Businesses with a significant demographic skewed toward “hipper,” generally younger tech users—people who like to stay on the edge of what’s happening digitally—should take a serious look at QR code marketing.

Most of us have come across a QR (quick reach) code in our travels. It’s that framed square of hieroglyphic-like symbols that we flip to in a magazine, which triggers our smartphones to reveal a company website when scanned. Or it’s on that advertisement we see at an airport or a train station that, when scanned, conjures up an electronic coupon on our tablets that can be used at a coffee shop, often only steps away.

Businesses with a significant demographic skewed toward “hipper,” generally younger tech users—people who like to stay on the edge of what’s happening digitally—should take a serious look at QR code marketing.

Most of us have come across a QR (quick reach) code in our travels. It’s that framed square of hieroglyphic-like symbols that we flip to in a magazine, which triggers our smartphones to reveal a company website when scanned. Or it’s on that advertisement we see at an airport or a train station that, when scanned, conjures up an electronic coupon on our tablets that can be used at a coffee shop, often only steps away.

By SEMA Editors

Team Nitrous Express (Burton Center for Arts and Technology) from Salem, Virginia, ran a record-setting time of 16:22 and secured the 2014 National Championship title at the PRI Show in Indianapolis.

Hot Rodders of Tomorrow (HROT) changed its playoff format in 2014 to a new Dual Championship to allow teams to compete at either the SEMA Show in Las Vegas or the PRI Show in Indianapolis. HROT also debuted its first-ever Final Four, pitting the top two SEMA Show teams vs. the top two PRI Show teams.

Teams of five students were judged based on how quickly they could disassemble and reassemble a small-block Chevrolet engine with aftermarket components. This process was completed four times; the worst time was thrown out and the other three were averaged.

Starting Wednesday, December 8, 15 hopeful teams began their journey to become one of the two PRI teams left standing. Over the next three days, students displayed their best teamwork and skills. Team Fel-Pro (Peach County High School) from Georgia even set a new national speed record of 17:55 on their last run on Friday, December 10. When the dust settled, Team Derale (Forsyth Central) and Team Nitrous Express (Burton Center for Arts and Technology) were the only two teams left standing from the PRI Show.

With these two teams moving on to the Final Four, the stage was set for a battle that will be remembered for years to come. During the first run on Friday night at 5:00 p.m., three of the four teams all achieved times of less than 20 minutes. During the second run on Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m., Team Autometer (Eastern Oklahoma County Tech Center) almost set the national speed record of 16:26, but was penalized for a torque wrench violation, which cost them four minutes in time. In the final round, every team brought their best, with all four teams running times below 20 minutes.

After the third round was completed, Team Nitrous Express (Burton Center for Arts and Technology) from Salem, Virginia, ran a record-setting time of 16:22 and secured the 2014 National Championship title. Second place went to Team Derale (Forsyth Central High School) from Cummings, Georgia, which averaged 30 seconds behind Team Nitrous Express.

By SEMA Editors

Team Nitrous Express (Burton Center for Arts and Technology) from Salem, Virginia, ran a record-setting time of 16:22 and secured the 2014 National Championship title at the PRI Show in Indianapolis.

Hot Rodders of Tomorrow (HROT) changed its playoff format in 2014 to a new Dual Championship to allow teams to compete at either the SEMA Show in Las Vegas or the PRI Show in Indianapolis. HROT also debuted its first-ever Final Four, pitting the top two SEMA Show teams vs. the top two PRI Show teams.

Teams of five students were judged based on how quickly they could disassemble and reassemble a small-block Chevrolet engine with aftermarket components. This process was completed four times; the worst time was thrown out and the other three were averaged.

Starting Wednesday, December 8, 15 hopeful teams began their journey to become one of the two PRI teams left standing. Over the next three days, students displayed their best teamwork and skills. Team Fel-Pro (Peach County High School) from Georgia even set a new national speed record of 17:55 on their last run on Friday, December 10. When the dust settled, Team Derale (Forsyth Central) and Team Nitrous Express (Burton Center for Arts and Technology) were the only two teams left standing from the PRI Show.

With these two teams moving on to the Final Four, the stage was set for a battle that will be remembered for years to come. During the first run on Friday night at 5:00 p.m., three of the four teams all achieved times of less than 20 minutes. During the second run on Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m., Team Autometer (Eastern Oklahoma County Tech Center) almost set the national speed record of 16:26, but was penalized for a torque wrench violation, which cost them four minutes in time. In the final round, every team brought their best, with all four teams running times below 20 minutes.

After the third round was completed, Team Nitrous Express (Burton Center for Arts and Technology) from Salem, Virginia, ran a record-setting time of 16:22 and secured the 2014 National Championship title. Second place went to Team Derale (Forsyth Central High School) from Cummings, Georgia, which averaged 30 seconds behind Team Nitrous Express.

By SEMA Editors

Team Nitrous Express (Burton Center for Arts and Technology) from Salem, Virginia, ran a record-setting time of 16:22 and secured the 2014 National Championship title at the PRI Show in Indianapolis.

Hot Rodders of Tomorrow (HROT) changed its playoff format in 2014 to a new Dual Championship to allow teams to compete at either the SEMA Show in Las Vegas or the PRI Show in Indianapolis. HROT also debuted its first-ever Final Four, pitting the top two SEMA Show teams vs. the top two PRI Show teams.

Teams of five students were judged based on how quickly they could disassemble and reassemble a small-block Chevrolet engine with aftermarket components. This process was completed four times; the worst time was thrown out and the other three were averaged.

Starting Wednesday, December 8, 15 hopeful teams began their journey to become one of the two PRI teams left standing. Over the next three days, students displayed their best teamwork and skills. Team Fel-Pro (Peach County High School) from Georgia even set a new national speed record of 17:55 on their last run on Friday, December 10. When the dust settled, Team Derale (Forsyth Central) and Team Nitrous Express (Burton Center for Arts and Technology) were the only two teams left standing from the PRI Show.

With these two teams moving on to the Final Four, the stage was set for a battle that will be remembered for years to come. During the first run on Friday night at 5:00 p.m., three of the four teams all achieved times of less than 20 minutes. During the second run on Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m., Team Autometer (Eastern Oklahoma County Tech Center) almost set the national speed record of 16:26, but was penalized for a torque wrench violation, which cost them four minutes in time. In the final round, every team brought their best, with all four teams running times below 20 minutes.

After the third round was completed, Team Nitrous Express (Burton Center for Arts and Technology) from Salem, Virginia, ran a record-setting time of 16:22 and secured the 2014 National Championship title. Second place went to Team Derale (Forsyth Central High School) from Cummings, Georgia, which averaged 30 seconds behind Team Nitrous Express.

By SEMA Editors

Team Nitrous Express (Burton Center for Arts and Technology) from Salem, Virginia, ran a record-setting time of 16:22 and secured the 2014 National Championship title at the PRI Show in Indianapolis.

Hot Rodders of Tomorrow (HROT) changed its playoff format in 2014 to a new Dual Championship to allow teams to compete at either the SEMA Show in Las Vegas or the PRI Show in Indianapolis. HROT also debuted its first-ever Final Four, pitting the top two SEMA Show teams vs. the top two PRI Show teams.

Teams of five students were judged based on how quickly they could disassemble and reassemble a small-block Chevrolet engine with aftermarket components. This process was completed four times; the worst time was thrown out and the other three were averaged.

Starting Wednesday, December 8, 15 hopeful teams began their journey to become one of the two PRI teams left standing. Over the next three days, students displayed their best teamwork and skills. Team Fel-Pro (Peach County High School) from Georgia even set a new national speed record of 17:55 on their last run on Friday, December 10. When the dust settled, Team Derale (Forsyth Central) and Team Nitrous Express (Burton Center for Arts and Technology) were the only two teams left standing from the PRI Show.

With these two teams moving on to the Final Four, the stage was set for a battle that will be remembered for years to come. During the first run on Friday night at 5:00 p.m., three of the four teams all achieved times of less than 20 minutes. During the second run on Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m., Team Autometer (Eastern Oklahoma County Tech Center) almost set the national speed record of 16:26, but was penalized for a torque wrench violation, which cost them four minutes in time. In the final round, every team brought their best, with all four teams running times below 20 minutes.

After the third round was completed, Team Nitrous Express (Burton Center for Arts and Technology) from Salem, Virginia, ran a record-setting time of 16:22 and secured the 2014 National Championship title. Second place went to Team Derale (Forsyth Central High School) from Cummings, Georgia, which averaged 30 seconds behind Team Nitrous Express.

By SEMA Editors

	1-800EveryRim.com's Billy Eordekian with TIA President Freda Pratt-Boyer at the 2014 Tire Industry Honors awards ceremony.

The third-annual New Year's Luncheon will be held January 15, 2015, in Pico Rivera, California, and this time as an official California Tire Dealers Association (CTDA) event.

Tire Industry Association (TIA) President Freda Pratt-Boyer of Purcell Tire will speak. SEMA Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) Chairman-Elect Joe Findeis of The Plus Sizing Guide will comment, and CTDA Vice President Chris Barry of Independent Tire Dealer Group (ITDG) will emcee. A tour of the 1-800EveryRim.com–OEM Wheels warehouse will take place before the luncheon.

Sponsored by OEM Wheels and Yokohama Tire, the event is open complimentary with limited seating.

Last year’s event attracted members of CTDA, TIA, SEMA, ITDG, as well as vendors and other industry leaders.

Vendors wishing to participate as co-sponsors or to provide door prizes and table favors should contact Billy Eordekian from 1-800EveryRim.com.

By SEMA Editors

	1-800EveryRim.com's Billy Eordekian with TIA President Freda Pratt-Boyer at the 2014 Tire Industry Honors awards ceremony.

The third-annual New Year's Luncheon will be held January 15, 2015, in Pico Rivera, California, and this time as an official California Tire Dealers Association (CTDA) event.

Tire Industry Association (TIA) President Freda Pratt-Boyer of Purcell Tire will speak. SEMA Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) Chairman-Elect Joe Findeis of The Plus Sizing Guide will comment, and CTDA Vice President Chris Barry of Independent Tire Dealer Group (ITDG) will emcee. A tour of the 1-800EveryRim.com–OEM Wheels warehouse will take place before the luncheon.

Sponsored by OEM Wheels and Yokohama Tire, the event is open complimentary with limited seating.

Last year’s event attracted members of CTDA, TIA, SEMA, ITDG, as well as vendors and other industry leaders.

Vendors wishing to participate as co-sponsors or to provide door prizes and table favors should contact Billy Eordekian from 1-800EveryRim.com.

By SEMA Editors

Jim Fortner, 72, passed away at his home in Brenham, Texas, on the evening of December 4, 2014. He was born June 15, 1942, in Ovid, New York, and was the oldest of five children.

Following high school graduation in 1961, he served in the Army National Guard and began a successful career in sales and marketing in the high-performance and automotive aftermarket parts industry. He worked for companies, such as Performance Parts Warehouse, Mr. Gasket, Malory Ignition, Crane Cams and Keystone Automotive Warehouse in Exeter, Pennsylvania.

Fortner also owned an automotive parts store, Village Auto Equipment, for a few years in Lewiston, New York. In 1987, he married Betty Comiskey Fortner in Burton, Texas. 

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham. A funeral mass will be celebrated December 18, 2014, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Marks Catholic Church in Buffalo, New York. A Celebration of Life Luncheon will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Fortner's memory may be made to True Blue Animal Rescue, Brenham, TX 77833, Catholic Charities, or the charity of your choice.

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

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