Gregory Boutte, vice president of eBay Motors, led a panel discussion entitled, "From the Desktop to the Pocket: The Future of Internet Information," at the 2010 SEMA Show.

Consumers are increasingly changing the way they shop, adopting new technologies to help them learn about and purchase the products in which they are interested. Today’s unique economy is increasingly affecting business decisions and outcomes. Staying ahead of these trends and recognizing the opportunities they provide as well as the challenges they pose are key to business success.

This year’s keynote panel discussion at the 2011 SEMA Show, “The Future of Specialty Equipment 2012 and Beyond,” led by moderator Famous Rhodes, senior director of eBay Motors, will bring together a wide variety of industry experts who will share their unique insights into the trends that will define the future of the specialty-equipment industry. The panel discussion led by Rhodes will include Dr. Timothy Nash of Northwood University, Caroline Jacobini of Google, Bryan Murphy of WHI Solutions and Glenn Rogers of Cardomain Network.

As senior director of the Internet’s largest marketplace for buying and selling all things automotive, Rhodes leads the entire eBay Motors business unit. In the second quarter of 2011, the worldwide gross merchandise volume for the Parts and Accessories category was approximately $1.6 billion. A part or accessory is sold every second on eBay Motors—more than 226 million parts and accessories transactions have taken place on eBay Motors to date.

The keynote panelists will provide further insights into the top trends affecting the specialty-equipment industry. The Internet is constantly evolving and is increasingly used as a critical research and shopping tool for auto buyers. J.D. Power and Associates research in 2010 found that 77% of U.S. new-vehicle buyers and 68% of used-vehicle buyers accessed the Internet during their research process.

If the Internet is evolving, then mobile sales and marketing are accelerating at a furious pace. There is a huge opportunity for auto companies to leverage mobile to connect with consumers researching and considering auto purchases. In fact, comScore reports that 21% of users accessed this content almost every day, with 31% accessing auto content once per week and 48% accessing this content one to three times per month. Further data from Gartner projects that the worldwide market for mobile advertising will have doubled from $1.6 billion in 2010 to $3.3 billion in 2011.

The keynote presentation will give information on trends that will affect the aftermarket in the future and provide ideas on how to adapt to an ever-evolving consumer landscape. Don’t miss this insightful discussion, Monday, October 31, from 8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m. at the Las Vegas Hilton, Pavilion 1.

To view the entire SEMA Education Program, visit www.SEMAShow.com/Education.

	Gregory Boutte, vice president of eBay Motors, led a panel discussion entitled, "From the Desktop to the Pocket: The Future of Internet Information," at the 2010 SEMA Show.

Consumers are increasingly changing the way they shop, adopting new technologies to help them learn about and purchase the products in which they are interested. Today’s unique economy is increasingly affecting business decisions and outcomes. Staying ahead of these trends and recognizing the opportunities they provide as well as the challenges they pose are key to business success.

This year’s keynote panel discussion at the 2011 SEMA Show, “The Future of Specialty Equipment 2012 and Beyond,” led by moderator Famous Rhodes, senior director of eBay Motors, will bring together a wide variety of industry experts who will share their unique insights into the trends that will define the future of the specialty-equipment industry. The panel discussion led by Rhodes will include Dr. Timothy Nash of Northwood University, Caroline Jacobini of Google, Bryan Murphy of WHI Solutions and Glenn Rogers of Cardomain Network.

As senior director of the Internet’s largest marketplace for buying and selling all things automotive, Rhodes leads the entire eBay Motors business unit. In the second quarter of 2011, the worldwide gross merchandise volume for the Parts and Accessories category was approximately $1.6 billion. A part or accessory is sold every second on eBay Motors—more than 226 million parts and accessories transactions have taken place on eBay Motors to date.

The keynote panelists will provide further insights into the top trends affecting the specialty-equipment industry. The Internet is constantly evolving and is increasingly used as a critical research and shopping tool for auto buyers. J.D. Power and Associates research in 2010 found that 77% of U.S. new-vehicle buyers and 68% of used-vehicle buyers accessed the Internet during their research process.

If the Internet is evolving, then mobile sales and marketing are accelerating at a furious pace. There is a huge opportunity for auto companies to leverage mobile to connect with consumers researching and considering auto purchases. In fact, comScore reports that 21% of users accessed this content almost every day, with 31% accessing auto content once per week and 48% accessing this content one to three times per month. Further data from Gartner projects that the worldwide market for mobile advertising will have doubled from $1.6 billion in 2010 to $3.3 billion in 2011.

The keynote presentation will give information on trends that will affect the aftermarket in the future and provide ideas on how to adapt to an ever-evolving consumer landscape. Don’t miss this insightful discussion, Monday, October 31, from 8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m. at the Las Vegas Hilton, Pavilion 1.

To view the entire SEMA Education Program, visit www.SEMAShow.com/Education.

	Gregory Boutte, vice president of eBay Motors, led a panel discussion entitled, "From the Desktop to the Pocket: The Future of Internet Information," at the 2010 SEMA Show.

Consumers are increasingly changing the way they shop, adopting new technologies to help them learn about and purchase the products in which they are interested. Today’s unique economy is increasingly affecting business decisions and outcomes. Staying ahead of these trends and recognizing the opportunities they provide as well as the challenges they pose are key to business success.

This year’s keynote panel discussion at the 2011 SEMA Show, “The Future of Specialty Equipment 2012 and Beyond,” led by moderator Famous Rhodes, senior director of eBay Motors, will bring together a wide variety of industry experts who will share their unique insights into the trends that will define the future of the specialty-equipment industry. The panel discussion led by Rhodes will include Dr. Timothy Nash of Northwood University, Caroline Jacobini of Google, Bryan Murphy of WHI Solutions and Glenn Rogers of Cardomain Network.

As senior director of the Internet’s largest marketplace for buying and selling all things automotive, Rhodes leads the entire eBay Motors business unit. In the second quarter of 2011, the worldwide gross merchandise volume for the Parts and Accessories category was approximately $1.6 billion. A part or accessory is sold every second on eBay Motors—more than 226 million parts and accessories transactions have taken place on eBay Motors to date.

The keynote panelists will provide further insights into the top trends affecting the specialty-equipment industry. The Internet is constantly evolving and is increasingly used as a critical research and shopping tool for auto buyers. J.D. Power and Associates research in 2010 found that 77% of U.S. new-vehicle buyers and 68% of used-vehicle buyers accessed the Internet during their research process.

If the Internet is evolving, then mobile sales and marketing are accelerating at a furious pace. There is a huge opportunity for auto companies to leverage mobile to connect with consumers researching and considering auto purchases. In fact, comScore reports that 21% of users accessed this content almost every day, with 31% accessing auto content once per week and 48% accessing this content one to three times per month. Further data from Gartner projects that the worldwide market for mobile advertising will have doubled from $1.6 billion in 2010 to $3.3 billion in 2011.

The keynote presentation will give information on trends that will affect the aftermarket in the future and provide ideas on how to adapt to an ever-evolving consumer landscape. Don’t miss this insightful discussion, Monday, October 31, from 8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m. at the Las Vegas Hilton, Pavilion 1.

To view the entire SEMA Education Program, visit www.SEMAShow.com/Education.

 

	The Global Media Awards will be presented at SEMA's 8th annual International Happy Hour.

The eighth annual International Happy Hour (IHH)—taking place Wednesday, November 2, 2011, from 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Room S224—is the largest annual international networking event for the specialty-parts 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.

Register now for the IHH.

 

	The Global Media Awards will be presented at SEMA's 8th annual International Happy Hour.

The eighth annual International Happy Hour (IHH)—taking place Wednesday, November 2, 2011, from 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Room S224—is the largest annual international networking event for the specialty-parts 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.

Register now for the IHH.

Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to require companies that sell goods via the Internet and catalogs to collect sales tax in the same manner as “brick-and-mortar” retailers. The “Marketplace Equity Act” (MEA) is similar to the “Main Street Fairness Act” introduced earlier this year. Both bills would allow states to force retailers to collect sales tax from consumers even when the companies otherwise have no physical presence in that state.

The Main Street Fairness Act requires states to participate in the Streamlined Sales Tax Agreement, which sets uniform tax rules. To date, 24 states are full participants. In contrast, the MEA would set minimum federal rules and then allow states flexibility in establishing individual rules. The state would have three choices in selecting a tax rate—a single rate, a maximum state rate or a rate based on customer’s location. If the latter, the state would be required to supply tax software.  

Both bills authorize a “small-seller exemption.” The Main Street Fairness legislation does not set a limit but instead defers to the Streamlined Sales Tax Agreement, which currently establishes a threshold of $500,000 and below. The MEA exempts companies from collecting sales tax if they have either less than $1 million in total sales or less than $100,000 in sales in a particular state.

Under a 1992 U.S. Supreme Court decision, states cannot force retailers to collect use taxes unless the company has a physical presence in the state (“nexus”). However, the Court also noted that Congress could pass legislation authorizing states to collect use taxes within the scope of interstate commerce. In lieu of the federal law, many states have expanded the definition of nexus in order to compel companies to collect taxes. 

For more information, please contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to require companies that sell goods via the Internet and catalogs to collect sales tax in the same manner as “brick-and-mortar” retailers. The “Marketplace Equity Act” (MEA) is similar to the “Main Street Fairness Act” introduced earlier this year. Both bills would allow states to force retailers to collect sales tax from consumers even when the companies otherwise have no physical presence in that state.

The Main Street Fairness Act requires states to participate in the Streamlined Sales Tax Agreement, which sets uniform tax rules. To date, 24 states are full participants. In contrast, the MEA would set minimum federal rules and then allow states flexibility in establishing individual rules. The state would have three choices in selecting a tax rate—a single rate, a maximum state rate or a rate based on customer’s location. If the latter, the state would be required to supply tax software.  

Both bills authorize a “small-seller exemption.” The Main Street Fairness legislation does not set a limit but instead defers to the Streamlined Sales Tax Agreement, which currently establishes a threshold of $500,000 and below. The MEA exempts companies from collecting sales tax if they have either less than $1 million in total sales or less than $100,000 in sales in a particular state.

Under a 1992 U.S. Supreme Court decision, states cannot force retailers to collect use taxes unless the company has a physical presence in the state (“nexus”). However, the Court also noted that Congress could pass legislation authorizing states to collect use taxes within the scope of interstate commerce. In lieu of the federal law, many states have expanded the definition of nexus in order to compel companies to collect taxes. 

For more information, please contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives requiring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to seek independent scientific analysis on the effects of 15%-blend ethanol gasoline (E15) on vehicles and engines. The review would include an evaluation of the short- and long-term environmental, safety and performance effects of E15 on both on- and off-road vehicle engines. Last January, the EPA decided to allow the use of E15 in vehicles manufactured after 2001 based solely on a limited study by the U.S. Department of Energy.  

SEMA has been a strong supporter of further testing to gauge the effects of E15. SEMA opposes the introduction of E15 into the marketplace due to concerns that the additional content will harm automobiles of all ages, including special-interest collector and historic vehicles. In addition to the potential harm of E15 on engine components, the EPA has no procedure in place to ensure that misfueling does not occur or any plan for ensuring regular gasoline continues to be available for older vehicles. SEMA’s concerns have been echoed by a number of other organizations. 

For more information, please contact Dan Sadowski at dans@sema.org.

Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives requiring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to seek independent scientific analysis on the effects of 15%-blend ethanol gasoline (E15) on vehicles and engines. The review would include an evaluation of the short- and long-term environmental, safety and performance effects of E15 on both on- and off-road vehicle engines. Last January, the EPA decided to allow the use of E15 in vehicles manufactured after 2001 based solely on a limited study by the U.S. Department of Energy.  

SEMA has been a strong supporter of further testing to gauge the effects of E15. SEMA opposes the introduction of E15 into the marketplace due to concerns that the additional content will harm automobiles of all ages, including special-interest collector and historic vehicles. In addition to the potential harm of E15 on engine components, the EPA has no procedure in place to ensure that misfueling does not occur or any plan for ensuring regular gasoline continues to be available for older vehicles. SEMA’s concerns have been echoed by a number of other organizations. 

For more information, please contact Dan Sadowski at dans@sema.org.

	Yakima will use a wind tunnel to demonstrate the effectiveness of its quiet, fuel-efficient Whispbar vehicle roof rack in its booth at the 2011 SEMA Show.

At the 2011 SEMA Show, Yakima—a designer and manufacturer of vehicle racks for boats, bikes, camping, winter sports gear, trailers and cargo solutions—will introduce a quiet, fuel-efficient roof rack called the Whispbar, which, according to the company, reduces wind drag by up to 70%.

Whispbar’s original designer—a former Rolls-Royce aircraft engineer—developed the aerofoil wing shape, which is designed to reduce wind noise and vibration. The Whispbar’s proprietary Smartfoot technology can easily transfer to virtually any vehicle. Yakima will be the first to provide a product demonstration at its booth (#30099) using a wind tunnel.

“Whispbar by Yakima is the result of our clear focus on innovation and technology and providing a first-class product,” said Ron Ten Berge, senior vice president/CMO at Yakima Products. “We worked extremely hard to minimize noise and drag, which have been at the top of the list of consumer complaints when it comes to the rack category. Whispbar was not only wind tested, but also subjected to the most stringent conditions in laboratories in addition to thousands of miles of road testing. Also, Whispbar fits well with the styling of European vehicles.”

Whispbar by Yakima can be purchased at www.yakima.com and at select retailers throughout the United States.