By Zane Clark

	Eric Hoffend

SEMA’s Trade Show Director Tom Gattuso and Freeman’s Vice President of Business Development Eric Hoffend will present an exclusive exhibitor webinar Thursday, September 19, at 10 a.m. (PDT) entitled “Are You Prepared?”

Show preparations are in the final stages and exhibitor planning is at a frenzied state. With so much to do and less than two months until the SEMA Show, it is inevitable that something will get lost in the shuffle. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear from two of the best in the business as they walk you through an exhibitor checklist that will help assure your success at the Show. Whether you are a first-timer or seasoned veteran, this timely webinar will have you walking away feeling much more confident about your Show strategy and execution.

Attendees will learn about:

• Most frequently asked logistical questions
• Booth design resources, strategies and parameters
• Hotel facilities
• Arranging transportation and parking
• Moving in and out procedures

This SEI webinar will provide member companies with the information they need, and you don’t even have to leave your desk or office to participate! Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

Invest in your success – Register now!

	The street performance niche continues to drive much of the growth in the specialty-equipment market. As the largest of the specialty-equipment market niches, street performance accounts for more than $7 billion in total retail sales.

Did you know that street performance is the largest specialty-equipment market niche? Performance parts and accessories for sports cars and musclecars have shown the most sales growth over the last few years.

According to the 2013 SEMA Annual Market Report:

• The street-performance specialty-equipment market is at a 10-year high of $7.47 billion in retail sales. The street-performance niche increased over 15% in 2012.

• Sports-car owners tend to spend more on their vehicles and are more likely to purchase higher-end engine and intake/exhaust products than other consumers.

• The most popular street-performance models displayed at the 2012 SEMA Show were the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Scion FR-S.

Models such as the Mustang, Camaro and Dodge Challenger are sparking increased passion for performance products. Fueled by this rebirth of the musclecar, street-performance products lead industry growth.  

This is just a glimpse of what you can discover from the newly released 2013 SEMA Annual Market Report. 

	The street performance niche continues to drive much of the growth in the specialty-equipment market. As the largest of the specialty-equipment market niches, street performance accounts for more than $7 billion in total retail sales.

Did you know that street performance is the largest specialty-equipment market niche? Performance parts and accessories for sports cars and musclecars have shown the most sales growth over the last few years.

According to the 2013 SEMA Annual Market Report:

• The street-performance specialty-equipment market is at a 10-year high of $7.47 billion in retail sales. The street-performance niche increased over 15% in 2012.

• Sports-car owners tend to spend more on their vehicles and are more likely to purchase higher-end engine and intake/exhaust products than other consumers.

• The most popular street-performance models displayed at the 2012 SEMA Show were the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Scion FR-S.

Models such as the Mustang, Camaro and Dodge Challenger are sparking increased passion for performance products. Fueled by this rebirth of the musclecar, street-performance products lead industry growth.  

This is just a glimpse of what you can discover from the newly released 2013 SEMA Annual Market Report. 

By Linda Spencer

The 2014 Middle East Business Development Conference will include visits to local specialty-equipment retailers, briefings by United States embassy officials, networking receptions and a day-long expo at the Middle East Motor Tuning Show (MEMTS).

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 visits to local specialty-equipment retailers, briefings by United States 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.

Last year’s event sold out—don’t miss this year’s event! For more information, contact lindas@sema.org or visit www.sema.org/middleeast.

Register now!

By Linda Spencer

The 2014 Middle East Business Development Conference will include visits to local specialty-equipment retailers, briefings by United States embassy officials, networking receptions and a day-long expo at the Middle East Motor Tuning Show (MEMTS).

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 visits to local specialty-equipment retailers, briefings by United States 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.

Last year’s event sold out—don’t miss this year’s event! For more information, contact lindas@sema.org or visit www.sema.org/middleeast.

Register now!

	John Heffron

Guests attending the 2013 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet at the SEMA Show will enjoy entertainment provided by two popular comedians—John Heffron and Jon Reep. This annual of celebration of the specialty-equipment industry also provides the backdrop for the presentation SEMA's Person, Rep Agency and WD of the Year Awards.

The Industry Awards Banquet is scheduled for Thursday, November 7, and is open to all SEMA Showgoers. The dinner program begins at 7:30 p.m. Order tickets for the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet online. More information about the evening of celebration—including additional entertainment and cocktail hour—will be available in future issues of SEMA eNews. 

John Heffron
John Heffron’s attraction to excitement and his personal vow to never perform physical labor have both inspired and motivated his successful career. The endless list of credits that comprise his impressive resume highlight his many significant accomplishments. Having won the second season of NBC’s "Last Comic Standing," Heffron’s popularity grew tremendously. His amusing and extensive material has earned him two half hour specials and a one-hour special on the hit stand up show "Comedy Central Presents." He has become 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."

In addition to being featured on "Thom Filicia’s Dress My Nest," Heffron has performed on CMT’s "Coming to the Stage," NBC’s "Late Friday," and "Comedy Central’s Premium Blend." He has made numerous appearances on "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno, and E’s! "Chelsea Lately" and "101 Craziest TV Moments."

Heffron is no stranger to live audiences and has taken the stage at several prestigious comedy festivals, including the Las Vegas Comedy Festival, the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal and the HBO Comedy Festival in Aspen. He even had the recent honor of being a celebrity roaster for KISS’ Gene Simmons on an episode of A&E’s "Gene Simmons: Family Jewels." John most recently shot a pilot presentation entitled: “Stepjohn” in association with Second City Television and Paramount Television for CBS based on his stand-up and real-life experiences.

	Jon Reep

Jon Reep
Does this face look familiar? Maybe you remember Reep as the fifth season winner on NBC's "Last Comic Standing" or have seen him on Comedy Central's "Premium Blend" or the half-hour special "Comedy Central Presents: Jon Reep." If it’s not from his standup performances, then you probably recognize Jon from Dodge's popular ad campaign, "Hemi Guy," where Reep is known to millions as the red-headed hillbilly famous for leaning out of his rusty beater and uttering, "That thing gotta Hemi?" You may also know him as the redneck farmer from “Harold and Kumar: Escape Guantanamo Bay” and television host of “Are you Faster than a Redneck?” on the Speed Channel.

Now based in Los Angeles, Reep is one of the hardest working comics in America, performing on television, in films and selling out clubs and theaters across the country. His show is supersonic energy filled with non-stop characters, super-clever writing and, of course, the one talent that separates Reep from all other comedians in the world: He's the best redneck dancer since Elvis.

	John Heffron

Guests attending the 2013 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet at the SEMA Show will enjoy entertainment provided by two popular comedians—John Heffron and Jon Reep. This annual of celebration of the specialty-equipment industry also provides the backdrop for the presentation SEMA's Person, Rep Agency and WD of the Year Awards.

The Industry Awards Banquet is scheduled for Thursday, November 7, and is open to all SEMA Showgoers. The dinner program begins at 7:30 p.m. Order tickets for the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet online. More information about the evening of celebration—including additional entertainment and cocktail hour—will be available in future issues of SEMA eNews. 

John Heffron
John Heffron’s attraction to excitement and his personal vow to never perform physical labor have both inspired and motivated his successful career. The endless list of credits that comprise his impressive resume highlight his many significant accomplishments. Having won the second season of NBC’s "Last Comic Standing," Heffron’s popularity grew tremendously. His amusing and extensive material has earned him two half hour specials and a one-hour special on the hit stand up show "Comedy Central Presents." He has become 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."

In addition to being featured on "Thom Filicia’s Dress My Nest," Heffron has performed on CMT’s "Coming to the Stage," NBC’s "Late Friday," and "Comedy Central’s Premium Blend." He has made numerous appearances on "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno, and E’s! "Chelsea Lately" and "101 Craziest TV Moments."

Heffron is no stranger to live audiences and has taken the stage at several prestigious comedy festivals, including the Las Vegas Comedy Festival, the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal and the HBO Comedy Festival in Aspen. He even had the recent honor of being a celebrity roaster for KISS’ Gene Simmons on an episode of A&E’s "Gene Simmons: Family Jewels." John most recently shot a pilot presentation entitled: “Stepjohn” in association with Second City Television and Paramount Television for CBS based on his stand-up and real-life experiences.

	Jon Reep

Jon Reep
Does this face look familiar? Maybe you remember Reep as the fifth season winner on NBC's "Last Comic Standing" or have seen him on Comedy Central's "Premium Blend" or the half-hour special "Comedy Central Presents: Jon Reep." If it’s not from his standup performances, then you probably recognize Jon from Dodge's popular ad campaign, "Hemi Guy," where Reep is known to millions as the red-headed hillbilly famous for leaning out of his rusty beater and uttering, "That thing gotta Hemi?" You may also know him as the redneck farmer from “Harold and Kumar: Escape Guantanamo Bay” and television host of “Are you Faster than a Redneck?” on the Speed Channel.

Now based in Los Angeles, Reep is one of the hardest working comics in America, performing on television, in films and selling out clubs and theaters across the country. His show is supersonic energy filled with non-stop characters, super-clever writing and, of course, the one talent that separates Reep from all other comedians in the world: He's the best redneck dancer since Elvis.

	John Heffron

Guests attending the 2013 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet at the SEMA Show will enjoy entertainment provided by two popular comedians—John Heffron and Jon Reep. This annual of celebration of the specialty-equipment industry also provides the backdrop for the presentation SEMA's Person, Rep Agency and WD of the Year Awards.

The Industry Awards Banquet is scheduled for Thursday, November 7, and is open to all SEMA Showgoers. The dinner program begins at 7:30 p.m. Order tickets for the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet online. More information about the evening of celebration—including additional entertainment and cocktail hour—will be available in future issues of SEMA eNews. 

John Heffron
John Heffron’s attraction to excitement and his personal vow to never perform physical labor have both inspired and motivated his successful career. The endless list of credits that comprise his impressive resume highlight his many significant accomplishments. Having won the second season of NBC’s "Last Comic Standing," Heffron’s popularity grew tremendously. His amusing and extensive material has earned him two half hour specials and a one-hour special on the hit stand up show "Comedy Central Presents." He has become 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."

In addition to being featured on "Thom Filicia’s Dress My Nest," Heffron has performed on CMT’s "Coming to the Stage," NBC’s "Late Friday," and "Comedy Central’s Premium Blend." He has made numerous appearances on "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno, and E’s! "Chelsea Lately" and "101 Craziest TV Moments."

Heffron is no stranger to live audiences and has taken the stage at several prestigious comedy festivals, including the Las Vegas Comedy Festival, the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal and the HBO Comedy Festival in Aspen. He even had the recent honor of being a celebrity roaster for KISS’ Gene Simmons on an episode of A&E’s "Gene Simmons: Family Jewels." John most recently shot a pilot presentation entitled: “Stepjohn” in association with Second City Television and Paramount Television for CBS based on his stand-up and real-life experiences.

	Jon Reep

Jon Reep
Does this face look familiar? Maybe you remember Reep as the fifth season winner on NBC's "Last Comic Standing" or have seen him on Comedy Central's "Premium Blend" or the half-hour special "Comedy Central Presents: Jon Reep." If it’s not from his standup performances, then you probably recognize Jon from Dodge's popular ad campaign, "Hemi Guy," where Reep is known to millions as the red-headed hillbilly famous for leaning out of his rusty beater and uttering, "That thing gotta Hemi?" You may also know him as the redneck farmer from “Harold and Kumar: Escape Guantanamo Bay” and television host of “Are you Faster than a Redneck?” on the Speed Channel.

Now based in Los Angeles, Reep is one of the hardest working comics in America, performing on television, in films and selling out clubs and theaters across the country. His show is supersonic energy filled with non-stop characters, super-clever writing and, of course, the one talent that separates Reep from all other comedians in the world: He's the best redneck dancer since Elvis.

By SEMA Editors

The LVH, located right next to the Las Vegas Convention Center, is just one of several hotels offering low rates for the SEMA Show, only available through Travel Planners.

Attendees and exhibitors have access to low hotel rates only available through the SEMA Show Housing Services provided by Travel Planners—the Show's Official Hotel Partner. Whether a company is booking one room or 50, reservations can be made in a single session, even when using different names, credit cards or requiring multiple room types.

In addition to low rates, which can be viewed anytime on www.SEMAShow.com/travel, Showgoers can take advantage of these additional benefits:

• Complimentary services, such as in-room Internet access and continental breakfast.
• No fees at booking. 
• Make reservations and change them when you need to without penalty.
• Instant confirmations at time of booking, with actual hotel confirmation numbers prior to the SEMA Show.

Travel Planners also provides personal support. SEMA Show hotel expert Chet Mazur is available to assist with bookings. Mazur is available via e-mail any time at cmazur@tphousing.com; and by phone, Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (EDT), at 212-532-1660, ext. 2175.  

Here are more exclusive SEMA Show booking extras through Travel Planners. For more information on the 2013 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

By SEMA Editors

The LVH, located right next to the Las Vegas Convention Center, is just one of several hotels offering low rates for the SEMA Show, only available through Travel Planners.

Attendees and exhibitors have access to low hotel rates only available through the SEMA Show Housing Services provided by Travel Planners—the Show's Official Hotel Partner. Whether a company is booking one room or 50, reservations can be made in a single session, even when using different names, credit cards or requiring multiple room types.

In addition to low rates, which can be viewed anytime on www.SEMAShow.com/travel, Showgoers can take advantage of these additional benefits:

• Complimentary services, such as in-room Internet access and continental breakfast.
• No fees at booking. 
• Make reservations and change them when you need to without penalty.
• Instant confirmations at time of booking, with actual hotel confirmation numbers prior to the SEMA Show.

Travel Planners also provides personal support. SEMA Show hotel expert Chet Mazur is available to assist with bookings. Mazur is available via e-mail any time at cmazur@tphousing.com; and by phone, Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (EDT), at 212-532-1660, ext. 2175.  

Here are more exclusive SEMA Show booking extras through Travel Planners. For more information on the 2013 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.