By Carr Winn

SEMA News is looking to highlight top-tier talent in the automotive aftermarket industry who are under the age of 35 through its 35 Under 35 program. We need your input. If you know of a leader who is under 35—whether they are in manufacturing and design, marketing, retail, events and media or distribution—we would like to hear from you.

The following is a short profile on one of last year's 35 Under 35 winners—Chris Morris. At 34, Morris is already a regional sales manager at Undercover.

Chris Morris, 34

Regional Sales Manager—Undercover Inc.

Chris Morris developed his interest in the automotive world from watching car shows and races on TV with his father, and that interest was further developed under the tutelage of Dave Wells, president of Undercover, as well as the company’s national sales manager, Sally Goldberg. “Dave took a chance on me years ago and has always believed in me and given me the tools to succeed, and Sally taught me so much along the way that I wouldn’t be where I am today without her,” Morris said. “Since I started working at Undercover a little over eight years ago, we have added many products to our line, and we are proud of the fact that all of them are made right here in the U.S.A. I believe that not being complacent and staying on top of the trends in the market are very important. Undercover has released a hard-folding cover called the Flex, and its sleek, low-profile design has become a huge success for us.” In his briefcase: “I can’t live without my iPhone, iPad, laptop, Map Point software, GPS, and pen and paper. The most important tool of all is my relationships with my customers. They are the ones who drive our business, and if I don’t take care of them, someone else will.”

By Carr Winn

SEMA News is looking to highlight top-tier talent in the automotive aftermarket industry who are under the age of 35 through its 35 Under 35 program. We need your input. If you know of a leader who is under 35—whether they are in manufacturing and design, marketing, retail, events and media or distribution—we would like to hear from you.

The following is a short profile on one of last year's 35 Under 35 winners—Chris Morris. At 34, Morris is already a regional sales manager at Undercover.

Chris Morris, 34

Regional Sales Manager—Undercover Inc.

Chris Morris developed his interest in the automotive world from watching car shows and races on TV with his father, and that interest was further developed under the tutelage of Dave Wells, president of Undercover, as well as the company’s national sales manager, Sally Goldberg. “Dave took a chance on me years ago and has always believed in me and given me the tools to succeed, and Sally taught me so much along the way that I wouldn’t be where I am today without her,” Morris said. “Since I started working at Undercover a little over eight years ago, we have added many products to our line, and we are proud of the fact that all of them are made right here in the U.S.A. I believe that not being complacent and staying on top of the trends in the market are very important. Undercover has released a hard-folding cover called the Flex, and its sleek, low-profile design has become a huge success for us.” In his briefcase: “I can’t live without my iPhone, iPad, laptop, Map Point software, GPS, and pen and paper. The most important tool of all is my relationships with my customers. They are the ones who drive our business, and if I don’t take care of them, someone else will.”

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 niche-specific programs and activities designed to provide educational and networking opportunities while promoting their particular market segment.

Visit HRIA's website

	Bob Millard

Bob Millard Inducted Into the Detroit Autorama’s Circle of Champions

By Amanda Gubbins

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Visit ARMO's website.

Restoration Parts Registration Open for Hot Products Showcase

Registration is now open for the Automotive Restoration Market Organization’s (ARMO) Hot Products Showcase, which will take place April 23–26, 2014, at Spring Carlisle in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

This event is an opportunity for council members to display one or more products in front of one of the single-largest gatherings of automotive restoration enthusiasts in the world.

In addition to having products on display in the Hot Products tent, a professional photographer will photograph each one. The photos will be available to manufacturers and will also be used in a slideshow at the ARMO booth and reception at the SEMA Show. A gallery on the ARMO webpage also houses each of the photos, along with a product description for those unable to attend the event. This publicity is available to ARMO members for only the cost of shipping the product entries to the Carlisle Fairgrounds.

Product entries must meet the following criteria:

• Must be the product of an ARMO member-company.
• Must be available for sale (market-ready) by the opening of the Showcase, April 23.
• Must demonstrate unique/innovative technology and/or be a benefit to the restoration industry.

Members can register products by filling out the online application. All applications must be received by April 18, 2014. Not an ARMO member? Join today to gain access to this event and other council benefits.

Restoration Professionals Gather for Networking at the Hot Products Showcase

ARMO will host a networking mixer in the Hot Products Tent at the Showcase, Thursday, April 24, from 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. The mixer will be a chance for members to grab a drink and spend some time interacting one-on-one with council leadership and fellow ARMO members. The council leadership believes this event holds enormous potential for new ideas and partnerships to be formed as members network with new and old industry friends. RSVP to save your spot.

Make Your Voice Heard at the ARMO Industry Discussion

This year, the council will also hold an industry discussion, Friday, April 25, from 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. at the Hot Products Tent. The session will allow members and others interested in joining the council to voice their concerns, ask questions and offer input to the group. For members who would like to be a part of shaping future projects and events, this will be a chance to make their voices heard. Send in your RSVP today.

For more information about any of these events, contact Council Director Jim Skelly.

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Visit TORA's website.

	Manufacturers in the industry participate with 4 Wheel Parts to put on a weekend sales event, which is open to the public with free admission.

Regional Show Recap – 4 Wheel Part Truck & Jeep Fest

Ryan Few of Rigid Industries recently attended the 4 Wheel Part Truck & Jeep Fest in Honolulu and shared some notes for other TORA members.

Please provide an overview of the event.

Manufacturers in the industry participate with 4 Wheel Parts to put on a weekend sales event, which is open to the public with free admission. The event draws a crowd, with automotive enthusiasts lining up at the front doors on both Saturday and Sunday.

What is the manufacturers’ experience like?

Close to 100 of the industry’s leading manufacturers take advantage of this time to connect and support 4 Wheel Parts in selling their products.

Why is this event important for an TORA member’s business?

To the locals it’s the one time a year to meet with manufacturers directly; it’s a time for manufacturers to really connect with and inform consumers about their product lines. 4 Wheel Parts goes above and beyond to make sure the event is beneficial for everyone involved.

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Visit YEN's website

	SEMA’s Young Executives Network (YEN) will send 10 network members on the Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour this summer.

SEMA Takes 10 Young Executives on the Hot Rod Power Tour

By Lindsay Hubley

SEMA’s Young Executives Network (YEN) will send 10 network members on the Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour this summer as ambassadors for the industry and the network. These YENsters will represent different niches in the specialty-equipment market as they interact with tour attendees and visit schools along the seven-city, seven-day journey to share about their careers with the next generation of industry executives. The participants will also take the tour online through the YEN Facebook page, Twitter and other social media outlets.

With a dedication for cultivating young talent in the industry, YEN provides educational and networking opportunities for employees of SEMA-member companies who are under the age of 40. The Hot Rod Power Tour attracts more than 5,000 vehicles. YEN’s leadership believes the Power Tour is a way to engage these professionals and create consumer awareness by educating young enthusiasts about the diversity of the industry, and highlighting the variety of automotive career paths available in the specialty-equipment market.

"The YEN Power Tour is about more than hitting the road in your musclecar or hot rod; it's about forging relationships and making connections,” said YEN Chair Dan Kahn. “There are literally thousands of job opportunities in the automotive aftermarket for young people across the nation—we want to tell that story and show that in our high-performance family, young people aren't afraid to get their hands dirty."

Participants in the YEN Power Tour will be awarded a prize package, including hotel accommodations for the trip, airfare, complimentary meals, a gas allowance, an iON Air Pro Wi-Fi Lite, free entry into the tour, gifts from the tour and sponsors, premier parking at each stop and a variety of SEMA swag items.

Learn more and apply today to join the YEN Power Tour as a participant. Applications will be accepted through April 11, 2014. All members of YEN are eligible to apply. Not yet a member? Join today.

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

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

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

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

By Linda Spencer

	Attendees of the SEMA Russia Business Development Conference will meet with buyers from throughout Russia and visit with off-road and performance tuning shops.

Leading American SEMA-member aftermarket manufacturers are going to Moscow for the inaugural SEMA Russia Business Development Conference, May 21–24, 2014.

Attendees will meet with buyers from throughout Russia and visit with off-road and performance tuning shops. U.S. government grants are available to help defray the costs for qualified companies, which include hotel, meals, a mini trade show and networking events.

For more information, contact lindas@sema.org. Two slots remain. Register now!

By Linda Spencer

	Attendees of the SEMA Russia Business Development Conference will meet with buyers from throughout Russia and visit with off-road and performance tuning shops.

Leading American SEMA-member aftermarket manufacturers are going to Moscow for the inaugural SEMA Russia Business Development Conference, May 21–24, 2014.

Attendees will meet with buyers from throughout Russia and visit with off-road and performance tuning shops. U.S. government grants are available to help defray the costs for qualified companies, which include hotel, meals, a mini trade show and networking events.

For more information, contact lindas@sema.org. Two slots remain. Register now!

	Exhibitors use information scanned from lead-retrieval devices to follow up with prospective buyers after the SEMA Show.

How do you take an experience from good to great? While an overwhelming number of buyers report having a positive experience at the SEMA Show, a percentage of that group describes their SEMA Show experience as amazing. How can you join these incredibly satisfied buyers and get the most out of the SEMA Show? Here are observations on what the most effective buyers have in common:

• Register early. Registering in advance ensures that there are no delays in the process, and it provides buyers with their badges in the mail so that they can go directly to the Show floor when the event opens. It’s also less expensive than registering onsite. Buyer registration opens in May at www.semashow.com.

• Register wisely. During the registration process, buyers are asked to indicate their categories of interest. For example, buyers are asked to check off boxes for the market categories or segments that are relevant, such as racing and performance, off-road, mobile electronics, etc. The more accurate this information is, the more relevant future communications will be, thereby ensuring that buyers will not miss out on any important opportunities.

• Visit the New Products Showcase. Many successful buyers visit the showcase before they even hit the Show floor, and they often spend up to two hours reviewing the products on display. It’s a great way to get an overview of thousands of products in a short amount of time.

• Use the scanning devices at the New Products Showcase. Buyers are able to use scanning devices in the New Products Showcase to select the products that interest them. Upon returning the scanners, buyers will receive: 1) a print-out of the selected items, including company names, booth numbers, product names and descriptions, and 2) an e-mail with similar information, as well as URL links to images of the products.

• Attend the New Products Breakfast. Held before the Show floor opens on the first day of the SEMA Show, the breakfast is when awards for the best new products are announced and presented. This is a great way to get a jump on what are likely to be the hottest new products. Buyers are able to obtain free tickets to the breakfast, although space is limited, so it’s best to sign up for tickets early.

• Scan your badge at exhibitors’ booths. Many exhibitors have lead-retrieval devices in their booths that allow buyers to scan their badges. Exhibitors use the information to follow up with prospective buyers after the SEMA Show. Buyers should scan their badges at booths from which they would like to receive follow-up information. This is an easy way to ensure that buyers are kept up-to-date on information after the SEMA Show.

• Take advantage of the Member Buyers Rewards. While all automotive buyers are able to attend the SEMA Show regardless of association membership, there are benefits for SEMA-member buyers at the SEMA Show. Benefits include expedited taxi lines, exclusive lounge access, special events and more. Contact the SEMA Membership Department for details.

• Attend a seminar. More than 50 educational seminars and workshops are offered during the week, all at no charge to SEMA Showgoers. Topics focus on issues relevant to small businesses, such as cash-flow management, social media best practices, hiring challenges and more.

• Use the hashtag. Buyers on Facebook or Twitter can see what exhibitors are doing by searching the official SEMA Show hashtag, #SEMA2014. It’s a quick and easy way to see what exhibitors are planning and offering during the Show.

• Secure hotel rooms early. Las Vegas is a tourist attraction, and the SEMA Show brings an additional 130,000 individuals to the city. Travel Planners is the official SEMA Show hotel provider and offers guaranteed low rates. While other hotel resellers may target SEMA Showgoers, Travel Planners is the only provider endorsed by or affiliated with the SEMA Show.