A collation of industry associations was able to alter legislation that would have placed unnecessarily restrictive limits on substances in brake friction materials. Brakes rely heavily on the use of copper for lubricity and the prohibition will increase costs by forcing manufacturers to undertake extensive research and development of alternate materials.

The amended bill provides for exemptions for brakes to be used on vehicles manufactured by a low-volume manufacturer and those to be used on vehicles manufactured before the prohibition goes into effect in 2021.

Amendments to the bill also included the creation of an advisory board with the power to grant further exemptions on a case-by-case basis.

An original $1 fee per set of brake pads was also removed during negotiations so that the only remaining fee will be for parties requesting exemptions from the advisory board. The amended bill was signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger.

For more information, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA submitted comments to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) opposing a requirement that businesses issue 1099 reporting forms to all vendors from whom they buy more than $600 of goods or services in any year, beginning in 2012. The mandate was included in the health-care law as a revenue-raising provision.

In its comments to the IRS, SEMA noted that it will fail in its mission to collect much under-reported income, but it will succeed in punishing small-business taxpayers who already comply with U.S. tax law.

SEMA acknowledged that the 1099 provision was imposed upon the IRS and the agency is required to implement the law. SEMA noted it is working on its own and with a number of other organizations to have Congress repeal the provision. SEMA urged the IRS to convey the “repeal” message to Congress.

The provision has garnered widespread opposition on Capitol Hill. SEMA will continue to press Congress to repeal the measure, either when lawmakers reconvene in November or early next year.

Click here to read SEMA’s letter.

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

	The Business Management track set for the 2010 SEMA Show consists of 15 sessions.

Budgets are tight, but protecting your intellectual property—patents, trademarks and copyrights—is essential. How can a company make sure its intellectual property rights are protected while also keeping the amount spent on its intellectual property program within budget?

This 2010 SEMA Show seminar discusses the different types of intellectual property, affordable ways to protect the property and various resources that can help owners control costs while avoiding pitfalls.

Mark your calendars, and attend the seminar!

How to Manage the Costs of Protecting Your Intellectual Property
Thursday, November 4, 2010, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Presenters: Merritt Blakeslee, The Blakeslee Law Firm; Steve Lustig, Dickinson Wright; Robb Roby, Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear; Stuart Gosswein, SEMA (moderator)

This session is part of SEMA's comprehensive Business Management track at the 2010 SEMA Show. Below is a complete list of sessions:

Increase Your Profits and Lower Costs With the 20/20 Program
Monday, November 1, 2010
9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Presenters: Mike Madden, CMTC; Jonathan Garcia, CMTC

Borrowing Money in Today's Credit Jungle
Monday, November 1, 2010
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Presenter: Edward Brown, SBA

Growth Through Global Trade, Sponsored by UPS
Monday, November 1, 2010
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Presenters: Jim Beach, TheEntrepreneurSchool.com; Chris Hanks, director of UGA’s Entrepreneurship Program

Shipping Technology as a Competitive Advantage, Sponsored by UPS
Monday, November 1, 2010
3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Presenter: Jeff Enyart, Senior Director of UPS Customer Technology Marketing

The Plastic Factor—How Financing Creates a Steady Stream of Loyal Customers
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Presenter: David Jelley, GE Capital

Getting Your Financial House in Order: The 7 Steps to Financial Fitness
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Presenter: Carl Forssen, Business Resource Services Inc.

Taking the Mystery Out of the Numbers (Extended Session!)
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Presenter: Carl Forssen, Business Resource Services Inc.

Insurance: 5 Ways You Can Save Money
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Presenter: Bob Corwin, Specialty Equipment Insurance Alliance (SEIA)

Black Ink: Cash -low Management
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Presenter: Tom Shay, Profits+Plus

Creating Positive Cash Flow With an Open-to-Buy
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Presenter: Tom Shay, Profits+Plus

Shipping and Freight Services: Learn How to Save Money
Thursday, November 4, 2010
9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Presenter: Triina Turula, Siriani & Associates

How to Manage the Costs of Protecting Your Intellectual Property
Thursday, November 4, 2010
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Moderator: Stuart Gosswein, Director of Federal Government Affairs, SEMA
Presenters: Steve Lustig, Dickinson Wright, PLLC; Merritt Blakeslee, The Blakeslee Law Firm; Robb Roby, Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear

Calculate the Value of Your Company: Value Realization Strategies
Thursday, November 4, 2010
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Presenter: Bob Kinsella, Kinsella Group

Lending Best Practices in the Automotive Industry
Thursday, November 4, 2010
3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Presenters: Roy Boyadjian, Senior Vice President, Group Manager, Western Division Middle Market Group, Comerica Bank; Agatha Fung, EVP, Head of International Banking Division, EastWest Bank; Greg Grande, Senior Vice President and Manager, Citizens Business Bank; Charles Rosen, Executive Vice President, Community Bank; Paul Sitker, Vice President/Senior Relationship Manager, Manufacturers Bank

For more information, visit, www.SEMAShow.com/education.

	The Business Management track set for the 2010 SEMA Show consists of 15 sessions.

Budgets are tight, but protecting your intellectual property—patents, trademarks and copyrights—is essential. How can a company make sure its intellectual property rights are protected while also keeping the amount spent on its intellectual property program within budget?

This 2010 SEMA Show seminar discusses the different types of intellectual property, affordable ways to protect the property and various resources that can help owners control costs while avoiding pitfalls.

Mark your calendars, and attend the seminar!

How to Manage the Costs of Protecting Your Intellectual Property
Thursday, November 4, 2010, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Presenters: Merritt Blakeslee, The Blakeslee Law Firm; Steve Lustig, Dickinson Wright; Robb Roby, Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear; Stuart Gosswein, SEMA (moderator)

This session is part of SEMA's comprehensive Business Management track at the 2010 SEMA Show. Below is a complete list of sessions:

Increase Your Profits and Lower Costs With the 20/20 Program
Monday, November 1, 2010
9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Presenters: Mike Madden, CMTC; Jonathan Garcia, CMTC

Borrowing Money in Today's Credit Jungle
Monday, November 1, 2010
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Presenter: Edward Brown, SBA

Growth Through Global Trade, Sponsored by UPS
Monday, November 1, 2010
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Presenters: Jim Beach, TheEntrepreneurSchool.com; Chris Hanks, director of UGA’s Entrepreneurship Program

Shipping Technology as a Competitive Advantage, Sponsored by UPS
Monday, November 1, 2010
3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Presenter: Jeff Enyart, Senior Director of UPS Customer Technology Marketing

The Plastic Factor—How Financing Creates a Steady Stream of Loyal Customers
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Presenter: David Jelley, GE Capital

Getting Your Financial House in Order: The 7 Steps to Financial Fitness
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Presenter: Carl Forssen, Business Resource Services Inc.

Taking the Mystery Out of the Numbers (Extended Session!)
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Presenter: Carl Forssen, Business Resource Services Inc.

Insurance: 5 Ways You Can Save Money
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Presenter: Bob Corwin, Specialty Equipment Insurance Alliance (SEIA)

Black Ink: Cash -low Management
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Presenter: Tom Shay, Profits+Plus

Creating Positive Cash Flow With an Open-to-Buy
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Presenter: Tom Shay, Profits+Plus

Shipping and Freight Services: Learn How to Save Money
Thursday, November 4, 2010
9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Presenter: Triina Turula, Siriani & Associates

How to Manage the Costs of Protecting Your Intellectual Property
Thursday, November 4, 2010
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Moderator: Stuart Gosswein, Director of Federal Government Affairs, SEMA
Presenters: Steve Lustig, Dickinson Wright, PLLC; Merritt Blakeslee, The Blakeslee Law Firm; Robb Roby, Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear

Calculate the Value of Your Company: Value Realization Strategies
Thursday, November 4, 2010
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Presenter: Bob Kinsella, Kinsella Group

Lending Best Practices in the Automotive Industry
Thursday, November 4, 2010
3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N261
Presenters: Roy Boyadjian, Senior Vice President, Group Manager, Western Division Middle Market Group, Comerica Bank; Agatha Fung, EVP, Head of International Banking Division, EastWest Bank; Greg Grande, Senior Vice President and Manager, Citizens Business Bank; Charles Rosen, Executive Vice President, Community Bank; Paul Sitker, Vice President/Senior Relationship Manager, Manufacturers Bank

For more information, visit, www.SEMAShow.com/education.

The federal government intends to set stringent new fuel economy and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions standards for model year 2017–2025 vehicles. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are working with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to establish the standards.

The federal agencies have asked for public comment on four possible targets for reducing emissions, at 3%, 4%, 5% and 6% annually (equivalent to 47–62 mpg or 190–143 CO2 grams per mile).

The targets envision four scenarios to meet the standards, from relying on hybrid-electric vehicles and advanced gasoline engines to a combined fleet of hybrid/electric/gasoline-electric vehicles. Achieving the standards would require a reduction in vehicle mass and new powertrain technology.

According to government projections, while vehicle prices would rise by thousands of dollars, the consumer would ultimately save money in fuel costs. The federal government intends to issue a proposed rule by September 2011 and set final standards by July 2012. CARB is currently drafting its own CO2 standards for the same time period.

The government set new fuel-economy/CO2 standards for model years 2012–2016 cars/trucks in 2009. The rules established a national approach to regulating CO2 emissions rather than a patchwork of state rules. The average rating in 2016 will be 35.5 mpg/250 CO2 grams.

While the specialty-equipment industry is a leader in developing solutions to technological challenges, SEMA will review the data and assumptions upon which the fiscal years 2017–2025 proposal is based to determine if they can be applied to the mass-production marketplace and whether they would threaten consumer safety and choice.

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

	Scooter Brothers, SEMA chair-elect and Competition Performance Group COO, will be speaking at the "Global Growth: Successful Aftermarket Companies Show the Way to International Success" 2010 SEMA Show seminar.

Learn which Asian, European, Latin American and Middle Eastern countries are the most promising for your product and why during "Global Growth: Successful Aftermarket Companies Show the Way to International Success." Scooter Brothers, SEMA chair-elect and Competition Performance Group COO, and Kevin Floody, K&N Engineering Inc./AEM Intake Systems international business manager, will discuss the steps involved in identifying new markets around the world.

Brothers and Floody will also share some of the most important rules they have learned during their many years of building and maintaining international customers. Expand your company’s reach with this informative seminar. Wade Kawasaki, president and CEO of Exports International, will moderate the session.

SEMA Show Seminar Details

What: Global Growth: Successful Aftermarket Companies Show the Way to International Success
When: Monday, November 1, 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Moderator: Wade Kawasaki, President and CEO of Exports International
Location: Room N252, Las Vegas Convention Center

No R.S.V.P. needed.

	Scooter Brothers, SEMA chair-elect and Competition Performance Group COO, will be speaking at the "Global Growth: Successful Aftermarket Companies Show the Way to International Success" 2010 SEMA Show seminar.

Learn which Asian, European, Latin American and Middle Eastern countries are the most promising for your product and why during "Global Growth: Successful Aftermarket Companies Show the Way to International Success." Scooter Brothers, SEMA chair-elect and Competition Performance Group COO, and Kevin Floody, K&N Engineering Inc./AEM Intake Systems international business manager, will discuss the steps involved in identifying new markets around the world.

Brothers and Floody will also share some of the most important rules they have learned during their many years of building and maintaining international customers. Expand your company’s reach with this informative seminar. Wade Kawasaki, president and CEO of Exports International, will moderate the session.

SEMA Show Seminar Details

What: Global Growth: Successful Aftermarket Companies Show the Way to International Success
When: Monday, November 1, 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Moderator: Wade Kawasaki, President and CEO of Exports International
Location: Room N252, Las Vegas Convention Center

No R.S.V.P. needed.

	The MPMC Media Trade Conference will return to the Embassy Suites Los Angeles International Airport South in El Segundo, California, January 25–27, 2011.

The MPMC Media Trade Conference is a unique event that brings manufacturers and editorial staff from national and international media together for three days of face-to-face, 30-minute meetings. Nowhere else can a manufacturer have an opportunity to meet with editorial staff from so many publications and mediums. Likewise, nowhere else can editors and writers gather so much technical and new-product material in one place.

The media conference is available only to members of the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC).

Media registration is available online.

For more information about the MPMC, contact Jim Skelly at 909/978-6690 or e-mail jimsk@sema.org.

	The MPMC Media Trade Conference will return to the Embassy Suites Los Angeles International Airport South in El Segundo, California, January 25–27, 2011.

The MPMC Media Trade Conference is a unique event that brings manufacturers and editorial staff from national and international media together for three days of face-to-face, 30-minute meetings. Nowhere else can a manufacturer have an opportunity to meet with editorial staff from so many publications and mediums. Likewise, nowhere else can editors and writers gather so much technical and new-product material in one place.

The media conference is available only to members of the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC).

Media registration is available online.

For more information about the MPMC, contact Jim Skelly at 909/978-6690 or e-mail jimsk@sema.org.

	The MPMC Media Trade Conference will return to the Embassy Suites Los Angeles International Airport South in El Segundo, California, January 25–27, 2011.

The MPMC Media Trade Conference is a unique event that brings manufacturers and editorial staff from national and international media together for three days of face-to-face, 30-minute meetings. Nowhere else can a manufacturer have an opportunity to meet with editorial staff from so many publications and mediums. Likewise, nowhere else can editors and writers gather so much technical and new-product material in one place.

The media conference is available only to members of the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC).

Media registration is available online.

For more information about the MPMC, contact Jim Skelly at 909/978-6690 or e-mail jimsk@sema.org.