The Toyota HiLux Measuring Sessions are made possible by a Department of Commerce Market Development Cooperator Program grant from the U.S. government, which is working with SEMA to identify and create export opportunities for SEMA members.

Dates and locations for three upcoming SEMA Measuring Sessions featuring the Toyota HiLux have been announced. SEMA is importing the HiLux to the United States as part of a new program to provide SEMA members with access to vehicles that are popular overseas but not sold in the United States.

The Toyota HiLux has achieved more than 14 million units sold in 135 countries worldwide since its introduction. The HiLux is a top-selling vehicle in key countries/regions, including Australia, New Zealand, Europe, South Africa, Central America and the Middle East. Because of its international appeal and popularity, the HiLux is the ideal vehicle for companies looking to prototype new products to enter markets overseas. Earlier this year, SEMA members selected the truck to be the first vehicle made available for measurement, beating out the Jeep Wrangler diesel and Ford Ranger. 

Manufacturing companies interested in gathering measurements and specs needed to create products for the popular truck model are encouraged to attend one of the following sessions.

• July 31 – SEMA Headquarters in Diamond Bar, California
• August 14 – Link Engineering Facility in Dearborn, Michigan
• August 22 – Clemson University in Greenville, South Carolina 

Wheel, suspension, air-intake, exhaust, in-car entertainment, bedliners, grille guard and tonneau cover manufacturers are among the SEMA members who have already registered to attend one of the sessions. Once the sessions are complete, SEMA will also make the vehicle available to SEMA members for measurement and fitment checks in their own facilities.

The program is made possible by a Department of Commerce Market Development Cooperator Program grant from the U.S. government, which is working in partnership with SEMA to identify and create export opportunities for SEMA members.

Register now to participate in one of the three ’12 Toyota HiLux Measuring Sessions.

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

	The Toyota HiLux Measuring Sessions are made possible by a Department of Commerce Market Development Cooperator Program grant from the U.S. government, which is working with SEMA to identify and create export opportunities for SEMA members.

Dates and locations for three upcoming SEMA Measuring Sessions featuring the Toyota HiLux have been announced. SEMA is importing the HiLux to the United States as part of a new program to provide SEMA members with access to vehicles that are popular overseas but not sold in the United States.

The Toyota HiLux has achieved more than 14 million units sold in 135 countries worldwide since its introduction. The HiLux is a top-selling vehicle in key countries/regions, including Australia, New Zealand, Europe, South Africa, Central America and the Middle East. Because of its international appeal and popularity, the HiLux is the ideal vehicle for companies looking to prototype new products to enter markets overseas. Earlier this year, SEMA members selected the truck to be the first vehicle made available for measurement, beating out the Jeep Wrangler diesel and Ford Ranger. 

Manufacturing companies interested in gathering measurements and specs needed to create products for the popular truck model are encouraged to attend one of the following sessions.

• July 31 – SEMA Headquarters in Diamond Bar, California
• August 14 – Link Engineering Facility in Dearborn, Michigan
• August 22 – Clemson University in Greenville, South Carolina 

Wheel, suspension, air-intake, exhaust, in-car entertainment, bedliners, grille guard and tonneau cover manufacturers are among the SEMA members who have already registered to attend one of the sessions. Once the sessions are complete, SEMA will also make the vehicle available to SEMA members for measurement and fitment checks in their own facilities.

The program is made possible by a Department of Commerce Market Development Cooperator Program grant from the U.S. government, which is working in partnership with SEMA to identify and create export opportunities for SEMA members.

Register now to participate in one of the three ’12 Toyota HiLux Measuring Sessions.

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

The California State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) program will provide $1,000 grants to qualified California-based companies participating in the 2012 SEMA China Business Development Tour.

The California State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) program organizers have just announced the provision of $1,000 grants to qualified California-based companies participating in the September 2–7, 2012, SEMA China Business Development Tour to Shanghai and Beijing. These newly announced grants are in addition to $1,000 grants being provided to participants by the U.S. government.

To register, visit www.californiastep.org/home and click on the "register" tab at the top right-hand side of the page. Check the "SEMA Conference, China" box when asked if you are interested in registering for trade fairs/trade missions.

Scroll about halfway down the California STEP page to find the 2012 SEMA China Business Development Tour listing.

Not based in California? Contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org for STEP contacts in other states who may provide funding to trip participants on a case-by-case basis.

The California State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) program will provide $1,000 grants to qualified California-based companies participating in the 2012 SEMA China Business Development Tour.

The California State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) program organizers have just announced the provision of $1,000 grants to qualified California-based companies participating in the September 2–7, 2012, SEMA China Business Development Tour to Shanghai and Beijing. These newly announced grants are in addition to $1,000 grants being provided to participants by the U.S. government.

To register, visit www.californiastep.org/home and click on the "register" tab at the top right-hand side of the page. Check the "SEMA Conference, China" box when asked if you are interested in registering for trade fairs/trade missions.

Scroll about halfway down the California STEP page to find the 2012 SEMA China Business Development Tour listing.

Not based in California? Contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org for STEP contacts in other states who may provide funding to trip participants on a case-by-case basis.

	Omix-ADA hired Sue Otten as chief marketing officer.

Sue Otten Joins Omix-ADA as Chief Marketing Officer
Omix-ADA named Sue Otten as its new chief marketing officer (CMO). According to the company, Otten has proven communications, branding, sales and marketing leadership in a variety of manufacturing, technology and services industries. “Sue is a proven B2B2C communicator, marketing strategist and brand builder with a keen focus on customer engagement and channel development,” said Omix-ADA President and founder Al Azadi. “Her experience and strengths will be key in helping Omix-ADA evolve and grow our business while continuing to deliver quality products that fulfill consumers’ wants and needs in the exciting off-road lifestyle and truck vehicle markets.” Prior to joining Omix as its CMO, Otten, a certified Accredited Business Communicator (ABC), also worked for Apple Inc. and later founded her own consulting business; helping other companies with their sales and marketing strategies to build brand awareness and drive growth.

Ken Palmman Assumes Role of CTEK General Manager North America Operations
CTEK announced that Ken Palmman has assumed the new duties of general manager of North America operations. Palmman, who has been the CFO of CTEK since 2005, comes to CTEK from Hornell Inc. where he served as vice president. “Much of my focus will be to build the organization and to drive the growth of CTEK Power.  We have very ambitious growth goals going forward,” stated Palmman. The company also reported that along with Palmman’s change of duties, numerous additional positions are being filled to meet the demands of CTEK’s already increasing growth in North America.

Promotion for Gloria Medina at The Marx Group
The Marx Group has promoted Gloria Medina to client project manager. According to a company release, Medina will manage client marketing initiatives, oversee digital projects, including websites, social media and online videos and ensure all projects support client marketing goals. Since Medina joined The Marx Group as marketing coordinator in 2006, she has earned a master's degree in advertising with a focus in account planning from the Academy of Art in San Francisco, California. In 2010, Medina became marketing director, handling all of The Marx Group’s internal marketing initiatives. Medina will continue in her role as marketing director while taking on these additional duties as client project manager.

R & R Marketing hired Katy Hosenfeld to serve as lead generation specialist, a newly generated position for the company.

Katy Hosenfeld Fills Newly Created Position at R&R Marketing
R&R Marketing Consultants Inc. hired Katy Hosenfeld to fill the newly created position of lead generation specialist. According to R&R, Hosenfeld will work closely with the sales team to identify and qualify new jobber sales leads for manufacturers, direct them to their respective WDs when appropriate, and assist the sales team with keeping WDs and jobbers current on the latest products and introduce value-added products to further enhance sales. "[Hosenfeld's]  previous work with major WDs in the Kansas City area allows her to bring our company her valuable knowledge and experience from working with accounts, such as, Reliable, Arrow Speed, and Keystone Automotive," stated  R&R Marketing Consultants Inc. President Michael Rao.

GoPro Provides Cameras for "Motorz"
"Motorz" announced that GoPro is now providing its HD HERO2 cameras to help produce footage to the automotive how-to TV series. Chris Duke, host and executive producer of "Motorz" stated, “GoPro’s support means we’re able to capture video in places we couldn’t before, and add footage outside the studio that was impossible with our existing equipment.” "Motorz" airs on Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. (PDT) on DirecTV or DISH Network. Log on to www.motorz.tv to download and watch past episodes for free.

	Last year’s SEMA Show featured 70 manufacturers with either a booth or a kiosk in the Powersports & Utility area.

The powersports industry will again converge at the world-famous SEMA Show taking place Tuesday–Friday, October 30–November 2, 2012, in Las Vegas. In addition to meeting with leading manufacturers in a dedicated Powersports & Utility Vehicles section, buyers in this market will be able to quickly identify products in the Ideas Alive: Featuring the New Products Showcase’s Powersports category and discover new business strategies through educational sessions that target powersports professionals.

“Powersports has existed at the SEMA Show in a big way for years now,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “The formal creation of a floor section simply solidifies the market’s presence and makes it easy for manufacturers and buyers in the market to connect with one another.”

Last year’s SEMA Show featured 70 manufacturers with either a booth or a kiosk in the Powersports & Utility area. Another 300-plus manufacturers representing crossover markets exhibited in other areas, including the Trucks & SUV, Racing & Performance and Wheels and Tires sections. As the powersports market’s largest trade gathering west of the Mississippi, the SEMA Show attracted more than 15,000 registered buyers interested in powersports products in 2011.

“As a natural extension of the automotive specialty-equipment market, professionals in the powersports business are turning to the SEMA Show to expand their businesses,” said MacGillivray. “It’s exciting to see this market develop a bigger and stronger presence at the SEMA Show each year. We anticipate 2012 will be the biggest yet.”

To learn more about or to register for the annual trade-only event, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

	Last year’s SEMA Show featured 70 manufacturers with either a booth or a kiosk in the Powersports & Utility area.

The powersports industry will again converge at the world-famous SEMA Show taking place Tuesday–Friday, October 30–November 2, 2012, in Las Vegas. In addition to meeting with leading manufacturers in a dedicated Powersports & Utility Vehicles section, buyers in this market will be able to quickly identify products in the Ideas Alive: Featuring the New Products Showcase’s Powersports category and discover new business strategies through educational sessions that target powersports professionals.

“Powersports has existed at the SEMA Show in a big way for years now,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “The formal creation of a floor section simply solidifies the market’s presence and makes it easy for manufacturers and buyers in the market to connect with one another.”

Last year’s SEMA Show featured 70 manufacturers with either a booth or a kiosk in the Powersports & Utility area. Another 300-plus manufacturers representing crossover markets exhibited in other areas, including the Trucks & SUV, Racing & Performance and Wheels and Tires sections. As the powersports market’s largest trade gathering west of the Mississippi, the SEMA Show attracted more than 15,000 registered buyers interested in powersports products in 2011.

“As a natural extension of the automotive specialty-equipment market, professionals in the powersports business are turning to the SEMA Show to expand their businesses,” said MacGillivray. “It’s exciting to see this market develop a bigger and stronger presence at the SEMA Show each year. We anticipate 2012 will be the biggest yet.”

To learn more about or to register for the annual trade-only event, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

	Last year’s SEMA Show featured 70 manufacturers with either a booth or a kiosk in the Powersports & Utility area.

The powersports industry will again converge at the world-famous SEMA Show taking place Tuesday–Friday, October 30–November 2, 2012, in Las Vegas. In addition to meeting with leading manufacturers in a dedicated Powersports & Utility Vehicles section, buyers in this market will be able to quickly identify products in the Ideas Alive: Featuring the New Products Showcase’s Powersports category and discover new business strategies through educational sessions that target powersports professionals.

“Powersports has existed at the SEMA Show in a big way for years now,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “The formal creation of a floor section simply solidifies the market’s presence and makes it easy for manufacturers and buyers in the market to connect with one another.”

Last year’s SEMA Show featured 70 manufacturers with either a booth or a kiosk in the Powersports & Utility area. Another 300-plus manufacturers representing crossover markets exhibited in other areas, including the Trucks & SUV, Racing & Performance and Wheels and Tires sections. As the powersports market’s largest trade gathering west of the Mississippi, the SEMA Show attracted more than 15,000 registered buyers interested in powersports products in 2011.

“As a natural extension of the automotive specialty-equipment market, professionals in the powersports business are turning to the SEMA Show to expand their businesses,” said MacGillivray. “It’s exciting to see this market develop a bigger and stronger presence at the SEMA Show each year. We anticipate 2012 will be the biggest yet.”

To learn more about or to register for the annual trade-only event, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

	California Congresswoman Grace Napolitano addressed the 175 attendees who gathered at Hotchkis Performance last week for this year's final SEMA Town Hall Meeting.

SEMA members gathered Wednesday, June 13, at Hotchkis Performance in Santa Fe Springs, California, for the recent SEMA Town Hall meeting. With 175 attendees, the Southern California Town Hall was by far the largest meeting to date.

In attendance were several SEMA Board, SEMA Hall of Fame and SEMA members and non-members from manufacturing, retail, distribution, education and service providers.

The panelists addressed questions on topics, such as key legislation, challenges for retail “brick-and-mortar” businesses and benefits of joining a SEMA council to promote your company.

The meeting was kicked off by special guest, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano. She represents the 38th District of California in the U.S. House of Representatives, which includes southeast Los Angeles County and the cities of Norwalk, Pomona and Santa Fe Springs. Napolitano is a strong advocate for America’s industrial base, having created a “Manufacturing Task Force” in her home district to identify strategies that will foster more manufacturing jobs and create a positive climate for manufacturing retention and growth.

SEMA’s President and CEO Chris Kersting was the evening’s emcee and moderator for a panel discussion about the specialty-equipment industry. The panel was comprised of industry leaders Scooter Brothers, SEMA Board of Directors chairman and the COO and director of R&D for COMP Performance Group; Nate Shelton, SEMA Board of Directors chair-elect and chief marketing officer of B&M Automotive Group; John Hotchkis, SEMA Board member and president of Hotchkis Performance; and Tracie Nuñez, Street Performance Council Select Committee member and the CEO of Advanced Clutch Technology.

Visit the SEMA Facebook page to view a photo gallery from the latest Town Hall meeting at Hotchkis Performance. 

The 2013 SEMA Town Hall meeting schedule will be announced in early 2013. Visit www.SEMA.org/townhall for meeting information and updates.

	California Congresswoman Grace Napolitano addressed the 175 attendees who gathered at Hotchkis Performance last week for this year's final SEMA Town Hall Meeting.

SEMA members gathered Wednesday, June 13, at Hotchkis Performance in Santa Fe Springs, California, for the recent SEMA Town Hall meeting. With 175 attendees, the Southern California Town Hall was by far the largest meeting to date.

In attendance were several SEMA Board, SEMA Hall of Fame and SEMA members and non-members from manufacturing, retail, distribution, education and service providers.

The panelists addressed questions on topics, such as key legislation, challenges for retail “brick-and-mortar” businesses and benefits of joining a SEMA council to promote your company.

The meeting was kicked off by special guest, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano. She represents the 38th District of California in the U.S. House of Representatives, which includes southeast Los Angeles County and the cities of Norwalk, Pomona and Santa Fe Springs. Napolitano is a strong advocate for America’s industrial base, having created a “Manufacturing Task Force” in her home district to identify strategies that will foster more manufacturing jobs and create a positive climate for manufacturing retention and growth.

SEMA’s President and CEO Chris Kersting was the evening’s emcee and moderator for a panel discussion about the specialty-equipment industry. The panel was comprised of industry leaders Scooter Brothers, SEMA Board of Directors chairman and the COO and director of R&D for COMP Performance Group; Nate Shelton, SEMA Board of Directors chair-elect and chief marketing officer of B&M Automotive Group; John Hotchkis, SEMA Board member and president of Hotchkis Performance; and Tracie Nuñez, Street Performance Council Select Committee member and the CEO of Advanced Clutch Technology.

Visit the SEMA Facebook page to view a photo gallery from the latest Town Hall meeting at Hotchkis Performance. 

The 2013 SEMA Town Hall meeting schedule will be announced in early 2013. Visit www.SEMA.org/townhall for meeting information and updates.