By Linda Spencer

SEMA’s Middle East Business Development Conference is designed to provide members with a low-cost, efficient way to explore markets the association has identified as promising for export.

The state of California recently announced that it is making funds available to SEMA to help members defray the cost of exhibiting at the SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The first 12 qualified California companies will receive the funds. The SEMA Middle East trip is designed to provide members with a low-cost, efficient way to explore markets the association has identified as promising for export. Program fees include a turnkey booth in the SEMA section of the Custom Show Emirates, networking events with pre-vetted buyers and shop tours, among other activities. Hotel and all meals are also covered by program fees.

The newly announced funds are being made available as part of the State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Program, a pilot export development program authorized by the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. The program, funded by money from the federal government and the State of California, is designed to increase the number of U.S. small businesses that are exporting, and increase the dollar value of exports by those small businesses. The program is being administered locally by the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.

The State of California funds are in addition to the $900 in funds and technical assistance available to qualified firms through SEMA’s longtime partnership with the federal International Trade Administration’s Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) award. Those companies who self-certify as eligible for the federal funds would also be eligible for the state funds.

More information on the trip is available at www.sema.org/middleeast or by contacting Linda Spencer, SEMA’s International Director, at lindas@sema.org.

Register now! Interested in receiving the State funds? The first step is to be the first to register for the SEMA Middle East trip.

Want to confirm that the slots haven’t been filled? Have questions? Contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

By Linda Spencer

SEMA’s Middle East Business Development Conference is designed to provide members with a low-cost, efficient way to explore markets the association has identified as promising for export.

The state of California recently announced that it is making funds available to SEMA to help members defray the cost of exhibiting at the SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The first 12 qualified California companies will receive the funds. The SEMA Middle East trip is designed to provide members with a low-cost, efficient way to explore markets the association has identified as promising for export. Program fees include a turnkey booth in the SEMA section of the Custom Show Emirates, networking events with pre-vetted buyers and shop tours, among other activities. Hotel and all meals are also covered by program fees.

The newly announced funds are being made available as part of the State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Program, a pilot export development program authorized by the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. The program, funded by money from the federal government and the State of California, is designed to increase the number of U.S. small businesses that are exporting, and increase the dollar value of exports by those small businesses. The program is being administered locally by the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.

The State of California funds are in addition to the $900 in funds and technical assistance available to qualified firms through SEMA’s longtime partnership with the federal International Trade Administration’s Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) award. Those companies who self-certify as eligible for the federal funds would also be eligible for the state funds.

More information on the trip is available at www.sema.org/middleeast or by contacting Linda Spencer, SEMA’s International Director, at lindas@sema.org.

Register now! Interested in receiving the State funds? The first step is to be the first to register for the SEMA Middle East trip.

Want to confirm that the slots haven’t been filled? Have questions? Contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

The SEMA Cares/Omix-ADA Jeep Wrangler JK will be auctioned through Barrett-Jackson on Wednesday, January 27.

By Jason Catullo

The Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited donated by Omix-ADA to SEMA Cares and displayed at the 2015 SEMA Show, will be auctioned through Barrett-Jackson on Wednesday, January 27. The Jeep, which is customized with Rugged Ridge products, was designed by Arianny Celeste, LFTD & LVLD magazine, Rugged Ridge, SEMA Cares and built by DUB Garage.

Celeste, best known for her work as a ring girl for the UFC, also co-hosts the automotive reality TV show “Overhaulin’,” which features a team of builders completing a custom car or truck in just a matter of days.

The custom Jeep marks Omix-ADA’s third partnership with SEMA Cares over the past three years.

To read more about the Jeep and its full list of custom upgrades, visit Barrett-Jackson’s website.

The SEMA Cares Committee was established by SEMA’s Board of Directors in 2007 and strives to make a positive difference through outreach programs and various fundraising efforts. SEMA Cares makes its mission to foster industry leadership by supporting the education of students pursuing careers in the automotive aftermarket.

For more information on SEMA Cares and its work with local communities, visit www.SEMA.org/sema-cares.

The SEMA Cares/Omix-ADA Jeep Wrangler JK will be auctioned through Barrett-Jackson on Wednesday, January 27.

By Jason Catullo

The Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited donated by Omix-ADA to SEMA Cares and displayed at the 2015 SEMA Show, will be auctioned through Barrett-Jackson on Wednesday, January 27. The Jeep, which is customized with Rugged Ridge products, was designed by Arianny Celeste, LFTD & LVLD magazine, Rugged Ridge, SEMA Cares and built by DUB Garage.

Celeste, best known for her work as a ring girl for the UFC, also co-hosts the automotive reality TV show “Overhaulin’,” which features a team of builders completing a custom car or truck in just a matter of days.

The custom Jeep marks Omix-ADA’s third partnership with SEMA Cares over the past three years.

To read more about the Jeep and its full list of custom upgrades, visit Barrett-Jackson’s website.

The SEMA Cares Committee was established by SEMA’s Board of Directors in 2007 and strives to make a positive difference through outreach programs and various fundraising efforts. SEMA Cares makes its mission to foster industry leadership by supporting the education of students pursuing careers in the automotive aftermarket.

For more information on SEMA Cares and its work with local communities, visit www.SEMA.org/sema-cares.

The SEMA Cares/Omix-ADA Jeep Wrangler JK will be auctioned through Barrett-Jackson on Wednesday, January 27.

By Jason Catullo

The Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited donated by Omix-ADA to SEMA Cares and displayed at the 2015 SEMA Show, will be auctioned through Barrett-Jackson on Wednesday, January 27. The Jeep, which is customized with Rugged Ridge products, was designed by Arianny Celeste, LFTD & LVLD magazine, Rugged Ridge, SEMA Cares and built by DUB Garage.

Celeste, best known for her work as a ring girl for the UFC, also co-hosts the automotive reality TV show “Overhaulin’,” which features a team of builders completing a custom car or truck in just a matter of days.

The custom Jeep marks Omix-ADA’s third partnership with SEMA Cares over the past three years.

To read more about the Jeep and its full list of custom upgrades, visit Barrett-Jackson’s website.

The SEMA Cares Committee was established by SEMA’s Board of Directors in 2007 and strives to make a positive difference through outreach programs and various fundraising efforts. SEMA Cares makes its mission to foster industry leadership by supporting the education of students pursuing careers in the automotive aftermarket.

For more information on SEMA Cares and its work with local communities, visit www.SEMA.org/sema-cares.

SEMA News recently spoke with Nicky Fowler, vice president of fixed operations for Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center, about the parts store and the the company’s business philosophy.

In the late ’20s, cousins A.L. Scoggin and J. Ray Dickey were in the grocery business together in a small town outside Lubbock, Texas, when they heard that a GM franchise was going to become available. They decided to sell the store and pool their money, and they opened a Buick franchise in Lubbock in 1929. Scoggin-Dickey Chevrolet Buick is now in the fourth generation of family ownership, although the Dickeys retired several years ago, and the associated Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center is one of the largest operations of its kind in the country.

SEMA News recently spoke with Nicky Fowler, vice president of fixed operations for Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center, about the parts store and the the company’s business philosophy.

In the late ’20s, cousins A.L. Scoggin and J. Ray Dickey were in the grocery business together in a small town outside Lubbock, Texas, when they heard that a GM franchise was going to become available. They decided to sell the store and pool their money, and they opened a Buick franchise in Lubbock in 1929. Scoggin-Dickey Chevrolet Buick is now in the fourth generation of family ownership, although the Dickeys retired several years ago, and the associated Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center is one of the largest operations of its kind in the country.

SEMA News recently spoke with Nicky Fowler, vice president of fixed operations for Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center, about the parts store and the the company’s business philosophy.

In the late ’20s, cousins A.L. Scoggin and J. Ray Dickey were in the grocery business together in a small town outside Lubbock, Texas, when they heard that a GM franchise was going to become available. They decided to sell the store and pool their money, and they opened a Buick franchise in Lubbock in 1929. Scoggin-Dickey Chevrolet Buick is now in the fourth generation of family ownership, although the Dickeys retired several years ago, and the associated Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center is one of the largest operations of its kind in the country.

By SEMA Editors

Students preparing for careers in the automotive or auto parts industries are encouraged to apply for the scholarship at www.sema.org/scholarships.

Scholarship applications for the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund are now being accepted. Students preparing for careers in the automotive or auto parts industries are encouraged to apply for the scholarship at www.sema.org/scholarships.

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund is dedicated to fostering the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators. Scholarship awards range from $2,000–$3,000, with $5,000 going to the top student.

In addition to students planning for automotive-related careers, individuals currently working for SEMA-member companies can get financial assistance through SEMA’s Loan Forgiveness Program, which offers $2,000 toward outstanding student loans.

The deadline to complete the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund application is March 1, 2016.

For more information on the program or to apply, visit www.sema.org/scholarships or contact Juliet Marshall, SEMA education manager, at julietm@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

Students preparing for careers in the automotive or auto parts industries are encouraged to apply for the scholarship at www.sema.org/scholarships.

Scholarship applications for the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund are now being accepted. Students preparing for careers in the automotive or auto parts industries are encouraged to apply for the scholarship at www.sema.org/scholarships.

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund is dedicated to fostering the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators. Scholarship awards range from $2,000–$3,000, with $5,000 going to the top student.

In addition to students planning for automotive-related careers, individuals currently working for SEMA-member companies can get financial assistance through SEMA’s Loan Forgiveness Program, which offers $2,000 toward outstanding student loans.

The deadline to complete the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund application is March 1, 2016.

For more information on the program or to apply, visit www.sema.org/scholarships or contact Juliet Marshall, SEMA education manager, at julietm@sema.org.