Thousands of qualified buyers will see your products on display at the SEMA Show's Ideas Alive: Featuring the New Products Showcase.

The deadline to submit a product for the SEMA Show New Products Showcase and receive a discounted price is October 7. While the first product-category submission is still free after October 7, each additional product category submitted is $150. Entries submitted onsite are accepted based on space availability.

The New Products Showcase is located in the east end of the Upper South Hall, next to the Truck, SUV & Off-Road and Powersports & Utility Vehicles sections, and has been themed Ideas Alive: Featuring the New Products Showcase. Located adjacent to Ideas Alive is the "Featured Products" area, which provides an additional opportunity for product exposure regardless of whether a product is "new."

Exhibitors may enter products in either area, though, only the first entry is free. While Featured Products are not eligible for judging, they still benefit from concentrated buyer and media attention creating a terrific opportunity to promote your company in the highly trafficked Ideas Alive section of the Show.

Learning what’s new and making contacts for future business remain the primary reasons that buyers and media attend the SEMA Show. Ideas Alive: Featuring the New Products Showcase is a leading destination on both counts. Ideas Alive will be 25,000-sq.-ft. of activity from 8:00 a.m. to the hall's close every day of the Show. Electronic scanners are provided to make it easy for buyers and media to capture product information and have it conveniently e-mailed to them or printed right there at the Show. 

All new products will also be included in SEMA's annual New Products Awards competition recognizing the advancement and innovation of the industry's latest offerings. Awards from each category are presented at the very popular New Products Breakfast, to be held Tuesday, November 1, from 7:30 a.m.–8:45 a.m. at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Register now for the New Products Showcase.

Questions? Contact Sheldon Kaye at skaye@convexx.com or call 702/450-7662, ext. 124.

Upcoming Deadlines:

September 30		Booth Food Service (Advance Rate)–ARAMARK
September 30		Exhibitor-Appointed Contractor Application
September 30		Fabric Solutions–Freeman
September 30		Sponsorship Materials Due–Motor Media
September 30		Vehicle Detailing (Advance Rate)–ECA Ltd.
September 30		Student Program Application (Interns)
October 3		Lead Retrieval Rental (Advance Rate)–CompuSytems
October 7		Carpet and Cleaning Order (Advance Rate)–Freeman
October 7		Credit Card Authorization–Freeman
October 7		Cable Order (Advance Rate)–Smart City
October 7		Electrical Order (Advance Rate)–Freeman
October 7		Exhibit Accessories (Advance Rate)–Freeman
October 7		Exhibit Furnishings (Advance Rate)–Freeman
October 7		Feature Vehicle Display Application Information
October 7		Hanging Truss, Chain Hoist, Lighting and Stagehand Labor (Advance Rate)–Freeman
October 7		Labor, Installation and Dismantle–Freeman
October 7		Members Lounge Conference Room Reservation
October 7		Method of Payment–Freeman
October 7		New Products Entry (Advance Rate)
October 7		Project Vehicle Builders
October 7		Rental Exhibit Order (Advance Rate)–Freeman
October 7		Rigging Equipment Labor Order–Freeman
October 7		Booth Security Guard Service (Advance Rate)–COPS & Pro-Tect
October 7		Special Signs and Graphics (Advance Rate)–Freeman
October 7		Target Time Changes–Freeman
October 7		Telephone/Internet Order (Advance Rate)–Smart City
October 7		Third-Party Payment–Freeman
October 7		Utilities: Air/Water/Drain Order (Advance Rate)–Freeman

2010 Rep Agency of the Year Honoree, Michael Kunzman and Associates

2010 WD of the Year Honoree, Meyer Distributing

Finalists have been announced for the SEMA WD of the Year and the SEMA Rep Agency of the Year awards presented at the SEMA Show. The recipients will be recognized and honored during the SEMA Show's Industry Awards Banquet, Thursday evening, November 3. The SEMA Person of the Year Award will also be presented during the banquet.

The finalists for the 2011 SEMA Rep Agency of the Year are Bob Cook Sales, Considine Sales & Marketing and Innovative Marketing Services. The award was established to honor a manufacturers' rep agency for outstanding contributions to the automotive specialty-equipment industry for the past 12 months corresponding with SEMA's fiscal year, July 1 through June 30. The Rep Agency of the Year Award is selected based on the following criteria:

• SEMA Involvement (i.e., member, service on committees, task forces, councils, board, etc.)
• Quality and frequency of calls to the WD.
• Knowledge of terms and policies of lines/products represented (i.e., technical, general, presentation).
• Communication of critical information between the supplier and client network and vice versa.
• Ability to provide the services required by the manufacturer and the WD.
• Effective implementation of manufacturers’ programs in a timely manner.
• Maintains current and up-to-date catalogs/database files and price sheets/pricing files.
• Consistently reviews and writes up product warranties in a timely manner.
• Does periodic inventory reviews to ensure WD’s product coverage and inventory turns.
• Integrity of the agency in all operations.
• Conscientious and timely follow-through by reps on specific issues.
• Pursuit of new marketing opportunities.
• Maintains continuous training and education programs.
• Troubleshoots and attempts to resolve any problems related to a rep’s line/product.
• Supports and actively participates in WD open houses and other events.
• Makes in-field jobber calls on behalf of the WD and manufacturer and reports findings.

The SEMA WD of the Year Award was established to honor a warehouse distributor for outstanding contribution to the automotive specialty-equipment industry during the past 12 months corresponding with SEMA's fiscal year, July 1 through June 30. The finalists for the 2011 SEMA WD of the Year Award are Engine & Performance Warehouse, Meyer Distributing and Motor State Distributing. The finalists were selected based on the following criteria:

• SEMA Involvement (i.e., member, ambassador, service on committees, task forces, councils, board etc.).
• Works with jobbers for sales training and support programs.
• Promptly distributes catalogs, price sheets, merchandising aids and general collateral material.
• Attends industry shows and events.
• Creates programs to further the suppliers and resellers chances for successfully getting the product to the consumer.
• Maintains proper inventories to service the resellers on a timely basis.
• Provides the suppliers with input and regular communication to help their products and programs succeed.
• Allows for regular training of their personnel to keep them updated on new products, promotions and trends through rep, factory and/or industry training.
• Presents suppliers, their products and promotions to the reseller in a professional manner.
• Operates in a professional and efficient manner.
• Regularly pays their bills as agreed and in a timely manner.
• Provides the means to get the suppliers product to the reseller in a timely and efficient manner.

Tickets for the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet are available by using the Special Events Reservation Form. For additional information regarding the awards, contact Staci Bostock at stacib@sema.org.

2010 Rep Agency of the Year Honoree, Michael Kunzman and Associates

2010 WD of the Year Honoree, Meyer Distributing

Finalists have been announced for the SEMA WD of the Year and the SEMA Rep Agency of the Year awards presented at the SEMA Show. The recipients will be recognized and honored during the SEMA Show's Industry Awards Banquet, Thursday evening, November 3. The SEMA Person of the Year Award will also be presented during the banquet.

The finalists for the 2011 SEMA Rep Agency of the Year are Bob Cook Sales, Considine Sales & Marketing and Innovative Marketing Services. The award was established to honor a manufacturers' rep agency for outstanding contributions to the automotive specialty-equipment industry for the past 12 months corresponding with SEMA's fiscal year, July 1 through June 30. The Rep Agency of the Year Award is selected based on the following criteria:

• SEMA Involvement (i.e., member, service on committees, task forces, councils, board, etc.)
• Quality and frequency of calls to the WD.
• Knowledge of terms and policies of lines/products represented (i.e., technical, general, presentation).
• Communication of critical information between the supplier and client network and vice versa.
• Ability to provide the services required by the manufacturer and the WD.
• Effective implementation of manufacturers’ programs in a timely manner.
• Maintains current and up-to-date catalogs/database files and price sheets/pricing files.
• Consistently reviews and writes up product warranties in a timely manner.
• Does periodic inventory reviews to ensure WD’s product coverage and inventory turns.
• Integrity of the agency in all operations.
• Conscientious and timely follow-through by reps on specific issues.
• Pursuit of new marketing opportunities.
• Maintains continuous training and education programs.
• Troubleshoots and attempts to resolve any problems related to a rep’s line/product.
• Supports and actively participates in WD open houses and other events.
• Makes in-field jobber calls on behalf of the WD and manufacturer and reports findings.

The SEMA WD of the Year Award was established to honor a warehouse distributor for outstanding contribution to the automotive specialty-equipment industry during the past 12 months corresponding with SEMA's fiscal year, July 1 through June 30. The finalists for the 2011 SEMA WD of the Year Award are Engine & Performance Warehouse, Meyer Distributing and Motor State Distributing. The finalists were selected based on the following criteria:

• SEMA Involvement (i.e., member, ambassador, service on committees, task forces, councils, board etc.).
• Works with jobbers for sales training and support programs.
• Promptly distributes catalogs, price sheets, merchandising aids and general collateral material.
• Attends industry shows and events.
• Creates programs to further the suppliers and resellers chances for successfully getting the product to the consumer.
• Maintains proper inventories to service the resellers on a timely basis.
• Provides the suppliers with input and regular communication to help their products and programs succeed.
• Allows for regular training of their personnel to keep them updated on new products, promotions and trends through rep, factory and/or industry training.
• Presents suppliers, their products and promotions to the reseller in a professional manner.
• Operates in a professional and efficient manner.
• Regularly pays their bills as agreed and in a timely manner.
• Provides the means to get the suppliers product to the reseller in a timely and efficient manner.

Tickets for the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet are available by using the Special Events Reservation Form. For additional information regarding the awards, contact Staci Bostock at stacib@sema.org.

Do you need a private conference room at the SEMA Show in which to conduct business and meet with potential clients?

Complimentary conference meeting space is available in the Grand Lobby Mezzanine Members Lounge (near the North and Central Halls). With the exception of non-exhibiting manufacturers, these rooms are available exclusively to SEMA, TIA and SCRS members. Rooms can accommodate up to 10 people for a maximum of one hour. Meeting times begin and end on the hour:

Monday, October 31–Thursday, November 3  
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Friday, November 4
9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Rooms can be reserved by the October 7 deadline for two nonconsecutive, one-hour time slots per day. Rooms can still be reserved onsite, but based on availability. Visit the Exhibitor Manual, scroll down and click on "Members Lounge Media Room Reservation."

For more information, contact Tricia Hanisko at 702/450-7662, ext. 247 or thanisko@ConvExx.com.

Upcoming Deadlines:

September 30		Booth Food Service (Advance Rate)–ARAMARK
September 30		Exhibitor-Appointed Contractor Application
September 30		Fabric Solutions–Freeman
September 30		Sponsorship Materials Due–Motor Media
September 30		Vehicle Detailing (Advance Rate)–ECA Ltd.
September 30		Student Program Application (Interns)
October 3		Lead Retrieval Rental (Advance Rate)–CompuSytems
October 7		Carpet and Cleaning Order (Advance Rate)–Freeman
October 7		Credit Card Authorization–Freeman
October 7		Cable Order (Advance Rate)–Smart City
October 7		Electrical Order (Advance Rate)–Freeman
October 7		Exhibit Accessories (Advance Rate)–Freeman
October 7		Exhibit Furnishings (Advance Rate)–Freeman
October 7		Feature Vehicle Display Application Information
October 7		Hanging Truss, Chain Hoist, Lighting and Stagehand Labor (Advance Rate)–Freeman
October 7		Labor, Installation and Dismantle–Freeman
October 7		Members Lounge Conference Room Reservation
October 7		Method of Payment–Freeman
October 7		New Products Entry (Advance Rate)
October 7		Project Vehicle Builders
October 7		Rental Exhibit Order (Advance Rate)–Freeman
October 7		Rigging Equipment Labor Order–Freeman
October 7		Booth Security Guard Service (Advance Rate)–COPS & Pro-Tect
October 7		Special Signs and Graphics (Advance Rate)–Freeman
October 7		Target Time Changes–Freeman
October 7		Telephone/Internet Order (Advance Rate)–Smart City
October 7		Third-Party Payment–Freeman
October 7		Utilities: Air/Water/Drain Order (Advance Rate)–Freeman

Do you need a private conference room at the SEMA Show in which to conduct business and meet with potential clients?

Complimentary conference meeting space is available in the Grand Lobby Mezzanine Members Lounge (near the North and Central Halls). With the exception of non-exhibiting manufacturers, these rooms are available exclusively to SEMA, TIA and SCRS members. Rooms can accommodate up to 10 people for a maximum of one hour. Meeting times begin and end on the hour:

Monday, October 31–Thursday, November 3  
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Friday, November 4
9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Rooms can be reserved by the October 7 deadline for two nonconsecutive, one-hour time slots per day. Rooms can still be reserved onsite, but based on availability. Visit the Exhibitor Manual, scroll down and click on "Members Lounge Media Room Reservation."

For more information, contact Tricia Hanisko at 702/450-7662, ext. 247 or thanisko@ConvExx.com.

Upcoming Deadlines:

September 30		Booth Food Service (Advance Rate)–ARAMARK
September 30		Exhibitor-Appointed Contractor Application
September 30		Fabric Solutions–Freeman
September 30		Sponsorship Materials Due–Motor Media
September 30		Vehicle Detailing (Advance Rate)–ECA Ltd.
September 30		Student Program Application (Interns)
October 3		Lead Retrieval Rental (Advance Rate)–CompuSytems
October 7		Carpet and Cleaning Order (Advance Rate)–Freeman
October 7		Credit Card Authorization–Freeman
October 7		Cable Order (Advance Rate)–Smart City
October 7		Electrical Order (Advance Rate)–Freeman
October 7		Exhibit Accessories (Advance Rate)–Freeman
October 7		Exhibit Furnishings (Advance Rate)–Freeman
October 7		Feature Vehicle Display Application Information
October 7		Hanging Truss, Chain Hoist, Lighting and Stagehand Labor (Advance Rate)–Freeman
October 7		Labor, Installation and Dismantle–Freeman
October 7		Members Lounge Conference Room Reservation
October 7		Method of Payment–Freeman
October 7		New Products Entry (Advance Rate)
October 7		Project Vehicle Builders
October 7		Rental Exhibit Order (Advance Rate)–Freeman
October 7		Rigging Equipment Labor Order–Freeman
October 7		Booth Security Guard Service (Advance Rate)–COPS & Pro-Tect
October 7		Special Signs and Graphics (Advance Rate)–Freeman
October 7		Target Time Changes–Freeman
October 7		Telephone/Internet Order (Advance Rate)–Smart City
October 7		Third-Party Payment–Freeman
October 7		Utilities: Air/Water/Drain Order (Advance Rate)–Freeman

The team of pros at Brenda Priddy & Co. just spied the latest from Acura: An upscale sedan riding on the Civic platform and due to arrive as early as the ’13 model year.

Priddy's sources speculate that the TSX will be discontinued after the ’13 model year, and the slot in the lineup will be replaced with a civic-based sedan with a familiar name—possibly Integra. Or possibly RSX. The shooters report that they have heard rumors of both.

The sedan, as shown here in pre-production prototype form, will arrive first, with a coupe and possible convertible to follow a year later.

Although riding on the Civic platform, Priddy says that this is not a rebadged Honda. The Integra/RSX will be larger than its Civic cousin and have unique styling and sheetmetal.

Photos courtesy of Brenda Priddy & Co.

The team of pros at Brenda Priddy & Co. just spied the latest from Acura: An upscale sedan riding on the Civic platform and due to arrive as early as the ’13 model year.

Priddy's sources speculate that the TSX will be discontinued after the ’13 model year, and the slot in the lineup will be replaced with a civic-based sedan with a familiar name—possibly Integra. Or possibly RSX. The shooters report that they have heard rumors of both.

The sedan, as shown here in pre-production prototype form, will arrive first, with a coupe and possible convertible to follow a year later.

Although riding on the Civic platform, Priddy says that this is not a rebadged Honda. The Integra/RSX will be larger than its Civic cousin and have unique styling and sheetmetal.

Photos courtesy of Brenda Priddy & Co.

SEMA Member News—September/October 2011

WTC Welcomes New Select Committee Members

SEMA Member News—September/October 2011

WTC Welcomes New Select Committee Members

The vehicles featured in the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Builder's Challenge during July's SEMA Pinewood Drag Races will soon be made available for auction through eBay. Proceeds raised through the auction will benefit Childhelp and the Victory Junction Camp. But before these carefully crafted masters of the metal dragstrip find new homes, SEMA eNews talked to builders to uncover their motivation for making these pinewood cars special.

All of the vehicles featured in the Builder's Challenge will be on display in the HRIA booth at the 2011 SEMA Show. New builders and their vehicles will be included each week in SEMA eNews. Featured this week are John Martin of Johnny's Auto Trim & Rod Shop, Mike Spitzer of Spitzer Enterprises and Mike Cooper of Spanky's.

	John Martin from Johnny's Auto Trim & Rod Shop had this rendering in mind for the past 14 years.

John Martin, Johnny's Auto Trim & Rod Shop

SEMA eNews: Why did you decide to get involved and become a HRIA Pinewood Builder’s Challenge participant? 



John Martin: My reason for participating started with a conversation with John Menzler who told me about the cause, which I thought was great; anything to help kids. I feel that getting kids into cars is one of the very best things for them.

SEMA eNews: Did you race Pinewood when you were younger? 



John Martin: I did not get to race as a kid. My father was also sick with MS, so my brothers and I worked to support the family. I understand the tough times of having a sick family member, so I love to see kids having fun.

SEMA eNews: What was the inspiration for your build?



John Martin: I've had this rendering for about 14 years and wanted to build the real car for myself or a customer someday. I thought it would be cool to use it as the pinewood car.

SEMA eNews: What was the major challenge in completing the build?



John Martin: The biggest challenge was getting it proportioned.

SEMA eNews: What are the details of the build that you would like potential bidders to know? 



John Martin: The bidders can start by buying the pinewood, then we could build them the real car. Wouldn't that be cool?

	Spitzer's build includes custom aluminum wheels and a carbon-fiber carrying case.

Mike Spitzer, Spitzer Concepts

SEMA eNews: Why did you decide to get involved and become a HRIA Pinewood Builder’s Challenge participant? 



Mike Spitzer: Just for the fun of doing the project and to know that the proceeds benefit Childhelp and Victory Junction Camp.

SEMA eNews: Did you race Pinewood when you were younger? 



Mike Spitzer: I helped my son when he was in Pinewood Derby.

SEMA eNews: What was the inspiration for your build? 



Mike Spitzer: I have always loved Bonneville and the Lakesters and Streamliners.

SEMA eNews: What was the major challenge in completing the build? 



Mike Spitzer: The build time; with so many customer projects in the shop, everyone here wanted to be part of the HRIA build as well.

SEMA eNews: What are the details of the build that you would like potential bidders to know?

Mike Spitzer: The build includes custom aluminum wheels and a carbon-fiber carrying case. I also want them to know that their bids will help kids at Childhelp and Victory Junction.

	The Pinewood build from Spanky's is made of 100% steel.

Mike Cooper, Spanky's Hot Rods

SEMA eNews: Why did you decide to get involved and become a HRIA Pinewood Builder’s Challenge participant?

Mike Cooper: Eric Saltrick gave me information about the race and called me a few weeks later and asked if our shop would like to participate. I said "you bet," and the rest is history.

SEMA eNews: Did you race Pinewood when you were younger?

Mike Cooper: Yes, as a Cub Scout I did race Pinewood derby. I always loved that time of year when it came around. I made it through Scouts and reached the rank of Eagle Scout. When my son got into Scouts, he raced Pinewood derby and also reached the rank of Eagle Scout. That is a great program for young kids.

SEMA eNews: What was the inspiration for your build?

Mike Cooper: The building of the car triggered lots of great memories for me. I wanted to build a car that looked like something you would see roll out of our shop, but at the same time, look like a race car. I didn't build it thinking it would win the race, but win the heart of someone with deep pockets who would help the kids. I felt like I had already won when I was asked to build a car.

SEMA eNews: What was the major challenge in completing the build?

Mike Cooper: The major challenge in completing the car was picking a car to build. I called Brent Gill of Brent Gill Designs in Tampa, Florida, and told him of this fullsize car that was stuck in my head for many years now. I gave him the details and our shop colors and asked if he would put the info on paper. In a few weeks he sent me the rendering drawing and I started the build. I knew I had to build the car from steel and use what I had in my shop. No mail order or store-bought parts; keep it simple and cool. The car is all steel with a wooden firewall. It was hard to stop working on it. I set a date to stop and ship the car and stuck to it. 



SEMA eNews: What are the details of the build that you would like potential bidders to know?

Mike Cooper: The car is 100% steel and the body was shaped with the same tools in the shop that I use to build fullsize cars. The frame was built first, then the body was built around the frame. It's all handmade, no CNC parts. The frame and body unbolt from each other just as the fullsize version does. The vehicle includes handmade aluminum racing seats cut from the same sheet as our fullsize seats. The car was painted with the same PPG paint in our paint booth with the same spray guns we use on our fullsize builds. I would say I have 40 to 60 hours in the car and box. I also have a framed rendering of the car from Brent Gill that goes with it at auction.

All of the HRIA Builder's Challenge vehicles will be on display in HRIA's council booth at the 2011 SEMA Show. More details on the auction will be available in upcoming issues of SEMA eNews. For more information, contact Zane Clark at zanec@sema.org.