Thu, 09/03/2009 - 11:35
 Bob Hope With Linda Vaughn
 Bob Hope, here with Linda Vaughn, is one of many comedians who've performed at the SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet. Name the rest and win a backstage pass to meet this year's Banquet entertainer Bill Engvall.

What do Bob Hope, Jerry Seinfeld and Ellen DeGeneres have in common?

All three comedians have performed at the SEMA Industry Awards banquet!

Can you name all the comedians that have performed at the SEMA Show Industry Awards banquets? One lucky winner who can list all Banquet comedians and the years they appeared will have the opportunity to meet this year's Banquet entertainer, Bill Engvall, backstage.

To be eligible, you must be registered to attend the Banquet. E-mail your list to: AlanD@sema.org

Good luck!

Thu, 09/03/2009 - 11:35
 Bob Hope With Linda Vaughn
 Bob Hope, here with Linda Vaughn, is one of many comedians who've performed at the SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet. Name the rest and win a backstage pass to meet this year's Banquet entertainer Bill Engvall.

What do Bob Hope, Jerry Seinfeld and Ellen DeGeneres have in common?

All three comedians have performed at the SEMA Industry Awards banquet!

Can you name all the comedians that have performed at the SEMA Show Industry Awards banquets? One lucky winner who can list all Banquet comedians and the years they appeared will have the opportunity to meet this year's Banquet entertainer, Bill Engvall, backstage.

To be eligible, you must be registered to attend the Banquet. E-mail your list to: AlanD@sema.org

Good luck!

Thu, 09/03/2009 - 11:35
 eMetrics help you dial in your website
 Find out from two eBay experts at the 2009 SEMA Show how to capture and interpret data on who visits your website, what they view and how long they stay.
The flood of data available to gauge the effectiveness of your website is mind-boggling. You know you've spent an enormous amount to build your site, but is it serving your business? Do you know who’s finding your site and what pages they're visiting? How do you act once you've determined the answers?

Linda Boudiab, Google Industry Analyst, and Mark Contreras, Google Metrics Analyst, present “Measure the Success of Your Online Efforts with eMetrics,” a one-hour seminar at the 2009 SEMA Show, Tuesday, November 3, 3:00–4:00 p.m. The course is an eye-opener for anybody who is concerned about measuring the results of their labors.

Here Boudiab and Contreras shed light on how to use metrics, and interpret the results, to build a better business website.

In today's world, Internet technology has given us both a problem and a solution. Data is abundant, but the question is what we do with all of this information? For instance, we now have the ability to look deep into online search query patterns and behavioral trends in real time. Automotive marketers have been waiting for years to obtain this level of detail in an effort to gauge their return on investment and understand the impact of their company websites.

Now the question is how can we sift through these massive amounts of data to make smarter web design and marketing decisions that will further drive the bottom line of your automotive parts and service business? By answering a few key questions about consumer behavior on your company's site, and comparing this to online search patterns unique to automotive consumers, you can adjust online efforts accordingly to maximize efficiency and achieve your overall business objectives.

One of the first questions you want to address is who is finding your site. Are you attracting qualified traffic, people who are likely to purchase your automotive parts or come to your facility for vehicle maintenance and service? A standard website analytics program can help you answer part of this puzzle by assessing how much or how little time consumers spend on your site, what sections they are visiting most frequently and what key performance indicators are being completed. If you find that performance against your key objectives is insufficient, you can develop a data-driven strategy to focus your optimization efforts.

Furthermore, it is important to assess what is driving consumer interest. This mystery can be solved without a crystal ball as we now have the ability to view real-time consumer search query trends. Identifying rising searches and seasonal query trends within niche areas can be an effective way to attract a significant volume of new visitors to your site.

For example, automotive service offerings often vary by regions. You may need to promote brake specials in New York while focusing on air conditioning repairs in Arizona. Looking at online behavior on a regional level enables you to precisely target your advertising efforts and provide more relevant information to consumers.

Perhaps you have already analyzed who your consumers are and what they are interested in. What's next? Now it's time to optimize for maximum efficiency. Let the data make difficult decisions much simpler for you.

For instance, suppose you have determined that consumers are actively searching for auto service specials. You have a page on your site that compares various service packages, but you are concerned about minimal consumer engagement on the site.

How do you optimize the site to achieve its maximum potential and drive traffic to the relevant offerings? Test! Perform tests with automation tools that generate different page layouts and let the data prove which formats resonate better with your consumers.

In addition to improving the efficiency of your website, utilizing data to optimize your content will also enable you to create a stronger connection with consumers. By delivering the right content to each individual in an effective manner, everyone wins.

Consumers will become more informed and empowered to make purchasing decisions while companies will develop a wider base of consumers who will purchase their products and services.

Seminar: “Measure the Success of Your Online Efforts with eMetrics”
Track: Business Efficiency 101, Sponsored by the SEMA Business Technology Committee (BTC)
Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Time: 3:00–4:00 p.m.
Thu, 09/03/2009 - 11:35

Jetta spy shots

Auto spy photographer Brenda Priddy says these are her network's first shots of Volkswagen's newest compact. Internally known as NCS ("New Compact Sedan"), this updated Jetta will be built on a re-engineered, fifth-generation Jetta platform. Publications have also referred to it as the Jetta VI.

The Jetta name will likely be carried over, and assembly will continue to take place at Volkswagen's Puebla, Mexico, plant, Priddy says. The new Jetta will measure in slightly longer and wider. Volkswagen plans to sell 160,000 units annually, hoping to convert potential Corolla and Civic buyers with its lower base price. There's also speculation that VW may offer an all-wheel drive option. Production is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2010 as a 2011 model.

Jetta spy shots

Photos copyright Brenda Priddy & Company. Reuse or reproduction without copyright holder's consent is prohibited.
Thu, 09/03/2009 - 11:35

Jetta spy shots

Auto spy photographer Brenda Priddy says these are her network's first shots of Volkswagen's newest compact. Internally known as NCS ("New Compact Sedan"), this updated Jetta will be built on a re-engineered, fifth-generation Jetta platform. Publications have also referred to it as the Jetta VI.

The Jetta name will likely be carried over, and assembly will continue to take place at Volkswagen's Puebla, Mexico, plant, Priddy says. The new Jetta will measure in slightly longer and wider. Volkswagen plans to sell 160,000 units annually, hoping to convert potential Corolla and Civic buyers with its lower base price. There's also speculation that VW may offer an all-wheel drive option. Production is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2010 as a 2011 model.

Jetta spy shots

Photos copyright Brenda Priddy & Company. Reuse or reproduction without copyright holder's consent is prohibited.
Thu, 09/03/2009 - 11:35
 Serge Agopian, Jackson Cargo Management Solutions
  

Entrepreneur Serge Agopian, ower of Jackson Cargo Management Solutions, explains to SBTV's Alex Fees how a simple hauling solution for the construction industry birthed a small business.

Thu, 09/03/2009 - 11:35
 WD-40/SEMA Cares Camaro
 WD-40 Company and SEMA Cares have partnered to build a custom 2010 Camaro for charity auction. Watch for it at the 2009 SEMA Show.

WD-40 Company and SEMA Cares, the association’s charity arm, have partnered to build a custom 2010 Camaro for the 2009 SEMA Show. Several specialty-equipment manufacturers are also pitching in to bring the classic pony car back in style, and with its aggressive stance, 6.2L V8 and 600-plus horsepower, the WD-40/SEMA Cares Camaro has exceptional performance to match its distinctive look.

The vehicle will also appear at other select auto events on the West Coast before going to auction at the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Show and Auction, January 18–24, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Proceeds from the sale will go to Childhelp and The Victory Junction Gang Camp children's charities.

The WD-40/SEMA Cares Camaro will feature:
  • custom body kit from Street Scene Equipment
  • Pedders suspension with three-inches of height adjustment
  • Forgeline DE3S wheels, 20x9.5 (front) and 20x11.5 (rear)
  • Nitto NT05 max-performance radial tires
  • Paxton NOVI high-output supercharger system
  • (2) DynoMax Ultra Flo welded performance mufflers
  • special paint and color formulation
  • tint design
  • Katzkin leather interior and logo embroidery
  • Odyssey high-power, long-life battery
  • (2) sets of 6.5-inch Point Source component speakers, digital subwoofer, 4-channel amplifier and two Eclipse 7-inch widescreen video monitors, and Sony PlayStation3
Additional partners involved in the Camaro build include: Ape Wraps, Audio Innovations, Cie Studios, House of Tints, MGP Caliper Covers, PPG Industries and Top Quality Powder Coating.
Thu, 09/03/2009 - 11:35
 Renaissance Hotel, Vegas
 The WTC and TORA councils are moving their SEMA Show receptions to the Renaissance Hotel, adjacent to the convention center's South Hall.

Both the Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) and Light Truck Accessory Alliance (TORA) are moving their receptions at the 2009 SEMA Show to the Renaissance Hotel, near the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Previous receptions have been held in ballrooms adjacent to the North Hall, and as both councils exhibit in the South Hall, this has typically meant a long trek for attendees. Entrance to the Renaissance Hotel is directly adjacent to the South Hall entrance.

Both receptions run concurrently, Wednesday, November 4, 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. Representatives from both councils say they are planning updated activities to go along with the new venue.
Thu, 09/03/2009 - 11:35
 Renaissance Hotel, Vegas
 The WTC and TORA councils are moving their SEMA Show receptions to the Renaissance Hotel, adjacent to the convention center's South Hall.

Both the Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) and Light Truck Accessory Alliance (TORA) are moving their receptions at the 2009 SEMA Show to the Renaissance Hotel, near the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Previous receptions have been held in ballrooms adjacent to the North Hall, and as both councils exhibit in the South Hall, this has typically meant a long trek for attendees. Entrance to the Renaissance Hotel is directly adjacent to the South Hall entrance.

Both receptions run concurrently, Wednesday, November 4, 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. Representatives from both councils say they are planning updated activities to go along with the new venue.
Thu, 09/03/2009 - 11:35
 Renaissance Hotel, Vegas
 The WTC and TORA councils are moving their SEMA Show receptions to the Renaissance Hotel, adjacent to the convention center's South Hall.

Both the Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) and Light Truck Accessory Alliance (TORA) are moving their receptions at the 2009 SEMA Show to the Renaissance Hotel, near the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Previous receptions have been held in ballrooms adjacent to the North Hall, and as both councils exhibit in the South Hall, this has typically meant a long trek for attendees. Entrance to the Renaissance Hotel is directly adjacent to the South Hall entrance.

Both receptions run concurrently, Wednesday, November 4, 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. Representatives from both councils say they are planning updated activities to go along with the new venue.