By Ashley Reyes

Tara Thompson

The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) has named Tara Thompson of Dixie 4 Wheel Drive as this week’s #SheIsSEMA Spotlight Member. Thompson is the general manager of Dixie 4 Wheel Drive—a renowned off-road store, modification and repair facility where she helps create new avenues for her business through innovation and building life-long customer relationships. Learning something new every day is what drives her passion for this industry that she continues to help grow and expand.

Learn more about Thompson in her Q&A with the SBN:

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Tara Thompson: When dealing with a problem, come up with the worst possible outcome and come to peace with it. Once you accept that, reality is usually not as bad as our imagination and you will feel blessed that it did not turn out as bad as it could have.

SEMA: What keeps you involved in this industry?

TT: I love the aftermarket industry because for most of our customers it’s something they are excited about, almost like it’s their birthday present or something they have been saving up for and they are finally getting it.

SEMA: On a Saturday, where can you be found?

TT: Saturdays you can usually find me running reports, volunteering or hiking with the shop dogs.

SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?

TT: A little tired since I stayed up late or was awake half the night running over scenarios in my head.

SEMA: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who would it be?

TT: Henry Ford. I love the business side of the industry and learning how he pushed to revolutionize the building of vehicles would be fascinating.

Fill out this form to be a part of the #SheIsSEMA family. You will have the opportunity to be featured on SBN’s social media, SEMA eNews and be recognized on the www.sema.org/sheissema website. While there, check out other inspirational women who are leading the industry and are paving the path for future success.

Not an SBN member? Fill out this form to join today.

By Ashley Reyes

Tara Thompson

The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) has named Tara Thompson of Dixie 4 Wheel Drive as this week’s #SheIsSEMA Spotlight Member. Thompson is the general manager of Dixie 4 Wheel Drive—a renowned off-road store, modification and repair facility where she helps create new avenues for her business through innovation and building life-long customer relationships. Learning something new every day is what drives her passion for this industry that she continues to help grow and expand.

Learn more about Thompson in her Q&A with the SBN:

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Tara Thompson: When dealing with a problem, come up with the worst possible outcome and come to peace with it. Once you accept that, reality is usually not as bad as our imagination and you will feel blessed that it did not turn out as bad as it could have.

SEMA: What keeps you involved in this industry?

TT: I love the aftermarket industry because for most of our customers it’s something they are excited about, almost like it’s their birthday present or something they have been saving up for and they are finally getting it.

SEMA: On a Saturday, where can you be found?

TT: Saturdays you can usually find me running reports, volunteering or hiking with the shop dogs.

SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?

TT: A little tired since I stayed up late or was awake half the night running over scenarios in my head.

SEMA: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who would it be?

TT: Henry Ford. I love the business side of the industry and learning how he pushed to revolutionize the building of vehicles would be fascinating.

Fill out this form to be a part of the #SheIsSEMA family. You will have the opportunity to be featured on SBN’s social media, SEMA eNews and be recognized on the www.sema.org/sheissema website. While there, check out other inspirational women who are leading the industry and are paving the path for future success.

Not an SBN member? Fill out this form to join today.

It’s not too late to exhibit at the 2020 SEMA Show, November 3-6, in Las Vegas. The online Exhibitor Services Manual contains all of the resources pertinent to a successful exhibit in November.

http://www.semashow.com/buyabooth

It’s not too late to exhibit at the 2020 SEMA Show, November 3-6, in Las Vegas. The online Exhibitor Services Manual contains all of the resources pertinent to a successful exhibit in November.

http://www.semashow.com/buyabooth

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Senate voted to take up the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), a 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 address 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 (LWCF), which allocates funding to protect natural areas, water resources, cultural heritage sites and to provide recreation opportunities. The SEMA-supported legislation is critical to addressing the infrastructure needs facing our public lands and waters, such as improving trails, roads, docks, campgrounds and more. The GAOA will receive a final vote in the Senate in the next few days.

Passage of the GAOA would benefit many SEMA members in the off-road market (four-wheel, ATVs and UTVs) in addition to companies producing and selling wheels/tires, suspension, power and other equipment to help tow RVs and boats to the nation’s parks and recreation areas. More than 90 outdoor recreation related companies, including several SEMA members, sent a letter calling on the U.S. Congress to pass the GAOA. Addressing the infrastructure needs of our public lands will create jobs and provide Americans with access to open spaces.

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Senate voted to take up the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), a 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 address 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 (LWCF), which allocates funding to protect natural areas, water resources, cultural heritage sites and to provide recreation opportunities. The SEMA-supported legislation is critical to addressing the infrastructure needs facing our public lands and waters, such as improving trails, roads, docks, campgrounds and more. The GAOA will receive a final vote in the Senate in the next few days.

Passage of the GAOA would benefit many SEMA members in the off-road market (four-wheel, ATVs and UTVs) in addition to companies producing and selling wheels/tires, suspension, power and other equipment to help tow RVs and boats to the nation’s parks and recreation areas. More than 90 outdoor recreation related companies, including several SEMA members, sent a letter calling on the U.S. Congress to pass the GAOA. Addressing the infrastructure needs of our public lands will create jobs and provide Americans with access to open spaces.

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Senate voted to take up the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), a 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 address 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 (LWCF), which allocates funding to protect natural areas, water resources, cultural heritage sites and to provide recreation opportunities. The SEMA-supported legislation is critical to addressing the infrastructure needs facing our public lands and waters, such as improving trails, roads, docks, campgrounds and more. The GAOA will receive a final vote in the Senate in the next few days.

Passage of the GAOA would benefit many SEMA members in the off-road market (four-wheel, ATVs and UTVs) in addition to companies producing and selling wheels/tires, suspension, power and other equipment to help tow RVs and boats to the nation’s parks and recreation areas. More than 90 outdoor recreation related companies, including several SEMA members, sent a letter calling on the U.S. Congress to pass the GAOA. Addressing the infrastructure needs of our public lands will create jobs and provide Americans with access to open spaces.

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act was signed into law on June 5, and provides companies more flexibility on the use of funds from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Businesses are encouraged to contact participating lenders prior to the June 30 deadline. Highlights of the program include:

• Loan Amount: PPP loans equal the average of one month’s 2019 payroll multiplied by 2.5 (capped at $10 million).
• Amount Forgiven: The SBA will forgive that portion of the loan used to cover payroll, rent payments, mortgage interest and the cost of utilities for a fixed period of time. As a result of the PPP Flexibility Act, the employer may now choose the covered period, either: (a) eight consecutive weeks from when the loan was received, or (b) up to 24 weeks from when the loan was received or on December 31, 2020, whichever comes first.
• Use of Funds: PPP funds can be used to cover payroll, mortgage or rent payments, utilities and other specified expenses. At least 60% of the amount to be forgiven must be spent on payroll, which includes employee benefit costs for vacation, sick/parental leave, insurance premiums, retirement benefits and state and local taxes.
• Interest Rate and Repayment Terms: The loan interest rate is 1%. Repayments on any amount not forgiven is deferred at least 10 months after the end of the covered period, with a two-year term for loans secured before June 5, and five-year term for loans on or after that date.
• Rehiring Workers: Employers have until December 31, 2020, to rehire workers and have their salaries count toward forgiveness.
• Payroll Taxes: Businesses receiving a PPP loan may also defer payment of 2020 payroll taxes.
• Apply Now: The deadline for application approval is June 30, 2020. Companies are encouraged to apply as quickly as possible because there is only $130 billion left to be lent (as of June 7, 2020). Click here for more information.
• Find a Bank: Companies looking to apply for PPP loans are encouraged to use the SBA’s “Find Local Lenders” page to locate the nearest PPP lending institutions.

For more information:

• View a taped SEMA webinar on May 28, entitled “Everything You Need to Know About the Paycheck Protection Program,” which features Gene Marks, a CPA and recognized expert on small business issues. 
• View additional PPP information posted on SEMA’s SBA loan webpage.
• Visit the SBA's PPP webpage.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act was signed into law on June 5, and provides companies more flexibility on the use of funds from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Businesses are encouraged to contact participating lenders prior to the June 30 deadline. Highlights of the program include:

• Loan Amount: PPP loans equal the average of one month’s 2019 payroll multiplied by 2.5 (capped at $10 million).
• Amount Forgiven: The SBA will forgive that portion of the loan used to cover payroll, rent payments, mortgage interest and the cost of utilities for a fixed period of time. As a result of the PPP Flexibility Act, the employer may now choose the covered period, either: (a) eight consecutive weeks from when the loan was received, or (b) up to 24 weeks from when the loan was received or on December 31, 2020, whichever comes first.
• Use of Funds: PPP funds can be used to cover payroll, mortgage or rent payments, utilities and other specified expenses. At least 60% of the amount to be forgiven must be spent on payroll, which includes employee benefit costs for vacation, sick/parental leave, insurance premiums, retirement benefits and state and local taxes.
• Interest Rate and Repayment Terms: The loan interest rate is 1%. Repayments on any amount not forgiven is deferred at least 10 months after the end of the covered period, with a two-year term for loans secured before June 5, and five-year term for loans on or after that date.
• Rehiring Workers: Employers have until December 31, 2020, to rehire workers and have their salaries count toward forgiveness.
• Payroll Taxes: Businesses receiving a PPP loan may also defer payment of 2020 payroll taxes.
• Apply Now: The deadline for application approval is June 30, 2020. Companies are encouraged to apply as quickly as possible because there is only $130 billion left to be lent (as of June 7, 2020). Click here for more information.
• Find a Bank: Companies looking to apply for PPP loans are encouraged to use the SBA’s “Find Local Lenders” page to locate the nearest PPP lending institutions.

For more information:

• View a taped SEMA webinar on May 28, entitled “Everything You Need to Know About the Paycheck Protection Program,” which features Gene Marks, a CPA and recognized expert on small business issues. 
• View additional PPP information posted on SEMA’s SBA loan webpage.
• Visit the SBA's PPP webpage.