SEMA VP of Vehicle Technology John Waraniak will moderate a webinar discussing the SEMA/CAR future industry forecasts.

Reports of a sour economy continue to circulate. Automakers are retooling, adjusting their directions to maintain and, in many cases, regain market shares. The future of the auto manufacturers will have a direct impact on the direction of many SEMA-member companies.

Take one hour on Thursday, September 17, to participate in the SEMA webinar, “Major Determinants of U.S. Automotive Demand: Factors Driving the U.S. Automotive Market.” This is your chance to learn more about the major economic drivers of the U.S. automotive market and their potential impact on the specialty-equipment industry.

The session will help SEMA members increase their understanding and awareness of macroeconomic trends and analysis to support business-development and scenario-planning efforts.

The findings are the result of a multi-phased series of specialty-equipment forecasting reports conducted by SEMA and the Center for Automotive Research (CAR). This session includes the findings from Phase III.

Moderator John Waraniak and CAR's Brett Smith will host a live Q&A at the end of the webinar to address the report's conclusions. SEMA recently presented the industry research findings at the annual State of the Association meeting in Pasadena, California, in August.

What: “Major Determinants of U.S. Automotive Demand: Factors Driving the U.S. Automotive Market”
When: Thursday, September 17, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. (PDT)
Presenter: Brett Smith, Assistant Director, Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology, Center of Automotive Research (CAR)
Moderator: John Waraniak, SEMA Vice President of Vehicle Technology

Register for the September 17 Webinar

SEMA's Webinar Program: The SEMA webinar program brings the world-class business seminars featured during the SEMA Show right to your desktop. Different business-building sessions are constantly added to the program, offering members the latest insight and practices from today’s leading speakers.

All SEMA webinars are conducted live and are open to all employees of SEMA-member companies free of charge. To participate, all you need is a computer with Internet access and a telephone. All previous SEMA webinars are available for download. Learn more about SEMA webinars and view upcoming presentations.

	SEMA VP of Vehicle Technology John Waraniak will moderate a webinar discussing the SEMA/CAR future industry forecasts.

Reports of a sour economy continue to circulate. Automakers are retooling, adjusting their directions to maintain and, in many cases, regain market shares. The future of the auto manufacturers will have a direct impact on the direction of many SEMA-member companies.

Take one hour on Thursday, September 17, to participate in the SEMA webinar, “Major Determinants of U.S. Automotive Demand: Factors Driving the U.S. Automotive Market.” This is your chance to learn more about the major economic drivers of the U.S. automotive market and their potential impact on the specialty-equipment industry.

The session will help SEMA members increase their understanding and awareness of macroeconomic trends and analysis to support business-development and scenario-planning efforts.

The findings are the result of a multi-phased series of specialty-equipment forecasting reports conducted by SEMA and the Center for Automotive Research (CAR). This session includes the findings from Phase III.

Moderator John Waraniak and CAR's Brett Smith will host a live Q&A at the end of the webinar to address the report's conclusions. SEMA recently presented the industry research findings at the annual State of the Association meeting in Pasadena, California, in August.

What: “Major Determinants of U.S. Automotive Demand: Factors Driving the U.S. Automotive Market”
When: Thursday, September 17, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. (PDT)
Presenter: Brett Smith, Assistant Director, Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology, Center of Automotive Research (CAR)
Moderator: John Waraniak, SEMA Vice President of Vehicle Technology

Register for the September 17 Webinar

SEMA's Webinar Program: The SEMA webinar program brings the world-class business seminars featured during the SEMA Show right to your desktop. Different business-building sessions are constantly added to the program, offering members the latest insight and practices from today’s leading speakers.

All SEMA webinars are conducted live and are open to all employees of SEMA-member companies free of charge. To participate, all you need is a computer with Internet access and a telephone. All previous SEMA webinars are available for download. Learn more about SEMA webinars and view upcoming presentations.

	The SEMA Show Matchmaking program can connect buyers and exhibitors from all corners of the world.

Thousands of buyers and exhibitors are using the recently-launched SEMA Show Matchmaking program to set up meetings with partners that best meet their business and SEMA Show goals. Already it is proving an invaluable tool for those seeking to maximize their time and investment in the Show.

And now, buyers and exhibitors can connect with one another not only according to product categories and interests, but also geographic regions. These include not only international regions, but also the domestic U.S. markets.

New suspension kit you want to sell to Jeep enthusiasts in China? Turbo kits for your Eastern European customers? Or maybe just trying to increase your coverage in the Southwestern United States? 

Find your next manufacturer, rep, or distribution partners for markets in your backyard or on the other side of the world through the SEMA Show Matchmaking program.

The system now also supports an exhibitor directory with e-mail contact feature, allowing exhibitors to contact buyers and vice-versa. Thousands of buyers and exhibitors are already using the system for pre-scheduling and making this their most productive SEMA Show ever.

“SEMA has been developing several solutions to enhance the Show experience for our industry,” said SEMA Vice President of Communications and Events Peter MacGillivray. “The e-mail feature is the latest step in that effort.”

Don’t wait. Log-in and start solidifying those connections today.

Know someone who has moved on? Moved up? Let us know. Send releases for "Movers & Shakers" to editors@sema.org.

Marc Alan Associates Inc. added industry veterans Bob Leedom, Skip Scafidi and JP Scafidi to its organization. The company, currently celebrating 45 years in business, now has 17 salesmen and four sales support individuals servicing the northeast automotive aftermarket.

	Michael Schwab

NGK Spark Plugs (USA) Inc. promoted Michael Schwab to vice president of its aftermarket division. Schwab, a 20-year veteran in the aftermarket, has been with NGK since 1989 and previously served as director of sales and marketing for North America. Prior to that, he served as General Manager for NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.). In his new role, Schwab will oversee sales and marketing functions for NGK’s aftermarket and OES channels. He reports to Hideyuki Koiso, president and CEO for NGK.

Northwood University has selected Jacob Wedge as general chair and Jared Urban as vice chair of the 2009 Northwood University International Auto Show. Carrying the theme “Reinventing the Wheel: Welcome to the Next Automotive Era,” the show is set for October 2–4, on the Michigan campus of Northwood University in Midland.

Standards Testing Laboratories will conduct its 2009 Tire Technology fall seminar at the company’s Massillon, Ohio, headquarters, October 13–15. The seminars provide an overview of tire industry terminology and technology and the design, applications, compounding, construction and manufacturing processes. The deadline to register is September 25, and an application form is available at www.stllabs.com.

Trico Products launched “It’s Raining Rebates,” a promotion campaign from October 1–November 30 designed to drive more store traffic and increase wiper blade sales while raising awareness about safe driving. The company is offering up to $20 rebates on a pair of its NeoForm, Teflon or ExactFit wiper blades.

The Grand Prize winner of the Performance Therapy contest will receive parts to build a high-performance supercar

Performance Therapy, a social media car show, is in full swing, and enthusiasts are submitting photos of their cars to www.performancetherapycontest.com. The contest is a chance for enthusiasts to participate in one of the largest online car shows of all time, show their rides to others around the world and win a variety of prizes. The Grand Prize winner will receive parts to build a high-performance supercar. The contest runs now through October 31, and the winners will be announced at the 2009 SEMA Show. The Performance Therapy Contest is backed by Hotchkis Sport Suspension, Baer Brakes, Flowmaster, Hot Wheels Red Line Club, Lifeline USA, MSD Ignition, Red Line Oil, Rushforth Wheels and Yokohama Tire Corp.

Know someone who has moved on? Moved up? Let us know. Send releases for "Movers & Shakers" to editors@sema.org.