Enjoy direct access to industry experts and get in the know with a free cup of Joe.

On the final day of the 2012 SEMA Show, Café SEMA, powered by the SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN), gives you that extra opportunity to gain answers to your questions by industry experts in a 60-minute sitting. 

While making connections with the experts, you will also make valuable connections with industry contacts at this event, which is limited to the first 100 participants.

Danishes, parfaits, coffee and hot tea will be served. 

Ticket prices are $10 for SEMA members and $20 for non-members. Purchase your tickets now!

More information is available on the SEMA website, or contact Bryan Harrison, SEMA senior manager of councils, at BryanH@sema.org or 909-978-6691.

	Enjoy direct access to industry experts and get in the know with a free cup of Joe.

On the final day of the 2012 SEMA Show, Café SEMA, powered by the SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN), gives you that extra opportunity to gain answers to your questions by industry experts in a 60-minute sitting. 

While making connections with the experts, you will also make valuable connections with industry contacts at this event, which is limited to the first 100 participants.

Danishes, parfaits, coffee and hot tea will be served. 

Ticket prices are $10 for SEMA members and $20 for non-members. Purchase your tickets now!

More information is available on the SEMA website, or contact Bryan Harrison, SEMA senior manager of councils, at BryanH@sema.org or 909-978-6691.

Following are dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, webinars and activities. Click on an item for more details.

The federal government issued final regulations implementing an agreement reached with auto industry representatives and California regulators on fuel economy and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions limits for model-year ’17–’25 vehicles. The fleetwide average will rise from 34.5 mpg at the end of 2016 to 54.5 mpg for model-year 2025—a nearly 5% annual increase with slightly lower standards for light-duty trucks. 

The agreement preserves California’s authority to regulate CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gases while creating a single national standard. CO2 emissions and fuel economy are linked since carbon dioxide is a byproduct of fossil-fuel combustion. The automakers pursued an agreement to increase fuel economy, which would also preserve affordability, vehicle choice, jobs and safety. 

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

The federal government issued final regulations implementing an agreement reached with auto industry representatives and California regulators on fuel economy and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions limits for model-year ’17–’25 vehicles. The fleetwide average will rise from 34.5 mpg at the end of 2016 to 54.5 mpg for model-year 2025—a nearly 5% annual increase with slightly lower standards for light-duty trucks. 

The agreement preserves California’s authority to regulate CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gases while creating a single national standard. CO2 emissions and fuel economy are linked since carbon dioxide is a byproduct of fossil-fuel combustion. The automakers pursued an agreement to increase fuel economy, which would also preserve affordability, vehicle choice, jobs and safety. 

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

Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. recently announced the launch of its Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge, a vehicle-modification build competition where fans get to determine the winner. Fans throughout the world will be able to visit www.ToyotaRacingDreamBuild.com to watch the builds come to life through a series of "minisodes."

The final builds will be unveiled during the Toyota press conference on Tuesday, October 30, the opening day of the 2012 SEMA Show. Fans will be able to tune in to watch the entire press conference and the action unfold in real time.

NASCAR stars Kyle Busch and Clint Bowyer will modify a Camry sedan and Prius hybrid, respectively, while NHRA standouts Antron Brown and Alexis DeJoria will build a Sequoia SUV and a Tundra pickup. Though the drivers are competing for glory against each other, the real victor will be the winning driver's charity of choice, which will receive a $50,000 check from Toyota.

"The Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge highlights Toyota's commitment to great cars, great racing and our great fans," said Keith Dahl, Toyota national motorsports and engagement marketing manager. "Each driver was given the same resources to ensure a fair fight, and we are thrilled to see it all unfold."

Voting opens on October 20 and will be available for 10 days. Fans will be able to vote once per day via Facebook and enter to win prizes, including a Toyota Racing "Dream Trip," which will be given away to one lucky fan. 

Kyle Busch's Rowdy Edition Camry gets a front-end treatment by the crew from Detroit Speed Inc., based in Charlotte, North Carolina.		Clint Bowyer, along with Steve and Darell of RKM Performance Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, plan changes to his Tekked-Out Prius.
The Motorsports Technical Center team in Torrance, California, connects the chassis, body and engine block on Antron Brown's Family Dragster Sequoia.		The team at Racer Engineering in San Jacinto, California, is redesigning Alexis DeJoria's Toyota Tundra, making a Pre-Runner that performs both off-road and on-track.

Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. recently announced the launch of its Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge, a vehicle-modification build competition where fans get to determine the winner. Fans throughout the world will be able to visit www.ToyotaRacingDreamBuild.com to watch the builds come to life through a series of "minisodes."

The final builds will be unveiled during the Toyota press conference on Tuesday, October 30, the opening day of the 2012 SEMA Show. Fans will be able to tune in to watch the entire press conference and the action unfold in real time.

NASCAR stars Kyle Busch and Clint Bowyer will modify a Camry sedan and Prius hybrid, respectively, while NHRA standouts Antron Brown and Alexis DeJoria will build a Sequoia SUV and a Tundra pickup. Though the drivers are competing for glory against each other, the real victor will be the winning driver's charity of choice, which will receive a $50,000 check from Toyota.

"The Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge highlights Toyota's commitment to great cars, great racing and our great fans," said Keith Dahl, Toyota national motorsports and engagement marketing manager. "Each driver was given the same resources to ensure a fair fight, and we are thrilled to see it all unfold."

Voting opens on October 20 and will be available for 10 days. Fans will be able to vote once per day via Facebook and enter to win prizes, including a Toyota Racing "Dream Trip," which will be given away to one lucky fan. 

Kyle Busch's Rowdy Edition Camry gets a front-end treatment by the crew from Detroit Speed Inc., based in Charlotte, North Carolina.		Clint Bowyer, along with Steve and Darell of RKM Performance Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, plan changes to his Tekked-Out Prius.
The Motorsports Technical Center team in Torrance, California, connects the chassis, body and engine block on Antron Brown's Family Dragster Sequoia.		The team at Racer Engineering in San Jacinto, California, is redesigning Alexis DeJoria's Toyota Tundra, making a Pre-Runner that performs both off-road and on-track.

	Heather Lutze

By Heather Lutze, Findability Group

Join us for the next SEMA Webinar, entitled "The Psychology of Search & the Findability Formula—What Is Really in the Mind of the Online Searcher?" This webinar will be led by Heather Lutze of the Findability Group, August 30, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).

Does blogging really qualify as social media? Some say yes, some say no. The fact is, it doesn’t matter. Social media or not, this popular form of communication should be a part of your Internet marketing strategy. I can already feel you squirming and moaning, “Yeah, yeah, but I have no time, nothing to say, no one will read it, I’m not a writer, yada yada yada.”

Frankly, if you are not blogging, you’re missing a golden opportunity. Here’s why:

Search engines are on the lookout for fresh, updated content. They regard blogs as a more relevant, continuous source of content than websites. You’ve most likely invested a ton of money into your website, and that’s ok. But, it’s important to remember that things change rapidly in the world of search-engine marketing.

Look at it this way—having a blog allows you to continually freshen and update your content and give search engines, such as Google, what they’re looking for without constantly having to change your website. However, it’s important to remember that blogs are about worthwhile content that someone actually wants to spend time reading.

So, always consider your readers first and search engines second.

Advantages to Blogging

There are a number of advantages to blogging. Here are a few to consider:

• You can show off your expertise.
• You can demonstrate what your company stands for—how you are different, what you’re great at. 
• It enables you to provide in-depth information of real value.
• It allows you to present thoughts and concepts in a lengthier and more detailed format than Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Each post can immediately be announced or presented on each of those three sites.
• You can connect with readers who will become your loyal customers. When they need the service or product your business provides, they will automatically think of you because they already know and trust you.

Do not underestimate the power of connection, relationship and trust in this social media age.

A Few Blogging Tips

As you build or fine-tune your blogging strategy, consider these key tips:

• Keep your optimal keyword density between 2% and 5% for a blog post. (Repeating keywords over and over may annoy readers.)
• There are many sources for great blogging ideas already at your fingertips—upcoming events where your company might have a presence, press releases, new products, cost-saving techniques, industry news and events, guest interviews, etc.
• There is great value in adding links to other sites—Google expects experts to link to experts.
• You should monitor your comments carefully and delete spam immediately.
• Have a crystal-clear understanding of whom it is you are trying to reach.

It is critical to consider what your readers will love and find useful. This is the key to blogging success. Over time, if you are putting out relevant content, you will attract more readers, generate interesting discussions and comments and, hopefully, at the end of the day, build a growing, loyal group of customers.

Join us for Lutze’s SEMA webinar, entitled "The Psychology of Search & the Findability Formula—What is Really in the Mind of the Online Searcher?" August 30, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).

Also, don’t miss Lutze at the SEMA Online Marketing Conference, October 29, 2012, at the Las Vegas Hotel.

	Heather Lutze

By Heather Lutze, Findability Group

Join us for the next SEMA Webinar, entitled "The Psychology of Search & the Findability Formula—What Is Really in the Mind of the Online Searcher?" This webinar will be led by Heather Lutze of the Findability Group, August 30, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).

Does blogging really qualify as social media? Some say yes, some say no. The fact is, it doesn’t matter. Social media or not, this popular form of communication should be a part of your Internet marketing strategy. I can already feel you squirming and moaning, “Yeah, yeah, but I have no time, nothing to say, no one will read it, I’m not a writer, yada yada yada.”

Frankly, if you are not blogging, you’re missing a golden opportunity. Here’s why:

Search engines are on the lookout for fresh, updated content. They regard blogs as a more relevant, continuous source of content than websites. You’ve most likely invested a ton of money into your website, and that’s ok. But, it’s important to remember that things change rapidly in the world of search-engine marketing.

Look at it this way—having a blog allows you to continually freshen and update your content and give search engines, such as Google, what they’re looking for without constantly having to change your website. However, it’s important to remember that blogs are about worthwhile content that someone actually wants to spend time reading.

So, always consider your readers first and search engines second.

Advantages to Blogging

There are a number of advantages to blogging. Here are a few to consider:

• You can show off your expertise.
• You can demonstrate what your company stands for—how you are different, what you’re great at. 
• It enables you to provide in-depth information of real value.
• It allows you to present thoughts and concepts in a lengthier and more detailed format than Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Each post can immediately be announced or presented on each of those three sites.
• You can connect with readers who will become your loyal customers. When they need the service or product your business provides, they will automatically think of you because they already know and trust you.

Do not underestimate the power of connection, relationship and trust in this social media age.

A Few Blogging Tips

As you build or fine-tune your blogging strategy, consider these key tips:

• Keep your optimal keyword density between 2% and 5% for a blog post. (Repeating keywords over and over may annoy readers.)
• There are many sources for great blogging ideas already at your fingertips—upcoming events where your company might have a presence, press releases, new products, cost-saving techniques, industry news and events, guest interviews, etc.
• There is great value in adding links to other sites—Google expects experts to link to experts.
• You should monitor your comments carefully and delete spam immediately.
• Have a crystal-clear understanding of whom it is you are trying to reach.

It is critical to consider what your readers will love and find useful. This is the key to blogging success. Over time, if you are putting out relevant content, you will attract more readers, generate interesting discussions and comments and, hopefully, at the end of the day, build a growing, loyal group of customers.

Join us for Lutze’s SEMA webinar, entitled "The Psychology of Search & the Findability Formula—What is Really in the Mind of the Online Searcher?" August 30, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).

Also, don’t miss Lutze at the SEMA Online Marketing Conference, October 29, 2012, at the Las Vegas Hotel.

	Heather Lutze

By Heather Lutze, Findability Group

Join us for the next SEMA Webinar, entitled "The Psychology of Search & the Findability Formula—What Is Really in the Mind of the Online Searcher?" This webinar will be led by Heather Lutze of the Findability Group, August 30, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).

Does blogging really qualify as social media? Some say yes, some say no. The fact is, it doesn’t matter. Social media or not, this popular form of communication should be a part of your Internet marketing strategy. I can already feel you squirming and moaning, “Yeah, yeah, but I have no time, nothing to say, no one will read it, I’m not a writer, yada yada yada.”

Frankly, if you are not blogging, you’re missing a golden opportunity. Here’s why:

Search engines are on the lookout for fresh, updated content. They regard blogs as a more relevant, continuous source of content than websites. You’ve most likely invested a ton of money into your website, and that’s ok. But, it’s important to remember that things change rapidly in the world of search-engine marketing.

Look at it this way—having a blog allows you to continually freshen and update your content and give search engines, such as Google, what they’re looking for without constantly having to change your website. However, it’s important to remember that blogs are about worthwhile content that someone actually wants to spend time reading.

So, always consider your readers first and search engines second.

Advantages to Blogging

There are a number of advantages to blogging. Here are a few to consider:

• You can show off your expertise.
• You can demonstrate what your company stands for—how you are different, what you’re great at. 
• It enables you to provide in-depth information of real value.
• It allows you to present thoughts and concepts in a lengthier and more detailed format than Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Each post can immediately be announced or presented on each of those three sites.
• You can connect with readers who will become your loyal customers. When they need the service or product your business provides, they will automatically think of you because they already know and trust you.

Do not underestimate the power of connection, relationship and trust in this social media age.

A Few Blogging Tips

As you build or fine-tune your blogging strategy, consider these key tips:

• Keep your optimal keyword density between 2% and 5% for a blog post. (Repeating keywords over and over may annoy readers.)
• There are many sources for great blogging ideas already at your fingertips—upcoming events where your company might have a presence, press releases, new products, cost-saving techniques, industry news and events, guest interviews, etc.
• There is great value in adding links to other sites—Google expects experts to link to experts.
• You should monitor your comments carefully and delete spam immediately.
• Have a crystal-clear understanding of whom it is you are trying to reach.

It is critical to consider what your readers will love and find useful. This is the key to blogging success. Over time, if you are putting out relevant content, you will attract more readers, generate interesting discussions and comments and, hopefully, at the end of the day, build a growing, loyal group of customers.

Join us for Lutze’s SEMA webinar, entitled "The Psychology of Search & the Findability Formula—What is Really in the Mind of the Online Searcher?" August 30, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).

Also, don’t miss Lutze at the SEMA Online Marketing Conference, October 29, 2012, at the Las Vegas Hotel.