SEMA News - October 2009

Industry Celebrates New Hall of Famers, Board Members

		Past, present and future Chairmen of the Board Jim Cozzie, Paul “Scooter” Brothers, Mitch Williams, Rick Rollins and Corky Coker gathered at the SEMA Installation Banquet.

The event kicked off at 8:00 a.m. with the SEMA State of the Association presentation, the annual meeting open to all members to hear about and discuss the association’s direction.

The doors to the first-ever SEMA Show ‘N Shine car show opened at 9:00 a.m., with Chip Foose serving as Grand Marshal and signing autographs.

With the car show underway, SEMA’s Street Performance Council (SPC) opened the third annual Internet Symposium, which featured eight seminars presented by the SPC that focused on harnessing the power of the Internet to help specialty-equipment businesses grow. Topics ranged from the fundamentals of online marketing and improving product data standards for better distribution to using video to promote products and creating a savvy Internet marketing budget.

eBay’s Dora Fang, Henry Robinson and Famous Rhodes with Joe Sebergandio from Motor Media.											Alex Xydias and Ed Iskenderian attract fans wherever they go.

	Prior to the Gala Mitch Williams dethroned Jim Cozzie in the Pinewood Unlimited Class.

Emcee Dave McClelland hosted the ceremonies honoring SEMA Hall of Fame inductees as well as incoming and outgoing Board members. The program also featured remarks from new Chairman Rick Rollins and SEMA Cares Committee Chairman Joel Ayres.

The fundraising for Childhelp and Victory Junction didn’t stop at just the Pinewood auction and Gala. Additional donors stepped up later in the evening to take up Joel Ayres on his pledge to shave his head if certain donation criteria were met. By the end of the evening, Ayres, his wife Cindy, SEMA Board member and Show ‘N Shine organizer Mike Spagnola and SEMA Vice President of Communications and Events Peter MacGillivray all ended up on the business end of hair clippers in support of the children’s charities.

SEMA thanks all for their extraordinary volunteer efforts and encourages all who would like to volunteer for next year’s event to contact Special Events Administrator Lisa Moreno.

Jeep Worthan joined Bill Perry and Smokey Yunick as Hall of Fame inductees.

Newly installed SEMA Chairman Rick Rollins.

The SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser is the setting where SEMA-member companies contribute to two particularly worthy causes: Childhelp and the Victory Junction Gang Camp.

SEMA Chairman Rick Rollins and SEMA CEO Chris Kersting welcome Chair-elect Paul “Scooter” Brothers.

George Barris and Linda Vaughn.

Cathy Perry and family pay tribute to Hall of Fame inductee Bill Perry.

SEMA Immediate Past Chairman Jim Cozzie.

Trish Yunick Brown remembered her father, Smokey, who was inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame.

More than 100 Pinewood drag race cars were signed by industry icons for the silent auction.

SEMA Cares Chairman Joel Ayres makes good on his fundraising promise.

SEMA News-October 2009

Law and Order

Law and Order is an update of some of the most recent federal and state legislative and regulatory issues that could potentially impact the automotive specialty-equipment industry. These include issues affecting small-business owners and their employees.

Indiana

Indiana Antiques: SEMA is working with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and state hobbyist groups on a compromise to an agency proposal that would redefine the term “antique vehicle” in order to force more of these hobby cars into the emissions inspection program. Under existing law, an antique vehicle is defined as “a motor vehicle or motor scooter that is at least 25 years old.” Under the regulation, the definition would be revised to require that the vehicle must be at least 25 years old, registered and plated as a historic motor vehicle, driven a maximum of 3,000 miles per calendar year and include federally required pollution control equipment for that make and model year. Under the plan, the vehicle would be periodically forced into a vehicle emissions test site to verify that these requirements have been met. IDEM indicated that it will issue a revised version of its proposal that will contain less burdensome requirements.  

North Carolina

North Carolina Street Rods/Replicas: A version of SEMA-model legislation to create a vehicle registration classification for street rods, replicas and custom vehicles was signed into law by North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue. The new law is the product of negotiations between SEMA and the hobbyist network in North Carolina. The law retains the key components of the SEMA-model bill while relieving vehicle owners of unfair title branding and inspection concerns. The measure provides specific registration and titling classes for street rods and replicas; allows for the use of non-original materials; creates a titling and registration criterion that assigns replica vehicles the same model-year designation as the production vehicle intended to be replicated and requires that the title of a replica vehicle clearly indicates that the vehicle is a replica and not an original. The law is slated to take effect on October 1, 2009.

Oregon

Greenhouse Gas: Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski signed into law an alternative to legislation that originally sought to prohibit the sale and distribution of aftermarket motor vehicle parts if alternatives are available that “decrease greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles.” Under the alternative, negotiated between SEMA and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, the new law will only give the department authority to adopt the present California certification process for aftermarket emissions-related parts, allowing parts manufacturers to meet one uniform standard rather than a patchwork of multiple state standards.  

FEDERAL UPDATE

Health Care Reform: SEMA urged President Obama and Congress to ensure that reform efforts facilitate access to affordable health care for all small businesses. In a letter to the president, SEMA cautioned the administration not to ignore structural changes needed to reduce costs, increase competition and provide access to more choices. SEMA has committed itself to working with lawmakers to enact comprehensive health care reforms that will provide access to the estimated 27 million small-business owners, employees and dependents who are now uninsured. SEMA recommended that Congress allow small businesses to pool their resources when shopping for insurance, reject employer mandates under a “pay or play” system, and require the individual to participate in the system if they have access to a variety of insurance options and tax incentives. SEMA also urged lawmakers to tackle tort reform in order to eliminate billions of dollars of spending on unnecessary defensive medicine practices.

Cash for Clunkers Program: The $1 billion vehicle scrappage program authorized under the “Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act” (CARS) began in late July and almost immediately ran out of cash. Lawmakers quickly authorized another $2 billion in spending. Preliminary data indicated that consumers were replacing SUVs and pickups with smaller passenger cars. However, future data may reveal whether the scrapped cars were actually rarely driven second or third vehicles. SEMA convinced lawmakers to exclude pre-1984 vehicles from the program to safeguard vehicles that may possess unique historic or aesthetic value and are irreplaceable to hobbyists as a source of restoration parts. The program allows all parts to be recycled except the engine. During the scrappage debate, SEMA maintained that a better environmental approach would have been to support vehicle repairs, installation of specialty equipment to reduce emissions and increase fuel economy, and engine recycling.

Ethanol-15: SEMA submitted comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) opposing a request to allow the ethanol content of gasoline to increase to 15% (from 10%). SEMA cited concerns that the additional content could harm automobile parts of all ages, including special-interest collector and historic vehicles. A number of other organizations expressed similar concerns. Tests using ethanol concentrations of up to 20% have shown a notable increase in wear on vehicle fuel systems produced up through model year 1995, and especially for pre-1990 vehicles. Fuel pumps, tanks, seals, hoses and other rubber components are particularly subject to failures. The EPA has until December 1 to decide whether to grant or deny the request.

Tariffs on Chinese Tires: The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) recommended imposing tariffs of up to 55% to combat market disruptions caused by surging tire imports from China. Tariffs are currently 4% for radial passenger and light-truck tires and 3.4% for bias passenger and light-truck tires. President Obama is expected to decide by October whether to approve or deny the ITC’s recommendation or issue some other form of relief. Last June, the ITC ruled in favor of a petition filed by the United Steelworkers union on behalf of 15,000 U.S. tire workers that an import surge of Chinese-made tires had caused major job losses and plant closures in the U.S. The union had argued that China exported nearly 46 million tires last year to the U.S., and that the volume had tripled since 2004 while domestic production had decreased by more than 25%.

Truck Brakes: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a final rule aimed at improving the stopping distance for large trucks by 30%. The tougher requirements were first proposed in 2005 and will now be phased in over a four-year period beginning in model-year 2012. The rule applies only to truck tractors and does not include single-unit trucks, trailers or buses. Under the new performance standard, a tractor trailer traveling at 60 miles per hour must be able to come to a complete stop in 250 feet rather than the old standard’s 355 feet. Manufacturers should have several alternatives for achieving compliance, including installation of enhanced drum brakes, air disc brakes or hybrid disc/drum systems.  

SEMA News - October 2009

SEMA SoCal Car Show Draws Muscle, Customs, Rods and Foose

	Drawing 155 cars and 1,500 spectators, the inaugural SEMA Show ‘N Shine filled the Pasadena Convention Center with an eclectic mix of metal.

Show ‘N Shine organizer Mike Spagnola said that he was overwhelmed by the response as well as the generosity of sponsors Giovanna Wheels, Mothers Car Polish, WD-40 and Grand Marshal Chip Foose.

“I also truly appreciated the mix of cars,” Spagnola said. “When doing a car show, you have no control over what kind of cars show up. We were able to get a very eclectic group of cars, from a ‘32 Ford with a Ferrari motor to ‘69 Camaros, Chevy lowriders, ‘55 Ford trucks, Porsche Turbos, Lamborghinis and Alfas. It was a great social event that also gave manufacturers a chance to talk with car owners and enthusiasts—a first for SEMA.”

Grand Marshal Chip Foose was on hand to autograph and illustrate shirts, hats, posters, and share some tricks of the trade.

“I truly appreciated the mix of cars,” said Show ‘N Shine organizer and SEMA Board of Directors member Mike Spagnola.

The kids also stopped in to check out the Camaro giveaway at the WD-40 booth.

Several of the kids from Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp enjoyed some time with Grand Marshal Chip Foose.

“It was a great social event that also gave manufacturers a chance to talk with car owners and enthusiasts—a first for SEMA,” Spagnola said.

DeJuan Taylor took home both Best Engine and Participant’s Choice Awards with his ‘55 Chevy Nomad.

L.A. weatherman Dallas Raines (middle) visited with Giovanna’s Diko Sulahian (left) and Show ‘N Shine captain Mike Spagnola.

The event also featured vendors exhibiting their products

 Show ’N Shine Winners: 

SEMA Cares Selection Winners Steve Babbitt, 1955 Chevy, Diamond Bar, California Jerry Logan, 1968 Shelby Mustang, Portland, Oregon Greg Wood, 1967 VW Bus, Lake Elsinore, California Dennis Kordyak, 1958 Chevy, San Bernardino, California Fred DeFalco, 1936 Ford, Anaheim, California Marty Fisher, 1950 Oldsmobile, Northridge, California				All proceeds from the SEMA Show ‘N Shine car show entry fees went to Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp charities.
Best Interior: Steve Strope,  1970 Dodge Charger, Simi Valley, California                                               Best Engine: DeJuan Taylor, 1955 Chevy Nomad, Altadena, California People’s Choice: Charlie Tachdjian, 1932 Ford, Pomona, California Participant’s Choice: DeJuan Taylor, 1955 Chevy Nomad, Altadena, California				Winners of the 2009 inaugural SEMA Show ‘N Shine awards

SEMA News - October 2009

SEMA SoCal Car Show Draws Muscle, Customs, Rods and Foose

	Drawing 155 cars and 1,500 spectators, the inaugural SEMA Show ‘N Shine filled the Pasadena Convention Center with an eclectic mix of metal.

Show ‘N Shine organizer Mike Spagnola said that he was overwhelmed by the response as well as the generosity of sponsors Giovanna Wheels, Mothers Car Polish, WD-40 and Grand Marshal Chip Foose.

“I also truly appreciated the mix of cars,” Spagnola said. “When doing a car show, you have no control over what kind of cars show up. We were able to get a very eclectic group of cars, from a ‘32 Ford with a Ferrari motor to ‘69 Camaros, Chevy lowriders, ‘55 Ford trucks, Porsche Turbos, Lamborghinis and Alfas. It was a great social event that also gave manufacturers a chance to talk with car owners and enthusiasts—a first for SEMA.”

Grand Marshal Chip Foose was on hand to autograph and illustrate shirts, hats, posters, and share some tricks of the trade.

“I truly appreciated the mix of cars,” said Show ‘N Shine organizer and SEMA Board of Directors member Mike Spagnola.

The kids also stopped in to check out the Camaro giveaway at the WD-40 booth.

Several of the kids from Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp enjoyed some time with Grand Marshal Chip Foose.

“It was a great social event that also gave manufacturers a chance to talk with car owners and enthusiasts—a first for SEMA,” Spagnola said.

DeJuan Taylor took home both Best Engine and Participant’s Choice Awards with his ‘55 Chevy Nomad.

L.A. weatherman Dallas Raines (middle) visited with Giovanna’s Diko Sulahian (left) and Show ‘N Shine captain Mike Spagnola.

The event also featured vendors exhibiting their products

 Show ’N Shine Winners: 

SEMA Cares Selection Winners Steve Babbitt, 1955 Chevy, Diamond Bar, California Jerry Logan, 1968 Shelby Mustang, Portland, Oregon Greg Wood, 1967 VW Bus, Lake Elsinore, California Dennis Kordyak, 1958 Chevy, San Bernardino, California Fred DeFalco, 1936 Ford, Anaheim, California Marty Fisher, 1950 Oldsmobile, Northridge, California				All proceeds from the SEMA Show ‘N Shine car show entry fees went to Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp charities.
Best Interior: Steve Strope,  1970 Dodge Charger, Simi Valley, California                                               Best Engine: DeJuan Taylor, 1955 Chevy Nomad, Altadena, California People’s Choice: Charlie Tachdjian, 1932 Ford, Pomona, California Participant’s Choice: DeJuan Taylor, 1955 Chevy Nomad, Altadena, California				Winners of the 2009 inaugural SEMA Show ‘N Shine awards

SEMA News - October 2009

A New Champion is Crowned
 

	Victory Junction Gang Camper Josh Bovee assisted HRIA Chairman Dennis Overholser with kicking off the Pinewood Drag finals.

As the evening reception opened, the stage was set for the final round of races, including the highly anticipated showdown between SEMA Chairman Jim Cozzie and former SEMA Chairman Mitch Williams. After much trash talk between both competitors, Williams unseated Cozzie—last year’s winner in the Unlimited class.

“Jim is a very formidable competitor—the kind you want to race as few times as possible,” said Williams. “He and I have very similar types of automotive experience and knowledge, so it is a little bit like trying to outsmart yourself, which is not easy to do.”

“I knew going in that I had a target on my back stemming from our runaway win last year,” said Cozzie. “The competition was very close this year. Unfortunately, we lost, but I am happy that Mitch won the class, as his determination and ingenuity shown brightly on the cars he entered.”

“Great friendships should be expected to do great work in the world, and I am pleased that Jim and I could use our friendship to generate more interest in the SEMA Pinewood Drag Race,” said Williams.

“I was also very pleased with the turnout of race cars and the support the Pinewood Drag Race enjoyed,” agreed Cozzie. “At the end of the day, it’s all about helping the kids at Victory Junction and Childhelp.”

Defending Unlimited Class champ Jim Cozzie shared a few speed secrets with Mike Spagnola Jr.						The second-annual Pinewood Drag Race presented by eBay Motors inspired colorful and creative designs.

SEMA Pinewood Drag Race Winners

SEMA News - October 2009

By Steve Campbell

A Preview of the 2009 SEMA Show

	While SEMA provides the canvas, it is the industry and SEMA members who provide the magic that is the Show.

The SEMA Show is a reflection of the automotive specialty-equipment industry. Over the years, it has expanded and contracted as the economy boomed and faltered, but one thing hasn’t changed: The SEMA Show has always offered success to the industry through the good times and the bad because of the industry itself. Automotive professionals love what they do, through all their triumphs and tragedies, and they inspire their fellow professionals to thrive and to seek greatness. While SEMA provides the canvas, it is the industry and SEMA members who provide the magic that is the Show.

The association is working harder than ever to ensure a successful SEMA Show no matter how the words are defined. What follows are descriptions of some of the programs that will highlight the SEMA Show this year. See where your definition of success might be found.

Interactive Floorplan

Check out the enhanced online SEMA Show floorplan. Just click on the floorplan starburst on the Show home page and then select which hall you’d like to view. Once you’re on the floorplan page, you can also click on the name of the exhibitor you want to visit, and the website will not only open the appropriate hall but will also show you an expanded view of the exhibitor’s booth location. You can search by exhibitor category, booth number or section, and each exhibitor’s name, booth number and booth size pops up as you scroll your mouse over the floorplan. Click on the booth, and a popup provides details about the exhibitor. These new features will make planning your SEMA Show a whole lot easier!

Buyers and Exhibitors Connect

			Once you’re on the floorplan page, you can also click on the name of the exhibitor you want to visit, and the website will not only open the appropriate hall but will also show you an expanded view of the exhibitor’s booth location.

Featured Automaker-Ford

Ford Motor Company will be the featured automaker of the 2009 SEMA Show and will be partnering with the association on several branding and technology programs. “Ford Motor Company is pleased to be the featured manufacturer for the 2009 SEMA Show,” said John Felice, general manager of Ford and Lincoln Mercury marketing. “The SEMA Show provides us with the opportunity to showcase the flexibility of our vehicles for personalization and accessorization and ultimately drive sales of our new cars, trucks, crossovers, and SUVs.” The automaker is one of the premiere participants with the specialty-equipment industry on technology-sharing programs. Ford has also received several of SEMA’s prestigious design awards for creating accessory-friendly vehicles. Stay tuned for special Ford programs at the Show.

New Show Sections

	Ford Motor Company will be the featured automaker of the 2009 SEMA Show and will be partnering with the association on several branding and technology programs.

Transportation

Las Vegas is a happening town, and the SEMA Show is an up-tempo event. Getting from place to place is vital for SEMA Show attendees and exhibitors alike, but it’s made easy with the myriad transportation options available to and from the Las Vegas Convention Center. There are cabs, complimentary shuttle buses routed specifically to more than 20 hotels, and the city’s monorail system, which offers a convenient stop right at the Convention Center. Here is a list of participating hotels, rental vehicle and airline travel options. Getting there is no longer a challenge. And, to make travel even easier, airline service kiosks in the Central Hall may be used to obtain boarding passes as well as for luggage check-in and transport. This year, airport-style plasma screens will provide information about flight arrivals and departures, and various services are available to customers of US Airlines, Frontier, Delta, Southwest, Ted and United.

Association Center

SEMA is far more than the SEMA Show alone. The association offers insurance programs, freight-savings programs and research programs regarding both domestic and international markets and products. There is also legislative advocacy, career development and training, employee recruitment, industry news, international relations and technology transfer programs that provide CAD and other design data directly from the manufacturers. Members may also take advantage of SEMA’s myriad networking events, other trade shows and much more. Stop by the Association Center in the North Hall at this year’s SEMA Show to discover everything there is to know about membership in the association.

Media Center

Hundreds of journalists—print, broadcast and Internet—cover the SEMA Show each year, and their Las Vegas annex is the Media Center (Room S219, between the Central and South Halls). Credentialed media have unbridled access to the SEMA Show during exhibit hours, and the Media Center provides them with free use of computers, press conferences and other amenities. The center is also the distribution point for exhibitor press releases and press kits. Exhibitors may stock a maximum of 100 copies at a time and are encouraged to restock as needed. To ensure that materials are available throughout the Show, personally deliver your materials before Monday, November 2, and Media Center staff will direct you where to place them. Items shipped directly to the media center will not be stocked or stored.

Internet Access

Wireless Internet access is a true boon for business people at the SEMA Show. Thousands of attendees have taken advantage of this complimentary service since the association began to provide it a couple of years ago. Signal strength and availability has been improved for 2009, so bring along your laptop. Continue to keep in touch with the home office even as you’re making contacts and doing business on the Show floor.

International

	The SEMA Industry Awards Banquet is a special time to gather and pay tribute to those who have made an immense impact and contributed to the industry.

SEMA Awards Banquet

Comedian Bill Engvall will headline one of the most anticipated events during the SEMA Show, the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet to be held Thursday, November 5. The banquet honors the most recent inductees to the SEMA Hall of Fame as well as the winners of industry awards that include the SEMA Person of the Year, WD of the Year and Manufacturers’ Rep of the Year. “The SEMA Industry Awards Banquet is a special time to gather and pay tribute to those who have made an immense impact and contributed to the industry,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of events and communications. Tickets to the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet are available to those registered attendees at the SEMA Show and cost $50 per individual or $500 to reserve a table for 10. Visit the “Special Events Reservation” of the Show website to order tickets.

Feature Vehicles

	The spectacular presentation of customized project and concept vehicles will be on display throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Internet Marketing

The first-ever SEMA conference dedicated to online marketing will be held at the 2009 SEMA Show. Companies will learn how to profit and promote themselves through the Internet at this one-day conference on Monday, November 2, 2009—the day before the official opening of the Show. The program is valued at more than $1,500, based on costs for other one-day Internet marketing programs, but qualified professionals in the automotive industry may register for the conference for $199 per person, which includes free admission to the 2009 SEMA Show. “We’ve gathered some of the top Internet marketing experts for this unprecedented conference,” said Nathan Ridnouer, SEMA vice president of membership and councils. “Participants will discover proven strategies and hidden secrets for online marketing success.” And, as further incentive, SEMA is offering a money-back guarantee to those not fully satisfied with what they learn at the conference.

Press Conferences

	There may be no better way to get the word out than through a press conference at the SEMA Show, where the world’s automotive media are clamoring for information and story ideas.

Publications

Want to see what’s currently hot in the marketplace? Want to find out what consumers are really interested in? Check out the dozens of domestic publications produced by companies exhibiting at 2009 SEMA Show. These publications are distributed for free while supplies last outside of the SEMA Show Media Center on the South Hall Skybridge. In addition, international magazines are also distributed for free outside of the Center for International Commerce on the South Hall Skybridge. Get the lowdown for no dough!

Making Green Cool Zone

	The Making Green Cool Zone is dedicated to keeping members informed about the latest vehicle technology opportunities, challenges and solutions associated with high-performance engineering, energy efficiency and demonstrating that horsepower and green power can coexist without sacrificing the cool factor.

Mopar Alley

When you need to traverse between the South Hall and the Central Hall in the Las Vegas Convention Center at the SEMA Show, there’s no better way than to navigate through Mopar Alley. This time-saving shortcut treats you to some of the hottest cars, parts and eye candy that SEMA and Mopar have to offer. From musclecars and trucks to the latest Chrysler offerings, Mopar Alley is a treat for enthusiasts of every stripe. But get there early in the week, because Mopar Alley closes at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 6.

New Products

The SEMA Show is all about the products, and one of the best ways to find the most innovative among them is the New Products Showcase. Each exhibit case presents new parts, packaging and merchandising to industry buyers and media, providing exhibitors with invaluable exposure both during and after the Show. The first new-product entry is free, and all of the entries will be judged on Monday, November 2, with the best among them receiving recognition at the annual New Product Awards Breakfast to be held Tuesday, November 3, starting at 7:30 a.m. Photographs of every entry are featured in the January issue of SEMA News and at www.SEMAphotos.com. Each buyer at this year’s Show will also be provided with a scanning fob that electronically collects information about only the products selected by the attendee for either printout or to receive as an e-mail after the Show. The New Product Showcase has been relocated to the South Hall for 2009. Don’t miss it!

Motor Trend Proving Ground

	The Motor Trend Proving Ground, this year hosted by the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, will again be located between the Central and South Halls.

West Coast Customs

Get your chance to paint, stitch and weld with some of the top custom car builders in the business today. Visit the West Coast Customs Experience, located in the Silver Lot in front of the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Join Ryan Friedlinghaus and the crew of his West Coast Customs automotive shop for fabrication and equipment technology demonstrations. The West Coast Customs Experience will also feature hands-on participation in three to four master classes per day. Each 90-minute class will be small—only eight to 10 people—so early sign-up is critical. About 400 people will have the opportunity to join the classes. To sign up, visit www.wccexperience.com.

Dealer Day

Vehicle dealers will discover recession-busting solutions to dramatically increase sales and profits through vehicle accessorization at the 2009 SEMA Show Dealer Day, Wednesday, November 4. During the program, which runs from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., dealers while be shown how to integrate and speed accessory sales as well as turn used vehicles into new money. They will also learn about warranty, liability and quality issues. Advanced registration is $75 until October 16, and on-site registration is $125. For more information or to register, click here. 

Interactive Displays

The outdoor displays offer more than your average hot rod. The Big Rig displays located in the Silver Lot at the front of the Las Vegas Convention Center showcase an impressive collection of exhibitor show rigs, race transporters and coaches fitted with the latest equipment and accessories. See products, parts and cushy rides, but also check out the tractor/trailer rigs themselves.

SEMA Store

While brochures, information sheets and product photos are a given at the SEMA Show, don’t forget to stop by one of the SEMA Store locations in the Grand Lobby, the Lower South Hall Lobby, the Central/South Hall Skybridge, the Silver Lot, and at the east end of the Grand Lobby Concourse. The stores are chock full of industry gifts and collectibles. Pick up gifts for friends and business associates back home, including T-shirts, hats, rolling back packs, books and more.

Show Daily

The SEMA Show Daily is the official newspaper of the 2009 SEMA Show and will be distributed at kiosks throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center and at the entrance to each exhibit hall starting on opening day, November 2. The SEMA Show Daily brings you the latest news from the Show floor and is organized by Show section, including Racing & Performance; Mobile Electronics & Technology; Hot Rod Alley; Paint, Body & Equipment; Truck, SUVs & Off-Road; Tires, Wheels & Equipment; Powersports & Utility Vehicles; Restoration Marketplace; Restyling & Car Care Accessories; Tools & Equipment; and Business Services. To get the latest news about the SEMA Show while you’re at the SEMA Show, pick up a copy of the SEMA Show Daily!

SEMA News - October 2009

By Steve Campbell

A Preview of the 2009 SEMA Show

	While SEMA provides the canvas, it is the industry and SEMA members who provide the magic that is the Show.

The SEMA Show is a reflection of the automotive specialty-equipment industry. Over the years, it has expanded and contracted as the economy boomed and faltered, but one thing hasn’t changed: The SEMA Show has always offered success to the industry through the good times and the bad because of the industry itself. Automotive professionals love what they do, through all their triumphs and tragedies, and they inspire their fellow professionals to thrive and to seek greatness. While SEMA provides the canvas, it is the industry and SEMA members who provide the magic that is the Show.

The association is working harder than ever to ensure a successful SEMA Show no matter how the words are defined. What follows are descriptions of some of the programs that will highlight the SEMA Show this year. See where your definition of success might be found.

Interactive Floorplan

Check out the enhanced online SEMA Show floorplan. Just click on the floorplan starburst on the Show home page and then select which hall you’d like to view. Once you’re on the floorplan page, you can also click on the name of the exhibitor you want to visit, and the website will not only open the appropriate hall but will also show you an expanded view of the exhibitor’s booth location. You can search by exhibitor category, booth number or section, and each exhibitor’s name, booth number and booth size pops up as you scroll your mouse over the floorplan. Click on the booth, and a popup provides details about the exhibitor. These new features will make planning your SEMA Show a whole lot easier!

Buyers and Exhibitors Connect

			Once you’re on the floorplan page, you can also click on the name of the exhibitor you want to visit, and the website will not only open the appropriate hall but will also show you an expanded view of the exhibitor’s booth location.

Featured Automaker-Ford

Ford Motor Company will be the featured automaker of the 2009 SEMA Show and will be partnering with the association on several branding and technology programs. “Ford Motor Company is pleased to be the featured manufacturer for the 2009 SEMA Show,” said John Felice, general manager of Ford and Lincoln Mercury marketing. “The SEMA Show provides us with the opportunity to showcase the flexibility of our vehicles for personalization and accessorization and ultimately drive sales of our new cars, trucks, crossovers, and SUVs.” The automaker is one of the premiere participants with the specialty-equipment industry on technology-sharing programs. Ford has also received several of SEMA’s prestigious design awards for creating accessory-friendly vehicles. Stay tuned for special Ford programs at the Show.

New Show Sections

	Ford Motor Company will be the featured automaker of the 2009 SEMA Show and will be partnering with the association on several branding and technology programs.

Transportation

Las Vegas is a happening town, and the SEMA Show is an up-tempo event. Getting from place to place is vital for SEMA Show attendees and exhibitors alike, but it’s made easy with the myriad transportation options available to and from the Las Vegas Convention Center. There are cabs, complimentary shuttle buses routed specifically to more than 20 hotels, and the city’s monorail system, which offers a convenient stop right at the Convention Center. Here is a list of participating hotels, rental vehicle and airline travel options. Getting there is no longer a challenge. And, to make travel even easier, airline service kiosks in the Central Hall may be used to obtain boarding passes as well as for luggage check-in and transport. This year, airport-style plasma screens will provide information about flight arrivals and departures, and various services are available to customers of US Airlines, Frontier, Delta, Southwest, Ted and United.

Association Center

SEMA is far more than the SEMA Show alone. The association offers insurance programs, freight-savings programs and research programs regarding both domestic and international markets and products. There is also legislative advocacy, career development and training, employee recruitment, industry news, international relations and technology transfer programs that provide CAD and other design data directly from the manufacturers. Members may also take advantage of SEMA’s myriad networking events, other trade shows and much more. Stop by the Association Center in the North Hall at this year’s SEMA Show to discover everything there is to know about membership in the association.

Media Center

Hundreds of journalists—print, broadcast and Internet—cover the SEMA Show each year, and their Las Vegas annex is the Media Center (Room S219, between the Central and South Halls). Credentialed media have unbridled access to the SEMA Show during exhibit hours, and the Media Center provides them with free use of computers, press conferences and other amenities. The center is also the distribution point for exhibitor press releases and press kits. Exhibitors may stock a maximum of 100 copies at a time and are encouraged to restock as needed. To ensure that materials are available throughout the Show, personally deliver your materials before Monday, November 2, and Media Center staff will direct you where to place them. Items shipped directly to the media center will not be stocked or stored.

Internet Access

Wireless Internet access is a true boon for business people at the SEMA Show. Thousands of attendees have taken advantage of this complimentary service since the association began to provide it a couple of years ago. Signal strength and availability has been improved for 2009, so bring along your laptop. Continue to keep in touch with the home office even as you’re making contacts and doing business on the Show floor.

International

	The SEMA Industry Awards Banquet is a special time to gather and pay tribute to those who have made an immense impact and contributed to the industry.

SEMA Awards Banquet

Comedian Bill Engvall will headline one of the most anticipated events during the SEMA Show, the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet to be held Thursday, November 5. The banquet honors the most recent inductees to the SEMA Hall of Fame as well as the winners of industry awards that include the SEMA Person of the Year, WD of the Year and Manufacturers’ Rep of the Year. “The SEMA Industry Awards Banquet is a special time to gather and pay tribute to those who have made an immense impact and contributed to the industry,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of events and communications. Tickets to the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet are available to those registered attendees at the SEMA Show and cost $50 per individual or $500 to reserve a table for 10. Visit the “Special Events Reservation” of the Show website to order tickets.

Feature Vehicles

	The spectacular presentation of customized project and concept vehicles will be on display throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Internet Marketing

The first-ever SEMA conference dedicated to online marketing will be held at the 2009 SEMA Show. Companies will learn how to profit and promote themselves through the Internet at this one-day conference on Monday, November 2, 2009—the day before the official opening of the Show. The program is valued at more than $1,500, based on costs for other one-day Internet marketing programs, but qualified professionals in the automotive industry may register for the conference for $199 per person, which includes free admission to the 2009 SEMA Show. “We’ve gathered some of the top Internet marketing experts for this unprecedented conference,” said Nathan Ridnouer, SEMA vice president of membership and councils. “Participants will discover proven strategies and hidden secrets for online marketing success.” And, as further incentive, SEMA is offering a money-back guarantee to those not fully satisfied with what they learn at the conference.

Press Conferences

	There may be no better way to get the word out than through a press conference at the SEMA Show, where the world’s automotive media are clamoring for information and story ideas.

Publications

Want to see what’s currently hot in the marketplace? Want to find out what consumers are really interested in? Check out the dozens of domestic publications produced by companies exhibiting at 2009 SEMA Show. These publications are distributed for free while supplies last outside of the SEMA Show Media Center on the South Hall Skybridge. In addition, international magazines are also distributed for free outside of the Center for International Commerce on the South Hall Skybridge. Get the lowdown for no dough!

Making Green Cool Zone

	The Making Green Cool Zone is dedicated to keeping members informed about the latest vehicle technology opportunities, challenges and solutions associated with high-performance engineering, energy efficiency and demonstrating that horsepower and green power can coexist without sacrificing the cool factor.

Mopar Alley

When you need to traverse between the South Hall and the Central Hall in the Las Vegas Convention Center at the SEMA Show, there’s no better way than to navigate through Mopar Alley. This time-saving shortcut treats you to some of the hottest cars, parts and eye candy that SEMA and Mopar have to offer. From musclecars and trucks to the latest Chrysler offerings, Mopar Alley is a treat for enthusiasts of every stripe. But get there early in the week, because Mopar Alley closes at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 6.

New Products

The SEMA Show is all about the products, and one of the best ways to find the most innovative among them is the New Products Showcase. Each exhibit case presents new parts, packaging and merchandising to industry buyers and media, providing exhibitors with invaluable exposure both during and after the Show. The first new-product entry is free, and all of the entries will be judged on Monday, November 2, with the best among them receiving recognition at the annual New Product Awards Breakfast to be held Tuesday, November 3, starting at 7:30 a.m. Photographs of every entry are featured in the January issue of SEMA News and at www.SEMAphotos.com. Each buyer at this year’s Show will also be provided with a scanning fob that electronically collects information about only the products selected by the attendee for either printout or to receive as an e-mail after the Show. The New Product Showcase has been relocated to the South Hall for 2009. Don’t miss it!

Motor Trend Proving Ground

	The Motor Trend Proving Ground, this year hosted by the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, will again be located between the Central and South Halls.

West Coast Customs

Get your chance to paint, stitch and weld with some of the top custom car builders in the business today. Visit the West Coast Customs Experience, located in the Silver Lot in front of the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Join Ryan Friedlinghaus and the crew of his West Coast Customs automotive shop for fabrication and equipment technology demonstrations. The West Coast Customs Experience will also feature hands-on participation in three to four master classes per day. Each 90-minute class will be small—only eight to 10 people—so early sign-up is critical. About 400 people will have the opportunity to join the classes. To sign up, visit www.wccexperience.com.

Dealer Day

Vehicle dealers will discover recession-busting solutions to dramatically increase sales and profits through vehicle accessorization at the 2009 SEMA Show Dealer Day, Wednesday, November 4. During the program, which runs from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., dealers while be shown how to integrate and speed accessory sales as well as turn used vehicles into new money. They will also learn about warranty, liability and quality issues. Advanced registration is $75 until October 16, and on-site registration is $125. For more information or to register, click here. 

Interactive Displays

The outdoor displays offer more than your average hot rod. The Big Rig displays located in the Silver Lot at the front of the Las Vegas Convention Center showcase an impressive collection of exhibitor show rigs, race transporters and coaches fitted with the latest equipment and accessories. See products, parts and cushy rides, but also check out the tractor/trailer rigs themselves.

SEMA Store

While brochures, information sheets and product photos are a given at the SEMA Show, don’t forget to stop by one of the SEMA Store locations in the Grand Lobby, the Lower South Hall Lobby, the Central/South Hall Skybridge, the Silver Lot, and at the east end of the Grand Lobby Concourse. The stores are chock full of industry gifts and collectibles. Pick up gifts for friends and business associates back home, including T-shirts, hats, rolling back packs, books and more.

Show Daily

The SEMA Show Daily is the official newspaper of the 2009 SEMA Show and will be distributed at kiosks throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center and at the entrance to each exhibit hall starting on opening day, November 2. The SEMA Show Daily brings you the latest news from the Show floor and is organized by Show section, including Racing & Performance; Mobile Electronics & Technology; Hot Rod Alley; Paint, Body & Equipment; Truck, SUVs & Off-Road; Tires, Wheels & Equipment; Powersports & Utility Vehicles; Restoration Marketplace; Restyling & Car Care Accessories; Tools & Equipment; and Business Services. To get the latest news about the SEMA Show while you’re at the SEMA Show, pick up a copy of the SEMA Show Daily!

SEMA News - October 2009

By Steve Campbell

A Preview of the 2009 SEMA Show

	While SEMA provides the canvas, it is the industry and SEMA members who provide the magic that is the Show.

The SEMA Show is a reflection of the automotive specialty-equipment industry. Over the years, it has expanded and contracted as the economy boomed and faltered, but one thing hasn’t changed: The SEMA Show has always offered success to the industry through the good times and the bad because of the industry itself. Automotive professionals love what they do, through all their triumphs and tragedies, and they inspire their fellow professionals to thrive and to seek greatness. While SEMA provides the canvas, it is the industry and SEMA members who provide the magic that is the Show.

The association is working harder than ever to ensure a successful SEMA Show no matter how the words are defined. What follows are descriptions of some of the programs that will highlight the SEMA Show this year. See where your definition of success might be found.

Interactive Floorplan

Check out the enhanced online SEMA Show floorplan. Just click on the floorplan starburst on the Show home page and then select which hall you’d like to view. Once you’re on the floorplan page, you can also click on the name of the exhibitor you want to visit, and the website will not only open the appropriate hall but will also show you an expanded view of the exhibitor’s booth location. You can search by exhibitor category, booth number or section, and each exhibitor’s name, booth number and booth size pops up as you scroll your mouse over the floorplan. Click on the booth, and a popup provides details about the exhibitor. These new features will make planning your SEMA Show a whole lot easier!

Buyers and Exhibitors Connect

			Once you’re on the floorplan page, you can also click on the name of the exhibitor you want to visit, and the website will not only open the appropriate hall but will also show you an expanded view of the exhibitor’s booth location.

Featured Automaker-Ford

Ford Motor Company will be the featured automaker of the 2009 SEMA Show and will be partnering with the association on several branding and technology programs. “Ford Motor Company is pleased to be the featured manufacturer for the 2009 SEMA Show,” said John Felice, general manager of Ford and Lincoln Mercury marketing. “The SEMA Show provides us with the opportunity to showcase the flexibility of our vehicles for personalization and accessorization and ultimately drive sales of our new cars, trucks, crossovers, and SUVs.” The automaker is one of the premiere participants with the specialty-equipment industry on technology-sharing programs. Ford has also received several of SEMA’s prestigious design awards for creating accessory-friendly vehicles. Stay tuned for special Ford programs at the Show.

New Show Sections

	Ford Motor Company will be the featured automaker of the 2009 SEMA Show and will be partnering with the association on several branding and technology programs.

Transportation

Las Vegas is a happening town, and the SEMA Show is an up-tempo event. Getting from place to place is vital for SEMA Show attendees and exhibitors alike, but it’s made easy with the myriad transportation options available to and from the Las Vegas Convention Center. There are cabs, complimentary shuttle buses routed specifically to more than 20 hotels, and the city’s monorail system, which offers a convenient stop right at the Convention Center. Here is a list of participating hotels, rental vehicle and airline travel options. Getting there is no longer a challenge. And, to make travel even easier, airline service kiosks in the Central Hall may be used to obtain boarding passes as well as for luggage check-in and transport. This year, airport-style plasma screens will provide information about flight arrivals and departures, and various services are available to customers of US Airlines, Frontier, Delta, Southwest, Ted and United.

Association Center

SEMA is far more than the SEMA Show alone. The association offers insurance programs, freight-savings programs and research programs regarding both domestic and international markets and products. There is also legislative advocacy, career development and training, employee recruitment, industry news, international relations and technology transfer programs that provide CAD and other design data directly from the manufacturers. Members may also take advantage of SEMA’s myriad networking events, other trade shows and much more. Stop by the Association Center in the North Hall at this year’s SEMA Show to discover everything there is to know about membership in the association.

Media Center

Hundreds of journalists—print, broadcast and Internet—cover the SEMA Show each year, and their Las Vegas annex is the Media Center (Room S219, between the Central and South Halls). Credentialed media have unbridled access to the SEMA Show during exhibit hours, and the Media Center provides them with free use of computers, press conferences and other amenities. The center is also the distribution point for exhibitor press releases and press kits. Exhibitors may stock a maximum of 100 copies at a time and are encouraged to restock as needed. To ensure that materials are available throughout the Show, personally deliver your materials before Monday, November 2, and Media Center staff will direct you where to place them. Items shipped directly to the media center will not be stocked or stored.

Internet Access

Wireless Internet access is a true boon for business people at the SEMA Show. Thousands of attendees have taken advantage of this complimentary service since the association began to provide it a couple of years ago. Signal strength and availability has been improved for 2009, so bring along your laptop. Continue to keep in touch with the home office even as you’re making contacts and doing business on the Show floor.

International

	The SEMA Industry Awards Banquet is a special time to gather and pay tribute to those who have made an immense impact and contributed to the industry.

SEMA Awards Banquet

Comedian Bill Engvall will headline one of the most anticipated events during the SEMA Show, the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet to be held Thursday, November 5. The banquet honors the most recent inductees to the SEMA Hall of Fame as well as the winners of industry awards that include the SEMA Person of the Year, WD of the Year and Manufacturers’ Rep of the Year. “The SEMA Industry Awards Banquet is a special time to gather and pay tribute to those who have made an immense impact and contributed to the industry,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of events and communications. Tickets to the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet are available to those registered attendees at the SEMA Show and cost $50 per individual or $500 to reserve a table for 10. Visit the “Special Events Reservation” of the Show website to order tickets.

Feature Vehicles

	The spectacular presentation of customized project and concept vehicles will be on display throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Internet Marketing

The first-ever SEMA conference dedicated to online marketing will be held at the 2009 SEMA Show. Companies will learn how to profit and promote themselves through the Internet at this one-day conference on Monday, November 2, 2009—the day before the official opening of the Show. The program is valued at more than $1,500, based on costs for other one-day Internet marketing programs, but qualified professionals in the automotive industry may register for the conference for $199 per person, which includes free admission to the 2009 SEMA Show. “We’ve gathered some of the top Internet marketing experts for this unprecedented conference,” said Nathan Ridnouer, SEMA vice president of membership and councils. “Participants will discover proven strategies and hidden secrets for online marketing success.” And, as further incentive, SEMA is offering a money-back guarantee to those not fully satisfied with what they learn at the conference.

Press Conferences

	There may be no better way to get the word out than through a press conference at the SEMA Show, where the world’s automotive media are clamoring for information and story ideas.

Publications

Want to see what’s currently hot in the marketplace? Want to find out what consumers are really interested in? Check out the dozens of domestic publications produced by companies exhibiting at 2009 SEMA Show. These publications are distributed for free while supplies last outside of the SEMA Show Media Center on the South Hall Skybridge. In addition, international magazines are also distributed for free outside of the Center for International Commerce on the South Hall Skybridge. Get the lowdown for no dough!

Making Green Cool Zone

	The Making Green Cool Zone is dedicated to keeping members informed about the latest vehicle technology opportunities, challenges and solutions associated with high-performance engineering, energy efficiency and demonstrating that horsepower and green power can coexist without sacrificing the cool factor.

Mopar Alley

When you need to traverse between the South Hall and the Central Hall in the Las Vegas Convention Center at the SEMA Show, there’s no better way than to navigate through Mopar Alley. This time-saving shortcut treats you to some of the hottest cars, parts and eye candy that SEMA and Mopar have to offer. From musclecars and trucks to the latest Chrysler offerings, Mopar Alley is a treat for enthusiasts of every stripe. But get there early in the week, because Mopar Alley closes at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 6.

New Products

The SEMA Show is all about the products, and one of the best ways to find the most innovative among them is the New Products Showcase. Each exhibit case presents new parts, packaging and merchandising to industry buyers and media, providing exhibitors with invaluable exposure both during and after the Show. The first new-product entry is free, and all of the entries will be judged on Monday, November 2, with the best among them receiving recognition at the annual New Product Awards Breakfast to be held Tuesday, November 3, starting at 7:30 a.m. Photographs of every entry are featured in the January issue of SEMA News and at www.SEMAphotos.com. Each buyer at this year’s Show will also be provided with a scanning fob that electronically collects information about only the products selected by the attendee for either printout or to receive as an e-mail after the Show. The New Product Showcase has been relocated to the South Hall for 2009. Don’t miss it!

Motor Trend Proving Ground

	The Motor Trend Proving Ground, this year hosted by the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, will again be located between the Central and South Halls.

West Coast Customs

Get your chance to paint, stitch and weld with some of the top custom car builders in the business today. Visit the West Coast Customs Experience, located in the Silver Lot in front of the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Join Ryan Friedlinghaus and the crew of his West Coast Customs automotive shop for fabrication and equipment technology demonstrations. The West Coast Customs Experience will also feature hands-on participation in three to four master classes per day. Each 90-minute class will be small—only eight to 10 people—so early sign-up is critical. About 400 people will have the opportunity to join the classes. To sign up, visit www.wccexperience.com.

Dealer Day

Vehicle dealers will discover recession-busting solutions to dramatically increase sales and profits through vehicle accessorization at the 2009 SEMA Show Dealer Day, Wednesday, November 4. During the program, which runs from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., dealers while be shown how to integrate and speed accessory sales as well as turn used vehicles into new money. They will also learn about warranty, liability and quality issues. Advanced registration is $75 until October 16, and on-site registration is $125. For more information or to register, click here. 

Interactive Displays

The outdoor displays offer more than your average hot rod. The Big Rig displays located in the Silver Lot at the front of the Las Vegas Convention Center showcase an impressive collection of exhibitor show rigs, race transporters and coaches fitted with the latest equipment and accessories. See products, parts and cushy rides, but also check out the tractor/trailer rigs themselves.

SEMA Store

While brochures, information sheets and product photos are a given at the SEMA Show, don’t forget to stop by one of the SEMA Store locations in the Grand Lobby, the Lower South Hall Lobby, the Central/South Hall Skybridge, the Silver Lot, and at the east end of the Grand Lobby Concourse. The stores are chock full of industry gifts and collectibles. Pick up gifts for friends and business associates back home, including T-shirts, hats, rolling back packs, books and more.

Show Daily

The SEMA Show Daily is the official newspaper of the 2009 SEMA Show and will be distributed at kiosks throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center and at the entrance to each exhibit hall starting on opening day, November 2. The SEMA Show Daily brings you the latest news from the Show floor and is organized by Show section, including Racing & Performance; Mobile Electronics & Technology; Hot Rod Alley; Paint, Body & Equipment; Truck, SUVs & Off-Road; Tires, Wheels & Equipment; Powersports & Utility Vehicles; Restoration Marketplace; Restyling & Car Care Accessories; Tools & Equipment; and Business Services. To get the latest news about the SEMA Show while you’re at the SEMA Show, pick up a copy of the SEMA Show Daily!

With cameras mounted inside and even its own camera car ahead, Brenda Priddy’s photographers caught the upcoming Lexus LF-A supercar in Hollywood mode, with nearly zero camouflage.

The most ambitious effort yet from Lexus, the LF-A is expected to arrive with a 4.8L front/mid-mounted V10 making more than 550 horsepower. It’s also expected to carry an appropriately powerful price when it goes on-sale in 2010: around $400,000

Photos copyright Brenda Priddy & Company. Reuse or reproduction without copyright holder's consent is prohibited.