Strengthen Your Company Through Community

No matter what niche you're in—rods, restoration, racing, restyling, reps, trucks or wheels and tires—there's a SEMA council or professional network that's right for your company. SEMA councils and networks offer members a variety of market-specific programs and activities designed to provide educational and networking opportunities while promoting their particular industry segment.

Visit ETTN's website

SEMA and ETTN Want to Help You Become a Great Leader

Applications are now being accepted for the ETTN Professional Development Program (PDP). The program's goal is to help network members enhance leadership skills, improve task skills and provide insight into the latest trends and technical advancements.

Applicants have the opportunity to be selected to attend one of three conferences in 2015, along with SEMA staff and a group of 10 like-minded industry professionals. Participants receive a specially negotiated conference registration rate, and the participating employee's company receives a $500 grant from SEMA to reduce the costs associated with registration (all benefits received are considered taxable income).

2015 Events

Social Media Strategies Summit
February 10–12, 2015, Las Vegas
SEMA application deadline: December 29, 2014

This conference is designed to address some of the common challenges marketing professionals face in social media, customer service, employee engagement and analytics. With seven hands-on workshops and 30 interactive sessions, the program will take a deeper dive into these topics. Attendees will gain a new perspective and develop the skills to better incorporate social media into their organizations.

99U
April 30–May 1, 2015, New York City
SEMA application deadline: March 24, 2015

99U is all about ideas. The conference presenters are some of the world's foremost authorities in the areas of research and idea execution, and they are dedicated to helping attendees take the next step in their plans. Master class offerings throughout the conference also allow participants to learn from the experts in smaller groups and develop invaluable leadership skills.

Disney Quality Service
September 23, 2015, Anaheim, California
SEMA application deadline: August 18, 2015

The Disney Quality Service course gives participants the background and skills needed to provide outstanding customer service. The one-day course takes a close look at the small details that make a big difference in the environment for both customers and staff. The course not only introduces attendees to the principles that Disney lives by but also provides resources for them to adapt the ideas to their own unique brands.

To learn more about the program and apply, visit the ETTN Professional Development Program homepage or contact Senior Manager of Networks Bryan Harrison.

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Visit WTC's website

Free Sales Tool Outlines Effects of Plus Sizing Wheels and Tires on F-150s

By Amanda Gubbins

A new sales tool for wheel and tire retailers, the “Ride Guide,” is now available as a free download. Inside the report, users will find graphical representation of test data about the effects of plus sizing on the 12th-generation Ford F-150, compiled by the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR). The vehicle performance data includes comparisons on ride comfort, road grip, steering firmness response, directional response and steering speed response. Guided by this information, sales professionals can help consumers narrow their style and design options based on the desired performance characteristics.

SEMA’s Wheel and Tire Council (WTC) partnered with CU-ICAR to deliver the content to members in an easy to use format. Over the next year, the council plans to work on further studies for future models of trucks, sport compact cars and rear-wheel-drive vehicles.

For sales staff, the “Ride Guide” is a sales tool to immediately strengthen relationships with buyers by confirming with hard data what has previously only be known by seasoned professionals from practical experience. After seeing the research, consumers can feel confident and satisfied in their decisions. The report can also be useful as a training tool for new sales staff, or for enthusiasts who want to research wheel and tire packages on their own.

Download the “Ride Guide” now. For more information about the report or the council, contact Senior Manager of Councils Clayton Drescher at claytond@sema.org.

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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.

	Joseph Grenchik (second from left).

By SEMA Editors

Joseph Grenchik Named Mitchell 1/ASE Technician of the Future
Joseph Grenchik of New Lenox, Illinois, was named the Mitchell 1/Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Technician of the Future as part of the 2014 ASE Fall Board of Governors Meeting and Annual Technician Awards, held November 18–19, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Grenchik received a $500 cash prize and a $2,000 gift certificate for a one-year subscription to ProDemand from Mitchell 1.

Grenchik has been a technician for one year and is currently a full-time student at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, where he is working toward a bachelor’s of science degree in automotive technology. He entered the automotive field because it was a good match with his skill set and there are many options for advancement. The head instructor at his junior college suggested he pursue a bachelor’s degree, so he took the advice and is happy with his decision to go beyond the community college level.

Black Book Expands Role of Senior VP of Sales
Black Book promoted Jared Kalfus to senior vice president of sales, where he will expand his current role of overseeing data licensing and lender solutions to include the sales team of Black Book’s Activator Division. With 20 years of experience in the automotive industry, Kalfus joined Black Book in June 2012 as vice president of automotive licensing. He remains responsible for overseeing the national sales team focused on licensing Black Book data to automotive OEMs, auctions, VARs and marketing companies. He also leads the Black Book Lender Solutions team that supports automotive lenders, finance customers, banks, credit unions and title lenders.

Asbury Automotive Group Acquires Sandy Springs Ford
Asbury Automotive Group Inc. has acquired Sandy Springs Ford, which generates approximately $110 million in revenues annually. The dealership has been rebranded Nalley Ford Sandy Springs and brings the number of Asbury stores in Georgia to 16. The newly acquired store is located at 7555 Roswell Road in Sandy Springs—a northern suburb of Atlanta. For 30 years, the Ford store has served customers from all over Georgia. In 2011, the Ford store won the President's Award for Superior Customer Service and Sales Excellence, which is the highest honor from Ford. Asbury Automotive is dedicated to continuing this tradition of excellence.

The message is clear: Automotive customization is thriving, and American-based businesses are at the forefront of product technology and innovation for the industry. As highlighted in the recent “SEMA Annual Market Study,” the automotive specialty-equipment market now represents $33 billion in annual sales—a 7% increases compared to 2013.

This month’s “Required Reading” highlights several SEMA-member companies that have achieved success and are examples of the leading innovation that exists in the industry. These companies typify many SEMA-member companies, manufacturing product created by people with a passion for the industry andy he desire to create superior products.

The message is clear: Automotive customization is thriving, and American-based businesses are at the forefront of product technology and innovation for the industry. As highlighted in the recent “SEMA Annual Market Study,” the automotive specialty-equipment market now represents $33 billion in annual sales—a 7% increases compared to 2013.

This month’s “Required Reading” highlights several SEMA-member companies that have achieved success and are examples of the leading innovation that exists in the industry. These companies typify many SEMA-member companies, manufacturing product created by people with a passion for the industry andy he desire to create superior products.

By SEMA Editors

	During the 2015 MPMC Media Trade Conference, journalists will have the opportunity to conduct private interviews with leading manufacturers.

The priority media registration deadline for the annual MPMC Media Trade Conference is Tuesday, December 16. Media who register before the early deadline will be able to obtain the best schedule possible.

The online registration form allows editors and reporters a chance to select the companies with which they wish to meet. A confirmation e-mail will automatically be sent to applicants, allowing them a chance to review the companies they are requesting to meet.

Complete details and registration is available at www.sema.org/mtcreg or can be obtained from Della Domingo at dellad@sema.org. For exhibitor information, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.