More than 700 professionals from around the specialty-equipment industry gathered July 17 at SEMA Headquarters in Diamond Bar, California, for the 2014 SEMA Garage Open House.

The evening was an exciting showcase of the Association's latest endeavor in member service as guests took an insider’s look at the Garage’s many capabilities and enjoyed an evening filled with great food and automotive excitement.

Industry veterans, such as recent Hall of Fame inductee, Jim Cozzie, and Tom Longo of Derale Performance, were more than happy to share their thoughts on the brand-new facility. Cozzie was quick to say that he could not believe the building's transition from "empty canvas" to complete facility. Longo added that his company has already used resources such as the 3D printer and plans to also use the photo cove for upcoming projects. Capping off the conversation was automotive legend, George Barris, who was happy to provide the ultra-famous orginal television Batmobile for the event.

Read more about the new facility through “The New SEMA Garage” in the July issue of SEMA News.
 
SEMA members are also encouraged to take advantage of the industry-owned SEMA Garage for product development, fitment, research and more. For additional information about the garage, including upcoming events and availability, contact Mike Spagnola at mikes@sema.org.

More than 700 professionals from around the specialty-equipment industry gathered July 17 at SEMA Headquarters in Diamond Bar, California, for the 2014 SEMA Garage Open House.

The evening was an exciting showcase of the Association's latest endeavor in member service as guests took an insider’s look at the Garage’s many capabilities and enjoyed an evening filled with great food and automotive excitement.

Industry veterans, such as recent Hall of Fame inductee, Jim Cozzie, and Tom Longo of Derale Performance, were more than happy to share their thoughts on the brand-new facility. Cozzie was quick to say that he could not believe the building's transition from "empty canvas" to complete facility. Longo added that his company has already used resources such as the 3D printer and plans to also use the photo cove for upcoming projects. Capping off the conversation was automotive legend, George Barris, who was happy to provide the ultra-famous orginal television Batmobile for the event.

Read more about the new facility through “The New SEMA Garage” in the July issue of SEMA News.
 
SEMA members are also encouraged to take advantage of the industry-owned SEMA Garage for product development, fitment, research and more. For additional information about the garage, including upcoming events and availability, contact Mike Spagnola at mikes@sema.org.

More than 700 professionals from around the specialty-equipment industry gathered July 17 at SEMA Headquarters in Diamond Bar, California, for the 2014 SEMA Garage Open House.

The evening was an exciting showcase of the Association's latest endeavor in member service as guests took an insider’s look at the Garage’s many capabilities and enjoyed an evening filled with great food and automotive excitement.

Industry veterans, such as recent Hall of Fame inductee, Jim Cozzie, and Tom Longo of Derale Performance, were more than happy to share their thoughts on the brand-new facility. Cozzie was quick to say that he could not believe the building's transition from "empty canvas" to complete facility. Longo added that his company has already used resources such as the 3D printer and plans to also use the photo cove for upcoming projects. Capping off the conversation was automotive legend, George Barris, who was happy to provide the ultra-famous orginal television Batmobile for the event.

Read more about the new facility through “The New SEMA Garage” in the July issue of SEMA News.
 
SEMA members are also encouraged to take advantage of the industry-owned SEMA Garage for product development, fitment, research and more. For additional information about the garage, including upcoming events and availability, contact Mike Spagnola at mikes@sema.org.

By Amanda Gubbins

	Chuck Blum (middle) was honored with the ARMO Hall of Fame Award at the ARMO reception during last year's SEMA Show.

Nominations for SEMA’s Council and Network Awards are being accepted now through August 22. The awards, which will be presented during the 2014 SEMA Show, honor the individuals, companies and products that have proven themselves leaders in their business segments. Any employee of a council-member company and all network members are encouraged to submit nominations to honor and recognize outstanding contributions to the industry.

“One of the greatest benefits that our councils and networks offer is the ability to recognize peers for their contributions to SEMA and the industry,” said Nathan Ridnouer, SEMA’s vice president of councils and membership. “We do this each year on the big stage at each of the networking receptions in Las Vegas during SEMA Show week. This is the members’ opportunity to reflect back on the past year and nominate the individual who epitomizes leadership and who gave back to their industry segment.”

Individuals eligible to nominate will receive an email invitation for each of the councils and networks to which they belong. For a complete list of awards, along with the criteria and nomination forms for each, visit www.sema.org/council-network-awards.

By Amanda Gubbins

	Chuck Blum (middle) was honored with the ARMO Hall of Fame Award at the ARMO reception during last year's SEMA Show.

Nominations for SEMA’s Council and Network Awards are being accepted now through August 22. The awards, which will be presented during the 2014 SEMA Show, honor the individuals, companies and products that have proven themselves leaders in their business segments. Any employee of a council-member company and all network members are encouraged to submit nominations to honor and recognize outstanding contributions to the industry.

“One of the greatest benefits that our councils and networks offer is the ability to recognize peers for their contributions to SEMA and the industry,” said Nathan Ridnouer, SEMA’s vice president of councils and membership. “We do this each year on the big stage at each of the networking receptions in Las Vegas during SEMA Show week. This is the members’ opportunity to reflect back on the past year and nominate the individual who epitomizes leadership and who gave back to their industry segment.”

Individuals eligible to nominate will receive an email invitation for each of the councils and networks to which they belong. For a complete list of awards, along with the criteria and nomination forms for each, visit www.sema.org/council-network-awards.

By Amanda Gubbins

	Chuck Blum (middle) was honored with the ARMO Hall of Fame Award at the ARMO reception during last year's SEMA Show.

Nominations for SEMA’s Council and Network Awards are being accepted now through August 22. The awards, which will be presented during the 2014 SEMA Show, honor the individuals, companies and products that have proven themselves leaders in their business segments. Any employee of a council-member company and all network members are encouraged to submit nominations to honor and recognize outstanding contributions to the industry.

“One of the greatest benefits that our councils and networks offer is the ability to recognize peers for their contributions to SEMA and the industry,” said Nathan Ridnouer, SEMA’s vice president of councils and membership. “We do this each year on the big stage at each of the networking receptions in Las Vegas during SEMA Show week. This is the members’ opportunity to reflect back on the past year and nominate the individual who epitomizes leadership and who gave back to their industry segment.”

Individuals eligible to nominate will receive an email invitation for each of the councils and networks to which they belong. For a complete list of awards, along with the criteria and nomination forms for each, visit www.sema.org/council-network-awards.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to reform aspects of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The legislation would require the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to release data used to make listings of threatened or endangered animals and plants, require that state data be included in the calculations when making such determinations, report how much money is spent on ESA-related lawsuits and place reasonable caps on attorney fees.

The bill has been sent to the U.S. Senate for consideration. Despite agreeing that the current law is flawed, Republicans and Democrats are deadlocked on how to comprehensively update the 40-year-old ESA. Millions of acres of land have been set aside to protect threatened or endangered animals and plants, with few tangible results. Scores of off-highway vehicle roads and trails have been unnecessarily closed as a consequence. SEMA supports an alternative approach that focuses on establishing and managing smaller recovery zones.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to reform aspects of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The legislation would require the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to release data used to make listings of threatened or endangered animals and plants, require that state data be included in the calculations when making such determinations, report how much money is spent on ESA-related lawsuits and place reasonable caps on attorney fees.

The bill has been sent to the U.S. Senate for consideration. Despite agreeing that the current law is flawed, Republicans and Democrats are deadlocked on how to comprehensively update the 40-year-old ESA. Millions of acres of land have been set aside to protect threatened or endangered animals and plants, with few tangible results. Scores of off-highway vehicle roads and trails have been unnecessarily closed as a consequence. SEMA supports an alternative approach that focuses on establishing and managing smaller recovery zones.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to reform aspects of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The legislation would require the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to release data used to make listings of threatened or endangered animals and plants, require that state data be included in the calculations when making such determinations, report how much money is spent on ESA-related lawsuits and place reasonable caps on attorney fees.

The bill has been sent to the U.S. Senate for consideration. Despite agreeing that the current law is flawed, Republicans and Democrats are deadlocked on how to comprehensively update the 40-year-old ESA. Millions of acres of land have been set aside to protect threatened or endangered animals and plants, with few tangible results. Scores of off-highway vehicle roads and trails have been unnecessarily closed as a consequence. SEMA supports an alternative approach that focuses on establishing and managing smaller recovery zones.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Governor Maggie Hassan signed into law legislation to expand the range of antique motor vehicles eligible to use original year-of-manufacture license plates.

Legislation to expand the range of antique motor vehicles eligible to use original year-of-manufacture license plates was signed into law by Governor Maggie Hassan. Under previous law, only ’60 and earlier model-year antique vehicles were eligible to use these plates. Under the new law, eligibility would be expanded to include all ’75 and earlier model years. However, the number on the antique plate must not be in use on another motor vehicle, motorcycle or trailer.

In New Hampshire, an antique motor vehicle or motorcycle is “any motor vehicle over 25 years old which is maintained for use in exhibitions, club activities, parades and other functions of public interest.”

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.