five finalists will have their business plans peer-reviewed by industry leaders at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The grand-prize winner will receive a package of advertising tools to help take their business to the next level. The participant’s company will win an array of prizes, including a 10x10-ft. booth at the 2014 SEMA Show, an ad in Hot Rod or 4 Wheel & Off Road magazine, a Family Events sponsorship package and more. Even if you don’t win the grand prize, you and your company may be promoted to thousands of industry professionals curious to learn more about your innovative product or service.

Details:

• The company’s leading executive (company president, CEO or owner) is the participant on behalf of the company. As a YEN member (under age 40), you, the executive, will complete the online application and submit a three-minute video detailing your company’s innovative product or service.

• Your brief video will be reviewed by the YEN Task Force, from which the top 10 candidates will be selected.

• The 10 candidates will be reduced to five, according to which ones receive the most “like” votes via a YEN Facebook page campaign this summer.

• The five candidates will be invited to participate in a live peer review presentation at the 2013 SEMA Show.

• The SEMA Show judges will select the winning YEN executive.

Key deadlines:

• Three-minute video and application due by June 11, 2013.

• Top 10 candidates’ submissions posted on the YEN Facebook page. Facebook voting campaign runs from July 29, 2013, to September 5, 2013. The five candidates with the most “like” votes proceed to the contest finals.

• Top five candidates make a live, 10-minute presentation to the panel of judges at the SEMA Show.

Basic Requirements:

• Participants must be a YEN member (under 40 years old on November 8, 2013) and a legal resident of the United States. Not a YEN member? Become one now.

• YEN member’s company must be a SEMA member. Not a SEMA member? Become one now.

• YEN member’s company must qualify to exhibit at the 2013 SEMA Show (but does not have to exhibit).

• The automotive product or service competing in the SEMA Launch Pad contest must be functioning and currently for sale. No concepts accepted.

• The top five YEN participants will travel to the SEMA Show at their own expense to compete in the live event. The YEN participant must make the presentation before the SEMA Show judges (no substitutes).

• All taxes on prizes are the sole responsibility of the prize-winning company. Tax liability is based on the value of the prizes.

• By participating in the contest, the YEN participant certifies that he/she has ownership rights to the trademarks, service marks, copyrights, patents and any other intellectual property rights or proprietary information of the company and product/service being marketed, or authorization from the owner of such rights.

It’s time to launch the next Young Automotive Entrepreneur. For more information and to fill out the application, visit www.sema.org/launch-pad. If you have questions, please contact Bryan Harrison, SEMA's senior manager of councils, at BryanH@sema.org.

By Bryan Harrison

	YEN's first-ever “SEMA Launch Pad” contest offers executive-level innovators under the age of 40 an industry platform to showcase their business plan for marketing a new automotive product or service.

The SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN) celebrates young entrepreneurs by announcing the first-ever “SEMA Launch Pad” contest. This new competition offers executive-level innovators under the age of 40 an industry platform to showcase their business plan for marketing a new automotive product or service.

Through this competition, five finalists will have their business plans peer-reviewed by industry leaders at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The grand-prize winner will receive a package of advertising tools to help take their business to the next level. The participant’s company will win an array of prizes, including a 10x10-ft. booth at the 2014 SEMA Show, an ad in Hot Rod or 4 Wheel & Off Road magazine, a Family Events sponsorship package and more. Even if you don’t win the grand prize, you and your company may be promoted to thousands of industry professionals curious to learn more about your innovative product or service.

Details:

• The company’s leading executive (company president, CEO or owner) is the participant on behalf of the company. As a YEN member (under age 40), you, the executive, will complete the online application and submit a three-minute video detailing your company’s innovative product or service.

• Your brief video will be reviewed by the YEN Task Force, from which the top 10 candidates will be selected.

• The 10 candidates will be reduced to five, according to which ones receive the most “like” votes via a YEN Facebook page campaign this summer.

• The five candidates will be invited to participate in a live peer review presentation at the 2013 SEMA Show.

• The SEMA Show judges will select the winning YEN executive.

Key deadlines:

• Three-minute video and application due by June 11, 2013.

• Top 10 candidates’ submissions posted on the YEN Facebook page. Facebook voting campaign runs from July 29, 2013, to September 5, 2013. The five candidates with the most “like” votes proceed to the contest finals.

• Top five candidates make a live, 10-minute presentation to the panel of judges at the SEMA Show.

Basic Requirements:

• Participants must be a YEN member (under 40 years old on November 8, 2013) and a legal resident of the United States. Not a YEN member? Become one now.

• YEN member’s company must be a SEMA member. Not a SEMA member? Become one now.

• YEN member’s company must qualify to exhibit at the 2013 SEMA Show (but does not have to exhibit).

• The automotive product or service competing in the SEMA Launch Pad contest must be functioning and currently for sale. No concepts accepted.

• The top five YEN participants will travel to the SEMA Show at their own expense to compete in the live event. The YEN participant must make the presentation before the SEMA Show judges (no substitutes).

• All taxes on prizes are the sole responsibility of the prize-winning company. Tax liability is based on the value of the prizes.

• By participating in the contest, the YEN participant certifies that he/she has ownership rights to the trademarks, service marks, copyrights, patents and any other intellectual property rights or proprietary information of the company and product/service being marketed, or authorization from the owner of such rights.

It’s time to launch the next Young Automotive Entrepreneur. For more information and to fill out the application, visit www.sema.org/launch-pad. If you have questions, please contact Bryan Harrison, SEMA's senior manager of councils, at BryanH@sema.org.