Exhibitor participation for the 2011 SEMA Show is tracking up 14% over this time last year, with new exhibitors signing up every day.

The auto-parts industry shows no signs of letting up on the throttle in spite of turbulence on Wall Street, at least not yet. Even though the economy as a whole has been volatile, consistently positive data is still coming in around the SEMA Show, which is seeing growth in square footage and attendance continues to power ahead.

“Exhibitors and buyers seem to be saying that the more uncertainty there is in the economy, the more they need to be at the SEMA Show,” said SEMA Vice President of Communications and Events Peter MacGillivray. “The automotive community is recognizing the Show as a highly efficient way to do business. That’s understandable—where else can you meet with hundreds of buyers over a four-day period?”

Exhibitor participation is tracking up 14% over this time last year, with new exhibitors signing up every day. Many of the new exhibitors will be at the Show for the first time.

In addition to the positive trend among exhibitors, buyer registration is up 43% and media registration is up a whopping 75%.

Another indicator of the Show’s vitality, housing nights sold, is tracking at a rate 97% higher than last year. That statistic indicates that more attendees will be coming and that they plan to stay longer.

Many exhibitors are taking advantage of SEMA-sponsored cost reductions, such as free drayage for the first 1,000 lbs. of freight. Enhanced promotion via the popular Ideas Alive: Featuring the New Products Showcase—free for the first product—is another benefit that ensures exhibitors get the most bang for their buck.

To view the Show floor, find out about enhanced services or check the index of exhibiting companies, visit the new SEMA Show website at www.SEMAShow.com.

	Exhibitor participation for the 2011 SEMA Show is tracking up 14% over this time last year, with new exhibitors signing up every day.

The auto-parts industry shows no signs of letting up on the throttle in spite of turbulence on Wall Street, at least not yet. Even though the economy as a whole has been volatile, consistently positive data is still coming in around the SEMA Show, which is seeing growth in square footage and attendance continues to power ahead.

“Exhibitors and buyers seem to be saying that the more uncertainty there is in the economy, the more they need to be at the SEMA Show,” said SEMA Vice President of Communications and Events Peter MacGillivray. “The automotive community is recognizing the Show as a highly efficient way to do business. That’s understandable—where else can you meet with hundreds of buyers over a four-day period?”

Exhibitor participation is tracking up 14% over this time last year, with new exhibitors signing up every day. Many of the new exhibitors will be at the Show for the first time.

In addition to the positive trend among exhibitors, buyer registration is up 43% and media registration is up a whopping 75%.

Another indicator of the Show’s vitality, housing nights sold, is tracking at a rate 97% higher than last year. That statistic indicates that more attendees will be coming and that they plan to stay longer.

Many exhibitors are taking advantage of SEMA-sponsored cost reductions, such as free drayage for the first 1,000 lbs. of freight. Enhanced promotion via the popular Ideas Alive: Featuring the New Products Showcase—free for the first product—is another benefit that ensures exhibitors get the most bang for their buck.

To view the Show floor, find out about enhanced services or check the index of exhibiting companies, visit the new SEMA Show website at www.SEMAShow.com.

	Exhibitor participation for the 2011 SEMA Show is tracking up 14% over this time last year, with new exhibitors signing up every day.

The auto-parts industry shows no signs of letting up on the throttle in spite of turbulence on Wall Street, at least not yet. Even though the economy as a whole has been volatile, consistently positive data is still coming in around the SEMA Show, which is seeing growth in square footage and attendance continues to power ahead.

“Exhibitors and buyers seem to be saying that the more uncertainty there is in the economy, the more they need to be at the SEMA Show,” said SEMA Vice President of Communications and Events Peter MacGillivray. “The automotive community is recognizing the Show as a highly efficient way to do business. That’s understandable—where else can you meet with hundreds of buyers over a four-day period?”

Exhibitor participation is tracking up 14% over this time last year, with new exhibitors signing up every day. Many of the new exhibitors will be at the Show for the first time.

In addition to the positive trend among exhibitors, buyer registration is up 43% and media registration is up a whopping 75%.

Another indicator of the Show’s vitality, housing nights sold, is tracking at a rate 97% higher than last year. That statistic indicates that more attendees will be coming and that they plan to stay longer.

Many exhibitors are taking advantage of SEMA-sponsored cost reductions, such as free drayage for the first 1,000 lbs. of freight. Enhanced promotion via the popular Ideas Alive: Featuring the New Products Showcase—free for the first product—is another benefit that ensures exhibitors get the most bang for their buck.

To view the Show floor, find out about enhanced services or check the index of exhibiting companies, visit the new SEMA Show website at www.SEMAShow.com.

	Exhibitor participation for the 2011 SEMA Show is tracking up 14% over this time last year, with new exhibitors signing up every day.

The auto-parts industry shows no signs of letting up on the throttle in spite of turbulence on Wall Street, at least not yet. Even though the economy as a whole has been volatile, consistently positive data is still coming in around the SEMA Show, which is seeing growth in square footage and attendance continues to power ahead.

“Exhibitors and buyers seem to be saying that the more uncertainty there is in the economy, the more they need to be at the SEMA Show,” said SEMA Vice President of Communications and Events Peter MacGillivray. “The automotive community is recognizing the Show as a highly efficient way to do business. That’s understandable—where else can you meet with hundreds of buyers over a four-day period?”

Exhibitor participation is tracking up 14% over this time last year, with new exhibitors signing up every day. Many of the new exhibitors will be at the Show for the first time.

In addition to the positive trend among exhibitors, buyer registration is up 43% and media registration is up a whopping 75%.

Another indicator of the Show’s vitality, housing nights sold, is tracking at a rate 97% higher than last year. That statistic indicates that more attendees will be coming and that they plan to stay longer.

Many exhibitors are taking advantage of SEMA-sponsored cost reductions, such as free drayage for the first 1,000 lbs. of freight. Enhanced promotion via the popular Ideas Alive: Featuring the New Products Showcase—free for the first product—is another benefit that ensures exhibitors get the most bang for their buck.

To view the Show floor, find out about enhanced services or check the index of exhibiting companies, visit the new SEMA Show website at www.SEMAShow.com.

Jim Hughes has maintained Hughes Performance and Hughes Motorsports as successful family operations for more than 30 years.

SEMA Member News, a special member-to-member publication, caught up with two of the newest Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Select Committee members recently to ask them a few questions about their involvement in the industry and what they see ahead in MPMC. In this month’s edition, we hear from Jim Hughes of Hughes Performance and Kelli Wilmore of MasterCraft Safety.

SEMA Member News : What is your history in motorsports, in the specialty-equipment industry and in MPMC?

Jim Hughes: I grew up in a family business that remanufactured OEM torque converters. I started bracket racing in the late ’70s while in junior college and convinced the family during that time to get into high-performance converters. Hughes Machine became Hughes Performance, and we quickly developed a full line of automatic transmissions to complement the converter line.

Hughes Motorsports was then established to promote the Hughes Performance line of converters and transmissions. Today, we travel the country with four sportsman cars in a motorhome and trailer that also carries product for display and sale. As a National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) and International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) major sponsor, bracket-race program supporter and SEMA member, I have learned the importance of customer relations, service and value of a good marketing program. Our hands-on approach gives us the ability to know our products inside and out.

Kelli Wilmore: My family has always been involved to some extent in businesses related to automobile sales or manufacturing products for vehicles. After working in the family business for seven years, I moved to California to work for Borla. My passion for motorsports was awakened while attending various racing events for Borla. Following Borla, I moved back to Phoenix and worked for Billy Boat and also rejoined the Young Executives Network to continue developing my skills as an aftermarket professional.

During that same period, my passion for motorsports turned to more of an addiction, especially for off-road racing. I am now back in San Diego as vice president of marketing for MasterCraft Safety. No sooner did I get unpacked that the company acquired Impact from Bill Simpson. It’s been a lot of work but an enjoyable experience that has only furthered my passion for all things racing.

Kelli Wilmore is an experienced aftermarket industry professional with a seemingly endless passion for all things motorsports.

SMN: What priorities do you have for your first term on the MPMC Select Committee?

JH: My goal is to get to know each and every member of the team so that I can add to the group as a team player. The MPMC has always impressed me with the quality of people that come together for one common goal: helping and directing others who have the same love and passion for the automotive aftermarket industry as they do. Our industry’s icons and MPMC’s hall of famers, such as Scooter Brothers and John Menzler, have been mentors for me. My goal is to carry that torch and pass along to the next generation the same motivation and encouragement they have given me.

KW: As with anything, it is difficult to get a clear picture of what is needed and where until you have actually rolled up the sleeves and gotten a little dirt under the nails. I think bridging the gap between members, member companies and the end-user is essential to the growth of any industry—and ours in particular.

SMN: In this current economic crunch, why should companies join SEMA and MPMC?

JH: Aftermarket companies all face the same dilemmas that move with the economy. Do we diversify? Do we cut back? Do we move forward? SEMA and the MPMC are there to help answer these and many other business-related questions and topics of concern. Joining SEMA will give business owners the key to future success based on decisions made by others in the group of networking companies.

KW: Companies that are involved are more likely to have their fingers on the pulse of what consumers want and what the market demands. In this economy, it is important to be knowledgeable and relevant on what end-users want from their products. It is even more important to be an activist within the industry and champion causes that promote growth.

SMN: Is there anything else you would like to emphasize?

JH: United we stand, divided we fall. Networking with others in our industry can help be a key to success. Sharing strengths and weaknesses with fellow business associates will help build a solid foundation for the future.

	As part of Leadership Days, SEMA helped automotive businesses understand the latest technology trends and opportunities at the recent Business Technology Symposium (BTS).

As part of Leadership Days, SEMA helped automotive businesses understand the latest technology trends and opportunities at the Business Technology Symposium (BTS) in July at the Renaissance Hotel in Long Beach, California. BTS participants learned proven strategies and best practices to help them be more productive online from experts in the fields of online marketing, multimedia sales and eCommerce.

"During challenging economic times, the automotive aftermarket requires an extra gear to compete, sustain and grow and the BTS very much complied with the business savvy necessary to rise in the aftermarket business environment," said Dick Dixon, director of the International Motorsports Alliance at California State University San Bernardino, who attended the event.

“I first attended the Business Technical Symposium two years ago when social media was a new territory that the industry began exploring as a marketing tool," said Cheralyn Smith of Advanced Clutch Technology Inc. (ACT). "I was able to bring some valuable practices to the office and we still use every day at ACT. This year, I had the opportunity to be on the 'Manufacturer and Distributor Online Marketing Essentials' panel. That really gave me a chance to share our experiences, hear what is working for other companies and get an inside perspective on how social media continues to grow and transform marketing in the industry.”

Developed by SEMA's Street Performance Council (SPC), the event has become a premier business development forum offering several unique opportunities to gain a competitive advantage through the implementation of effective technology-based strategies.

"Given today's competitive marketplace, companies are relying more and more on emerging technologies for brand building, lead generation and, in some cases, as a primary source of commerce," said Tyler Tanaka, vice president of business development at PostRelease. "Technology is continuing to revolutionize the way business is conducted in the automotive aftermarket and our members' businesses are ever changing as a result. We wanted to give them the necessary tools to be prepared, understand and take advantage of the potential opportunities that exist while doing business in today's digital world."

Five business technology supersessions covered a diverse range of topics that included:

• Manufacturer and Distributor Online Marketing Essentials
• Mobile's Role in the Automotive Aftermarket
• Connecting With Customers: Effective Content Marketing
• Capture, Manage and Nurture Leads to Win More Customers
• Product Design and Manufacturing Technology That Could Change the Aftermarket.

"SEMA members are really engaged in furthering their marketing education," said Kirsten Knipp, director of product evangelism with HubSpot, who was a speaker for the "Capture, Manage and Nurture Leads to Win More Customers" session. "Because specialty products and services benefit disproportionately from getting found online via inbound marketing, it was gratifying to be able to share new data about search, social media and even modern middle-of-the-funnel marketing optimization with this group."

SEMA and the SPC extends a special thanks to eBay Motors, who gave away an iPad2 and PostRelease, who sponsored an attendee giveaway of a book entitled, "Inbound Marketing: Get Found Using Google, Social Media and Blogs," which was given to the first 50 registrants.

	As part of Leadership Days, SEMA helped automotive businesses understand the latest technology trends and opportunities at the recent Business Technology Symposium (BTS).

As part of Leadership Days, SEMA helped automotive businesses understand the latest technology trends and opportunities at the Business Technology Symposium (BTS) in July at the Renaissance Hotel in Long Beach, California. BTS participants learned proven strategies and best practices to help them be more productive online from experts in the fields of online marketing, multimedia sales and eCommerce.

"During challenging economic times, the automotive aftermarket requires an extra gear to compete, sustain and grow and the BTS very much complied with the business savvy necessary to rise in the aftermarket business environment," said Dick Dixon, director of the International Motorsports Alliance at California State University San Bernardino, who attended the event.

“I first attended the Business Technical Symposium two years ago when social media was a new territory that the industry began exploring as a marketing tool," said Cheralyn Smith of Advanced Clutch Technology Inc. (ACT). "I was able to bring some valuable practices to the office and we still use every day at ACT. This year, I had the opportunity to be on the 'Manufacturer and Distributor Online Marketing Essentials' panel. That really gave me a chance to share our experiences, hear what is working for other companies and get an inside perspective on how social media continues to grow and transform marketing in the industry.”

Developed by SEMA's Street Performance Council (SPC), the event has become a premier business development forum offering several unique opportunities to gain a competitive advantage through the implementation of effective technology-based strategies.

"Given today's competitive marketplace, companies are relying more and more on emerging technologies for brand building, lead generation and, in some cases, as a primary source of commerce," said Tyler Tanaka, vice president of business development at PostRelease. "Technology is continuing to revolutionize the way business is conducted in the automotive aftermarket and our members' businesses are ever changing as a result. We wanted to give them the necessary tools to be prepared, understand and take advantage of the potential opportunities that exist while doing business in today's digital world."

Five business technology supersessions covered a diverse range of topics that included:

• Manufacturer and Distributor Online Marketing Essentials
• Mobile's Role in the Automotive Aftermarket
• Connecting With Customers: Effective Content Marketing
• Capture, Manage and Nurture Leads to Win More Customers
• Product Design and Manufacturing Technology That Could Change the Aftermarket.

"SEMA members are really engaged in furthering their marketing education," said Kirsten Knipp, director of product evangelism with HubSpot, who was a speaker for the "Capture, Manage and Nurture Leads to Win More Customers" session. "Because specialty products and services benefit disproportionately from getting found online via inbound marketing, it was gratifying to be able to share new data about search, social media and even modern middle-of-the-funnel marketing optimization with this group."

SEMA and the SPC extends a special thanks to eBay Motors, who gave away an iPad2 and PostRelease, who sponsored an attendee giveaway of a book entitled, "Inbound Marketing: Get Found Using Google, Social Media and Blogs," which was given to the first 50 registrants.

	As part of Leadership Days, SEMA helped automotive businesses understand the latest technology trends and opportunities at the recent Business Technology Symposium (BTS).

As part of Leadership Days, SEMA helped automotive businesses understand the latest technology trends and opportunities at the Business Technology Symposium (BTS) in July at the Renaissance Hotel in Long Beach, California. BTS participants learned proven strategies and best practices to help them be more productive online from experts in the fields of online marketing, multimedia sales and eCommerce.

"During challenging economic times, the automotive aftermarket requires an extra gear to compete, sustain and grow and the BTS very much complied with the business savvy necessary to rise in the aftermarket business environment," said Dick Dixon, director of the International Motorsports Alliance at California State University San Bernardino, who attended the event.

“I first attended the Business Technical Symposium two years ago when social media was a new territory that the industry began exploring as a marketing tool," said Cheralyn Smith of Advanced Clutch Technology Inc. (ACT). "I was able to bring some valuable practices to the office and we still use every day at ACT. This year, I had the opportunity to be on the 'Manufacturer and Distributor Online Marketing Essentials' panel. That really gave me a chance to share our experiences, hear what is working for other companies and get an inside perspective on how social media continues to grow and transform marketing in the industry.”

Developed by SEMA's Street Performance Council (SPC), the event has become a premier business development forum offering several unique opportunities to gain a competitive advantage through the implementation of effective technology-based strategies.

"Given today's competitive marketplace, companies are relying more and more on emerging technologies for brand building, lead generation and, in some cases, as a primary source of commerce," said Tyler Tanaka, vice president of business development at PostRelease. "Technology is continuing to revolutionize the way business is conducted in the automotive aftermarket and our members' businesses are ever changing as a result. We wanted to give them the necessary tools to be prepared, understand and take advantage of the potential opportunities that exist while doing business in today's digital world."

Five business technology supersessions covered a diverse range of topics that included:

• Manufacturer and Distributor Online Marketing Essentials
• Mobile's Role in the Automotive Aftermarket
• Connecting With Customers: Effective Content Marketing
• Capture, Manage and Nurture Leads to Win More Customers
• Product Design and Manufacturing Technology That Could Change the Aftermarket.

"SEMA members are really engaged in furthering their marketing education," said Kirsten Knipp, director of product evangelism with HubSpot, who was a speaker for the "Capture, Manage and Nurture Leads to Win More Customers" session. "Because specialty products and services benefit disproportionately from getting found online via inbound marketing, it was gratifying to be able to share new data about search, social media and even modern middle-of-the-funnel marketing optimization with this group."

SEMA and the SPC extends a special thanks to eBay Motors, who gave away an iPad2 and PostRelease, who sponsored an attendee giveaway of a book entitled, "Inbound Marketing: Get Found Using Google, Social Media and Blogs," which was given to the first 50 registrants.

The all-new ’12 Volkswagen Beetle.

The ’12 Mazda3 4DR.

Conveniently, SEMA will be holding back-to-back measuring sessions, starting August 23–24 with the ’12 Volkswagen Beetle and continuing August 25 with the ’12 Mazda3 4DR and 5DR.

These sessions will provide SEMA-member specialty-parts manufacturers hands-on access to these new vehicles in order to gather surface data in preparation for designing, developing and manufacturing aftermarket parts and accessories. This is also an opportunity to speak directly with both automakers' engineers and technical staff.

The all-new ’12 Volkswagen Beetle will be on display for two days, August 23–24, from 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (PDT) at the Volkswagen of America Inc. Ontario Learning Center in Ontario, California. It is equipped with either a 2.5L five-cylinder or 2.0L TSI turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Each is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The deadline to register is Friday, August 19.

The ’12 Mazda3 4DR and 5DR will be on display August 25, from 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (PDT) at the Mazda North American Operations, Western Region Training Center in Irvine, California. It features a new front fascia, new 16- and 17-in. alloy wheel designs, revised fog lights and door mirrors and new engine/transmission combinations. The deadline to register is Friday, August 22.

For questions, contact Bill Wolf at 909/978-6744 or billw@sema.org.

The all-new ’12 Volkswagen Beetle.

The ’12 Mazda3 4DR.

Conveniently, SEMA will be holding back-to-back measuring sessions, starting August 23–24 with the ’12 Volkswagen Beetle and continuing August 25 with the ’12 Mazda3 4DR and 5DR.

These sessions will provide SEMA-member specialty-parts manufacturers hands-on access to these new vehicles in order to gather surface data in preparation for designing, developing and manufacturing aftermarket parts and accessories. This is also an opportunity to speak directly with both automakers' engineers and technical staff.

The all-new ’12 Volkswagen Beetle will be on display for two days, August 23–24, from 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (PDT) at the Volkswagen of America Inc. Ontario Learning Center in Ontario, California. It is equipped with either a 2.5L five-cylinder or 2.0L TSI turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Each is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The deadline to register is Friday, August 19.

The ’12 Mazda3 4DR and 5DR will be on display August 25, from 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (PDT) at the Mazda North American Operations, Western Region Training Center in Irvine, California. It features a new front fascia, new 16- and 17-in. alloy wheel designs, revised fog lights and door mirrors and new engine/transmission combinations. The deadline to register is Friday, August 22.

For questions, contact Bill Wolf at 909/978-6744 or billw@sema.org.