The deadline for members to update their company information for the 2011 SEMA Membership Directory is February 2, 2011.

Attention SEMA members: The May issue of SEMA News will include the 2011 SEMA Membership Directory. Members are encouraged to review and update their company and staff information now for accuracy.

In order for an accurate company listing to be included on the SEMA.org website and in the 2011 SEMA Membership Directory, companies that need to update their records must do so by Wednesday, February 2, 2011.

To update company information, the primary contact from each SEMA-member company is encouraged to login to the SEMA website, access their MySEMA company profile and make the necessary changes (click on your company's name at the top left-hand side of the page to begin). For assistance, e-mail member@sema.org or call 909/610-2030.

If you are a registered user on the website already, just log in using your company e-mail address and your personal password (if you have forgotten your password, just go to “forgot password” on the log-in page to reset it).

If you have questions about your membership or need assistance updating your company's information, e-mail member@sema.org or call 909/610-2030.

Thanks to Brenda Priddy and her spy team, the wait for the official debut of the ’12 Chrysler 200 convertible is over. Priddy recently delivered these exclusive photos of the soft-top convertible prototype without any camouflage at all.

Priddy says that the engineers in this test car made a surprisingly fast getaway once they spotted the camera. Since it is no secret that the 200 convertible is coming out, the quickly executed getaway amused the spy team, especially considering that Chrysler announced its forthcoming debut at the New York Auto Show in April 2011.

Sporting a traditional soft top and two fewer doors, the 200 convertible will feature a 2.4L four-cylinder or the 3.6L Pentastar V6, according to Priddy. The latest word on transmissions is that a six-speed dual clutch will join the lineup on the upper-end models.

Watch for the Chrysler 200 convertible to hit dealer lots in the summer of 2011.

Photo Credit: Chris Doane/Brenda Priddy & Company

Thanks to Brenda Priddy and her spy team, the wait for the official debut of the ’12 Chrysler 200 convertible is over. Priddy recently delivered these exclusive photos of the soft-top convertible prototype without any camouflage at all.

Priddy says that the engineers in this test car made a surprisingly fast getaway once they spotted the camera. Since it is no secret that the 200 convertible is coming out, the quickly executed getaway amused the spy team, especially considering that Chrysler announced its forthcoming debut at the New York Auto Show in April 2011.

Sporting a traditional soft top and two fewer doors, the 200 convertible will feature a 2.4L four-cylinder or the 3.6L Pentastar V6, according to Priddy. The latest word on transmissions is that a six-speed dual clutch will join the lineup on the upper-end models.

Watch for the Chrysler 200 convertible to hit dealer lots in the summer of 2011.

Photo Credit: Chris Doane/Brenda Priddy & Company

The photo gallery on enjoythedrive.com currently features more than 2,000 photos of display vehicles from the 2010 SEMA Show. Here are all of the Scions that were customized and displayed on the Show grounds.

One of the best features of the photo database is that it is searchable by several keywords, including vehicle make, vehicle model and exhibitor's name.

See all of the photos at www.enjoythedrive.com.

The photo gallery on enjoythedrive.com currently features more than 2,000 photos of display vehicles from the 2010 SEMA Show. Here are all of the Scions that were customized and displayed on the Show grounds.

One of the best features of the photo database is that it is searchable by several keywords, including vehicle make, vehicle model and exhibitor's name.

See all of the photos at www.enjoythedrive.com.

Johannes Michalski Named Perfect Equipment Inc. CEO
Perfect Equipment Inc. appointed Johannes Michalski as its CEO, succeeding company president Mike Astorino, who will remain involved as a business consultant. Michalski joins Perfect Equipment from a leading provider of mechanical and electronic key systems, lock sets, steering locks and remote control systems for the automotive industry. Michalski served as chief operating officer for the North American division.

Chip Foose was named a guest speaker for the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum and WyoTech's first Axes & Axles educational workshop.

Chip Foose to Speak at NHRA Museum Axes & Axles Workshop
Automotive designer Chip Foose is a guest speaker for the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum and WyoTech's first educational workshop on cars and guitars in conjunction with the Museum's newest exhibit: Axes & Axles: The Art of Building Cars and Guitars, Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Fender Telecaster. Foose will give insight into the connections between cars and guitars as well as some of his memorable builds.

Claudio Ballard Named Inventor of the Year
The United States Business and Industry Council (USBIC) named Claudio Ballard, founder of Data Treasury Corp. and ICONIC Motors, its Inventor of the Year. Ballard was recognized for the Virtual Electrical Electronic Device Interface Management System (VEEDIMS) technology, which provides a unique approach to system automation by merging ethernet speed and data management.

Coker Elected Chairman of Collectors Foundation
Corky Coker of Coker Tire was elected chairman of the board of directors of the Collectors Foundation for 2011. Jim Cozzie, SEMA’s past chairman, was elected to the foundation’s board of directors. Visit the Collectors Foundation’s website, www.collectorsfoundation.org, to learn more about this important organization. Collectors Foundation is a member of SEMA and the association's Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) and Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA).

The Scotts Valley (California) Police Department is currently field testing a Zero DS electric motorcycle to assist in local patrols and traffic enforcement.

All-Electric Motorcycle on Patrol in California
The Scotts Valley (California) Police Department became the first law enforcement agency in California to receive a Zero DS electric motorcycle to assist in local patrols and traffic enforcement. With an all-electric drivetrain, the acquisition of the Zero DS serves as a benchmark for evaluating the motorcycle in law enforcement situations, such as responding through traffic and on local bike trails.

	The 2011 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund provides financial awards ranging from $1,000–$4,000 to students preparing for careers in the automotive industry.

Students preparing for careers in the automotive industry may be eligible to receive financial awards ranging from $1,000–$4,000 through the 2011 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund (SMSF). The scholarship application, which is due April 1, 2011, and requires college transcripts and letters of recommendation, is now available at www.sema.org/scholarships.

“Paying for a high-quality education is a challenge for many, particularly in today’s tough economy,” said Jamie Eriksen, SEMA education director. “SEMA is pleased to play a part in helping students prepare for careers in an innovative and exciting industry.”

Unlike financial aid and student loans, the SEMA Memorial Scholarship is a one-time award that does not have to be paid back. Awards are granted to eligible applicants based on academic achievements, work experience, community involvement, essay content and recommendations. Students may re-apply each year, provided that they still meet the eligibility criteria. A loan forgiveness award is also available to recent graduates who are working for SEMA-member companies and paying off existing student loans. Details and applications for both the scholarship and the loan-forgiveness awards are available at www.sema.org/scholarships.

Winners will be notified in the summer of 2011. Scholarship payments are sent directly to the student’s college, university, trade or vocational school to help offset the cost of tuition. Loan-forgiveness payments are sent directly to the financial institutions.

For complete details, visit www.sema.org/scholarships or contact Juliet Marshall at julietm@sema.org, 909/978-6655.

	The 2011 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund provides financial awards ranging from $1,000–$4,000 to students preparing for careers in the automotive industry.

Students preparing for careers in the automotive industry may be eligible to receive financial awards ranging from $1,000–$4,000 through the 2011 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund (SMSF). The scholarship application, which is due April 1, 2011, and requires college transcripts and letters of recommendation, is now available at www.sema.org/scholarships.

“Paying for a high-quality education is a challenge for many, particularly in today’s tough economy,” said Jamie Eriksen, SEMA education director. “SEMA is pleased to play a part in helping students prepare for careers in an innovative and exciting industry.”

Unlike financial aid and student loans, the SEMA Memorial Scholarship is a one-time award that does not have to be paid back. Awards are granted to eligible applicants based on academic achievements, work experience, community involvement, essay content and recommendations. Students may re-apply each year, provided that they still meet the eligibility criteria. A loan forgiveness award is also available to recent graduates who are working for SEMA-member companies and paying off existing student loans. Details and applications for both the scholarship and the loan-forgiveness awards are available at www.sema.org/scholarships.

Winners will be notified in the summer of 2011. Scholarship payments are sent directly to the student’s college, university, trade or vocational school to help offset the cost of tuition. Loan-forgiveness payments are sent directly to the financial institutions.

For complete details, visit www.sema.org/scholarships or contact Juliet Marshall at julietm@sema.org, 909/978-6655.

Customer service specialist Nancy Friedman will lead the webinar session, "21 Great Unexpected Customer Service Tips."

Great customer service must be the hallmark of any successful business—not only to retain customers, but also to attract new ones. How is your staff doing? Have they become complacent? Could they use a refresher course? Gather your staff and participate in "21 Great Unexpected Customer Service Tips." These are unique techniques that will bring the service level of your organization to new heights.

Each tip, technique and skill will be discussed as well as how to best use it. While some of these tips and techniques may be familiar, Nancy Friedman, who will lead this webinar, brings a new perspective to each of them.

Friedman’s passion for retail sales and counter training goes above and beyond. As a customer service specialist, Friedman has brought programs to Car-X, Tuffy, Carstar, Precision Tune, LA Tire Dealers, Midas, National Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association (NTDRA) and a host of other automotive companies and associations over the years.

Join her on Thursday, January 20, from 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. (PST) as she conducts this lively session on customer service.

To register for this session or for more information, follow this link.

SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

All previously conducted webinars are also available for download, making it more convenient for members to access the sessions on their own schedules. To access the webinar archives page, click here.

Customer service specialist Nancy Friedman will lead the webinar session, "21 Great Unexpected Customer Service Tips."

Great customer service must be the hallmark of any successful business—not only to retain customers, but also to attract new ones. How is your staff doing? Have they become complacent? Could they use a refresher course? Gather your staff and participate in "21 Great Unexpected Customer Service Tips." These are unique techniques that will bring the service level of your organization to new heights.

Each tip, technique and skill will be discussed as well as how to best use it. While some of these tips and techniques may be familiar, Nancy Friedman, who will lead this webinar, brings a new perspective to each of them.

Friedman’s passion for retail sales and counter training goes above and beyond. As a customer service specialist, Friedman has brought programs to Car-X, Tuffy, Carstar, Precision Tune, LA Tire Dealers, Midas, National Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association (NTDRA) and a host of other automotive companies and associations over the years.

Join her on Thursday, January 20, from 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. (PST) as she conducts this lively session on customer service.

To register for this session or for more information, follow this link.

SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

All previously conducted webinars are also available for download, making it more convenient for members to access the sessions on their own schedules. To access the webinar archives page, click here.