SEMA News - July 2010

Buyer Attendees Find the Secret to Success 

As the economy starts to rebound, retailers are taking on a new mission—customer recovery. While analysts argue about the official end of the recession, business owners know that the economy doesn’t turn around until new customers begin to open their wallets. To identify the newest products and services for potential customers, the following retailers sent representatives to the 2009 SEMA Show to spend four days meeting with representatives from Show exhibitors. These retailers are considered the Top 100 because they scanned more products in the showcase, visited with more exhibitors and attended more seminars in one week than their competition will in a year.

 

Pep Boys 3111 W. Allegheny Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19132 215/430-9217 www.pepboys.com Rick’s Pro Truck Inc. 4206 Lakeland Dr. Flowood, MS 39232 601/939-4055 www.ricksprotruck.com Whitney Automotive Group 111 E. Wacker Dr., Ste. 3000 Chicago, IL 60601 312/431-6000 www.jcwhitney.com Summit Racing Equipment P.O. Box 909 Akron, OH 44309-0909 330/630-0270 www.summitracing.com Auto Anything 9210 Sky Park Ct. San Diego, CA 92123 858/569-8111 www.autoanything.com Auto Sunroof of Larchmont 54 Nardozzi Pl. New Rochelle, NY 10805 914/633-1550 www.aslauto.com Ron Mangus Hot Rod Interiors 247 S. Olive Avenue Rialto, CA 92376 909/877-9342 www.ronmangus.com Hillbank Motor Corp. 6 Autry Irvine, CA 92618 949/900-1960 www.hillbankusa.com Engine Builders Supply Co. 4068 S. McCarran Blvd., Ste. B Reno, NV 89502-7532 775/673-1300 www.ebsracing.com Morris 4x4 Center 1020 SW 10th Ave. Pompano Beach, FL 33069 954/941-7807 www.jeep4x4center.com Tint World LLC 90 NW Spanish River Blvd., Ste. 5 Boca Raton, FL 33431 800/767-8468 www.tintworld.com Trick Trucks 10431 Metropolitan Ave. Kensington, MD 20895 866/60-TRICK www.tricktrucks.com Mid America Motorworks #1 Mid America Pl. Effingham, IL 62401 217/540-4200 www.mamotorworks.com Truck’n America 2130 Old Washington Rd. Waldorf, MD 20601 301/932-4510 www.trucknamerica.com Auto Sun Roof Inc. 1305 Industrial Hwy. Cinnaminson, NJ 08077-0131 856/786-0600 www.autosunroof.com Model Electronics 615 E. Crescent Ave. Ramsey, NJ 07446 201/961-6237 www.modelelectronics.com The Eastwood Company 263 Shoemaker Rd. Pottstown, PA 19464-6433 610/705-5412 www.eastwood.com Corvette Central 13550 Three Oaks Rd. Sawyer, MI 49125 269/426-3342 www.corvettecentral.com Evolution Performance Inc. 3606 Market St. Aston, PA 19014 610/497-9440 www.evoperform.com The Topper Factory Inc. 2010 U.S. Hwy. 50 W. Pueblo, CO 81008 719/543-2960 Coach Automotive Restyling of No. CA 30017 Ahern Ave. Union City, CA 94587 510/487-1377 www.coachautomotiverestyling.com Rims USA 160-A Metro Dr. Spartanburg, SC 29305 864/597-0157 Speed and Truck World 1060 W. Sunrise Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 954/760-9922 www.speedandtruckworld.com All American Canopies Inc. P.O. Box 7758 Salem, OR 97303-2556 506/375-0149 www.allamericancanopies.com Performance Plus Tire & Auto 3910 Cherry Ave. Long Beach, CA 90807 562/988-0211 www.performanceplustire.com Adamson Industries Corp. 45 Research Dr. Haverhill, MA 01832-1293 978/681-0370 www.adamsonindustries.com Auto Trim Design of Fairbanks Inc. 2550 S. Cushman St. Fairbanks, AK 99701 907/456-8400 www.autotrimdesignalaska.com Mustangs Plus Inc. 2353 N. Wilson Way Stockton, CA 95205 800/999-4289 www.mustangsplus.com Southside Trim 4300 Buckingham Rd. Fort Worth, TX 76155 817/336-2066 Truckworks & More 2230 Broadway Bangor, ME 04401 207/942-5081 www.truckworksandmore.com TAPS Truck Accessories 1207 13th St. Paso Robles, CA 93446 805/226-8277 www.tapstruck.com Next Level Motoring 21636 Marilla St. Chatsworth, CA 91311 818/349-2264 www.nlmotoring.com PUR Performance 3725 Harry S. Truman Blvd. St. Charles, MO 63301 636/946-8554 www.PurPerformance.com YoParts.com 3605 Sandy Plains Rd. Marietta, GA 30066 800/939-7902 www.yoparts.com Topper World 1515 Lafayette St. Gretna, LA 70053-5785 504/366-8888 www.topperworld.com Chux Trux Inc. 13208-A E. U.S. Hwy. 40 Independence, MO 64055 816/373-8789 www.chuxtrux.com Tops & Trends Inc. 700 Park Centre Dr. Kernersville, NC 27284 336/996-7250 www.topsandtrends.com Dealer Accessory Service 1700 Loretta Ave. Feasterville, PA 19053 215/322-3041 www.streetroad.com A Better Truck & Hitch 5311 Brookpark Rd. Parma, OH 44134-1043 216/741-5566 www.abettertruckcap.com American Speed Centers 1420 N. George St. York, PA 17404-2015 717/848-6272 www.americanspeedfx.com Custom Truck 540 Veterans Blvd. Redwood City, CA 94063-1122 650/363-5982 www.customtrucks.com DFW Camper Corral Inc. 808 E. Division St. Arlington, TX 76011-7218 817/461-3363 www.dfwcamper.com Hazel Dell Tire Factory 6511 N.E. Hwy. 99 Vancouver , WA 98665 360/695-1347 Ogden Auto Paint & Glass Co. 3290 Washington Blvd. Ogden, UT 84401 801/399-3317 www.truckntrim.com Speedworld FX 162 Old Country Rd. Riverhead, NY 11901 631/727-1500 www.speedworldfx.com State of Nine Ltd. 1 Chestnut St., Ste. 222 Nashua, NH 03060 302/351-6222 www.stateofnine.com Stickercity.com 4638 Van Nuys Blvd. Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 888/972-7787 www.stickercity.com Tintmasters 4201 Main Ave. Fargo, ND 58103-1001 701/239-8468 www.tintmasters.net Wild Willies Custom Accessories 1242 Green St. Conyers, GA 30012 770/922-9493 www.wildwilliesfx.com Bend Truck Toyz 208 N.E. 3rd Bend, OR 97701 541/382-3783 www.trucktoyzofbend.com Auto Additions Inc. 6001 Westerville Rd. Westerville, OH 43081 614/899-9100 www.autoadditions.net Never Enough Auto Accessories Inc. 161 S. Maple Grant, MI 49327 877/609-6727 www.neverenoughauto.com Installations Unlimited 3812 Brewerton Rd. North Syracuse, NY 13212 315/458-5000 www.teamiu.com Seven Saturdays Motorsports 7332 Melrose St. Buena Park, CA 90621 714/523-4357 www.sevensaturdays.com The Option 2201 E. 22nd St. Tucson, AZ 85713 520/624-5988 Vettehead Products 876 Tower Rd. Mundelein, IL 60060 847/388-3950 www.hubcapsplus.com Woody’s Accessories & Off Road 430 Loop 323 SSW Tyler, TX 75702-6530 903/592-9663 www.woodystruck.com Motorsport Industries 1139 W. Collins Ave. Orange, CA 92867 714/639-2620 www.zcarparts.com R.P.M. Richmond Performance Modification 4705 W. Broad St. Richmond, VA 23230 804/358-9576 www.rimpros.com Tim’s Trim Inc. 25 Bermar Park Rochester, NY 14624-1541 585/429-6270 www.theoptionstore.com 4 Wheel Center Inc. 7210 Gateway Blvd. E. El Paso, TX 79915-1301 915/593-4848 www.4wheelcenter.com Auto Image 922 Wakefield St. Plainwell, MI 49080 269/685-5841 G-Force Autosports Inc. 23716 W. 83rd Terr. Shawnee, KS 66227 913/422-5126 www.gforceautosports.com Gold Touch Inc. 707 Rogers St. Princeton, WV 24740 304/425-3022 Grants Auto Trim Inc. 1600 Broad St. Chattanooga, TN 37408-1199 423/266-3772 www.grantsautotrim.com Ideal Accents 2517 W. McDowell Rd., Ste. 102 Phoenix, AZ 85009 602/272-5468 Lovecars.com 5522 Olive St. Montclair, CA 91763 909/949-7070 www.lovecars.com Modern Speed Machines 1522 W. 130th St. Gardena, CA 90249 310/532-9700 www.modernspeedmachines.com Prestige Auto Specialties Inc. 12 Millpark Ct. Maryland Heights, MO 63043 314/427-6555 www.prestigeautospecialties.com Soft N’ Cushy Auto Upholstery & Accessories 1731 State St. Schenectady, NY 12304 518/372-3807 www.softncushyauto.com Sun Line Sun Roofs 112 Bangor St. Lindenhurst, NY 11757 631/956-7295 Sunroofs Etc 13300 - 15th Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55441-4573 763/544-9999 Wheel Experts Automotive Group LLC 2825 Exchange Blvd., Ste. 105 Southlake, TX 76092 817/416-9748 www.wheelexperts.com

All-Import Automotive 907 Cloverdale Ave. Crestline, OH 44827 419/564-5342 B & B Performance 13540 N. Duncan Ct. Camby, IN 46113 317/831-8112 Heat Performance Parts LLC 1111 Brickell Ave., 11th Fl. Miami, FL 33131 305/767-2777 www.heatperformanceparts.com Mark Faries Top & Trim 7303 St. Vincent Ave. Shreveport, LA 71106-4200 318/868-0606 Pro Motorsports 2723 E. Woodford Springfield, MO 65804 417/848-2210 SPD Enterprises 1029 Morning Dove Dr. Longmont, CO 80501 303/827-3790 The Driving Image of New England 1450 New Britain Ave. Framington, CT 06032 860/677-4213 Wild Side Customs 6 Via Del Lago Lake Elsinore, CA 92532-0123 951/609-0017 www.wildsidecustoms.com Creative Auto Designs of Pueblo 4931 N. Elizabeth St. Pueblo, CO 81008 719/542-0500 Epps Auto Co. 101 Maryland Park Dr. Capitol Heights, MD 20743 240/460-1345 Motor Sport Image 812 Atlantic St. Roseville, CA 95678 916/784-2323 www.motorsportimage.com Performance Truck & SUV 1053 W. Innovation Dr. Kearney, MO 64060 816/906-8785 www.performancetruckllc.com Accessory Options 12708 Hwy. 99 Everett , WA 98204 425/353-8845 www.accessoryoptions.com Car-Knack Inc. 5255 S. Winland Dr. Gillette, WY 82718 307/685-3737 www.carknack.com   Dark Corners Customs LLC 8588 Brewer Rd. Douglasville, GA 30134 770/949-3708 www.darkcornerscustoms.com Fabini’s Auto Trim Co. Inc. 4515 N. Wells St. Extended Fort Wayne, IN 46825-5256 260/483-7232 www.fabini.com FINISH LINEINC 5300 Ridge Rd. Parma, OH 44129-1455 440/886-9900 www.goodfunstuff.com Hidden Hitch & Trailer Parts Inc. 304 Connor Blvd. Bear, DE 19701 302/834-1700 Sign Tech Inc. 6380 S. Valley View, Ste. 422 Las Vegas, NV 89118 702/453-7188 Trents Trick Upholstery 6886 Thoreau Ln. Baltimore, OH 43105-9732 740/468-2727 www.trentstrickupholstery.com Auto Restyling Inc. 24550 Sperry Westlake, OH 44145 440/575-1010 www.autorestylinginc.com Custom Concepts 100 Centry Way, #A-1 Reno, NV 89502 775/828-2444 www.CustomConceptsOfReno.com No Joke Upholstery 106 W. Madison St. New Carlisle, OH 45344 937/845-3177 ProAm 6125 Richmond Ave. Houston, TX 77057-6209 713/781-7755 www.proamauto.com Stickler 4 Detail 566 S. Fair Oaks Ave., #195 Pasadena, CA 91105 310/913-0681 Weimanns Interiors LLC 2515 Rte. 66 Delmont, PA 15626 724/468-5887 www.weimanns.com Aftermarket Impressions P.O. Box 1398 Glenwood Springs, CO 81602 970/390-6423 Blue Collar Performance LLC 8310 Campbell Taylor, MI 48180 313/801-0391 www.bluecollarperformance.com Boitnotts Custom Body 3226 Profit Dr. Fairfield, OH 45014-4238 513/874-4660 www.boitnotts.com Custom Converting 3235 Odd Fellows Rd. Lynchburg, VA 24501 434/847-7000 DCRM Inc. 3019 Holmgren Way, Ste. 100  Greenbay, WI 54304 920/217-0244 Elite Customs & Collision 1575 Cornerstone Rd. St. Charles, MO 63304 636/922-4567 www.myspace.com/elitecustomsSTL Fewboyz Motorsports 26440 S. Milk Creek Cir. Mulino, OR 97042 503/880-7013 www.fewboyzmotorsports.com Gregg’s Place 3112 E. Wabash Spokane, WA 99217 509/217-0268 Hangai Enterprises LLC 98-639 Kaamilo St. Aiea, HI 96701 808/486-7892 Hansen Motorsports 2325 S. State Springville, UT 84663 801/489-9774 Hitchweb.com 7242 Woodley Ave. Van Nuys, CA 91406 888/771-5982 www.hitch-web.com Lakeside Audio 5630 W. Davis St. Conroe, TX 77304 936/760-1510 Merrick Motor Co. 18845 Van Buren Blvd., #10-A Riverside, CA 92508 909/789-9750 Mobilewerks LLC 1900 W. Chandler Blvd., #15-319 Chandler, AZ 85224 480/792-0907 www.mobilewerksofaz.com Noland & Charges Inc. 65 Rockrose Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 949/643-8328 www.accessorizeyourvehicle.com Pacific Power Performance 6200 S. 6th Way Ridgefield, WA 98642 360/887-7577 R & L Upholstery Works 94-1025 Molale St. Waipahu, HI 96797 808/677-2181 Ridergraphix.com 6800 Anthony Rd. Bethlehem, PA 18017 610/390-1669 Rushforth Wheels 830 N. Fife St. Tacoma, WA 98406 253/306-3215 www.rushforthwheels.com Shiftworks 320 North Washington St. Rochester, NY 14625 585/383-0574 www.shiftworks.com Snake River Truck 601 S. Meridian Rd. Meridian, ID 83642 208/888-1420 www.snakerivertruck.com Status Auto Customizing 7995 W. 21st St., Ste. A  Indianapolis, IN 46214 317/273-1090 www.statusautocustoms.com Stengle Engineering/OGE 1201 N. Valley View Oklahoma City, OK 73127 405/354-2694 Stewart Design LLC 8211 Brookville Rd. Indianapolis, IN 46239 317/353-9558 www.stewartdesign.biz Super Stripes 6835 N. Saint Andrews Dr. Tucson, AZ 85718 520/360-8661 The Detail Shop 823 S. Saint Marys Rd. St. Marys, PA 15857-2815 814/834-9632 The Motorsports Authority Inc. 815 N. Creek Dr. Conway, AR 72032 501/327-6637 www.motorsportsauthority.com The Part Source 3820 W. Happy Valley Rd., Ste. 141-267 Glendale, AZ 85310 623/210-4827 Time Equipment Rental and Sales 311 N. Cambell St. Rapid City, SD 57701-1713 605/348-2360 www.timerental.biz Truck Stuff and More 224 N. Water St. Bellefonte, PA 16823 814/357-8142 www.truckstuffandmore.com Undercover Innovations 3624 Buck Owens Blvd. #12 Bakersfield, CA 93308 661/325-4506 www.undercoverinnovations.com Unkl Al’s Custom Emporium P.O. Box 21595 Bullhead City, AZ 86439 928/704-8655 www.unklals.com Winters Graphics 1531 Tyndall St. Pittsburgh, PA 15204-2344 412/921-6682 Driving Expressions Inc. 7322 S. Trail Sarasota, FL 34231 941/922-2711 K.M.P. Accessories 10900 Shaker Point Way #10 Harrison, OH 45030 813/417-6967 www.kmpaccessories.com Mars Audio 2290 Boggy Creek Rd. Kissimmee, FL 34743 407/344-2277 www.marsaudiosoundandbeyond.com Mayeda Motorsports 13089 Peyton Dr., Ste. C-227 Chino Hills, CA 91709 909/590-9324 www.mayedamotorsports.com The Kustom Edge 12430 Galveston Rd., E2 Webster, TX 77598 832/465-5630 www.thekustomedge.com The Truck Shop 1148 S. Reynolds Rd. Toledo, OH 43615-6908 419/381-0432   Auto Trim of Denver Inc. 531 W. 115th Ave. Northglenn, CO 80234 303/451-8311 www.autotrimofdenver.com Automotive Toys & Accessories 503 E. Hwy. 80 Forney, TX 75126 972/564-2886 Benchmark Motoring 14350 N.E. 21st St. Bellevue, WA 98007 425/614-4100 www.benchmarkmotoring.com Big Barn Electronics 107 8th Ave. Fairbanks, AK 99701 907/452-2233 BYUNSPEED 18596 Longs Way, Bldg. B, Unit 6 Parker, CO 80134 888/592-6661 www.byunspeed.com Classic Designs Inc. 220 S. Main St. W. Bridgewater, MA 02379 508/559-2184 Custom Truck 3068 E. Fremont Las Vegas, NV 89104 702/641-4666 www.customtrucks.com Foutz Hanon Wholesale 2401 San Juan Blvd. Farmington, NM 87401 505/326-6644 First Class Autopride 808 Cheney Dr. Twin Falls, ID 83301-3483 208/734-1111 Quantum Performance Ltd. 13700 Diplomat Dr. Farmers Branch, TX 75234 972/629-4440 www.quantum-perf.com Riderz Image 409 W. Ajo Way Tucson, AZ 85713 520/807-1605 www.riderzimage.com Autoboyz 5205 East Dr., Ste. R Baltimore, MD 21227 443/956-8657 www.autoboyz.net Uptown Connections 200 W. Lee St. Greensboro, NC 27406 336/279-8445 www.360tintnc.com

 

SEMA News - July 2010

A Powerful, Proven Tool

By Joe Dysart

	PowerReviews offers a scaled-down version of its customer reviews product starting at $29 per month.

Riding the momentum of social media’s virtually unbridled growth, consumer reviews have become a powerful, proven tool for spiking company sales and are showing signs of becoming even more potent. Indeed, 72% of online shoppers say that web reviews and ratings on company websites and elsewhere influence their purchase decisions more than any other factor, according to the 2010 Social Shopping Survey authored by the e-tailing Group. And 39% of those same shoppers say that they read eight or more online reviews before making a purchase. Google sees the trend as so pervasive that the search titan recently announced it would begin featuring product and service ratings in its natural search returns—a major nod to the impact of word-of-mouth endorsements. Google also said that it plans to beef up its offering of full-text product reviews in its Google Product Search service.

“To kick off this program, we’ll be working with Bazaarvoice, a leader in the user reviews space,” said Kinnari Jhaveri, a spokesman for Google’s strategic partnerships division. “If you’re not a Bazaarvoice client, hold tight—we hope to add additional partners as well as a self-submission model soon.”

Meanwhile, businesses already successful with customer reviews are far from sitting on their laurels. New tools enabling consumers to simultaneously multi-post their reviews to Facebook, Twitter and most blogs are cropping up on company websites. Other businesses are embedding consumer reviews in marketing e-mails. And still other early adopters now encourage customers to post reviews in video format.

Bottom line: It’s no longer enough to post a spate of customer reviews on your website and call it a day. Firms seeing the best returns are becoming more sophisticated in their techniques. Fortunately, you can, too. Here’s a gameplan:

Incorporate Your Customer Reviews in Google Search, ASAP: During the coming months, Google plans to expand the number of service providers feeding reviews to its search engine. Google also plans to offer a self-submission model for those who are using a homegrown or relatively unknown review module.

Include Negative Reviews to Foster Authenticity: While many businesses shudder at the thought of including negative product or service reviews on their websites, many web marketers insist that negative reviews in the mix are essential. New research indicates they may be right. The 2010 Social Shopping Survey, for example, found that 38% of online shoppers distrust review domains that feature only positive reviews.

	Bazaarvoice is the first customer reviews software company to partner with Google in its increased focus on customer reviews.

Use Creative Tactics to Solicit Customer Reviews: Generally, businesses need to spike interest in a new reviews domain before it takes on a life of its own. One of the easiest ways is to sponsor a contest giveaway. Offering the chance to win $100 to $500 just for submitting a review usually does the trick. Reaching out with a blast e-mail requesting reviews from all of the customers you’ve ever done business with also works. Other proven tactics include sending a follow-up e-mail requesting a review shortly after a purchase and honoring prolific reviewers on your site with special badges and other distinctions, such as points that can be redeemed for products or services.

Enable Reviewers to Effortlessly Multi-Post to Facebook, Twitter and Most Blogs: PowerReviews, one of the more popular review packages available, offers a tool that enables consumers to simultaneously post a review of your product or service to your website, Facebook and Twitter as well as to blogs using Wordpress, Blogger, Live Journal and Windows Live Spaces. That’s so smart that you have to expect at least some of PowerReviews’ competitors are scrambling to offer something similar soon.

Encourage Video Reviews: While text reviews are still king, video reviews are gaining in popularity. In fact, 24% of online shoppers surveyed said that a video review had influenced a purchase decision, according to the 2010 Social Shopping Survey. A caveat: Offering hundreds of video reviews on your website may prove too costly in terms of increased bandwidth demands. An easy alternative is to link to any reviews of your product or service you might find on YouTube 
as well as linking to shopping sites entirely devoted to offering video reviews, such as ExpoTV (). It also doesn’t hurt to encourage your customers to add video reviews of your products or services to these free services.

Include Customer Reviews In Marketing E-mails: Bazaarvoice offers a number of case studies on its site describing businesses that have generated increased sales in marketing e-mails by including consumer reviews right in
those e-mails.

Be Sure Your Reviews Are Mobile-Ready: Sophisticated users of mobile phones these days think nothing of sourcing reviews for products while perusing the merchandise at a brick-and-mortar location. Check with your web designer/IT department to be sure that your company’s reviews are easily accessible by mobile phone. You also may want to look for review software packages that help automate the process. Bazaarvoice, for example, offers a tool called MobileVoice that allows consumers to instantly download product reviews on their phones by inputting a keyword or product SKU.

Use Reviews for Higher Search-Engine Rankings: One of the welcome side benefits of a reviews domain is higher rankings in search-engine returns. Essentially, search engines reward websites that continually provide fresh, useful content to the web with a higher ranking. Consequently, it’s a good idea to look for review packages that optimize that reward. PowerReviews, for example, offers a tool called In-Line SEO, which ensures that consumers clicking to your website will find consumer reviews embedded in your product purchase page.

Shop the Latest Turnkey Customer Review Packages: PowerReviews (www.powerreviews.com; starts at $29) and Bazaarvoice (www.bazaarvoice.com; call for price) represent the high end of customer review solutions. You’ll want to evaluate these offerings first to get a general idea of the state-of-the-art in customer-reviews software. Afterward, you’ll be well-served to check out other packages, such as Review-Script (www.review-script.com; starts at $125), RatingSystem (www.ratingsystem.com; free-$100 per month) and KudosWorks (www.kudosworks.com; starts at $60 per year). For instance, KudosWorks—a positive-only testimonials service—may appeal to more traditional businesses still uneasy about running negative product or service reviews on their websites.  

Joe Dysart is an Internet speaker and business consultant based in Manhattan, New York.
Voice: 646/233-4089
E-mail: joe@joedysart.com
Website: www.joedysart.com  

 

 

Ed Iskenderian and Alex Xydias (background) were just two of many motor legends who gathered at last year's SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser.

An exclusive SEMA Hall of Fame VIP area sponsored by Source Interlink Media is bringing several members of the esteemed group together during the 2010 SEMA Show ‘N Shine, Saturday, July 24, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at the Pasadena Convention Center, Pasadena, California.

Dating back more than 40 years, the SEMA Hall of Fame is an elite group consisting of individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the industry. It is considered by many to be the most prestigious honor anyone can receive from SEMA.

While the Hall of Famers will mingle amongst themselves in the VIP area, they also will be strolling the car show, meeting with visitors and signing autographs throughout the day.

“Source Interlink Media has been a long-time supporter of SEMA,” said Ron Funfar, 2007 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee and president of Hedman Hedders/Trans-Dapt. “Doug Evans, Ira Gabriel and their respective groups have once again come through for us by sponsoring the SEMA Hall of Fame VIP area. It’s rare to be able to get more than a handful of SEMA Hall of Famers together in one place at one time. We’re excited to be able to create this special area for them and have everyone at the Show ‘N Shine be able to join us in honoring and showcasing these luminaries."

Source Interlink Media publishes more than 50 leading automotive enthusiast magazine titles, including Hot Rod, Import Tuner, Automobile, Motor Trend, Super Street, Motorcyclist, Truckin’ and Truck Trend. Several of Source Interlink Media’s leading editors will be at the Show ‘N Shine, along with a display of feature vehicles from the group.

The Show ‘N Shine is a charity car show, with proceeds benefiting two children’s charities: Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp. The event will be held in conjunction with the third annual SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races, which is also a fundraiser benefiting the two charities.

To enter a vehicle into the car show, visit www.sema.org/shownshine or contact Mike Clark at 702/450-7662, ext. 108. To attend the event, tickets are $5 per person with kids 12 and under free of charge. Tickets will be available at the door.

	Chip Foose, award-winning automotive designer best known for his work on TLC’s “Overhaulin’,” will be the grand marshal for the second annual SEMA Show ‘N Shine car show.

Television hosts and automotive icons Chip Foose and Dennis Gage will be signing autographs at the second annual SEMA Show ‘N Shine, Saturday, July 24, at the Pasadena Convention Center. Autographs will be free of charge with admission to the event, which is free for kids 12 and under, $5 for all others.

Unlike the annual trade show that SEMA organizes each year in Las Vegas, the general public is invited to attend the Show ‘N Shine. Tickets will be available at the event, taking place 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at the Pasadena Convention Center, 300 East Green St., in Pasadena, California. Vehicle owners also are invited to enter a vehicle into the charity car show by visiting www.sema.org/shownshine.

Foose, award-winning automotive designer best known for his work on TLC’s "Overhaulin’," is the event’s grand marshal. He will be signing autographs from 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. Gage, host of the television program "My Classic Car," will be signing autographs from 11:00 a.m.–12:00 noon.

Several members of the SEMA Hall of Fame will also be in attendance. They will be strolling the car show throughout the day, providing visitors with an opportunity to take photos and obtain autographs.

On display will be a unique collection of more than 150 one-of-a-kind vehicles, including several restored classics dating as far back as the ’40s, musclecars from the ’60s, modern-day high-performance vehicles and a number of restyled cars featuring the craftsmanship of top industry designers.

“Last year’s inaugural SEMA Show ‘N Shine featured an amazing collection of cars and trucks,” said Show ‘N Shine organizer Mike Spagnola of Street Scene Equipment. “We’re expecting this year’s event to be even more impressive and encourage those with show vehicles to come join us. This is definitely an event they will not want to miss.”

The Show ‘N Shine is a fundraising event, with proceeds benefiting two children’s charities: Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp. The car show will be held in conjunction with the third annual SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races, which is also a fundraiser benefiting the two charities. To enter a vehicle into the car show, visit www.sema.org/shownshine or contact Mike Clark at 702/450-7662, ext. 108.

	Dennis Gage, host of television's "My Classic Car" on the Speed Channel, will be the celebrity guest at SEMA's second-annual Show 'N Shine car show.

"My Classic Car" host Dennis Gage will appear as a special celebrity guest at the second-annual SEMA Show ‘N Shine car show, Saturday, July 24, at the Pasadena Convention Center, where he will be signing autographs and discussing cars with attendees and vehicle owners.

“I was extremely pleased when Dennis agreed to a celebrity appearance at this year's Show ‘N Shine,” says Joel Ayres, SEMA Cares chairman. “He was excited about helping SEMA Cares, the kids of Victory Junction Gang Camp and Childhelp, as well as ARMO's Take a Kid to a Car Show program. Dennis is well-known by car enthusiasts and his involvement will make this year's event even better.”

Last year's show featured a selection of modern and original muscle, pre-war classics, European exotics and a little bit of everything in between—more than 200 cars in all. See more of last year's Show ‘N Shine here.

Held in connection with the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser and the Pinewood Drag Races, the Show ‘N Shine car show will be hosted by grand marshal Chip Foose, award-winning automotive designer and fabricator. The show is expected to draw some of the best local enthusiast cars, trucks and classics, with all proceeds benefiting children’s charities Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp.

Follow this link to learn how to enter your car or reserve a booth in the second-annual SEMA Show ‘N Shine. For complete details, contact Lisa Moreno at 909/978-6684 or via e-mail at lisam@sema.org.

Last year's inaugural Show ‘N Shine featured more than 200 cars on the floor.

If you're the show ‘n go type who enjoys walking and gawking among precious metal, especially if your car is one of those on the floor, then join SEMA for the second annual Show ‘N Shine car show, Saturday, July 24, at the Pasadena Convention Center.

Last year's show featured a selection of modern and original muscle, pre-war classics, European exotics and a little bit of everything in between—more than 200 cars total (you can read coverage of last year’s show here).

This year will be even better, so let’s see your pride and passion in the Show ‘N Shine mix. As an additional incentive, SEMA is offering the winners of the People’s Choice and the Participant’s Choice awards four nights hotel accommodations (November 1–4) during the 2010 SEMA Show and the opportunity to display their vehicle at the Show.

Follow this link to learn how to enter your car in the second annual SEMA Show ‘N Shine. Like the Pinewood Drag Races, also running on the same day, entry fees from Show ‘N Shine ($75) benefit Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp.

And this year's Show ‘N Shine will once again welcome designer Chip Foose as Grand Marshal.

"I was thrilled to be a part of the inaugural SEMA Show ‘N Shine last year and am even more excited to return for 2010,” says Foose. “SEMA is an important organization for car enthusiasts and industry people like myself, and I’m proud to take part and work in supporting children's charities through this event."

Both Show ‘N Shine and the Pinewood Drag Races are part of the 2010 SEMA Leadership Days. Other activities include the SPC Business Technology Conference and the Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, both scheduled for the day and evening before on July 23.

For more information, visit www.sema.org/leadershipdays.

SEMA News - July 2010

Rick Rollins, president of Rollins Performance Marketing LLC, began his term as the chairman of the SEMA Board of Directors in July 2009. His career has included stints as a counterman, a buyer, a regional sales manager and a company owner, and he has also shown his competitive flair in open-wheel race cars.

He has been active in SEMA as well as in the Performance Warehouse Association (PWA) throughout most of his professional life and was elected to the SEMA Hall of Fame in 2006. Rollins was twice named the PWA Person of the Year and has served a total of 16 years on the SEMA Board of Directors. He recently took time to trade questions and answers with SEMA News, discussing his hopes and visions for the association. SEMA News: Thanks for taking the time to visit with us. Before we get to the business at hand, could you tell the SEMA members who may not know you a little bit about your background and how you got started in the industry?

Rick Rollins: Just a little bit? It’s been 40-some years, but I’ll try. Basically, I started working for an independent garage as a mechanic during and after high school. I also started racing during high school, driving go-karts on the International Kart Federation circuits for a couple of years. Wanting to learn a little more about the industry, I went to work as a counterman for an area jobber store, heading up its new high-performance division. From the contacts I made there, I went to work as the head high-performance buyer for what was at the time the largest high-performance warehouse in the country. I’ve also worked in sales for several different manufacturers, including Hastings Piston Rings, Taylor Cable Products and Superchips. During 14 years while I was working some of those jobs, I also traveled as a crewman on Top Fuel and Top Fuel Funny Car teams with World Champion Ray Motes. I later drove my own Formula Ford and Formula 2000 cars for about seven years. I’ve enjoyed the opportunities I’ve had to work in almost every entity of the industry, which always helped when I was trying to sell something because of the different experiences.

SN: As you progress through your first year as chairman, how has the experience compared to your expectations?

RR: First of all, I hope I’ve progressed. It has been an experience—and pretty much a fulltime one—but I’ve enjoyed it. I guess expectation-wise, it takes up more time than I expected—and I mean phone calls and e-mails on nights, weekends and so forth. I usually get the phone call as I sit down to dinner, and it goes something like this: “Are you at dinner? Well, this will only take a minute.” Then, an hour and a half later, I sit back down to my meal. But don’t get me wrong, it’s just doing what has to be done, when it has to be done. I don’t mind it at all.

SN: What are your top three priorities for the association?

RR: The first priority has been with the Board—trying to get the Board more detailed information, sooner, on some of the subjects it deals with so that the directors can make better decisions during meetings. If we can accomplish this, we will have a much better Board making more informed decisions, which will help the association overall. Next would be membership programs and services. Do the members know everything that the association has available for them? Are they the right programs and/or services? And are we, the association, making it the absolute best program or service that the members can get? We are really working this one hard; we just recently went through nearly all of our programs, looking at them from all angles and seeing what we can do better or maybe what we should drop or get out of. Third has been keeping up with legislation. That’s a fulltime job, but we have a great staff in Washington, D.C., and they do a great job of keeping their eye on the ball.

SN: It appears that the economy is beginning to recover. What is the outlook for the specialty-equipment market? How should companies adjust their expectations in the coming months?

RR: It’s showing signs of recovery, but I think it’s going to be slow. The good news is that our customer/consumer wants to buy our stuff. He’s been listening to bad news for too long, so as soon as he sees a little light at the end of the tunnel—even if it isn’t a bright light—he sees a chance to go buy something he’s been thinking about or looking at for the last year. I’m hearing that several companies, manufacturers, speed shops and distributors are seeing increases; the only problem is that they’re increases over last year. We need to see comparisons equal with 2007, and I don’t see that happening until 2011—hopefully. I do think that this is the right time to go after market share if you can afford to do it or can think far enough outside the box to get it.

SN: What do you think will be the most promising areas for growth in the automotive specialty-equipment market over the next few years?

RR: Oh thanks! If I knew that, I’d have to charge you for it! It is a good question, but it’s a tough one. It all depends on which consumers are still working or have the money to go spend. Is it the weekend racer or even the professional racer? Is it the off-roader who can finally spend the money for a lift kit? I would say that a product or service that works in all areas of the industry—racing, off-roading, for truck fans, for street rodders—if you had a product that was needed or worked on all of those vehicles or types of vehicles, then you might have something. It may even be something that fits with agriculture or work-truck applications. I can’t say exactly what it might be, but that’s what I’d look for.

SN: Where do the greatest challenges lie?

	Chairman Rick Rollins onstage with (from left) Immediate Past Chairman Jim Cozzie, Chairman-elect Scooter Brothers and past Chairs Mitch Williams and Corky Coker during the 2009 Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser.

RR: Putting people back to work, creating jobs! That isn’t a problem for just our industry, but it is critical to free up expendable cash—the toy money that makes our world go around. Too many companies that had layoffs have now figured that they can do the job without the people they laid off, and I’m afraid that’s going to hurt all of us for a while. Also, the banks need to free up money, give loans to small-business owners so that they can expand and hire. The bailouts helped a few—maybe the wrong few—but they didn’t help where it was really needed. The people who represent us in Washington don’t seem to know what a small business is; they don’t know we exist.  

SN: The majority of specialty-equipment companies now have a substantial Internet presence. Do you foresee any changes in that sales environment?

RR: Only that it will get bigger. In this economy, it’s cheaper and easier to get to the consumer that way. Yes, our consumers still want to touch it and feel it, and there will still be a need for stores or shops, but maybe not on every corner. A good example is Bass Pro Shops or Cabela’s; these are both large mail-order/Internet companies that are adding retail locations for their customers to go to. A good businessman knows inventory, has the inventory, knows cash flow, and will still be here and needed. But outside of him, the Internet is going to fill the void in a more profitable manner. 

SN: What is the one thing you would like SEMA members to understand and become more involved with, either in the industry generally or in the association itself?

RR: Learn everything you can from the whole industry. Get out of your shell. Get involved in anything you can. You might learn something. YEN does a great job of getting the young, energetic people fired up and involved, and our student programs are always turning out people who want to know more, want to be involved. I just think that, more times than not, some of us think we know it all, have it figured out and think our “involvement” is a waste of time. Well, people who think that way are wrong. Just look around. There has got to be something this industry or this association is doing that you could help with or learn from. Ask how.

SN: In addition to the issues you’ve touched on, are there other issues you have identified as being priorities for the association?

RR: We need to do a better job of getting our programs/services in front of the members. No, let me take that back. We need to do a better job of selling the programs/services to our members. We have found out that merely putting our programs out in front of the members doesn’t mean they see what’s available. It seems like every time I’m talking with someone and I say that SEMA does this or that, they come back with, “I didn’t know SEMA did that.” When you look, we’ve put information about SEMA’s programs and services in every possible place that it can be advertised or listed. We need to sell the programs. The good news is that we’ve recognized this and are putting a plan together to fix it.  

SN: Is there anything else you would like to convey to the membership at this time?

RR: Well, this may not be the time nor the place, but I would like to thank everyone for the support given to my family after the recent loss of my oldest son, Richard. I really don’t know how I would have gotten through this time if it hadn’t been for this industry and the people in it. I will never be able to thank everyone the way I would like to, so this may have to do.  

SEMA News - July 2010

Rick Rollins, president of Rollins Performance Marketing LLC, began his term as the chairman of the SEMA Board of Directors in July 2009. His career has included stints as a counterman, a buyer, a regional sales manager and a company owner, and he has also shown his competitive flair in open-wheel race cars.

He has been active in SEMA as well as in the Performance Warehouse Association (PWA) throughout most of his professional life and was elected to the SEMA Hall of Fame in 2006. Rollins was twice named the PWA Person of the Year and has served a total of 16 years on the SEMA Board of Directors. He recently took time to trade questions and answers with SEMA News, discussing his hopes and visions for the association. SEMA News: Thanks for taking the time to visit with us. Before we get to the business at hand, could you tell the SEMA members who may not know you a little bit about your background and how you got started in the industry?

Rick Rollins: Just a little bit? It’s been 40-some years, but I’ll try. Basically, I started working for an independent garage as a mechanic during and after high school. I also started racing during high school, driving go-karts on the International Kart Federation circuits for a couple of years. Wanting to learn a little more about the industry, I went to work as a counterman for an area jobber store, heading up its new high-performance division. From the contacts I made there, I went to work as the head high-performance buyer for what was at the time the largest high-performance warehouse in the country. I’ve also worked in sales for several different manufacturers, including Hastings Piston Rings, Taylor Cable Products and Superchips. During 14 years while I was working some of those jobs, I also traveled as a crewman on Top Fuel and Top Fuel Funny Car teams with World Champion Ray Motes. I later drove my own Formula Ford and Formula 2000 cars for about seven years. I’ve enjoyed the opportunities I’ve had to work in almost every entity of the industry, which always helped when I was trying to sell something because of the different experiences.

SN: As you progress through your first year as chairman, how has the experience compared to your expectations?

RR: First of all, I hope I’ve progressed. It has been an experience—and pretty much a fulltime one—but I’ve enjoyed it. I guess expectation-wise, it takes up more time than I expected—and I mean phone calls and e-mails on nights, weekends and so forth. I usually get the phone call as I sit down to dinner, and it goes something like this: “Are you at dinner? Well, this will only take a minute.” Then, an hour and a half later, I sit back down to my meal. But don’t get me wrong, it’s just doing what has to be done, when it has to be done. I don’t mind it at all.

SN: What are your top three priorities for the association?

RR: The first priority has been with the Board—trying to get the Board more detailed information, sooner, on some of the subjects it deals with so that the directors can make better decisions during meetings. If we can accomplish this, we will have a much better Board making more informed decisions, which will help the association overall. Next would be membership programs and services. Do the members know everything that the association has available for them? Are they the right programs and/or services? And are we, the association, making it the absolute best program or service that the members can get? We are really working this one hard; we just recently went through nearly all of our programs, looking at them from all angles and seeing what we can do better or maybe what we should drop or get out of. Third has been keeping up with legislation. That’s a fulltime job, but we have a great staff in Washington, D.C., and they do a great job of keeping their eye on the ball.

SN: It appears that the economy is beginning to recover. What is the outlook for the specialty-equipment market? How should companies adjust their expectations in the coming months?

RR: It’s showing signs of recovery, but I think it’s going to be slow. The good news is that our customer/consumer wants to buy our stuff. He’s been listening to bad news for too long, so as soon as he sees a little light at the end of the tunnel—even if it isn’t a bright light—he sees a chance to go buy something he’s been thinking about or looking at for the last year. I’m hearing that several companies, manufacturers, speed shops and distributors are seeing increases; the only problem is that they’re increases over last year. We need to see comparisons equal with 2007, and I don’t see that happening until 2011—hopefully. I do think that this is the right time to go after market share if you can afford to do it or can think far enough outside the box to get it.

SN: What do you think will be the most promising areas for growth in the automotive specialty-equipment market over the next few years?

RR: Oh thanks! If I knew that, I’d have to charge you for it! It is a good question, but it’s a tough one. It all depends on which consumers are still working or have the money to go spend. Is it the weekend racer or even the professional racer? Is it the off-roader who can finally spend the money for a lift kit? I would say that a product or service that works in all areas of the industry—racing, off-roading, for truck fans, for street rodders—if you had a product that was needed or worked on all of those vehicles or types of vehicles, then you might have something. It may even be something that fits with agriculture or work-truck applications. I can’t say exactly what it might be, but that’s what I’d look for.

SN: Where do the greatest challenges lie?

	Chairman Rick Rollins onstage with (from left) Immediate Past Chairman Jim Cozzie, Chairman-elect Scooter Brothers and past Chairs Mitch Williams and Corky Coker during the 2009 Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser.

RR: Putting people back to work, creating jobs! That isn’t a problem for just our industry, but it is critical to free up expendable cash—the toy money that makes our world go around. Too many companies that had layoffs have now figured that they can do the job without the people they laid off, and I’m afraid that’s going to hurt all of us for a while. Also, the banks need to free up money, give loans to small-business owners so that they can expand and hire. The bailouts helped a few—maybe the wrong few—but they didn’t help where it was really needed. The people who represent us in Washington don’t seem to know what a small business is; they don’t know we exist.  

SN: The majority of specialty-equipment companies now have a substantial Internet presence. Do you foresee any changes in that sales environment?

RR: Only that it will get bigger. In this economy, it’s cheaper and easier to get to the consumer that way. Yes, our consumers still want to touch it and feel it, and there will still be a need for stores or shops, but maybe not on every corner. A good example is Bass Pro Shops or Cabela’s; these are both large mail-order/Internet companies that are adding retail locations for their customers to go to. A good businessman knows inventory, has the inventory, knows cash flow, and will still be here and needed. But outside of him, the Internet is going to fill the void in a more profitable manner. 

SN: What is the one thing you would like SEMA members to understand and become more involved with, either in the industry generally or in the association itself?

RR: Learn everything you can from the whole industry. Get out of your shell. Get involved in anything you can. You might learn something. YEN does a great job of getting the young, energetic people fired up and involved, and our student programs are always turning out people who want to know more, want to be involved. I just think that, more times than not, some of us think we know it all, have it figured out and think our “involvement” is a waste of time. Well, people who think that way are wrong. Just look around. There has got to be something this industry or this association is doing that you could help with or learn from. Ask how.

SN: In addition to the issues you’ve touched on, are there other issues you have identified as being priorities for the association?

RR: We need to do a better job of getting our programs/services in front of the members. No, let me take that back. We need to do a better job of selling the programs/services to our members. We have found out that merely putting our programs out in front of the members doesn’t mean they see what’s available. It seems like every time I’m talking with someone and I say that SEMA does this or that, they come back with, “I didn’t know SEMA did that.” When you look, we’ve put information about SEMA’s programs and services in every possible place that it can be advertised or listed. We need to sell the programs. The good news is that we’ve recognized this and are putting a plan together to fix it.  

SN: Is there anything else you would like to convey to the membership at this time?

RR: Well, this may not be the time nor the place, but I would like to thank everyone for the support given to my family after the recent loss of my oldest son, Richard. I really don’t know how I would have gotten through this time if it hadn’t been for this industry and the people in it. I will never be able to thank everyone the way I would like to, so this may have to do.  

The media center in the Las Vegas Convention Center will serve as home base to nearly 3,000 journalists attending the 2010 SEMA Show.

As the premier automotive accessories trade show in the world, the SEMA Show issues nearly 3,000 individuals with media credentials each year. Hundreds of media have already confirmed their plans to cover the 2010 SEMA Show, including the hosts of "Two Guys Garage" and "Truck U."

Bryan Fuller, Kevin Byrd, Matt Steele and Bruno Massel have been reporting on the SEMA Show for several consecutive years now. They recently confirmed that they will be returning in 2010 to seek out the newest products and hottest trends. They plan to bring all the attractions and excitement to SPEED’s audience of more than 78 million auto enthusiasts, DIYers and trade professionals.

“We look forward to this Show every year”, Frank McGonagle, CEO of Brenton Productions explained. “It’s prime time for the automotive industry—time to launch new products, show off your ‘stuff’ and take advantage of seeing everything new the industry has to offer. Our clients understand that it’s just as important to reach the consumer as it is to reach their dealers and distributors. That’s why we do what we do; it’s vital to get products in front of the consumer audience.”

Brenton Productions has been producing automotive how-to television since 1992, providing automotive enthusiasts, as well as trade professionals, with performance, accessory and how-to information on their two weekly television series; "Two Guys Garage" and "Truck U." This special will air in prime time on SPEED in early December 2010.

Information and registration for the 2010 SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com.

The media center in the Las Vegas Convention Center will serve as home base to nearly 3,000 journalists attending the 2010 SEMA Show.

As the premier automotive accessories trade show in the world, the SEMA Show issues nearly 3,000 individuals with media credentials each year. Hundreds of media have already confirmed their plans to cover the 2010 SEMA Show, including the hosts of "Two Guys Garage" and "Truck U."

Bryan Fuller, Kevin Byrd, Matt Steele and Bruno Massel have been reporting on the SEMA Show for several consecutive years now. They recently confirmed that they will be returning in 2010 to seek out the newest products and hottest trends. They plan to bring all the attractions and excitement to SPEED’s audience of more than 78 million auto enthusiasts, DIYers and trade professionals.

“We look forward to this Show every year”, Frank McGonagle, CEO of Brenton Productions explained. “It’s prime time for the automotive industry—time to launch new products, show off your ‘stuff’ and take advantage of seeing everything new the industry has to offer. Our clients understand that it’s just as important to reach the consumer as it is to reach their dealers and distributors. That’s why we do what we do; it’s vital to get products in front of the consumer audience.”

Brenton Productions has been producing automotive how-to television since 1992, providing automotive enthusiasts, as well as trade professionals, with performance, accessory and how-to information on their two weekly television series; "Two Guys Garage" and "Truck U." This special will air in prime time on SPEED in early December 2010.

Information and registration for the 2010 SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com.