By Linda Spencer

	SEMA, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, has created a program to bring to the United States popular vehicles not sold in this country. Pictured here are SEMA members measuring the ’13 Ford Ranger T6.

SEMA has an active program at the SEMA Show and year round to help members increase their overseas sales. The programs/resources are designed to address hurdles, such as:

• Lack of knowledge about the best international markets to target and the criteria to judge the options.

• Unfamiliarity with which vehicles are on the road so that companies can identify the best markets for their products.

• Lack of access to vehicles not sold in the United States but for which there is demand for products overseas.

• The need to identify potential customers and the opportunities to meet with these buyers.

• Lack of information on the laws/regulations regarding the sale of products in a target country.

Check out the full listing of SEMA international programs and resources.

By Linda Spencer

	SEMA, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, has created a program to bring to the United States popular vehicles not sold in this country. Pictured here are SEMA members measuring the ’13 Ford Ranger T6.

SEMA has an active program at the SEMA Show and year round to help members increase their overseas sales. The programs/resources are designed to address hurdles, such as:

• Lack of knowledge about the best international markets to target and the criteria to judge the options.

• Unfamiliarity with which vehicles are on the road so that companies can identify the best markets for their products.

• Lack of access to vehicles not sold in the United States but for which there is demand for products overseas.

• The need to identify potential customers and the opportunities to meet with these buyers.

• Lack of information on the laws/regulations regarding the sale of products in a target country.

Check out the full listing of SEMA international programs and resources.

By Linda Spencer

	The Middle East Business Development Conference is a low-cost program providing the opportunity to meet face to face with buyers from throughout the Middle East.

Participate in unique networking events with buyers, exhibit at a local show, be briefed by top U.S. officials in the region and visit local shops to better understand the market.

The third Middle East Business Development Conference—held March 11–14, 2014, in the United Arab Emirates—is a low-cost program providing the opportunity to meet face to face with buyers from throughout the Middle East.

The 2014 event will include opportunities to meet with pre-vetted buyers, visits to local specialty-equipment retailers, briefings by U.S. embassy officials, networking receptions and a day-long expo at the Middle East Motor Tuning Show (MEMTS).

Qualified companies are eligible for a $1,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce to defray the cost of participating. Buyers are expected from the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan and Oman.

A limited number of exhibitor slots are available for the 2014 SEMA Middle East Development Conference. Register now!

Questions? Contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

By Linda Spencer

	The Middle East Business Development Conference is a low-cost program providing the opportunity to meet face to face with buyers from throughout the Middle East.

Participate in unique networking events with buyers, exhibit at a local show, be briefed by top U.S. officials in the region and visit local shops to better understand the market.

The third Middle East Business Development Conference—held March 11–14, 2014, in the United Arab Emirates—is a low-cost program providing the opportunity to meet face to face with buyers from throughout the Middle East.

The 2014 event will include opportunities to meet with pre-vetted buyers, visits to local specialty-equipment retailers, briefings by U.S. embassy officials, networking receptions and a day-long expo at the Middle East Motor Tuning Show (MEMTS).

Qualified companies are eligible for a $1,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce to defray the cost of participating. Buyers are expected from the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan and Oman.

A limited number of exhibitor slots are available for the 2014 SEMA Middle East Development Conference. Register now!

Questions? Contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

By Linda Spencer

Exhibitors are invited to attend the annual SEMA International Happy Hour (IHH)—the largest annual international networking event for the specialty-equipment industry.

Record numbers of top buyers from around the world have registered to network with SEMA Show exhibitors, Wednesday, November 6.

Exhibitors are invited to attend the annual SEMA International Happy Hour (IHH). This event is the largest annual international networking event for the specialty-equipment industry, featuring leading importers, distributors and retailers from more than 120 countries. In addition, the IHH will provide an opportunity to meet with a distinguished panel of international journalists who will serve as judges for the annual Global Media Awards.

Pre-registration is complimentary, but required. Register now for an opportunity to network with buyers and distributors from around the world.

By Linda Spencer

Exhibitors are invited to attend the annual SEMA International Happy Hour (IHH)—the largest annual international networking event for the specialty-equipment industry.

Record numbers of top buyers from around the world have registered to network with SEMA Show exhibitors, Wednesday, November 6.

Exhibitors are invited to attend the annual SEMA International Happy Hour (IHH). This event is the largest annual international networking event for the specialty-equipment industry, featuring leading importers, distributors and retailers from more than 120 countries. In addition, the IHH will provide an opportunity to meet with a distinguished panel of international journalists who will serve as judges for the annual Global Media Awards.

Pre-registration is complimentary, but required. Register now for an opportunity to network with buyers and distributors from around the world.

By Linda Spencer

Exhibitors are invited to attend the annual SEMA International Happy Hour (IHH)—the largest annual international networking event for the specialty-equipment industry.

Record numbers of top buyers from around the world have registered to network with SEMA Show exhibitors, Wednesday, November 6.

Exhibitors are invited to attend the annual SEMA International Happy Hour (IHH). This event is the largest annual international networking event for the specialty-equipment industry, featuring leading importers, distributors and retailers from more than 120 countries. In addition, the IHH will provide an opportunity to meet with a distinguished panel of international journalists who will serve as judges for the annual Global Media Awards.

Pre-registration is complimentary, but required. Register now for an opportunity to network with buyers and distributors from around the world.

By Linda Spencer

Exhibitors are invited to attend the annual SEMA International Happy Hour (IHH)—the largest annual international networking event for the specialty-equipment industry.

Record numbers of top buyers from around the world have registered to network with SEMA Show exhibitors, Wednesday, November 6.

Exhibitors are invited to attend the annual SEMA International Happy Hour (IHH). This event is the largest annual international networking event for the specialty-equipment industry, featuring leading importers, distributors and retailers from more than 120 countries. In addition, the IHH will provide an opportunity to meet with a distinguished panel of international journalists who will serve as judges for the annual Global Media Awards.

Pre-registration is complimentary, but required. Register now for an opportunity to network with buyers and distributors from around the world.

By SEMA Editors

Taylor Hicks

Taking place Thursday, November 7, 2013, at the LVH Paradise Event Center in Las Vegas, the annual SEMA Industry Awards Banquet is a celebration of the $31 billion automotive specialty-equipment industry. A cocktail reception will be held from 6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. During the banquet (from 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.), industry leaders will be recognized for their efforts and awards will be presented for SEMA Person of the Year, Rep Agency of the Year and WD of the Year.

Individuals with SEMA Show credentials can order tickets to the banquet online.

"American Idol's" Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks will sing the National Anthem at the start of the evening at 7:30 p.m. and return after the dinner to perform a 60-minute acoustic set at the SEMA After-Party starting at 10:00 p.m.

“The Industry Awards Banquet is a time for the industry to celebrate,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “All Showgoers—including exhibitors, buyers and media—are welcome to join us as we recognize some of the important people who have helped make this industry so successful. It’s also a great time to network and to unwind after a long week at the Show. We’ll have great food and some amazing entertainment this year.”

Additional entertainment will be provided by comedians John Heffron and Jon Reep, who will perform during the dinner. The SEMA After-Party, also being held at the LVH Paradise Event Center from 10:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m., will feature Taylor Hicks.

Having won the second season of NBC’s "Last Comic Standing," Heffron’s popularity grew tremendously. In addition to two half-hour specials and a one-hour special on "Comedy Central Presents," Heffron is a regular on numerous VH1 satire series, including "I Love the 80s: 3D," "I Love the 70s: Volume 2" and "My Coolest Years: My First Time."

Reep won the fifth season of "Last Comic Standing," and is also well known for "Comedy Central Presents: Jon Reep." Many also know Reep from the ad campaign “Hemi Guy,” where he was the redheaded hillbilly famous for leaning out of his rusty beater and uttering, “That thing gotta Hemi?”

To purchase tickets, visit www.SEMAShow.com/banquet. For more information, contact Jamie Eriksen at 909-978-6737 or JamieE@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

Taylor Hicks

Taking place Thursday, November 7, 2013, at the LVH Paradise Event Center in Las Vegas, the annual SEMA Industry Awards Banquet is a celebration of the $31 billion automotive specialty-equipment industry. A cocktail reception will be held from 6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. During the banquet (from 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.), industry leaders will be recognized for their efforts and awards will be presented for SEMA Person of the Year, Rep Agency of the Year and WD of the Year.

Individuals with SEMA Show credentials can order tickets to the banquet online.

"American Idol's" Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks will sing the National Anthem at the start of the evening at 7:30 p.m. and return after the dinner to perform a 60-minute acoustic set at the SEMA After-Party starting at 10:00 p.m.

“The Industry Awards Banquet is a time for the industry to celebrate,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “All Showgoers—including exhibitors, buyers and media—are welcome to join us as we recognize some of the important people who have helped make this industry so successful. It’s also a great time to network and to unwind after a long week at the Show. We’ll have great food and some amazing entertainment this year.”

Additional entertainment will be provided by comedians John Heffron and Jon Reep, who will perform during the dinner. The SEMA After-Party, also being held at the LVH Paradise Event Center from 10:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m., will feature Taylor Hicks.

Having won the second season of NBC’s "Last Comic Standing," Heffron’s popularity grew tremendously. In addition to two half-hour specials and a one-hour special on "Comedy Central Presents," Heffron is a regular on numerous VH1 satire series, including "I Love the 80s: 3D," "I Love the 70s: Volume 2" and "My Coolest Years: My First Time."

Reep won the fifth season of "Last Comic Standing," and is also well known for "Comedy Central Presents: Jon Reep." Many also know Reep from the ad campaign “Hemi Guy,” where he was the redheaded hillbilly famous for leaning out of his rusty beater and uttering, “That thing gotta Hemi?”

To purchase tickets, visit www.SEMAShow.com/banquet. For more information, contact Jamie Eriksen at 909-978-6737 or JamieE@sema.org.