By Linda Spencer

Participants of the 2018 SEMA Middle East Business Development Program will exhibit at the Abu Dhabi-based Custom Show Emirates. In Australia, participants will exhibit at the Melbourne-based MotorEx show. Program fees for each event include a turnkey booth, hotels and meals. Federal grants are available for qualified companies.

SEMA will host a business-development program conference call, December 13, at 10:00 a.m. (PST), for members who want to learn more about trips to two promising overseas markets—Australia and the Middle East. Hear from SEMA's international department and fellow members who have participated in prior business-development programs. Topics will include information about the venues, with whom attendees will meet, turnkey booth details, costs and available federal grants.

Contact Kristin Atwan at kristina@sema.org to obtain the conference call-in numbers.

SEMA Middle East—Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), April 3–8

Participants can learn the potential for their products in the customizing-crazy UAE and surrounding region (buyers attended the 2017 event from 11 countries), where consumers are eager to get 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 make this an attractive region.

Exhibitor registration.

SEMA Australia—Melbourne, Australia, May 24–28

Participants can explore this market of true gearheads and the opportunities for manufacturers of sought-after products for SUVs/pickups, street performance and racing. Sales of the new Ford Mustang are red-hot, and rumor has it that Australia has more hot rodders per capita than anywhere else in the world.

Exhibitor registration.

U.S. government support is available for qualified companies. Slots are limited, so register now.

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

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities (view all here) in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org. Working for a SEMA-member company has many advantages. In addition to working for a company that supports and contributes to the success of the overall industry, being employed by a SEMA-member company enables employees to participate in webinars, access free market research, join SEMA committees and more.

By SEMA Editors

Following are dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

• 2017 Advanced Engineering Technology Conference (AETC), December 5–6, 2017, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis

• Advanced Engineering Technology Conference (AETC) Happy Hour, December 6, 2017, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis

• MPMC General Membership Meeting, December 6, 2017, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis

• 2017 PRI Trade Show, December 7–9, 2017, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis

• Sanctioning Body/Manufacturer Discussion, December 7, 2017, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis

• How to Prepare Sponsorship Proposals, December 8, 2017, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis

• Rules of the Road for Motorsports Haulers, December 8, 2017, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis

• Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Performance Industry Reception, December 8, 2017, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis

• Motorsports and Performance Tech Roundtable, December 8, 2017, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis

• MPMC Media Trade Conference, January 23–25, 2018, Embassy Suites Orange County Airport North, Santa Ana, California

• 2018 SEMA Middle East Business Development Program, April 3–8, 2018, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

• 2018 SEMA Australia Business Development Program, May 24–28, 2018, Melbourne, Australia

• Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD), July 13, 2018

• 2018 SEMA Show, October 30–November 2, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstore.com) at Travel Store USA, 949-930-9268.

Porsche is going full throttle with the development of the next-generation 911, due in 2019. Here are the first shots of what’s to become the new 911 Turbo, likely due just months after the basic 911.

The Turbo will get a straighter front skirt and a straight front edge to the hood. The front wings will grow and clasp around the headlights. The Turbo-typical horizontal air inlet in the bonnet will be featured again and so will the air intakes behind the doors. Huge air intakes in the front bumper, the extendable spoiler lip, plus a pair of double daylight running lights will round off the 911 Turbo. Once again, it’s growing in width.

Inside the cabin, the new Turbo might feature Audi’s digital Virtual Cockpit. Under the rear bonnet, the car retains turbocharged engines, powering either the “regular” Turbo or the Turbo S. The top-of-the-range model might crack the 600hp barrier and will get pretty close to a time of 2.5 seconds for the 0–60 sprint.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Porsche is going full throttle with the development of the next-generation 911, due in 2019. Here are the first shots of what’s to become the new 911 Turbo, likely due just months after the basic 911.

The Turbo will get a straighter front skirt and a straight front edge to the hood. The front wings will grow and clasp around the headlights. The Turbo-typical horizontal air inlet in the bonnet will be featured again and so will the air intakes behind the doors. Huge air intakes in the front bumper, the extendable spoiler lip, plus a pair of double daylight running lights will round off the 911 Turbo. Once again, it’s growing in width.

Inside the cabin, the new Turbo might feature Audi’s digital Virtual Cockpit. Under the rear bonnet, the car retains turbocharged engines, powering either the “regular” Turbo or the Turbo S. The top-of-the-range model might crack the 600hp barrier and will get pretty close to a time of 2.5 seconds for the 0–60 sprint.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Porsche is going full throttle with the development of the next-generation 911, due in 2019. Here are the first shots of what’s to become the new 911 Turbo, likely due just months after the basic 911.

The Turbo will get a straighter front skirt and a straight front edge to the hood. The front wings will grow and clasp around the headlights. The Turbo-typical horizontal air inlet in the bonnet will be featured again and so will the air intakes behind the doors. Huge air intakes in the front bumper, the extendable spoiler lip, plus a pair of double daylight running lights will round off the 911 Turbo. Once again, it’s growing in width.

Inside the cabin, the new Turbo might feature Audi’s digital Virtual Cockpit. Under the rear bonnet, the car retains turbocharged engines, powering either the “regular” Turbo or the Turbo S. The top-of-the-range model might crack the 600hp barrier and will get pretty close to a time of 2.5 seconds for the 0–60 sprint.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Porsche is going full throttle with the development of the next-generation 911, due in 2019. Here are the first shots of what’s to become the new 911 Turbo, likely due just months after the basic 911.

The Turbo will get a straighter front skirt and a straight front edge to the hood. The front wings will grow and clasp around the headlights. The Turbo-typical horizontal air inlet in the bonnet will be featured again and so will the air intakes behind the doors. Huge air intakes in the front bumper, the extendable spoiler lip, plus a pair of double daylight running lights will round off the 911 Turbo. Once again, it’s growing in width.

Inside the cabin, the new Turbo might feature Audi’s digital Virtual Cockpit. Under the rear bonnet, the car retains turbocharged engines, powering either the “regular” Turbo or the Turbo S. The top-of-the-range model might crack the 600hp barrier and will get pretty close to a time of 2.5 seconds for the 0–60 sprint.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Porsche is going full throttle with the development of the next-generation 911, due in 2019. Here are the first shots of what’s to become the new 911 Turbo, likely due just months after the basic 911.

The Turbo will get a straighter front skirt and a straight front edge to the hood. The front wings will grow and clasp around the headlights. The Turbo-typical horizontal air inlet in the bonnet will be featured again and so will the air intakes behind the doors. Huge air intakes in the front bumper, the extendable spoiler lip, plus a pair of double daylight running lights will round off the 911 Turbo. Once again, it’s growing in width.

Inside the cabin, the new Turbo might feature Audi’s digital Virtual Cockpit. Under the rear bonnet, the car retains turbocharged engines, powering either the “regular” Turbo or the Turbo S. The top-of-the-range model might crack the 600hp barrier and will get pretty close to a time of 2.5 seconds for the 0–60 sprint.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Porsche is going full throttle with the development of the next-generation 911, due in 2019. Here are the first shots of what’s to become the new 911 Turbo, likely due just months after the basic 911.

The Turbo will get a straighter front skirt and a straight front edge to the hood. The front wings will grow and clasp around the headlights. The Turbo-typical horizontal air inlet in the bonnet will be featured again and so will the air intakes behind the doors. Huge air intakes in the front bumper, the extendable spoiler lip, plus a pair of double daylight running lights will round off the 911 Turbo. Once again, it’s growing in width.

Inside the cabin, the new Turbo might feature Audi’s digital Virtual Cockpit. Under the rear bonnet, the car retains turbocharged engines, powering either the “regular” Turbo or the Turbo S. The top-of-the-range model might crack the 600hp barrier and will get pretty close to a time of 2.5 seconds for the 0–60 sprint.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Jay Leno shares his knowledge and personal stories he has in the car industry.