By Linda Spencer

First-time exhibitor Specialty Vehicle Engineering Inc./DBA Hamburger’s Superchargers Inc. attracted lots of attention among local buyers.

Register now for the 2020 SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference, March 31–April 5, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and April 5–7, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where attendees will meet with pre-vetted trade buyers from throughout the region. Explore the potential for your products in this customizing-crazy market, where consumers are eager to buy the latest U.S. products for classic car restoration, off-roading, racing, street performance and aesthetics. High disposable income coupled with a passion for personalization makes this an attractive region.

Attendees of the 2020 SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference will:

• Exhibit at the leading customizing show in the region—Custom Show Emirates—in a turn-key booth.
• Participate in a seminar with top distributors.
• Participate in an official U.S. government briefing.
• Tour specialty-equipment shops in Saudi Arabia and the UAE featuring performance, off-road and styling upgrades.
• Attend networking receptions.

All meals, hotel accommodations, a turnkey booth at Custom Show Emirates and airfare from the UAE to Saudi Arabia are included. Attendees can self-certify to qualify for up to $1,250 in U.S. government grants to defray trip costs. California-based companies are eligible for additional funds, including state grants of up to $1,500 to help defray the costs of participating.*

Slots are limited, and the registration deadline for the Saudi portion of the trip is December 28, so so register today!

For more information or to schedule a conference call to discuss the SEMA Business Development Conference, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

*Check with SEMA staff regarding additional funds for SEMA members located in other states.

This is the upcoming all-new GMC Yukon in SLT and Denali trims undergoing testing, providing a first look at the SLT trim.

Up front is a grille different from the one seen on Denali, while the rear does not show any visible exhaust, unlike on the Denali. The rest of the model looks relatively identical to the Yukon Denali, which features a bright grille and visible quad-tip exhaust out back.

The new GMC Yukon will be revealed in early 2020 following the just-revealed Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the upcoming all-new GMC Yukon in SLT and Denali trims undergoing testing, providing a first look at the SLT trim.

Up front is a grille different from the one seen on Denali, while the rear does not show any visible exhaust, unlike on the Denali. The rest of the model looks relatively identical to the Yukon Denali, which features a bright grille and visible quad-tip exhaust out back.

The new GMC Yukon will be revealed in early 2020 following the just-revealed Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the upcoming all-new GMC Yukon in SLT and Denali trims undergoing testing, providing a first look at the SLT trim.

Up front is a grille different from the one seen on Denali, while the rear does not show any visible exhaust, unlike on the Denali. The rest of the model looks relatively identical to the Yukon Denali, which features a bright grille and visible quad-tip exhaust out back.

The new GMC Yukon will be revealed in early 2020 following the just-revealed Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the upcoming all-new GMC Yukon in SLT and Denali trims undergoing testing, providing a first look at the SLT trim.

Up front is a grille different from the one seen on Denali, while the rear does not show any visible exhaust, unlike on the Denali. The rest of the model looks relatively identical to the Yukon Denali, which features a bright grille and visible quad-tip exhaust out back.

The new GMC Yukon will be revealed in early 2020 following the just-revealed Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the upcoming all-new GMC Yukon in SLT and Denali trims undergoing testing, providing a first look at the SLT trim.

Up front is a grille different from the one seen on Denali, while the rear does not show any visible exhaust, unlike on the Denali. The rest of the model looks relatively identical to the Yukon Denali, which features a bright grille and visible quad-tip exhaust out back.

The new GMC Yukon will be revealed in early 2020 following the just-revealed Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the upcoming all-new GMC Yukon in SLT and Denali trims undergoing testing, providing a first look at the SLT trim.

Up front is a grille different from the one seen on Denali, while the rear does not show any visible exhaust, unlike on the Denali. The rest of the model looks relatively identical to the Yukon Denali, which features a bright grille and visible quad-tip exhaust out back.

The new GMC Yukon will be revealed in early 2020 following the just-revealed Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

The following is a message from SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting:

This year, the SEMA Board of Directors has an opening in the Distributors/Retailers category.

As a member of the association, your recommendation is needed for industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors.

The following seat is open for this year’s election:

• Distributors/Retailers (one open seat)

Please take a moment and tell us whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board member position by completing and submitting a nomination form. To help the vetting process, include a brief information about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements that would make that nominee an outstanding board candidate.

Nominations for the SEMA Board of Directors are due Friday, January 3, 2020. Please complete and submit the nomination form.

A strong board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well.  We urge you to take part in the nominations process—our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the Board, but we need you to help bring them to the attention of the Nominating Committee.

Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Chris Kersting, CAE

SEMA President & CEO

The following is a message from SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting:

This year, the SEMA Board of Directors has an opening in the Distributors/Retailers category.

As a member of the association, your recommendation is needed for industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors.

The following seat is open for this year’s election:

• Distributors/Retailers (one open seat)

Please take a moment and tell us whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board member position by completing and submitting a nomination form. To help the vetting process, include a brief information about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements that would make that nominee an outstanding board candidate.

Nominations for the SEMA Board of Directors are due Friday, January 3, 2020. Please complete and submit the nomination form.

A strong board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well.  We urge you to take part in the nominations process—our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the Board, but we need you to help bring them to the attention of the Nominating Committee.

Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Chris Kersting, CAE

SEMA President & CEO

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