Thu, 09/18/2014 - 18:48
By Michael Hart

  keynote
The Keynote & Coffee series will begin at 9:00 a.m. each morning of the SEMA Show.
  
The Keynote & Coffee series—taking place each morning throughout the week of the 2014 SEMA Show—continues on Wednesday with Seth Mattison, an expert on millennials and the workplace. The workforce is changing, and not just because the younger people entering it are so different from those approaching the end of their careers.

In “The Future of Work Today: Insights From the New World of Work,” starting November 5, at 9:00 a.m., Mattison, founder and chief movement officer of FutureSight Labs, points out how fast the business world is shifting today and the challenges leaders will face over the next few years—not the least of which are those dealing with the workforce.

Mattison covers what he calls the five super trends that will shape the future of work as leaders learn to harness the power of their top talent, tap the brainpower of a new generation of employees and adapt quickly to a fast-moving marketplace. This is a message Mattison has delivered to executives at Fortune 500 companies, including Johnson and Johnson, Microsoft and AT&T. Join him for a cup of free coffee as he delivers his message for SEMA.

On Thursday, November 6, Keynote & Coffee attendees will have a chance to mull over a surprising set of statistics: While 39% of car buyers today say connected vehicle technologies—such as voice activation, gesture control and heads-up displays—are the top selling points for them, only 14% say their most important consideration is still performance and speed. What do those numbers mean to the aftermarket industry? Find out at Thursday morning’s “Digital Technology in the Car—Silicon Valley Tech Meets Motor City Apps” with a six-speaker panel from Detroit and Silicon Valley.

The race is on right now to define what the vehicle of the future will look like. What role will digital technology, vehicle electronics and software developments play? The answer to those complex questions will impact the aftermarket industry for decades to come. Attend this exciting session to get a glimpse of what your business should look like 10 or 20 years from now.

SEMA Show Education Days will feature more than 60 educational sessions in 12 different tracks, ranging from new-vehicle technology to best business practices to marketing strategies and emerging trends in the industry. To see the complete schedule of SEMA Show Education courses and pre-register, visit www.SEMAShow.com/education.

Thu, 09/18/2014 - 18:48
By Michael Hart

  keynote
The Keynote & Coffee series will begin at 9:00 a.m. each morning of the SEMA Show.
  
The Keynote & Coffee series—taking place each morning throughout the week of the 2014 SEMA Show—continues on Wednesday with Seth Mattison, an expert on millennials and the workplace. The workforce is changing, and not just because the younger people entering it are so different from those approaching the end of their careers.

In “The Future of Work Today: Insights From the New World of Work,” starting November 5, at 9:00 a.m., Mattison, founder and chief movement officer of FutureSight Labs, points out how fast the business world is shifting today and the challenges leaders will face over the next few years—not the least of which are those dealing with the workforce.

Mattison covers what he calls the five super trends that will shape the future of work as leaders learn to harness the power of their top talent, tap the brainpower of a new generation of employees and adapt quickly to a fast-moving marketplace. This is a message Mattison has delivered to executives at Fortune 500 companies, including Johnson and Johnson, Microsoft and AT&T. Join him for a cup of free coffee as he delivers his message for SEMA.

On Thursday, November 6, Keynote & Coffee attendees will have a chance to mull over a surprising set of statistics: While 39% of car buyers today say connected vehicle technologies—such as voice activation, gesture control and heads-up displays—are the top selling points for them, only 14% say their most important consideration is still performance and speed. What do those numbers mean to the aftermarket industry? Find out at Thursday morning’s “Digital Technology in the Car—Silicon Valley Tech Meets Motor City Apps” with a six-speaker panel from Detroit and Silicon Valley.

The race is on right now to define what the vehicle of the future will look like. What role will digital technology, vehicle electronics and software developments play? The answer to those complex questions will impact the aftermarket industry for decades to come. Attend this exciting session to get a glimpse of what your business should look like 10 or 20 years from now.

SEMA Show Education Days will feature more than 60 educational sessions in 12 different tracks, ranging from new-vehicle technology to best business practices to marketing strategies and emerging trends in the industry. To see the complete schedule of SEMA Show Education courses and pre-register, visit www.SEMAShow.com/education.

Thu, 09/18/2014 - 18:48
By Michael Hart

  keynote
The Keynote & Coffee series will begin at 9:00 a.m. each morning of the SEMA Show.
  
The Keynote & Coffee series—taking place each morning throughout the week of the 2014 SEMA Show—continues on Wednesday with Seth Mattison, an expert on millennials and the workplace. The workforce is changing, and not just because the younger people entering it are so different from those approaching the end of their careers.

In “The Future of Work Today: Insights From the New World of Work,” starting November 5, at 9:00 a.m., Mattison, founder and chief movement officer of FutureSight Labs, points out how fast the business world is shifting today and the challenges leaders will face over the next few years—not the least of which are those dealing with the workforce.

Mattison covers what he calls the five super trends that will shape the future of work as leaders learn to harness the power of their top talent, tap the brainpower of a new generation of employees and adapt quickly to a fast-moving marketplace. This is a message Mattison has delivered to executives at Fortune 500 companies, including Johnson and Johnson, Microsoft and AT&T. Join him for a cup of free coffee as he delivers his message for SEMA.

On Thursday, November 6, Keynote & Coffee attendees will have a chance to mull over a surprising set of statistics: While 39% of car buyers today say connected vehicle technologies—such as voice activation, gesture control and heads-up displays—are the top selling points for them, only 14% say their most important consideration is still performance and speed. What do those numbers mean to the aftermarket industry? Find out at Thursday morning’s “Digital Technology in the Car—Silicon Valley Tech Meets Motor City Apps” with a six-speaker panel from Detroit and Silicon Valley.

The race is on right now to define what the vehicle of the future will look like. What role will digital technology, vehicle electronics and software developments play? The answer to those complex questions will impact the aftermarket industry for decades to come. Attend this exciting session to get a glimpse of what your business should look like 10 or 20 years from now.

SEMA Show Education Days will feature more than 60 educational sessions in 12 different tracks, ranging from new-vehicle technology to best business practices to marketing strategies and emerging trends in the industry. To see the complete schedule of SEMA Show Education courses and pre-register, visit www.SEMAShow.com/education.

Thu, 09/18/2014 - 18:21
By Michael Hart

  logo
In the “Business Innovation—Understanding Business Management Software for Small- and Medium-Sized Operators” session, attendees will sit in on a panel discussion with speakers who will clue them in on the power and flexibility of today’s latest software solutions.
  

What’s your business system like? Is it the same one you had 20 years ago for inventory control, when you felt like you were on the cutting edge of technology? Is the system you have today linked to the Internet? Do you have access to all the data required to fulfill your customer's needs? Better yet, are you ready to download all of the information the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) will provide to you on your suppliers’ products?

If the answer to any of these questions is “I don’t know,” consider attending “Business Innovation—Understanding Business Management Software for Small- and Medium-Sized Operators,” Monday, November 3, at 3:00 p.m., during the SEMA Show Education Days.

In this session, participants will join a panel discussion with insiders covering the power and flexibility of today’s latest software solutions. Attendees will find out the costs and benefits of the newest systems, and how up-to-date product data is driving both brick-and-mortar and e-commerce sales.

The panel, moderated by longtime industry consultant Bob Moore, will include Jon Wyly, SDC president; Larry Blair of Goals HQ; and Van Woodell, a former SEMA board member who recently made the decision to acquire a new business system for his company. Woodell will provide first-hand knowledge of what’s involved in this type of decision.

According to Blair, the aftermarket industry was one of the first to jump on the technology bandwagon more than two decades ago. “But a lot of companies are still using the same systems they acquired to handle their inventory control 20 years ago,” said Blair. “Now you need your system to be integrated with the Internet and you need access to all the data that is available.”

Blair also said that the choice of business system is fundamental in accomplishing the goals of every aftermarket business.

“Every business owner needs to have a strategy,” he said. “They don’t need to implement it all now, but they do need a roadmap.”

SEMA Show Education Days will feature more than 60 educational sessions in 12 different tracks, ranging from new-vehicle technology to best business practices to marketing strategies and emerging trends in the industry. To see the complete schedule of SEMA Show Education courses and pre-register, visit www.SEMAShow.com/education.

Thu, 09/18/2014 - 18:21
By Michael Hart

  logo
In the “Business Innovation—Understanding Business Management Software for Small- and Medium-Sized Operators” session, attendees will sit in on a panel discussion with speakers who will clue them in on the power and flexibility of today’s latest software solutions.
  

What’s your business system like? Is it the same one you had 20 years ago for inventory control, when you felt like you were on the cutting edge of technology? Is the system you have today linked to the Internet? Do you have access to all the data required to fulfill your customer's needs? Better yet, are you ready to download all of the information the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) will provide to you on your suppliers’ products?

If the answer to any of these questions is “I don’t know,” consider attending “Business Innovation—Understanding Business Management Software for Small- and Medium-Sized Operators,” Monday, November 3, at 3:00 p.m., during the SEMA Show Education Days.

In this session, participants will join a panel discussion with insiders covering the power and flexibility of today’s latest software solutions. Attendees will find out the costs and benefits of the newest systems, and how up-to-date product data is driving both brick-and-mortar and e-commerce sales.

The panel, moderated by longtime industry consultant Bob Moore, will include Jon Wyly, SDC president; Larry Blair of Goals HQ; and Van Woodell, a former SEMA board member who recently made the decision to acquire a new business system for his company. Woodell will provide first-hand knowledge of what’s involved in this type of decision.

According to Blair, the aftermarket industry was one of the first to jump on the technology bandwagon more than two decades ago. “But a lot of companies are still using the same systems they acquired to handle their inventory control 20 years ago,” said Blair. “Now you need your system to be integrated with the Internet and you need access to all the data that is available.”

Blair also said that the choice of business system is fundamental in accomplishing the goals of every aftermarket business.

“Every business owner needs to have a strategy,” he said. “They don’t need to implement it all now, but they do need a roadmap.”

SEMA Show Education Days will feature more than 60 educational sessions in 12 different tracks, ranging from new-vehicle technology to best business practices to marketing strategies and emerging trends in the industry. To see the complete schedule of SEMA Show Education courses and pre-register, visit www.SEMAShow.com/education.

Thu, 09/18/2014 - 18:21
By Michael Hart

  logo
In the “Business Innovation—Understanding Business Management Software for Small- and Medium-Sized Operators” session, attendees will sit in on a panel discussion with speakers who will clue them in on the power and flexibility of today’s latest software solutions.
  

What’s your business system like? Is it the same one you had 20 years ago for inventory control, when you felt like you were on the cutting edge of technology? Is the system you have today linked to the Internet? Do you have access to all the data required to fulfill your customer's needs? Better yet, are you ready to download all of the information the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) will provide to you on your suppliers’ products?

If the answer to any of these questions is “I don’t know,” consider attending “Business Innovation—Understanding Business Management Software for Small- and Medium-Sized Operators,” Monday, November 3, at 3:00 p.m., during the SEMA Show Education Days.

In this session, participants will join a panel discussion with insiders covering the power and flexibility of today’s latest software solutions. Attendees will find out the costs and benefits of the newest systems, and how up-to-date product data is driving both brick-and-mortar and e-commerce sales.

The panel, moderated by longtime industry consultant Bob Moore, will include Jon Wyly, SDC president; Larry Blair of Goals HQ; and Van Woodell, a former SEMA board member who recently made the decision to acquire a new business system for his company. Woodell will provide first-hand knowledge of what’s involved in this type of decision.

According to Blair, the aftermarket industry was one of the first to jump on the technology bandwagon more than two decades ago. “But a lot of companies are still using the same systems they acquired to handle their inventory control 20 years ago,” said Blair. “Now you need your system to be integrated with the Internet and you need access to all the data that is available.”

Blair also said that the choice of business system is fundamental in accomplishing the goals of every aftermarket business.

“Every business owner needs to have a strategy,” he said. “They don’t need to implement it all now, but they do need a roadmap.”

SEMA Show Education Days will feature more than 60 educational sessions in 12 different tracks, ranging from new-vehicle technology to best business practices to marketing strategies and emerging trends in the industry. To see the complete schedule of SEMA Show Education courses and pre-register, visit www.SEMAShow.com/education.

Thu, 09/18/2014 - 16:57
By Amanda Gubbins

 TORA
Last year, George Lathouris of Keystone Automotive won the TORA Chairman’s Award.
  

The slates are set, and votes for SEMA’s Council and Network Awards will be accepted until Thursday, September 25, at 5:00 p.m. (PDT). The awards are designed to give members an avenue to recognize the individuals, companies and products that have significantly influenced their market niche. The winners will be announced and honored at various events during the 2014 SEMA Show.

Members eligible to vote should have received an e-mail invitation on September 11 from their council or network liaison via Survey Monkey. Vote today to ensure your voice is represented.

For more information, contact Lindsay Bianco at 909-978-6692.

Thu, 09/18/2014 - 16:57
By Amanda Gubbins

 TORA
Last year, George Lathouris of Keystone Automotive won the TORA Chairman’s Award.
  

The slates are set, and votes for SEMA’s Council and Network Awards will be accepted until Thursday, September 25, at 5:00 p.m. (PDT). The awards are designed to give members an avenue to recognize the individuals, companies and products that have significantly influenced their market niche. The winners will be announced and honored at various events during the 2014 SEMA Show.

Members eligible to vote should have received an e-mail invitation on September 11 from their council or network liaison via Survey Monkey. Vote today to ensure your voice is represented.

For more information, contact Lindsay Bianco at 909-978-6692.

Thu, 09/18/2014 - 16:02
By AJ Carney

  lounge
The Members Lounge is a convenient place to grab lunch and network with other members.
  

Meeting rooms that can accommodate small groups of 10 or fewer are available at no charge to member-exhibitors and buyers* in the SEMA Members Lounge. Reserve your meeting room prior to the Show, or visit the Members Lounge (Las Vegas Convention Center, room N251) during Show hours to check availability.

The Members Lounge is a convenient place to grab lunch, network with other members, access a computer, printer and Internet service, or charge a cell phone during Show hours. A hot lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. daily, or a cold “Grab N’ Go” meal can be purchased any time during Show hours.

SEMA-member buyers have a few extra perks through the Member Buyer Rewards Program (MBR), including a reserved lounge, dedicated taxi lines, reserved seating for select events and a free drink ticket at SEMA Ignited. MBR cards will be mailed to eligible buyers in mid-October, or can be picked up in the Members Lounge.

*Non-exhibiting manufacturers and members otherwise eligible to exhibit are not permitted to use the meeting rooms.

Thu, 09/18/2014 - 16:02
By AJ Carney

  lounge
The Members Lounge is a convenient place to grab lunch and network with other members.
  

Meeting rooms that can accommodate small groups of 10 or fewer are available at no charge to member-exhibitors and buyers* in the SEMA Members Lounge. Reserve your meeting room prior to the Show, or visit the Members Lounge (Las Vegas Convention Center, room N251) during Show hours to check availability.

The Members Lounge is a convenient place to grab lunch, network with other members, access a computer, printer and Internet service, or charge a cell phone during Show hours. A hot lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. daily, or a cold “Grab N’ Go” meal can be purchased any time during Show hours.

SEMA-member buyers have a few extra perks through the Member Buyer Rewards Program (MBR), including a reserved lounge, dedicated taxi lines, reserved seating for select events and a free drink ticket at SEMA Ignited. MBR cards will be mailed to eligible buyers in mid-October, or can be picked up in the Members Lounge.

*Non-exhibiting manufacturers and members otherwise eligible to exhibit are not permitted to use the meeting rooms.