The SEMA Board of Directors provide strategic direction for the association and allocate your SEMA dollars. Help shape SEMA's leadership by casting your vote by Tuesday, June 14. Pictured above is the current SEMA Board of Directors.

In 24 hours, the primary contact at all SEMA-member companies will receive an e-mail with voting instructions for the 2011–2013 SEMA Board of Directors election.

Members are encouraged to take advantage of this valuable opportunity to select the individuals responsible for providing strategic direction for the association, allocating your SEMA dollars and shaping the future of the specialty-equipment industry.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011, is the last day for eligible SEMA members to vote. In addition to the forthcoming e-mail, election materials, including instructions for the online voting process, were mailed to the primary contacts at eligible SEMA-member companies within the corresponding membership categories in mid-May.

Each candidate has provided SEMA with a detailed biography, including career experience, personal insights and a discussion of their primary goals in running for a seat on the SEMA Board. To learn more about each individual candidate, simply click through the following list of nominees. Candidates for all SEMA Board categories include:

Chairman-Elect Category:
Doug Evans, Source Interlink Media
Nate Shelton, B&M Automotive Group

Manufacturers Category:
Joel Ayres, Tākit LLC (Incumbent)
John Brueggeman, 3M
Jim Chick, Bestop Inc.
Raymond King, Federal Mogul
Tim Martin, K&N Engineering Inc.
Mike Spagnola, Street Scene Equipment (Incumbent)
Brock Weld, BMF Wheels
Steve Wolcott, ProMedia LLC
Jeep Worthan, Auto Meter (Incumbent)

Distributor/Retailer & Services Category:
Greg Adler, Transamerican Auto Parts
Donnie Eatherly, P&E Distributors Inc. (Incumbent)
J.R. Moore, Performance Warehouse
Famous Rhodes, eBay Motors
Brock Rude, JR Motorsports
Van Woodell, Weathers Auto Supply Inc. (Incumbent)

Manufacturer's Rep Category:
Jeff Bates, Bob Cook Sales (Incumbent)
Joel Rosenthal, Gantt-Thomas and Associates Inc.

For more information about the 2011–2013 SEMA Board of Directors election, contact Judi Ritchie at judir@sema.org or 909/978-6671.

	The SEMA Board of Directors provide strategic direction for the association and allocate your SEMA dollars. Help shape SEMA's leadership by casting your vote by Tuesday, June 14. Pictured above is the current SEMA Board of Directors.

In 24 hours, the primary contact at all SEMA-member companies will receive an e-mail with voting instructions for the 2011–2013 SEMA Board of Directors election.

Members are encouraged to take advantage of this valuable opportunity to select the individuals responsible for providing strategic direction for the association, allocating your SEMA dollars and shaping the future of the specialty-equipment industry.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011, is the last day for eligible SEMA members to vote. In addition to the forthcoming e-mail, election materials, including instructions for the online voting process, were mailed to the primary contacts at eligible SEMA-member companies within the corresponding membership categories in mid-May.

Each candidate has provided SEMA with a detailed biography, including career experience, personal insights and a discussion of their primary goals in running for a seat on the SEMA Board. To learn more about each individual candidate, simply click through the following list of nominees. Candidates for all SEMA Board categories include:

Chairman-Elect Category:
Doug Evans, Source Interlink Media
Nate Shelton, B&M Automotive Group

Manufacturers Category:
Joel Ayres, Tākit LLC (Incumbent)
John Brueggeman, 3M
Jim Chick, Bestop Inc.
Raymond King, Federal Mogul
Tim Martin, K&N Engineering Inc.
Mike Spagnola, Street Scene Equipment (Incumbent)
Brock Weld, BMF Wheels
Steve Wolcott, ProMedia LLC
Jeep Worthan, Auto Meter (Incumbent)

Distributor/Retailer & Services Category:
Greg Adler, Transamerican Auto Parts
Donnie Eatherly, P&E Distributors Inc. (Incumbent)
J.R. Moore, Performance Warehouse
Famous Rhodes, eBay Motors
Brock Rude, JR Motorsports
Van Woodell, Weathers Auto Supply Inc. (Incumbent)

Manufacturer's Rep Category:
Jeff Bates, Bob Cook Sales (Incumbent)
Joel Rosenthal, Gantt-Thomas and Associates Inc.

For more information about the 2011–2013 SEMA Board of Directors election, contact Judi Ritchie at judir@sema.org or 909/978-6671.

 

	The 2011 SEMA Show is the place where wheel industry professionals gather to meet leading exhibitors, attend targeted educational seminars and participate in council activities.

In addition to the 125 manufacturers already committed to exhibiting in the Wheel Accessories section of the 2011 SEMA Show, the annual event taking place in Las Vegas Tuesday–Friday, November 1–4, 2011, will feature several activities specifically targeted to those in the wheel industry.


“Nothing compares to the SEMA Show as a place to see new wheel products and do business in the wheel industry,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “The wheel market is one of the leading and most active areas of the industry. This is a product category that is of interest to just about every buyer at the Show. In fact, based on our data, we see the highest amount of buyer activity in the lower level of South Hall where the wheel section is housed.”
 


Held side-by-side with the Global Tire Expo in South Hall, the Wheel Accessories area of the last year’s show was swarming with buyer activity. With nearly 53,000 leads generated in lower South Hall, the area saw the highest amount of buyer activity with about 158 qualified leads per exhibiting company. 


Buyers are attracted to the SEMA Show because the event offers a comprehensive professional experience. More than 100 manufacturers exhibiting in the dedicated section are on hand to debut their newest products, while thousands of vehicles throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center showcase wheels for every car and truck available. Nearly 60 educational seminars are available before and during the Show, including “Truck Tires at 10,” “Sustainability and Environmental Best Practices” and “TPMS at 10.”
 


As in previous years, the SEMA Wheel & Tire Council will host its annual Awards Reception the week of the SEMA Show. This unique event gives the wheel industry an opportunity to mix and mingle, while honoring key leaders for advancements and contributions to the market.

For more information, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

 

	The 2011 SEMA Show is the place where wheel industry professionals gather to meet leading exhibitors, attend targeted educational seminars and participate in council activities.

In addition to the 125 manufacturers already committed to exhibiting in the Wheel Accessories section of the 2011 SEMA Show, the annual event taking place in Las Vegas Tuesday–Friday, November 1–4, 2011, will feature several activities specifically targeted to those in the wheel industry.


“Nothing compares to the SEMA Show as a place to see new wheel products and do business in the wheel industry,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “The wheel market is one of the leading and most active areas of the industry. This is a product category that is of interest to just about every buyer at the Show. In fact, based on our data, we see the highest amount of buyer activity in the lower level of South Hall where the wheel section is housed.”
 


Held side-by-side with the Global Tire Expo in South Hall, the Wheel Accessories area of the last year’s show was swarming with buyer activity. With nearly 53,000 leads generated in lower South Hall, the area saw the highest amount of buyer activity with about 158 qualified leads per exhibiting company. 


Buyers are attracted to the SEMA Show because the event offers a comprehensive professional experience. More than 100 manufacturers exhibiting in the dedicated section are on hand to debut their newest products, while thousands of vehicles throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center showcase wheels for every car and truck available. Nearly 60 educational seminars are available before and during the Show, including “Truck Tires at 10,” “Sustainability and Environmental Best Practices” and “TPMS at 10.”
 


As in previous years, the SEMA Wheel & Tire Council will host its annual Awards Reception the week of the SEMA Show. This unique event gives the wheel industry an opportunity to mix and mingle, while honoring key leaders for advancements and contributions to the market.

For more information, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

 

	The 2011 SEMA Show is the place where wheel industry professionals gather to meet leading exhibitors, attend targeted educational seminars and participate in council activities.

In addition to the 125 manufacturers already committed to exhibiting in the Wheel Accessories section of the 2011 SEMA Show, the annual event taking place in Las Vegas Tuesday–Friday, November 1–4, 2011, will feature several activities specifically targeted to those in the wheel industry.


“Nothing compares to the SEMA Show as a place to see new wheel products and do business in the wheel industry,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “The wheel market is one of the leading and most active areas of the industry. This is a product category that is of interest to just about every buyer at the Show. In fact, based on our data, we see the highest amount of buyer activity in the lower level of South Hall where the wheel section is housed.”
 


Held side-by-side with the Global Tire Expo in South Hall, the Wheel Accessories area of the last year’s show was swarming with buyer activity. With nearly 53,000 leads generated in lower South Hall, the area saw the highest amount of buyer activity with about 158 qualified leads per exhibiting company. 


Buyers are attracted to the SEMA Show because the event offers a comprehensive professional experience. More than 100 manufacturers exhibiting in the dedicated section are on hand to debut their newest products, while thousands of vehicles throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center showcase wheels for every car and truck available. Nearly 60 educational seminars are available before and during the Show, including “Truck Tires at 10,” “Sustainability and Environmental Best Practices” and “TPMS at 10.”
 


As in previous years, the SEMA Wheel & Tire Council will host its annual Awards Reception the week of the SEMA Show. This unique event gives the wheel industry an opportunity to mix and mingle, while honoring key leaders for advancements and contributions to the market.

For more information, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

The U.S. Department of the Interior has withdrawn its controversial “wild lands” policy, which directed lands with potential wilderness qualities to be managed as wilderness. SEMA joined with a number of other organizations to oppose the program, implemented last December by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), since it usurps the exclusive authority of Congress to designate “wilderness.” The designation is consequential to SEMA members that produce equipment intended for off-road activities and their customers since no motorized activities are allowed on “wilderness” lands.

The BLM manages more than 250 million acres across the western United States and Alaska, 22% of which already has the wilderness designation. Under the wild lands program, the BLM was directed to review its inventory in search of more wild lands. Program opponents noted that it did not take into account input from local communities and elected officials on how the lands should be managed, such as permitting multiple uses that provide jobs and economic benefits. The controversial program was being challenged in Congress and in the courts.

In a separate action, the BLM closed 37 miles of roads and trails in southwest Idaho to protect a rare plant—the Packard's milkvetch. Last November, the plant was listed as a candidate for Endangered Species Act protection and off-highway vehicles were identified as a threat. The plant is known to grow in a small area of Payette County. The BLM closure of 37 miles of OHV recreation around Willow Creek will last at least two years as the issue is reviewed. While supporting the need to protect endangered plants and animals, SEMA has called on Congress to update the Endangered Species Act to allow the government to pursue recovery habitats rather than simply close huge tracts of land.

A federal judge has rejected Utah’s lawsuit claiming state rights to a 10.5 road in Canyonlands National Park. The National Park Service closed the road in 1998, blocking motorized access to Angel Arch. The state of Utah and San Juan County had argued that the dried-up Salt Creek Canyon riverbed had a history of continuous use by vehicles, homesteaders and cattle herders, which provided a right of way to the national park. Widely considered the most spectacular arch in the park, visitors must now walk about 12 miles to reach Angel Arch.

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

The U.S. Department of the Interior has withdrawn its controversial “wild lands” policy, which directed lands with potential wilderness qualities to be managed as wilderness. SEMA joined with a number of other organizations to oppose the program, implemented last December by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), since it usurps the exclusive authority of Congress to designate “wilderness.” The designation is consequential to SEMA members that produce equipment intended for off-road activities and their customers since no motorized activities are allowed on “wilderness” lands.

The BLM manages more than 250 million acres across the western United States and Alaska, 22% of which already has the wilderness designation. Under the wild lands program, the BLM was directed to review its inventory in search of more wild lands. Program opponents noted that it did not take into account input from local communities and elected officials on how the lands should be managed, such as permitting multiple uses that provide jobs and economic benefits. The controversial program was being challenged in Congress and in the courts.

In a separate action, the BLM closed 37 miles of roads and trails in southwest Idaho to protect a rare plant—the Packard's milkvetch. Last November, the plant was listed as a candidate for Endangered Species Act protection and off-highway vehicles were identified as a threat. The plant is known to grow in a small area of Payette County. The BLM closure of 37 miles of OHV recreation around Willow Creek will last at least two years as the issue is reviewed. While supporting the need to protect endangered plants and animals, SEMA has called on Congress to update the Endangered Species Act to allow the government to pursue recovery habitats rather than simply close huge tracts of land.

A federal judge has rejected Utah’s lawsuit claiming state rights to a 10.5 road in Canyonlands National Park. The National Park Service closed the road in 1998, blocking motorized access to Angel Arch. The state of Utah and San Juan County had argued that the dried-up Salt Creek Canyon riverbed had a history of continuous use by vehicles, homesteaders and cattle herders, which provided a right of way to the national park. Widely considered the most spectacular arch in the park, visitors must now walk about 12 miles to reach Angel Arch.

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

SEMA-supported legislation to exempt classic vehicles and classic rods from emissions inspections if owners pay a one-time $6 fee and submit a certification that their vehicle will not be driven more than 5,000 miles per year was signed into law by Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval.

Under previous law, classic rods and classic vehicles were subject to a 2,500-mile-per-year limit to qualify for an emissions exemption and had to pass an initial two-speed idle emissions inspection to qualify.

Also, each year the owners of classic rods and classic vehicles were required to certify that their vehicles had not been driven more than 2,500 miles during the previous year and the certification had to be verified by a DMV emissions technician. Under the new law, the initial emissions inspection is no longer required.

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA-supported legislation to exempt classic vehicles and classic rods from emissions inspections if owners pay a one-time $6 fee and submit a certification that their vehicle will not be driven more than 5,000 miles per year was signed into law by Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval.

Under previous law, classic rods and classic vehicles were subject to a 2,500-mile-per-year limit to qualify for an emissions exemption and had to pass an initial two-speed idle emissions inspection to qualify.

Also, each year the owners of classic rods and classic vehicles were required to certify that their vehicles had not been driven more than 2,500 miles during the previous year and the certification had to be verified by a DMV emissions technician. Under the new law, the initial emissions inspection is no longer required.

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

The 2011 SEMA Hall of Fame members will be introduced during the sit-down dinner portion of the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser.

Hundreds of leaders and professionals from the specialty-equipment industry will gather to honor noteworthy icons and volunteers during the 2011 SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser on Friday, July 29, at the Renaissance Hotel in Long Beach, California. The annual event serves as the industry’s premier celebration where the newly elected Board of Directors are sworn in and SEMA Hall of Fame inductees are introduced for the first time.

“The Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser has always been a special time to pay tribute to the individuals who are working to support and grow the industry and the association,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “I always look forward to the event—it really is a homecoming where industry friends and colleagues gather, swap stories and show their appreciation to the SEMA Board of Directors and Hall of Fame members.”

All industry professionals are invited to attend the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser. The event begins with cocktails at 6:00 p.m., where attendees are able to mix and mingle with industry icons and celebrities. During the sit-down dinner that follows, the 2011 SEMA Hall of Fame members are introduced: Gray Baskerville, Art Chrisman, Chris Economaki and John Towle. The newly elected SEMA Board of Directors, who will be announced in late-June, are also sworn in during the program.

Tickets and information are available at www.sema.org/gala or from Michelle Harris at michelleh@sema.org, 909/978-6684. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit two children’s charities: Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp.