By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

Thanks to the efforts of Assemblyman Bill Reilich, the New York State Assembly again issued a resolution enabling Governor Andrew Cuomo to proclaim July 13, 2013, as Collector Car Appreciation Day in the state. The U.S. Senate passed Senate Resolution 176 at SEMA’s request to acknowledge the day’s significance in raising awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society. The date marks the fourth commemoration in what has become an annual event. Assemblyman Reilich is both a SEMA member and chairman of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. He is the owner and operator of Rochester Auto Design—a retailer of auto display stands for auto shows and showrooms.

In the previous three years, thousands of Americans have gathered at car cruises, parades and other events to celebrate our nation’s automotive heritage. By taking part in these events around the country, these automotive enthusiasts and related businesses ensured that their passion was honored and recognized. The SEMA Action Network (SAN) is maintaining a list of scheduled events to commemorate America’s time-tested love affair with the automobile. Individuals, car clubs and business owners interested in publicizing July 2013 events should contact SAN Director Colby Martin at 909-978-6721 or colbym@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

SEMA-supported legislation to prohibit the sale and distribution of corn-based ethanol in Maine was signed into law by Governor Paul LePage. Under the new law, 10 other states or a number of states with a collective population of 30,000,000 would have to enact a similar prohibition before the Maine law could go into effect.

Earlier this year, a bill to prohibit the sale of gasoline that contains corn-based ethanol as an additive at a level greater than 10% by volume was also signed into law. This law would not take effect until at least two other New England states have enacted laws that prohibit the sale of gasoline that contains corn-based ethanol at a level greater than 10% by volume. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

SEMA-supported legislation to prohibit the sale and distribution of corn-based ethanol in Maine was signed into law by Governor Paul LePage. Under the new law, 10 other states or a number of states with a collective population of 30,000,000 would have to enact a similar prohibition before the Maine law could go into effect.

Earlier this year, a bill to prohibit the sale of gasoline that contains corn-based ethanol as an additive at a level greater than 10% by volume was also signed into law. This law would not take effect until at least two other New England states have enacted laws that prohibit the sale of gasoline that contains corn-based ethanol at a level greater than 10% by volume. 

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

	The Annual Market Report is conducted yearly to help SEMA-member companies understand the industry and make informed business decisions. Like all of SEMA's research reports, the annual study is available to SEMA members at no cost.

The 2013 SEMA Annual Market Report has just been released.  

This study is conducted yearly to help SEMA-member companies understand the industry and make informed business decisions. It has long been one of SEMA’s most popular and useful reports. Whether you are new to the industry and working on a business plan, or a veteran interested in the latest data, this report is a great resource.  

In 2012, the specialty-equipment market grew to $31 billion, marking the third year of consecutive growth. The current report includes:

• The overall size of the specialty-equipment market
• Sales within specialty-equipment segments and niches
• Consumer purchase patterns
• Industry and economic trends
• Vehicle sales trends

	The Annual Market Report is conducted yearly to help SEMA-member companies understand the industry and make informed business decisions. Like all of SEMA's research reports, the annual study is available to SEMA members at no cost.

The 2013 SEMA Annual Market Report has just been released.  

This study is conducted yearly to help SEMA-member companies understand the industry and make informed business decisions. It has long been one of SEMA’s most popular and useful reports. Whether you are new to the industry and working on a business plan, or a veteran interested in the latest data, this report is a great resource.  

In 2012, the specialty-equipment market grew to $31 billion, marking the third year of consecutive growth. The current report includes:

• The overall size of the specialty-equipment market
• Sales within specialty-equipment segments and niches
• Consumer purchase patterns
• Industry and economic trends
• Vehicle sales trends

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected petitions to reconsider a lower court ruling allowing the sale of gasoline blended with 15% ethanol (E15). The lower court did not rule on whether the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) decision to permit E15 to be sold in the marketplace was valid. Rather, the court ruled that the parties challenging the decision—groups representing car, boat and power equipment manufacturers, along with the oil and food industries—did not have “standing” because they had failed to demonstrate a direct injury from E15 sales. 

The Supreme Court ruling ends any chance that the courts will overturn the E15 regulation. The focus of attention now shifts to Congress, where SEMA-supported legislation (H.R. 875; S. 344) has been introduced to effectively ban E15. The House bill has been approved by the House Science Committee and is pending before the Energy and Commerce Committee. There has been no action on the Senate bill. Lawmakers are also considering legislation to revise the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) approved by Congress in 2005. It was expanded in 2007 to dramatically increase the amount of ethanol blended into gasoline each year. The EPA approved E15 in anticipation of insufficient ethanol use through the sale of E10 to meet the increasing RFS ethanol mandates.

SEMA opposes E15 based on scientific evidence that it causes corrosion when used with incompatible parts. The chemical can also dissolve plastics and rubber. SEMA represents thousands of companies that market products for these vehicles and, through its SEMA Action Network (SAN), millions of enthusiasts who buy and operate automobiles incompatible with E15. 

For details, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected petitions to reconsider a lower court ruling allowing the sale of gasoline blended with 15% ethanol (E15). The lower court did not rule on whether the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) decision to permit E15 to be sold in the marketplace was valid. Rather, the court ruled that the parties challenging the decision—groups representing car, boat and power equipment manufacturers, along with the oil and food industries—did not have “standing” because they had failed to demonstrate a direct injury from E15 sales. 

The Supreme Court ruling ends any chance that the courts will overturn the E15 regulation. The focus of attention now shifts to Congress, where SEMA-supported legislation (H.R. 875; S. 344) has been introduced to effectively ban E15. The House bill has been approved by the House Science Committee and is pending before the Energy and Commerce Committee. There has been no action on the Senate bill. Lawmakers are also considering legislation to revise the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) approved by Congress in 2005. It was expanded in 2007 to dramatically increase the amount of ethanol blended into gasoline each year. The EPA approved E15 in anticipation of insufficient ethanol use through the sale of E10 to meet the increasing RFS ethanol mandates.

SEMA opposes E15 based on scientific evidence that it causes corrosion when used with incompatible parts. The chemical can also dissolve plastics and rubber. SEMA represents thousands of companies that market products for these vehicles and, through its SEMA Action Network (SAN), millions of enthusiasts who buy and operate automobiles incompatible with E15. 

For details, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected petitions to reconsider a lower court ruling allowing the sale of gasoline blended with 15% ethanol (E15). The lower court did not rule on whether the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) decision to permit E15 to be sold in the marketplace was valid. Rather, the court ruled that the parties challenging the decision—groups representing car, boat and power equipment manufacturers, along with the oil and food industries—did not have “standing” because they had failed to demonstrate a direct injury from E15 sales. 

The Supreme Court ruling ends any chance that the courts will overturn the E15 regulation. The focus of attention now shifts to Congress, where SEMA-supported legislation (H.R. 875; S. 344) has been introduced to effectively ban E15. The House bill has been approved by the House Science Committee and is pending before the Energy and Commerce Committee. There has been no action on the Senate bill. Lawmakers are also considering legislation to revise the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) approved by Congress in 2005. It was expanded in 2007 to dramatically increase the amount of ethanol blended into gasoline each year. The EPA approved E15 in anticipation of insufficient ethanol use through the sale of E10 to meet the increasing RFS ethanol mandates.

SEMA opposes E15 based on scientific evidence that it causes corrosion when used with incompatible parts. The chemical can also dissolve plastics and rubber. SEMA represents thousands of companies that market products for these vehicles and, through its SEMA Action Network (SAN), millions of enthusiasts who buy and operate automobiles incompatible with E15. 

For details, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By Della Domingo

	SEMA Show press conferences can be effective in reaching a large number of media. A booth press conference allows you to showcase a vehicle or product, and it can also attract potential buyers.

The SEMA Show provides exhibitors with the opportunity to generate media coverage for their products and to develop long-term relationships with reporters.

One strategy that exhibitors may want to consider for communicating with the media is to hold a press conference. Although not ideal for all exhibitors, a press conference can be effective under the right circumstances.

Here are some factors to keep in mind when considering a press conference at the SEMA Show:

Important and Relevant News: Key words being "important" and "relevant." A new product announcement may be news, but because it will be among the thousands of new products debuting at the SEMA Show, it may not be important or relevant to a large number of reporters.

“I’ll usually only attend press conferences if they apply to my readers,” says John DiBartolomeo, editor of Drag Racing Action magazine. “It’s useless for me to attend a conference for a street product or something that doesn’t apply to drag racing.”

Another reporter noted that he prefers one-on-one meetings with exhibitors over press conferences.

Visuals and Spokepersons: Having great visuals and spokespeople who may not be easily accessible for the media will entice reporters to attend your event. By holding a press conference, you are forcing the media to choose a single day and time to hear your announcement. The more reasons you can give them to attend, the more successful you will be.

Location: Exhibitors can choose to host their press conference in their booths or in the media center. Depending on the booth location, it may be difficult for media to locate or get to, and it may have space limitations. Exhibitors may also need to arrange for audio visual, sound and/or signage if they are hosting a press conference in their booth. The benefit, however, is that a booth press conference allows you to showcase a vehicle or product, and it can also attract potential buyers.

In the media center, there is a stage with AV equipment and seating already provided. It is also conveniently located between Center and South Halls and all media know exactly where it is.

Day and Time: The press conference application allows exhibitors to request specific days and times, but ultimately the day and time will be assigned to exhibitors. The final schedule is created so that there are no competing press conferences taking place at the same time, and so that media are able to go from one press conference to the next as easily as possible. (For example, the schedule will not have reporters going from South Hall over to North Hall and back to South Hall throughout the day.)

If your press conference has important and relevant news, and it offers media great visuals and spokespersons, then you’ll be much more likely to be successful regardless of the day and time you hold it.

Targeted Invitation: Only invite the media who may be interested in your announcement. Media at the SEMA Show often voice frustration because exhibitors send them information that is not relevant to them.

E-mailing the media directly is effective, but follow standard e-mail etiquette: Do no list everyone in the “to” line of the e-mail. Instead, use an e-mail distribution service or list the recipients in the bcc (blind carbon copy) field.

On occasion, sending an attachment is okay. However, attachments may increase the likelihood of getting caught in spam filters and they may be difficult for those using mobile devices. Consider including everything in the body of the e-mail.

Keep the e-mail simple. Avoid excessive graphics or formatting, and focus on the information you want to get across.

As for when to send the invitation, consider who you are sending it to. In a recent survey about when they begin their SEMA Show planning, reporters’ responses varied from “as early as June” to “two weeks before the Show” to everything in between. Much will depend on the reporter and the individual publication, so it’s best to follow up with reporters directly and get to know the outlet’s individual requirements.

Under the right circumstances, SEMA Show press conferences can be effective in reaching a large number of media. They are, however, a great deal of work and require considerable time and effort from exhibitors.

Exhibitors may want to consider other strategies for working with media at the SEMA Show, including utilizing the SEMA Show online media center, placing press materials in the Media Center on-site and individual, one-on-one meetings with targeted media.

Learn more about hosting a successful press conference.

Submit a press conference application.

Learn more about public relations opportunities for SEMA Show exhibitors.

By Della Domingo

	SEMA Show press conferences can be effective in reaching a large number of media. A booth press conference allows you to showcase a vehicle or product, and it can also attract potential buyers.

The SEMA Show provides exhibitors with the opportunity to generate media coverage for their products and to develop long-term relationships with reporters.

One strategy that exhibitors may want to consider for communicating with the media is to hold a press conference. Although not ideal for all exhibitors, a press conference can be effective under the right circumstances.

Here are some factors to keep in mind when considering a press conference at the SEMA Show:

Important and Relevant News: Key words being "important" and "relevant." A new product announcement may be news, but because it will be among the thousands of new products debuting at the SEMA Show, it may not be important or relevant to a large number of reporters.

“I’ll usually only attend press conferences if they apply to my readers,” says John DiBartolomeo, editor of Drag Racing Action magazine. “It’s useless for me to attend a conference for a street product or something that doesn’t apply to drag racing.”

Another reporter noted that he prefers one-on-one meetings with exhibitors over press conferences.

Visuals and Spokepersons: Having great visuals and spokespeople who may not be easily accessible for the media will entice reporters to attend your event. By holding a press conference, you are forcing the media to choose a single day and time to hear your announcement. The more reasons you can give them to attend, the more successful you will be.

Location: Exhibitors can choose to host their press conference in their booths or in the media center. Depending on the booth location, it may be difficult for media to locate or get to, and it may have space limitations. Exhibitors may also need to arrange for audio visual, sound and/or signage if they are hosting a press conference in their booth. The benefit, however, is that a booth press conference allows you to showcase a vehicle or product, and it can also attract potential buyers.

In the media center, there is a stage with AV equipment and seating already provided. It is also conveniently located between Center and South Halls and all media know exactly where it is.

Day and Time: The press conference application allows exhibitors to request specific days and times, but ultimately the day and time will be assigned to exhibitors. The final schedule is created so that there are no competing press conferences taking place at the same time, and so that media are able to go from one press conference to the next as easily as possible. (For example, the schedule will not have reporters going from South Hall over to North Hall and back to South Hall throughout the day.)

If your press conference has important and relevant news, and it offers media great visuals and spokespersons, then you’ll be much more likely to be successful regardless of the day and time you hold it.

Targeted Invitation: Only invite the media who may be interested in your announcement. Media at the SEMA Show often voice frustration because exhibitors send them information that is not relevant to them.

E-mailing the media directly is effective, but follow standard e-mail etiquette: Do no list everyone in the “to” line of the e-mail. Instead, use an e-mail distribution service or list the recipients in the bcc (blind carbon copy) field.

On occasion, sending an attachment is okay. However, attachments may increase the likelihood of getting caught in spam filters and they may be difficult for those using mobile devices. Consider including everything in the body of the e-mail.

Keep the e-mail simple. Avoid excessive graphics or formatting, and focus on the information you want to get across.

As for when to send the invitation, consider who you are sending it to. In a recent survey about when they begin their SEMA Show planning, reporters’ responses varied from “as early as June” to “two weeks before the Show” to everything in between. Much will depend on the reporter and the individual publication, so it’s best to follow up with reporters directly and get to know the outlet’s individual requirements.

Under the right circumstances, SEMA Show press conferences can be effective in reaching a large number of media. They are, however, a great deal of work and require considerable time and effort from exhibitors.

Exhibitors may want to consider other strategies for working with media at the SEMA Show, including utilizing the SEMA Show online media center, placing press materials in the Media Center on-site and individual, one-on-one meetings with targeted media.

Learn more about hosting a successful press conference.

Submit a press conference application.

Learn more about public relations opportunities for SEMA Show exhibitors.