By Linda Spencer

SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting addresses attendees of the 2019 SEMA Export Fair at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California.

SEMA members gathered recently at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, for the fourth biennial SEMA Export Fair featuring two days of tips and best practices on globally promoting and protecting their products. The sold-out program also offered networking opportunities with top trade buyers from six overseas regions and countries, including Latin America, Canada, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Australia.

Time was set aside each day for one-on-one meetings between SEMA members and visiting buyers seeking new suppliers of performance, off-road, street-performance and styling products. Participants attended eight panels covering such topics as the cost and steps to enhance the global protection of their trademarks and patents, led by legal experts; how to check whether counterfeits of their products are being sold on popular e-commerce sites, led by Alibaba officials; and a run-down of the latest list of messaging platforms used by overseas buyers, including WeChat, WhatsApp, Link and Telegram, which are typically preferred by overseas customers over other means of electronic communication, including email.  

The SEMA Export Fair was co-sponsored with the U.S. Department of Commerce, which used the event to announce an extension of the SEMA Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) grants providing funds to defray the cost for qualified participants on SEMA overseas trips, including the March 31–April 7 Middle East Business Development Conference in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. More information on the trip to the SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference is available online or by contacting Linda Spencer, SEMA’s senior director, international and government affairs.

Participants attended eight panel discussions led by legal experts and Alibaba officials, among others.	Time was set aside each day for one-on-one meetings between SEMA members and visiting buyers seeking new suppliers of performance, off-road, street-performance and styling products.
The SEMA Export Fair was co-sponsored with the U.S. Department of Commerce, which used the event to announce an extension of the SEMA Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) grants providing funds to defray the cost for qualified participants on SEMA overseas trips.	Buyers form Peru, Colombia and Argentina provide an overview of the off-road and racing markets in Latin America and the opportunities for U.S. manufacturers.

By Linda Spencer

SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting addresses attendees of the 2019 SEMA Export Fair at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California.

SEMA members gathered recently at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, for the fourth biennial SEMA Export Fair featuring two days of tips and best practices on globally promoting and protecting their products. The sold-out program also offered networking opportunities with top trade buyers from six overseas regions and countries, including Latin America, Canada, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Australia.

Time was set aside each day for one-on-one meetings between SEMA members and visiting buyers seeking new suppliers of performance, off-road, street-performance and styling products. Participants attended eight panels covering such topics as the cost and steps to enhance the global protection of their trademarks and patents, led by legal experts; how to check whether counterfeits of their products are being sold on popular e-commerce sites, led by Alibaba officials; and a run-down of the latest list of messaging platforms used by overseas buyers, including WeChat, WhatsApp, Link and Telegram, which are typically preferred by overseas customers over other means of electronic communication, including email.  

The SEMA Export Fair was co-sponsored with the U.S. Department of Commerce, which used the event to announce an extension of the SEMA Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) grants providing funds to defray the cost for qualified participants on SEMA overseas trips, including the March 31–April 7 Middle East Business Development Conference in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. More information on the trip to the SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference is available online or by contacting Linda Spencer, SEMA’s senior director, international and government affairs.

Participants attended eight panel discussions led by legal experts and Alibaba officials, among others.	Time was set aside each day for one-on-one meetings between SEMA members and visiting buyers seeking new suppliers of performance, off-road, street-performance and styling products.
The SEMA Export Fair was co-sponsored with the U.S. Department of Commerce, which used the event to announce an extension of the SEMA Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) grants providing funds to defray the cost for qualified participants on SEMA overseas trips.	Buyers form Peru, Colombia and Argentina provide an overview of the off-road and racing markets in Latin America and the opportunities for U.S. manufacturers.

Here’s an up-close look at the upcoming Corvette C8 convertible at Big Lots.

The C8 will switch to a hardtop configuration for the convertible model. This represents a major departure from prior models that were soft-top convertibles.

Video confirms the “hard-top” nature of the convertible roof panel, as the photographer delivers a few “knocks” on the convertible roof panel and the panel immediately behind it. It’s unclear how the convertible mechanism will work at this point.

However, Chevrolet teased the C8 convertible with the roof down in a recent video, and it looks like part of the assembly will be folded into and over the engine cover.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Here’s an up-close look at the upcoming Corvette C8 convertible at Big Lots.

The C8 will switch to a hardtop configuration for the convertible model. This represents a major departure from prior models that were soft-top convertibles.

Video confirms the “hard-top” nature of the convertible roof panel, as the photographer delivers a few “knocks” on the convertible roof panel and the panel immediately behind it. It’s unclear how the convertible mechanism will work at this point.

However, Chevrolet teased the C8 convertible with the roof down in a recent video, and it looks like part of the assembly will be folded into and over the engine cover.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Here’s an up-close look at the upcoming Corvette C8 convertible at Big Lots.

The C8 will switch to a hardtop configuration for the convertible model. This represents a major departure from prior models that were soft-top convertibles.

Video confirms the “hard-top” nature of the convertible roof panel, as the photographer delivers a few “knocks” on the convertible roof panel and the panel immediately behind it. It’s unclear how the convertible mechanism will work at this point.

However, Chevrolet teased the C8 convertible with the roof down in a recent video, and it looks like part of the assembly will be folded into and over the engine cover.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Here’s an up-close look at the upcoming Corvette C8 convertible at Big Lots.

The C8 will switch to a hardtop configuration for the convertible model. This represents a major departure from prior models that were soft-top convertibles.

Video confirms the “hard-top” nature of the convertible roof panel, as the photographer delivers a few “knocks” on the convertible roof panel and the panel immediately behind it. It’s unclear how the convertible mechanism will work at this point.

However, Chevrolet teased the C8 convertible with the roof down in a recent video, and it looks like part of the assembly will be folded into and over the engine cover.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Here’s an up-close look at the upcoming Corvette C8 convertible at Big Lots.

The C8 will switch to a hardtop configuration for the convertible model. This represents a major departure from prior models that were soft-top convertibles.

Video confirms the “hard-top” nature of the convertible roof panel, as the photographer delivers a few “knocks” on the convertible roof panel and the panel immediately behind it. It’s unclear how the convertible mechanism will work at this point.

However, Chevrolet teased the C8 convertible with the roof down in a recent video, and it looks like part of the assembly will be folded into and over the engine cover.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Here’s an up-close look at the upcoming Corvette C8 convertible at Big Lots.

The C8 will switch to a hardtop configuration for the convertible model. This represents a major departure from prior models that were soft-top convertibles.

Video confirms the “hard-top” nature of the convertible roof panel, as the photographer delivers a few “knocks” on the convertible roof panel and the panel immediately behind it. It’s unclear how the convertible mechanism will work at this point.

However, Chevrolet teased the C8 convertible with the roof down in a recent video, and it looks like part of the assembly will be folded into and over the engine cover.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA-NACAT Award opportunity is open to all instructors who teach automotive-related courses at accredited U.S. and Canadian secondary and post-secondary schools and career training centers.

Are you an automotive educator who champions the automotive aftermarket? Do you know automotive educators who share their passion for the aftermarket with their students? Since 2016, SEMA and the North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT) have partnered to recognize automotive educators who demonstrate the most innovative and effective use of aftermarket technology in their classrooms.

The SEMA-NACAT Award opportunity is open to all instructors who teach automotive-related courses (i.e., auto tech, diesel, collision) at accredited U.S. and Canadian secondary and post-secondary schools and career training centers. To qualify, instructors must have developed curriculum around the use of aftermarket products and are actively fostering the professional development of promising new aftermarket students.

Three finalists will be provided with complimentary hotel accommodations and air travel to the 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The award will be presented at the SEMA Show Educators’ Awards Breakfast, Wednesday, November 6.* The award winner will receive complimentary registration and $500 for travel to the NACAT Conference and Expo held in Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, July 20–23, 2020.

Nominate yourself or a fellow educator today!

The award nomination deadline is August 15. An announcement of the award finalists will be made by September 1.

Questions? Contact NACAT’s Bill Haas or SEMA Manager of Student Programs Juliet Marshall.

Visit the SEMA Show website for more information.

*SEMA Show student program registration is now open.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA-NACAT Award opportunity is open to all instructors who teach automotive-related courses at accredited U.S. and Canadian secondary and post-secondary schools and career training centers.

Are you an automotive educator who champions the automotive aftermarket? Do you know automotive educators who share their passion for the aftermarket with their students? Since 2016, SEMA and the North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT) have partnered to recognize automotive educators who demonstrate the most innovative and effective use of aftermarket technology in their classrooms.

The SEMA-NACAT Award opportunity is open to all instructors who teach automotive-related courses (i.e., auto tech, diesel, collision) at accredited U.S. and Canadian secondary and post-secondary schools and career training centers. To qualify, instructors must have developed curriculum around the use of aftermarket products and are actively fostering the professional development of promising new aftermarket students.

Three finalists will be provided with complimentary hotel accommodations and air travel to the 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The award will be presented at the SEMA Show Educators’ Awards Breakfast, Wednesday, November 6.* The award winner will receive complimentary registration and $500 for travel to the NACAT Conference and Expo held in Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, July 20–23, 2020.

Nominate yourself or a fellow educator today!

The award nomination deadline is August 15. An announcement of the award finalists will be made by September 1.

Questions? Contact NACAT’s Bill Haas or SEMA Manager of Student Programs Juliet Marshall.

Visit the SEMA Show website for more information.

*SEMA Show student program registration is now open.