SEMA News—September 2020

INTERNET

By Joe Dysart

AI-Powered Writing Assistants

A Genius on Your Shoulder

New AI-powered writing assistants go far beyond correcting your spelling and grammar.

One of the greatest strengths of writing-assistant software powered by artificial intelligence (AI) is that the packages go far beyond simply correcting spelling and making sure grammar is just right. In many ways, using such assistants is like getting a second opinion on everything you write from a good friend who happens to have a PhD in English from Harvard.

For example, Grammarly Business—one of the most popular assistants of this type—polishes your spelling and grammar, of course, but it also judges anything you write based on its clarity, engagement and delivery. Grammarly will also customize the way it judges your writing based on the writing tone you’re going for, be it confident, joyful, optimistic, friendly, urgent, analytic or respectful.

If you’re looking for a business style of writing one day and then a style that’s more academic, technical, casual or creative the next, Grammarly will adjust its coaching accordingly. In a phrase, Grammarly and its close competitors offer you the ability analyze your writing—nearly down to the molecular level—from all sorts of perspectives. In the end, any one of these types of packages will make you a much better writer.

“Grammarly’s writing assistant aims to help our users learn to be better, more empathetic communicators rather than communicating for them,” said Brad Hoover, Grammarly CEO. “At the end of the day, technology shouldn’t think for you—it should help you think better.”

That added edge comes in especially handy for business users. Many people responding to work emails often view the blank response page with trepidation. In fact, three out of five people said that they’ve been embarrassed by an email they’ve sent while at work, according to a 2019 Grammarly survey (www.grammarly.com/blog/workplace-email-report). And three out of four business users said that they worry the emails they send may be misconstrued.

While there are scores of AI-powered writing assistants on the market to help assuage those fears, the top three packages currently available are Grammarly Business, ProWritingAid and Ginger, according to peer-to-peer review site G2Crowd (www.g2.com/categories/ai-writing-assistant). G2Crowd is known for its impartiality. It bases its ratings solely on the reviews of its users and refuses to allow paid placements on its website from any software makers.

“Rankings on G2 reports are based on data provided to us by real users,” said Michael Fauscette, the company’s chief research officer. “They represent the voice of the user and offer valuable insights to potential buyers everywhere.”

One caveat regarding relying on AI writing assistants if you plan to publish your work professionally: Even though the most powerful of them are now powered by artificial intelligence, they’re still no match for a human editor when it comes to professional publishing.

AI writing assistants are almost frighteningly skilled at catching writing with a muddled tone, pointing out a word that you’re using improperly or finding a period that’s misplaced even by a smidgin in a sea of text. But those same assistants can also occasionally suggest a word replacement that really does not make sense. They also don’t realize when you’re deliberately breaking a rule of grammar for effect, and they sometimes simply strike out when it comes to finding a word that’s being used improperly.

That’s why, even after you’ve used an AI writing assistant, not running your copy by a seasoned, flesh-and-blood human editor before you decide to publish professionally is like showing up at work without pants. It’s just something you don’t want to do.

That said, however, once you start using an AI-powered writing assistant, you will most likely find that you’ll never want to look back. After all, who wouldn’t want a second opinion from a machine possessing the writing depth and perception of a Harvard english professor?

In fact, the author of this article personally began using an AI writing assistant a few months ago. And I have to say that the AI always catches something in my writing—and usually a few things—that needs correcting or could be written more eloquently.

If you’re looking to improve your own writing with AI, here’s how the top three packages stack up, as rated on G2Crowd:

Grammarly (www.grammarly.com), $139.95 per year, 4.6/5 G2Crowd rating: As noted, this is one of the most popular AI writing assistants available. Like its competition, Grammarly is a black belt at finding errors in grammar and spelling, and it’s designed to highlight even the most granular inconsistencies, such as when your quotes appear in two different fonts or when you’re misusing basic words.

But that’s only the beginning.

The software is also superb at pointing out words that you’re overusing and suggesting alternatives. Plus, it will take a close look at the clarity, engagement and delivery in your writing and suggest ways to improve all three.

You can also modulate Grammarly to score your writing based on the audience you’re targeting. For example, Grammarly recommends a set of specific words and phrase choices if you’re writing for an audience already knowledgeable about a specific topic, but those recommendations may change markedly if you calibrate Grammarly to analyze writing geared to an audience with only general knowledge of your topic or to an audience new to your topic.

Grammarly will also adjust its analysis of your writing based on the tone or writing style you’re going for, as noted above.

(Full disclosure: Grammarly happens to be the AI assistant software I use, given that it has the features that I value most. But other writers may favor another top software package, based on their own
preferences.)

Here are excerpts from two reviews of Grammarly on G2Crowd:

• “It outperformed Microsoft Word in correcting and discovering errors, which makes it worth the investment if you are worried about details on your writing.”
• “It is impossible to dislike Grammarly.”

ProWritingAid (www.prowritingaid.com), $70 per year, 4.4/5 G2Crowd rating: Another top contender, ProWritingAid also aces all your spelling and grammar concerns, and it makes suggestions about sentence structure, overused words, clichés and repeated phrases.

The package is also a relentless stickler for consistency. It will check very carefully to ensure that your spelling, punctuation and hyphenation adhere to a singular style, and it will continually coach you to use sentences that vary in length—a hallmark of engaging writing.

ProWritingAid also gratefully pulls the covers on bloviators—people who relish the use of overly complex sentences when a simple phrase is the ticket.

The software is also great at red-flagging your use (and overuse) of acronyms, and every piece of writing you run through ProWritingAid is also measured against the Flesch Reading Ease Score, ensuring that your prose stays out of the clouds.

Some users of ProWritingAid complain that the software’s analysis of writing is so complex that it’s overkill, but if you’re a word lover, the software’s enthusiastic analysis of every nook and cranny of your writing may be just what you’re after.

Here are excerpts from two reviews of ProWritingAid on G2Crowd:

• “As you work, you are able to easily find errors, since the program will let you know if there are any inconsistencies, or if the story isn’t transiting well, or even the level of education the reader must have to comprehend the story.”
• “ProWritingAid not only suggests repairs to content I’ve already written, but it has also made me a better writer. I now am more conscious of bad habits like passive verbs and long sentences, so I don’t write them in the first place.”

Ginger (www.gingersoftware.com), $149 annually, 4.4/5 G2Crowd rating: A spelling and grammar whiz like the rest, Ginger adds sparkle to your writing by offering synonyms you may want to use for commonly employed words. Ginger is also programmed to offer you alternate, completely rephrased sentences if you’re stuck and wish you had a way to say something a new and different way.

Another major benefit: Ginger will also read your text aloud. It’s a method that has been handed down through the ages as a surefire way to ensure that the expression of your thoughts is natural and accessible.

Ginger is great for people whose second language is English. For example, it comes with an English trainer module that enables you to practice writing in English. You’re given suggestions to strengthen your writing, and you’ll also be pointed to onboard lessons that will help you avoid the same mistakes. Ginger enables you to auto-translate anything you write into 50 languages.

Here are excerpts from two reviews of Ginger on G2Crowd:

• “There is really nothing I dislike with this software.”
• “I loved how its recommendations seemed like they came from a human/native English speaker.”

Still other top writing assistant packages you may want to check out according to another software review website, Capterra (www.capterra.com/proofreading-software), include WhiteSmoke (www.whitesmoke.com), Online Correction (www.capterra.com/p/179768/onlinecorrection-com) and Hemingway (www.hemingwayapp.com).

Bottom line: While finding the “best” AI writing assistant, software does hinge on personal preferences, using any top-rated software in this genre is going to make you a better, more confident writer. It’s also fitting to get acquainted with these relatively new AI tools. As the years go by, AI writing assistants will not only get better and more sophisticated but are also going to give you an ever-increasing edge over someone who’s out there writing without a net.

Joe Dysart is an internet speaker and business consultant based in Manhattan.

646-233-4089

joe@dysartnewsfeatures.com

www.dysartnewsfeatures.com

By Ashley Reyes

Hot Rod Specialties, Indianapolis company owner Brad Denney is no stranger to building and owning various types of musclecars and street rods. What was once a hobby turned into a rewarding career when he took ownership of the company in 2017.

In this week’s HRIA member spotlight, Denney tells us about the company’s NSRA Nationals-featured ’41 Willy’s Outlaw, what new exciting projects he is currently working on and changes that he sees in the industry.

SEMA: Tell us the story of your business. How did you start?

Brad Denney: I started getting the hot-rod bug back in the early ’70s. I was 14 in 1975 and my first car was a ’67 RS Camaro. One day it started smoking, so my older brother and I pulled the engine, rebuilt it and put headers and a new exhaust on it. That is where this all started. Over the last 40 years, I have owned more than 200 musclecars and street rods. I had a day job running a commercial painting business but was always working nights and weekends in my garage with my son. Three years ago, a buddy of mine was running a hot-rod shop, but had some personal problems that caused him to sell. I bought the business assets from him. We came up with a name and started a new shop in the same location. My son and my buddy Wade joined me, and the rest is history.

We currently have eight full time employees: Wade Sellers, Kenneth Denney, Kelly Yohler, Jarrod Firkins, Tony Spears, Jess Spears, Ron Barker and Mike Bowman who help our business thrive. They deserve just as much credit as I do.  

SEMA: What was your breakthrough moment?

BD: If I had to pick one it would be a ’41 Willy’s Outlaw body that we did. We put a blown fuel-injected Hemi in it, and we took it as a feature vehicle at NSRA Nationals in Louisville in 2018. We exhibited the car out in the lobby, and I feel like we talked to every person at Louisville that year.    

SEMA: Tell us about your business now in 2020 and what projects are you working on?  

Brad Denney’s ’41 Willy’s Outlaw featured a blown fuel-injected Hemi, and was a feature vehicle at NSRA Nationals in Louisville in 2018.

BD: We currently have 10,000 sq. ft. of workspace. The custom interior shop is about 1,000 sq. ft. and the body shop is about 2,000 sq. ft. The rest is divided up between our fabrication, assembly and mechanical areas. We are quickly seeing the need to expand our number of employees and our square footage with our current workload and an ever-growing wait list for everything from minor repairs to full builds. We are also beginning to expand our part sales.

It’s been tough to try and work in the shop and sell parts online and to local customers, but we have gotten to a point where we are going to be able to expand that area as well. The ’41 Willy’s is back in the shop. The blown Hemi was just too much for the street, so the owner decided he wanted us to swap it out for an 800-hp blown LS from Don Hardy.

We have a ’29 Pontiac that I watched being built next door to my wife’s (then girlfriend) house back in the ’70s. I watched the original build and now we are doing the re-build. We also have three other full builds going and an average of 10 other cars at any given time for smaller projects.

SEMA: What changes are you seeing in the industry?

BD: We see the Pro-Touring thing continuing to grow. I am sort of old-school, and I see more and more of the later ’70s Camaros and Mustangs coming in. I have also seen more trucks and square bodies beginning to be more popular. I hope to turn this business over one day to my son Kenneth and continue the legacy. I want him to keep it going and he is totally on board.

SEMA: What advice do you have for young folks contemplating a career in the automotive aftermarket?   

BD: You must have the passion. If you don’t, don’t try to fake it, you can’t.

By Ashley Reyes

Hot Rod Specialties, Indianapolis company owner Brad Denney is no stranger to building and owning various types of musclecars and street rods. What was once a hobby turned into a rewarding career when he took ownership of the company in 2017.

In this week’s HRIA member spotlight, Denney tells us about the company’s NSRA Nationals-featured ’41 Willy’s Outlaw, what new exciting projects he is currently working on and changes that he sees in the industry.

SEMA: Tell us the story of your business. How did you start?

Brad Denney: I started getting the hot-rod bug back in the early ’70s. I was 14 in 1975 and my first car was a ’67 RS Camaro. One day it started smoking, so my older brother and I pulled the engine, rebuilt it and put headers and a new exhaust on it. That is where this all started. Over the last 40 years, I have owned more than 200 musclecars and street rods. I had a day job running a commercial painting business but was always working nights and weekends in my garage with my son. Three years ago, a buddy of mine was running a hot-rod shop, but had some personal problems that caused him to sell. I bought the business assets from him. We came up with a name and started a new shop in the same location. My son and my buddy Wade joined me, and the rest is history.

We currently have eight full time employees: Wade Sellers, Kenneth Denney, Kelly Yohler, Jarrod Firkins, Tony Spears, Jess Spears, Ron Barker and Mike Bowman who help our business thrive. They deserve just as much credit as I do.  

SEMA: What was your breakthrough moment?

BD: If I had to pick one it would be a ’41 Willy’s Outlaw body that we did. We put a blown fuel-injected Hemi in it, and we took it as a feature vehicle at NSRA Nationals in Louisville in 2018. We exhibited the car out in the lobby, and I feel like we talked to every person at Louisville that year.    

SEMA: Tell us about your business now in 2020 and what projects are you working on?  

Brad Denney’s ’41 Willy’s Outlaw featured a blown fuel-injected Hemi, and was a feature vehicle at NSRA Nationals in Louisville in 2018.

BD: We currently have 10,000 sq. ft. of workspace. The custom interior shop is about 1,000 sq. ft. and the body shop is about 2,000 sq. ft. The rest is divided up between our fabrication, assembly and mechanical areas. We are quickly seeing the need to expand our number of employees and our square footage with our current workload and an ever-growing wait list for everything from minor repairs to full builds. We are also beginning to expand our part sales.

It’s been tough to try and work in the shop and sell parts online and to local customers, but we have gotten to a point where we are going to be able to expand that area as well. The ’41 Willy’s is back in the shop. The blown Hemi was just too much for the street, so the owner decided he wanted us to swap it out for an 800-hp blown LS from Don Hardy.

We have a ’29 Pontiac that I watched being built next door to my wife’s (then girlfriend) house back in the ’70s. I watched the original build and now we are doing the re-build. We also have three other full builds going and an average of 10 other cars at any given time for smaller projects.

SEMA: What changes are you seeing in the industry?

BD: We see the Pro-Touring thing continuing to grow. I am sort of old-school, and I see more and more of the later ’70s Camaros and Mustangs coming in. I have also seen more trucks and square bodies beginning to be more popular. I hope to turn this business over one day to my son Kenneth and continue the legacy. I want him to keep it going and he is totally on board.

SEMA: What advice do you have for young folks contemplating a career in the automotive aftermarket?   

BD: You must have the passion. If you don’t, don’t try to fake it, you can’t.

SEMA News—September 2020

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS

By Stuart Gosswein

FEDERAL UPDATE

Maintenance Backlog on Federal Lands: The U.S. Senate passed the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA)—a SEMA-supported bill that is critically important to revitalizing America’s outdoor recreation industry. The GAOA would dedicate $9.5 billion over the next five years to addressing the maintenance backlog on federally owned lands by creating a national parks and public land legacy restoration fund. The bill would also appropriate $900 million annually to the Land and Water Conservation Fund to help fund the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service and several other federal agencies as they rebuild and improve trails, roads, docks, campgrounds and more. Addressing deferred maintenance on public lands will create jobs, revitalize communities and provide Americans with access to open spaces. SEMA and 30 other national associations that comprise the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable joined forces to support the bill. The GAOA would benefit many SEMA members in the off-road market (four-wheel drives, ATVs and UTVs) in addition to companies producing and selling wheels/tires, suspension, power and other equipment to help tow RVs and boats. The House is expected to pass the GAOA and President Trump has signaled support and intent to sign it into law.

COVID-19 Liability Protections: SEMA and a diverse coalition of trade associations have called on Congress to enact temporary and targeted COVID-19 liability protections for businesses. There is a growing need for businesses to be protected from unfair lawsuits when operating under applicable public health guidelines. The threat of liability exposure and frivolous lawsuits are a deterrent for companies seeking to operate or reopen their facilities in the wake of the pandemic.

The business community supports tort reform that would provide rational safe harbors during the current emergency and period of recovery. While not shielding companies from all liability, it would provide tailored protection as businesses act in good faith to follow available guidelines for protecting workers. Six states have laws or executive orders in place that limit business liability or provide businesses with protections against lawsuits arising from Coronavirus, including Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Utah. In the absence of national liability protections, many businesses have pursued general liability waivers.

PPP Flexibility Act: Lawmakers updated the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to provide businesses with more flexibility on the use of loan funds. Enactment of the PPP Flexibility Act reduced the amount of funds required to be spent on payroll costs from 75% to 60% for loans that are forgiven. The payroll calculation includes employee benefit costs for vacation, sick/parental leave, insurance premiums, retirement benefits, and state and local taxes.

Funds may also be used for mortgage or rent payments, utilities and other specified expenses. The law extended the covered period that qualifies for loan forgiveness, giving employers up to 24 weeks from the date the PPP loan was received or December 31, 2020, whichever comes first, to use the forgivable amount of the loan. PPP loans have a 1% interest rate on any amount not forgiven.

Pennsylvania—Motorsports: Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf issued updated business guidance allowing outdoor recreation facilities (including motorsports) to resume operation based on conditions set forth in the state’s Reopen Pennsylvania plan. The Pennsylvania legislature previously introduced a bill to allow outdoor recreational activities, including professional and amateur motorsports, to resume immediately under certain conditions. The bill currently awaits a final vote in the House of Representatives.

STATE UPDATE

Illinois—Motorsports: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced that spectator sports facilities, including racetracks, could reopen to fan attendance at 20% of a venue’s capacity beginning June 26. The SEMA-supported Illinois Motorsports Coalition (IMC), a group comprised of racing facilities across Illinois, previously submitted an eight-step plan to Governor Pritzker to allow motorsports to safely resume statewide.

Kansas—End of Legislative Session: A pair of SEMA-supported bills in Kansas failed to pass the Senate prior to the adjournment of the legislative session after being approved by the House of Representatives.

• Military Vehicles: The Senate failed to pass legislation to allow for the registration and on-road use of surplus military vehicles. Currently, only antique military vehicles more than 35 years old can be registered for road use.
• Antique Vehicles: The Senate Transportation Committee failed to consider a bill to amend the definition of an antique vehicle to allow alterations to the major component parts.

New Mexico—Motorsports: The New Mexico Motorsports Coalition, a group comprised of racing facilities across New Mexico, submitted a SEMA-supported plan to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham that would allow motor-sports to safely resume statewide.

SEMA News—September 2020

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS

By Stuart Gosswein

FEDERAL UPDATE

Maintenance Backlog on Federal Lands: The U.S. Senate passed the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA)—a SEMA-supported bill that is critically important to revitalizing America’s outdoor recreation industry. The GAOA would dedicate $9.5 billion over the next five years to addressing the maintenance backlog on federally owned lands by creating a national parks and public land legacy restoration fund. The bill would also appropriate $900 million annually to the Land and Water Conservation Fund to help fund the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service and several other federal agencies as they rebuild and improve trails, roads, docks, campgrounds and more. Addressing deferred maintenance on public lands will create jobs, revitalize communities and provide Americans with access to open spaces. SEMA and 30 other national associations that comprise the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable joined forces to support the bill. The GAOA would benefit many SEMA members in the off-road market (four-wheel drives, ATVs and UTVs) in addition to companies producing and selling wheels/tires, suspension, power and other equipment to help tow RVs and boats. The House is expected to pass the GAOA and President Trump has signaled support and intent to sign it into law.

COVID-19 Liability Protections: SEMA and a diverse coalition of trade associations have called on Congress to enact temporary and targeted COVID-19 liability protections for businesses. There is a growing need for businesses to be protected from unfair lawsuits when operating under applicable public health guidelines. The threat of liability exposure and frivolous lawsuits are a deterrent for companies seeking to operate or reopen their facilities in the wake of the pandemic.

The business community supports tort reform that would provide rational safe harbors during the current emergency and period of recovery. While not shielding companies from all liability, it would provide tailored protection as businesses act in good faith to follow available guidelines for protecting workers. Six states have laws or executive orders in place that limit business liability or provide businesses with protections against lawsuits arising from Coronavirus, including Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Utah. In the absence of national liability protections, many businesses have pursued general liability waivers.

PPP Flexibility Act: Lawmakers updated the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to provide businesses with more flexibility on the use of loan funds. Enactment of the PPP Flexibility Act reduced the amount of funds required to be spent on payroll costs from 75% to 60% for loans that are forgiven. The payroll calculation includes employee benefit costs for vacation, sick/parental leave, insurance premiums, retirement benefits, and state and local taxes.

Funds may also be used for mortgage or rent payments, utilities and other specified expenses. The law extended the covered period that qualifies for loan forgiveness, giving employers up to 24 weeks from the date the PPP loan was received or December 31, 2020, whichever comes first, to use the forgivable amount of the loan. PPP loans have a 1% interest rate on any amount not forgiven.

Pennsylvania—Motorsports: Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf issued updated business guidance allowing outdoor recreation facilities (including motorsports) to resume operation based on conditions set forth in the state’s Reopen Pennsylvania plan. The Pennsylvania legislature previously introduced a bill to allow outdoor recreational activities, including professional and amateur motorsports, to resume immediately under certain conditions. The bill currently awaits a final vote in the House of Representatives.

STATE UPDATE

Illinois—Motorsports: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced that spectator sports facilities, including racetracks, could reopen to fan attendance at 20% of a venue’s capacity beginning June 26. The SEMA-supported Illinois Motorsports Coalition (IMC), a group comprised of racing facilities across Illinois, previously submitted an eight-step plan to Governor Pritzker to allow motorsports to safely resume statewide.

Kansas—End of Legislative Session: A pair of SEMA-supported bills in Kansas failed to pass the Senate prior to the adjournment of the legislative session after being approved by the House of Representatives.

• Military Vehicles: The Senate failed to pass legislation to allow for the registration and on-road use of surplus military vehicles. Currently, only antique military vehicles more than 35 years old can be registered for road use.
• Antique Vehicles: The Senate Transportation Committee failed to consider a bill to amend the definition of an antique vehicle to allow alterations to the major component parts.

New Mexico—Motorsports: The New Mexico Motorsports Coalition, a group comprised of racing facilities across New Mexico, submitted a SEMA-supported plan to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham that would allow motor-sports to safely resume statewide.

SEMA News—September 2020

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS

By Stuart Gosswein

FEDERAL UPDATE

Maintenance Backlog on Federal Lands: The U.S. Senate passed the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA)—a SEMA-supported bill that is critically important to revitalizing America’s outdoor recreation industry. The GAOA would dedicate $9.5 billion over the next five years to addressing the maintenance backlog on federally owned lands by creating a national parks and public land legacy restoration fund. The bill would also appropriate $900 million annually to the Land and Water Conservation Fund to help fund the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service and several other federal agencies as they rebuild and improve trails, roads, docks, campgrounds and more. Addressing deferred maintenance on public lands will create jobs, revitalize communities and provide Americans with access to open spaces. SEMA and 30 other national associations that comprise the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable joined forces to support the bill. The GAOA would benefit many SEMA members in the off-road market (four-wheel drives, ATVs and UTVs) in addition to companies producing and selling wheels/tires, suspension, power and other equipment to help tow RVs and boats. The House is expected to pass the GAOA and President Trump has signaled support and intent to sign it into law.

COVID-19 Liability Protections: SEMA and a diverse coalition of trade associations have called on Congress to enact temporary and targeted COVID-19 liability protections for businesses. There is a growing need for businesses to be protected from unfair lawsuits when operating under applicable public health guidelines. The threat of liability exposure and frivolous lawsuits are a deterrent for companies seeking to operate or reopen their facilities in the wake of the pandemic.

The business community supports tort reform that would provide rational safe harbors during the current emergency and period of recovery. While not shielding companies from all liability, it would provide tailored protection as businesses act in good faith to follow available guidelines for protecting workers. Six states have laws or executive orders in place that limit business liability or provide businesses with protections against lawsuits arising from Coronavirus, including Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Utah. In the absence of national liability protections, many businesses have pursued general liability waivers.

PPP Flexibility Act: Lawmakers updated the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to provide businesses with more flexibility on the use of loan funds. Enactment of the PPP Flexibility Act reduced the amount of funds required to be spent on payroll costs from 75% to 60% for loans that are forgiven. The payroll calculation includes employee benefit costs for vacation, sick/parental leave, insurance premiums, retirement benefits, and state and local taxes.

Funds may also be used for mortgage or rent payments, utilities and other specified expenses. The law extended the covered period that qualifies for loan forgiveness, giving employers up to 24 weeks from the date the PPP loan was received or December 31, 2020, whichever comes first, to use the forgivable amount of the loan. PPP loans have a 1% interest rate on any amount not forgiven.

Pennsylvania—Motorsports: Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf issued updated business guidance allowing outdoor recreation facilities (including motorsports) to resume operation based on conditions set forth in the state’s Reopen Pennsylvania plan. The Pennsylvania legislature previously introduced a bill to allow outdoor recreational activities, including professional and amateur motorsports, to resume immediately under certain conditions. The bill currently awaits a final vote in the House of Representatives.

STATE UPDATE

Illinois—Motorsports: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced that spectator sports facilities, including racetracks, could reopen to fan attendance at 20% of a venue’s capacity beginning June 26. The SEMA-supported Illinois Motorsports Coalition (IMC), a group comprised of racing facilities across Illinois, previously submitted an eight-step plan to Governor Pritzker to allow motorsports to safely resume statewide.

Kansas—End of Legislative Session: A pair of SEMA-supported bills in Kansas failed to pass the Senate prior to the adjournment of the legislative session after being approved by the House of Representatives.

• Military Vehicles: The Senate failed to pass legislation to allow for the registration and on-road use of surplus military vehicles. Currently, only antique military vehicles more than 35 years old can be registered for road use.
• Antique Vehicles: The Senate Transportation Committee failed to consider a bill to amend the definition of an antique vehicle to allow alterations to the major component parts.

New Mexico—Motorsports: The New Mexico Motorsports Coalition, a group comprised of racing facilities across New Mexico, submitted a SEMA-supported plan to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham that would allow motor-sports to safely resume statewide.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA announced today that it is offering an online marketplace to allow manufacturers and resellers in the specialty automotive segment to connect and conduct business. Taking place November 2-6, SEMA360 was created after industry members expressed a need for a viable marketplace solution in the absence of the 2020 SEMA Show.

“Creating a platform where the industry can gather and discover new products and trends has always been a SEMA priority,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “SEMA360 is the ideal solution to bring the industry together, at a time when we’ve all been kept apart. The platform allows qualified buyers to interact with manufacturers, see innovative new products, check out top SEMA Show builds, and take in industry-leading educational offerings."

Show organizers gathered input from industry members who registered concerns with typical “virtual trade show” solutions. The result is SEMA360, a simplified platform where SEMA will help manufacturers create a straightforward brand presence that will reach quality domestic and international buyers. With a focus on helping the industry grow their businesses, participating resellers will have access to product offerings and demonstrations, and manufacturer personnel.

“The industry made it clear there is a void to fill,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “SEMA360 addresses that need by leveraging SEMA’s exclusive buyer database to connect manufacturers with resellers.”

Key features of SEMA360 include:

• A simplified platform for manufacturers to showcase their new products and innovations
• Efficient interaction between manufacturers and resellers for quality business exchange
• SEMA vehicle reveals from world-class builders
• Industry-leading education focused on professional development and new strategies
• SEMA’s unrivaled media contacts amplifying news, products, and innovations to a world-wide audience

Manufacturer applications for SEMA360 will open September 3, at a SEMA-member rate of $495, and a nonmember rate of $1,495. Attendee registration, which opens mid-September, will be free to qualifying buyers who are SEMA members, and $25 to non-members. Qualifying media will be able to register at no cost.

To learn more about the SEMA360 or to register, visit www.sema360.com.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA announced today that it is offering an online marketplace to allow manufacturers and resellers in the specialty automotive segment to connect and conduct business. Taking place November 2-6, SEMA360 was created after industry members expressed a need for a viable marketplace solution in the absence of the 2020 SEMA Show.

“Creating a platform where the industry can gather and discover new products and trends has always been a SEMA priority,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “SEMA360 is the ideal solution to bring the industry together, at a time when we’ve all been kept apart. The platform allows qualified buyers to interact with manufacturers, see innovative new products, check out top SEMA Show builds, and take in industry-leading educational offerings."

Show organizers gathered input from industry members who registered concerns with typical “virtual trade show” solutions. The result is SEMA360, a simplified platform where SEMA will help manufacturers create a straightforward brand presence that will reach quality domestic and international buyers. With a focus on helping the industry grow their businesses, participating resellers will have access to product offerings and demonstrations, and manufacturer personnel.

“The industry made it clear there is a void to fill,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “SEMA360 addresses that need by leveraging SEMA’s exclusive buyer database to connect manufacturers with resellers.”

Key features of SEMA360 include:

• A simplified platform for manufacturers to showcase their new products and innovations
• Efficient interaction between manufacturers and resellers for quality business exchange
• SEMA vehicle reveals from world-class builders
• Industry-leading education focused on professional development and new strategies
• SEMA’s unrivaled media contacts amplifying news, products, and innovations to a world-wide audience

Manufacturer applications for SEMA360 will open September 3, at a SEMA-member rate of $495, and a nonmember rate of $1,495. Attendee registration, which opens mid-September, will be free to qualifying buyers who are SEMA members, and $25 to non-members. Qualifying media will be able to register at no cost.

To learn more about the SEMA360 or to register, visit www.sema360.com.

By Ashley Reyes

Rose Kawasaki

SEMA members are invited to participate in a Facebook Live Chat featuring the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network’s (SBN) 2015 Athena Woman of the Year and Vice President of Exports International LLC Rose Kawasaki, September 2 at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).  

Interested in learning how you can maximize your SBN membership? During this live chat, Kawasaki will discuss and answer questions on how SBN members can activate their membership benefits and volunteer, even through this time of social distancing.

A former SBN chair, Kawasaki has more than 33 years of international export experience and has volunteered endless hours to promote programs that benefit and mentor young women coming into the industry. Her dedication to the success and growth of the network, including her leadership as Vehicle Build Task Force chair in the groundbreaking “SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women” in 2012, earned her recognition as SBN Athena Woman of the Year in 2015.

Get your questions ready and tune into the SBN Facebook Page on September 2.

By Ashley Reyes

Rose Kawasaki

SEMA members are invited to participate in a Facebook Live Chat featuring the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network’s (SBN) 2015 Athena Woman of the Year and Vice President of Exports International LLC Rose Kawasaki, September 2 at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).  

Interested in learning how you can maximize your SBN membership? During this live chat, Kawasaki will discuss and answer questions on how SBN members can activate their membership benefits and volunteer, even through this time of social distancing.

A former SBN chair, Kawasaki has more than 33 years of international export experience and has volunteered endless hours to promote programs that benefit and mentor young women coming into the industry. Her dedication to the success and growth of the network, including her leadership as Vehicle Build Task Force chair in the groundbreaking “SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women” in 2012, earned her recognition as SBN Athena Woman of the Year in 2015.

Get your questions ready and tune into the SBN Facebook Page on September 2.