Show exhibitors looking to export should sign up for a free listing in the 2011 SEMA International Buyers’ Guide (IBG). The deadline to include your company in the directory is September 2. The IBG is provided to international buyers at the 2011 SEMA Show and all year at major overseas trade shows.

Nearly 25% of all buyers expected at the 2011 SEMA Show will come from more than 100 nations outside the United States. Registration is strong from buyers from countries and regions around the world, including Canada, Mexico, Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, Scandinavia, the United Arab Emirates, Venezuela and the United Kingdom. SEMA offers a variety of programs and resources to link Show exhibitors with these international distributors and retailers.

Seminars

Attend three international seminars taking place Monday, October 31, at the start of SEMA Education Days.

• 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.: Beyond Borders: The Logistics Behind Global Growth

A panel of industry experts will provide a high-level overview of trends in international markets and provide best practices for international logistics. Learn what to do from real-world case studies—and what pitfalls to avoid when shipping product overseas.

• 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.: Selling Into the Brazilian Market: Insider Tips

A new SEMA survey will be released on the specialty-equipment market in Brazil later this year. Learn the latest trends, applications and perceptions of U.S. brands. Hear from local distributors and media.

• 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.: Opportunities for SEMA-Member Manufacturers in the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates and surrounding countries provide some of the best opportunities for U.S. manufacturers. Off-roading, car collecting and motorsports are growing in popularity. Learn how to cash in on this lucrative region.

International Happy Hour

More than 1,000 companies are expected at the 2011 SEMA International Happy Hour. The event provides an excellent opportunity to network with buyers and distributors from around the world. Top international media from key overseas markets will also be in attendance.

Global Media Awards

The eighth annual Global Media Awards will once again be selected by a group of top automotive journalists from more than 20 countries who will each name 10 products from the New Products Showcase that they think will most appeal to consumers in their home markets. Winning companies receive a Global Media Award, which signifies the global appeal of their products, and the companies will be recognized at the International Happy Hour. To be considered, make sure your products are featured in the New Products Showcase. (Visit www.SEMAShow.com/exhibitor-manual and select the “New Products Showcase” link under “Marketing, Advertising & Sponsorships” to get started.) Go to www.sema.org/sema-news/2011/2 to see the SEMA News story about last year’s winners.

Center for International Commerce

		The SEMA Center for International Commerce is just one of the valuable resources that will allow SEMA Show exhibitors to connect with international buyers.

The SEMA Center for International Commerce (CIC), located in room S224 of the Las Vegas Convention Center, is a valuable resource for SEMA Show exhibitors and international buyers. SEMA’s international staff will be on hand at the CIC, as will a team of interpreters to assist in bilingual communication in key languages that include German, French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese. Complimentary private meeting rooms are also available in the CIC.

U.S. Export Pavilion

The U.S. government is sponsoring a U.S. Export Pavilion at the 2011 SEMA Show to highlight programs designed to help U.S. companies expand into global markets. From using the latest export statistics to finding the easiest shipping methods, companies can talk to trade experts to plan an export strategy to target new markets and find new buyers. Visit booth #38129.

Companies today receive international sales inquiries every day, but some worry about complying with the latest export regulations or ensuring payment from unknown buyers. More and more companies are learning that federal government programs exist to help them expand their international sales and navigate the export process. At the U.S. Export Pavilion, U.S. government agencies will demonstrate their services and talk to companies interested in exporting their products internationally.

The objective of the Pavilion is to educate and assist U.S. companies on all aspects of exporting, including but not limited to:

• Researching export markets
• Accessing and using official U.S. trade statistics
• Understanding how to properly classify export commodities
• Finding international buyers
• Complying with export regulations
• Financing international transactions
• Shipping products internationally
• Understanding the Commerce Control List
• Filing information in the Automated Export System

Exhibitors who stop by the Export Pavilion will receive a three-month trial offer to USATrade OnLine. This Internet-based product includes all access to the entire foreign trade database for the United States. It incorporates detailed information on every good imported into or exported out of the United States. This is a powerful tool that will help U.S. companies determine where there are export markets for their products and in which markets they can be competitive. For more information on any of these programs, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

		Show exhibitors looking to export should sign up for a free listing in the 2011 SEMA International Buyers’ Guide (IBG). The deadline to include your company in the directory is September 2. The IBG is provided to international buyers at the 2011 SEMA Show and all year at major overseas trade shows.

Nearly 25% of all buyers expected at the 2011 SEMA Show will come from more than 100 nations outside the United States. Registration is strong from buyers from countries and regions around the world, including Canada, Mexico, Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, Scandinavia, the United Arab Emirates, Venezuela and the United Kingdom. SEMA offers a variety of programs and resources to link Show exhibitors with these international distributors and retailers.

Seminars

Attend three international seminars taking place Monday, October 31, at the start of SEMA Education Days.

• 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.: Beyond Borders: The Logistics Behind Global Growth

A panel of industry experts will provide a high-level overview of trends in international markets and provide best practices for international logistics. Learn what to do from real-world case studies—and what pitfalls to avoid when shipping product overseas.

• 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.: Selling Into the Brazilian Market: Insider Tips

A new SEMA survey will be released on the specialty-equipment market in Brazil later this year. Learn the latest trends, applications and perceptions of U.S. brands. Hear from local distributors and media.

• 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.: Opportunities for SEMA-Member Manufacturers in the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates and surrounding countries provide some of the best opportunities for U.S. manufacturers. Off-roading, car collecting and motorsports are growing in popularity. Learn how to cash in on this lucrative region.

International Happy Hour

More than 1,000 companies are expected at the 2011 SEMA International Happy Hour. The event provides an excellent opportunity to network with buyers and distributors from around the world. Top international media from key overseas markets will also be in attendance.

Global Media Awards

The eighth annual Global Media Awards will once again be selected by a group of top automotive journalists from more than 20 countries who will each name 10 products from the New Products Showcase that they think will most appeal to consumers in their home markets. Winning companies receive a Global Media Award, which signifies the global appeal of their products, and the companies will be recognized at the International Happy Hour. To be considered, make sure your products are featured in the New Products Showcase. (Visit www.SEMAShow.com/exhibitor-manual and select the “New Products Showcase” link under “Marketing, Advertising & Sponsorships” to get started.) Go to www.sema.org/sema-news/2011/2 to see the SEMA News story about last year’s winners.

Center for International Commerce

		The SEMA Center for International Commerce is just one of the valuable resources that will allow SEMA Show exhibitors to connect with international buyers.

The SEMA Center for International Commerce (CIC), located in room S224 of the Las Vegas Convention Center, is a valuable resource for SEMA Show exhibitors and international buyers. SEMA’s international staff will be on hand at the CIC, as will a team of interpreters to assist in bilingual communication in key languages that include German, French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese. Complimentary private meeting rooms are also available in the CIC.

U.S. Export Pavilion

The U.S. government is sponsoring a U.S. Export Pavilion at the 2011 SEMA Show to highlight programs designed to help U.S. companies expand into global markets. From using the latest export statistics to finding the easiest shipping methods, companies can talk to trade experts to plan an export strategy to target new markets and find new buyers. Visit booth #38129.

Companies today receive international sales inquiries every day, but some worry about complying with the latest export regulations or ensuring payment from unknown buyers. More and more companies are learning that federal government programs exist to help them expand their international sales and navigate the export process. At the U.S. Export Pavilion, U.S. government agencies will demonstrate their services and talk to companies interested in exporting their products internationally.

The objective of the Pavilion is to educate and assist U.S. companies on all aspects of exporting, including but not limited to:

• Researching export markets
• Accessing and using official U.S. trade statistics
• Understanding how to properly classify export commodities
• Finding international buyers
• Complying with export regulations
• Financing international transactions
• Shipping products internationally
• Understanding the Commerce Control List
• Filing information in the Automated Export System

Exhibitors who stop by the Export Pavilion will receive a three-month trial offer to USATrade OnLine. This Internet-based product includes all access to the entire foreign trade database for the United States. It incorporates detailed information on every good imported into or exported out of the United States. This is a powerful tool that will help U.S. companies determine where there are export markets for their products and in which markets they can be competitive. For more information on any of these programs, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

The new ARMO Trademark Licensing Overview is provided free of charge to ARMO members. It is the latest in a recent string of new and/or improved ARMO member benefits.

If you are in the automotive restoration industry and are looking for an edge in business, there is no better time to join the Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO). In the first six months of 2011, ARMO launched four new and/or improved member benefits.

New Website

In late January 2011, ARMO launched a new website for the Take A Kid to a Car Show program. The new site includes features for kids and adults alike. Car show promoters can find helpful information and tips on how to promote an event to the local media and governments, find out why promoting Take a Kid to a Car Show is beneficial to their events and the industry, and download logos and public-service announcements. Kids will find coloring-book pages to download, a link to an iPhone app for more coloring fun and a photo gallery of cars and kids.

Both groups will find the Car Show Calendar to be a helpful feature, and there is also a contact page where anyone can forward information on cars shows as well as questions or testimonials about their experiences at car shows. More features will be added in the future.

Product Showcase

ARMO hosts a New Products Showcase each year at Spring Carlisle. ARMO-member companies may display their newest restoration products at no charge in front of the largest gathering of automotive restoration enthusiasts in the country. Each product is also professionally photographed, and the photographs are used in looping videos in the ARMO booth and at the ARMO awards reception at the SEMA Show. ARMO added yet another feature to this benefit in 2011, hosting the photographs with descriptions and company contact information on the ARMO webpages. For only the cost of shipping, ARMO members can enjoy a full year’s worth of prime exposure for their latest products.

Trademark Overview

Another project that has been in the works for some time is the ARMO Trademark Licensing Overview. ARMO Select Committee member Jim Christina of Dynacorn developed the idea after his own experience at obtaining trademark licenses from OEM automakers.

“This process can be very time consuming,” Christina said. “The OEMs are understandably protective of their brands, and there is no simple process. The OEMs not only want quality products for their names, but also to be sure the products come from quality companies. Our thought with this overview is to provide ARMO members with contact information and the basics of what they will need to pursue a trademark license with one of our automakers. While it does not provide everything needed to obtain a trademark license, it shows the member what types of information will be necessary and who to contact. Without this overview, a member has to start from Google like I did.”

Ford, GM and Chrysler each supported the idea for the overview and worked closely with ARMO and SEMA staff to produce the finished product. The overview is currently available only in hard copy and only to ARMO members. As of this writing, a copy has been mailed to each ARMO-member company and is provided to new ARMO members in their new-member kits.

Education

ARMO hosts education seminars each year at the Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show in Indianapolis. The seminars routinely get excellent reviews from attendees, which prompted ARMO leadership to look for a way to provide the benefit to all ARMO members. The council teamed with the SEMA Education Institute (SEI) to videotape the seminars and host them on both the eLearning Center website as well as through a direct link from the ARMO website (click on the “ARMO Education Seminars” link). Two seminars are available.

In session one, Dick Dixon presents “The Art of Selling.” Session two is a panel discussion on “How the Internet Can Help Your Business; Internet Marketing on a Budget,” moderated by ARMO Chairman Laura Bergan of American Collectors Insurance with panelists Tyler Tanaka of Cie Studios, Robert Basha of Auction 123 and Eric Saltrick of Steele Rubber Products. Each session is approximately one hour long.

Couple these four benefits to networking opportunities with other industry professionals and, as current ARMO members are fond of pointing out, “It’s the best $100 you can spend.” For more information, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

The new ARMO Trademark Licensing Overview is provided free of charge to ARMO members. It is the latest in a recent string of new and/or improved ARMO member benefits.

If you are in the automotive restoration industry and are looking for an edge in business, there is no better time to join the Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO). In the first six months of 2011, ARMO launched four new and/or improved member benefits.

New Website

In late January 2011, ARMO launched a new website for the Take A Kid to a Car Show program. The new site includes features for kids and adults alike. Car show promoters can find helpful information and tips on how to promote an event to the local media and governments, find out why promoting Take a Kid to a Car Show is beneficial to their events and the industry, and download logos and public-service announcements. Kids will find coloring-book pages to download, a link to an iPhone app for more coloring fun and a photo gallery of cars and kids.

Both groups will find the Car Show Calendar to be a helpful feature, and there is also a contact page where anyone can forward information on cars shows as well as questions or testimonials about their experiences at car shows. More features will be added in the future.

Product Showcase

ARMO hosts a New Products Showcase each year at Spring Carlisle. ARMO-member companies may display their newest restoration products at no charge in front of the largest gathering of automotive restoration enthusiasts in the country. Each product is also professionally photographed, and the photographs are used in looping videos in the ARMO booth and at the ARMO awards reception at the SEMA Show. ARMO added yet another feature to this benefit in 2011, hosting the photographs with descriptions and company contact information on the ARMO webpages. For only the cost of shipping, ARMO members can enjoy a full year’s worth of prime exposure for their latest products.

Trademark Overview

Another project that has been in the works for some time is the ARMO Trademark Licensing Overview. ARMO Select Committee member Jim Christina of Dynacorn developed the idea after his own experience at obtaining trademark licenses from OEM automakers.

“This process can be very time consuming,” Christina said. “The OEMs are understandably protective of their brands, and there is no simple process. The OEMs not only want quality products for their names, but also to be sure the products come from quality companies. Our thought with this overview is to provide ARMO members with contact information and the basics of what they will need to pursue a trademark license with one of our automakers. While it does not provide everything needed to obtain a trademark license, it shows the member what types of information will be necessary and who to contact. Without this overview, a member has to start from Google like I did.”

Ford, GM and Chrysler each supported the idea for the overview and worked closely with ARMO and SEMA staff to produce the finished product. The overview is currently available only in hard copy and only to ARMO members. As of this writing, a copy has been mailed to each ARMO-member company and is provided to new ARMO members in their new-member kits.

Education

ARMO hosts education seminars each year at the Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show in Indianapolis. The seminars routinely get excellent reviews from attendees, which prompted ARMO leadership to look for a way to provide the benefit to all ARMO members. The council teamed with the SEMA Education Institute (SEI) to videotape the seminars and host them on both the eLearning Center website as well as through a direct link from the ARMO website (click on the “ARMO Education Seminars” link). Two seminars are available.

In session one, Dick Dixon presents “The Art of Selling.” Session two is a panel discussion on “How the Internet Can Help Your Business; Internet Marketing on a Budget,” moderated by ARMO Chairman Laura Bergan of American Collectors Insurance with panelists Tyler Tanaka of Cie Studios, Robert Basha of Auction 123 and Eric Saltrick of Steele Rubber Products. Each session is approximately one hour long.

Couple these four benefits to networking opportunities with other industry professionals and, as current ARMO members are fond of pointing out, “It’s the best $100 you can spend.” For more information, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.