SEMA is alerting its members that a one-page form they may receive offering a "free" business directory listing is not free when you sign the form. Examples of business directories include “World Business Directory,” “Expo-Guide” and “The Fair Guide” and are generally operated outside the United States from the Netherlands, Mexico and Austria and other countries. SEMA recommends that you not complete these types of listing forms.

Here is how a “free listing” scam works: A group collects your company's name and mailing address from the Yellow Pages or other publication, and then sends you a form asking you to provide supplemental information (phone, fax, e-mail, etc.) for your "free" listing in their guide. Nevertheless, the fine print at the bottom of the page states that by signing and returning the form you have agreed to pay for the listing. It can be a substantial amount, such as 995 euros/year for three years. The group then sends you a collection letter several weeks later. If you don't pay, they continue to send dunning notices and threaten litigation.

While SEMA cannot provide advice on how to respond to collection tactics, we note that many companies have disputed the validity of the contracts and successful legal actions have been pursued. For example, the Austrian Advertising Council found The Fair Guide to be a breach of the Austrian Advertising Code and its operator, Construct Data, signed an agreement to cease mailing the misleading contracts from Austria and to cancel their demands for disputed monies. Here are links for more information on the three example guides:

• www.stopecg.org/world_business_directory.htm
• www.stopecg.org/expo-guide.htm
• www.stopecg.org/construct_data_fairguide.htm

Here is a link to a sample letter that may be sent to Construct Data when disputing a dunning notice: www.stopecg.org/cdcancellation.doc. It may provide guidance when disputing notices from other companies.

To file a complaint in the United States, you may wish to contact:

Federal Trade Commission
Office of Business Fraud
600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20580
www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov
Tel: 202/326-2800
Fax: 202/326-2034
E-mail: OIG@ftc.gov

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein.

SEMA is alerting its members that a one-page form they may receive offering a "free" business directory listing is not free when you sign the form. Examples of business directories include “World Business Directory,” “Expo-Guide” and “The Fair Guide” and are generally operated outside the United States from the Netherlands, Mexico and Austria and other countries. SEMA recommends that you not complete these types of listing forms.

Here is how a “free listing” scam works: A group collects your company's name and mailing address from the Yellow Pages or other publication, and then sends you a form asking you to provide supplemental information (phone, fax, e-mail, etc.) for your "free" listing in their guide. Nevertheless, the fine print at the bottom of the page states that by signing and returning the form you have agreed to pay for the listing. It can be a substantial amount, such as 995 euros/year for three years. The group then sends you a collection letter several weeks later. If you don't pay, they continue to send dunning notices and threaten litigation.

While SEMA cannot provide advice on how to respond to collection tactics, we note that many companies have disputed the validity of the contracts and successful legal actions have been pursued. For example, the Austrian Advertising Council found The Fair Guide to be a breach of the Austrian Advertising Code and its operator, Construct Data, signed an agreement to cease mailing the misleading contracts from Austria and to cancel their demands for disputed monies. Here are links for more information on the three example guides:

• www.stopecg.org/world_business_directory.htm
• www.stopecg.org/expo-guide.htm
• www.stopecg.org/construct_data_fairguide.htm

Here is a link to a sample letter that may be sent to Construct Data when disputing a dunning notice: www.stopecg.org/cdcancellation.doc. It may provide guidance when disputing notices from other companies.

To file a complaint in the United States, you may wish to contact:

Federal Trade Commission
Office of Business Fraud
600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20580
www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov
Tel: 202/326-2800
Fax: 202/326-2034
E-mail: OIG@ftc.gov

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein.

SEMA is alerting its members that a one-page form they may receive offering a "free" business directory listing is not free when you sign the form. Examples of business directories include “World Business Directory,” “Expo-Guide” and “The Fair Guide” and are generally operated outside the United States from the Netherlands, Mexico and Austria and other countries. SEMA recommends that you not complete these types of listing forms.

Here is how a “free listing” scam works: A group collects your company's name and mailing address from the Yellow Pages or other publication, and then sends you a form asking you to provide supplemental information (phone, fax, e-mail, etc.) for your "free" listing in their guide. Nevertheless, the fine print at the bottom of the page states that by signing and returning the form you have agreed to pay for the listing. It can be a substantial amount, such as 995 euros/year for three years. The group then sends you a collection letter several weeks later. If you don't pay, they continue to send dunning notices and threaten litigation.

While SEMA cannot provide advice on how to respond to collection tactics, we note that many companies have disputed the validity of the contracts and successful legal actions have been pursued. For example, the Austrian Advertising Council found The Fair Guide to be a breach of the Austrian Advertising Code and its operator, Construct Data, signed an agreement to cease mailing the misleading contracts from Austria and to cancel their demands for disputed monies. Here are links for more information on the three example guides:

• www.stopecg.org/world_business_directory.htm
• www.stopecg.org/expo-guide.htm
• www.stopecg.org/construct_data_fairguide.htm

Here is a link to a sample letter that may be sent to Construct Data when disputing a dunning notice: www.stopecg.org/cdcancellation.doc. It may provide guidance when disputing notices from other companies.

To file a complaint in the United States, you may wish to contact:

Federal Trade Commission
Office of Business Fraud
600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20580
www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov
Tel: 202/326-2800
Fax: 202/326-2034
E-mail: OIG@ftc.gov

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein.

SEMA Show exhibitors can save more than 30% on booth services by using one of several new discount booth packages.

Exhibitors of the 2009 SEMA Show will be able to save more than 30% off booth services by selecting one of several newly created discount booth packages. The turn-key packages, which include booth panels, electricity, furniture, carpet, drayage, labor and more, include variations of the services requested most and offer exhibitors the flexibility to select from a range of panel and carpet colors.

“The discount booth packages are examples of how we are helping exhibitors get the most out of their investment,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events.

SEMA worked closely with Freeman Co. to develop the packages.

“We encourage exhibitors to take advantage of this offer,” said MacGillivray, noting that it will also eliminate the possibility of any last-minute expenses and allow exhibitors to focus on other important aspects of the SEMA Show.

“The SEMA Show is the largest gathering of automotive specialty-equipment businesses in the United States,” said MacGillivray. “This is the time and the place that exhibitors should focus on connecting with the industry, and these packages will help when many of our members need it most.”

MacGillivray encourages exhibitors to take advantage of the tools and resources that connect exhibitors with buyers. An online matchmaking program will launch Monday, June 15, to make communication easy, and a new Leads Guaranteed Program will highlight the best matches for exhibitors.

To learn more about the special exhibitor programs available this year, visit www.SEMAShow.com. For general information about how to exhibit at the 2009 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com or contact ConvExx Show Management at sema-exhibit@convexx.com or 702/450-7662, ext. 120.

SEMA Show exhibitors can save more than 30% on booth services by using one of several new discount booth packages.

Exhibitors of the 2009 SEMA Show will be able to save more than 30% off booth services by selecting one of several newly created discount booth packages. The turn-key packages, which include booth panels, electricity, furniture, carpet, drayage, labor and more, include variations of the services requested most and offer exhibitors the flexibility to select from a range of panel and carpet colors.

“The discount booth packages are examples of how we are helping exhibitors get the most out of their investment,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events.

SEMA worked closely with Freeman Co. to develop the packages.

“We encourage exhibitors to take advantage of this offer,” said MacGillivray, noting that it will also eliminate the possibility of any last-minute expenses and allow exhibitors to focus on other important aspects of the SEMA Show.

“The SEMA Show is the largest gathering of automotive specialty-equipment businesses in the United States,” said MacGillivray. “This is the time and the place that exhibitors should focus on connecting with the industry, and these packages will help when many of our members need it most.”

MacGillivray encourages exhibitors to take advantage of the tools and resources that connect exhibitors with buyers. An online matchmaking program will launch Monday, June 15, to make communication easy, and a new Leads Guaranteed Program will highlight the best matches for exhibitors.

To learn more about the special exhibitor programs available this year, visit www.SEMAShow.com. For general information about how to exhibit at the 2009 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com or contact ConvExx Show Management at sema-exhibit@convexx.com or 702/450-7662, ext. 120.

SEMA Show exhibitors can save more than 30% on booth services by using one of several new discount booth packages.

Exhibitors of the 2009 SEMA Show will be able to save more than 30% off booth services by selecting one of several newly created discount booth packages. The turn-key packages, which include booth panels, electricity, furniture, carpet, drayage, labor and more, include variations of the services requested most and offer exhibitors the flexibility to select from a range of panel and carpet colors.

“The discount booth packages are examples of how we are helping exhibitors get the most out of their investment,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events.

SEMA worked closely with Freeman Co. to develop the packages.

“We encourage exhibitors to take advantage of this offer,” said MacGillivray, noting that it will also eliminate the possibility of any last-minute expenses and allow exhibitors to focus on other important aspects of the SEMA Show.

“The SEMA Show is the largest gathering of automotive specialty-equipment businesses in the United States,” said MacGillivray. “This is the time and the place that exhibitors should focus on connecting with the industry, and these packages will help when many of our members need it most.”

MacGillivray encourages exhibitors to take advantage of the tools and resources that connect exhibitors with buyers. An online matchmaking program will launch Monday, June 15, to make communication easy, and a new Leads Guaranteed Program will highlight the best matches for exhibitors.

To learn more about the special exhibitor programs available this year, visit www.SEMAShow.com. For general information about how to exhibit at the 2009 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com or contact ConvExx Show Management at sema-exhibit@convexx.com or 702/450-7662, ext. 120.

SEMA Show exhibitors can save more than 30% on booth services by using one of several new discount booth packages.

Exhibitors of the 2009 SEMA Show will be able to save more than 30% off booth services by selecting one of several newly created discount booth packages. The turn-key packages, which include booth panels, electricity, furniture, carpet, drayage, labor and more, include variations of the services requested most and offer exhibitors the flexibility to select from a range of panel and carpet colors.

“The discount booth packages are examples of how we are helping exhibitors get the most out of their investment,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events.

SEMA worked closely with Freeman Co. to develop the packages.

“We encourage exhibitors to take advantage of this offer,” said MacGillivray, noting that it will also eliminate the possibility of any last-minute expenses and allow exhibitors to focus on other important aspects of the SEMA Show.

“The SEMA Show is the largest gathering of automotive specialty-equipment businesses in the United States,” said MacGillivray. “This is the time and the place that exhibitors should focus on connecting with the industry, and these packages will help when many of our members need it most.”

MacGillivray encourages exhibitors to take advantage of the tools and resources that connect exhibitors with buyers. An online matchmaking program will launch Monday, June 15, to make communication easy, and a new Leads Guaranteed Program will highlight the best matches for exhibitors.

To learn more about the special exhibitor programs available this year, visit www.SEMAShow.com. For general information about how to exhibit at the 2009 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com or contact ConvExx Show Management at sema-exhibit@convexx.com or 702/450-7662, ext. 120.

SEMA Show exhibitors can save more than 30% on booth services by using one of several new discount booth packages.

Exhibitors of the 2009 SEMA Show will be able to save more than 30% off booth services by selecting one of several newly created discount booth packages. The turn-key packages, which include booth panels, electricity, furniture, carpet, drayage, labor and more, include variations of the services requested most and offer exhibitors the flexibility to select from a range of panel and carpet colors.

“The discount booth packages are examples of how we are helping exhibitors get the most out of their investment,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events.

SEMA worked closely with Freeman Co. to develop the packages.

“We encourage exhibitors to take advantage of this offer,” said MacGillivray, noting that it will also eliminate the possibility of any last-minute expenses and allow exhibitors to focus on other important aspects of the SEMA Show.

“The SEMA Show is the largest gathering of automotive specialty-equipment businesses in the United States,” said MacGillivray. “This is the time and the place that exhibitors should focus on connecting with the industry, and these packages will help when many of our members need it most.”

MacGillivray encourages exhibitors to take advantage of the tools and resources that connect exhibitors with buyers. An online matchmaking program will launch Monday, June 15, to make communication easy, and a new Leads Guaranteed Program will highlight the best matches for exhibitors.

To learn more about the special exhibitor programs available this year, visit www.SEMAShow.com. For general information about how to exhibit at the 2009 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com or contact ConvExx Show Management at sema-exhibit@convexx.com or 702/450-7662, ext. 120.

SEMA Show exhibitors can save more than 30% on booth services by using one of several new discount booth packages.

Exhibitors of the 2009 SEMA Show will be able to save more than 30% off booth services by selecting one of several newly created discount booth packages. The turn-key packages, which include booth panels, electricity, furniture, carpet, drayage, labor and more, include variations of the services requested most and offer exhibitors the flexibility to select from a range of panel and carpet colors.

“The discount booth packages are examples of how we are helping exhibitors get the most out of their investment,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events.

SEMA worked closely with Freeman Co. to develop the packages.

“We encourage exhibitors to take advantage of this offer,” said MacGillivray, noting that it will also eliminate the possibility of any last-minute expenses and allow exhibitors to focus on other important aspects of the SEMA Show.

“The SEMA Show is the largest gathering of automotive specialty-equipment businesses in the United States,” said MacGillivray. “This is the time and the place that exhibitors should focus on connecting with the industry, and these packages will help when many of our members need it most.”

MacGillivray encourages exhibitors to take advantage of the tools and resources that connect exhibitors with buyers. An online matchmaking program will launch Monday, June 15, to make communication easy, and a new Leads Guaranteed Program will highlight the best matches for exhibitors.

To learn more about the special exhibitor programs available this year, visit www.SEMAShow.com. For general information about how to exhibit at the 2009 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com or contact ConvExx Show Management at sema-exhibit@convexx.com or 702/450-7662, ext. 120.

SEMA Show exhibitors can save more than 30% on booth services by using one of several new discount booth packages.

Exhibitors of the 2009 SEMA Show will be able to save more than 30% off booth services by selecting one of several newly created discount booth packages. The turn-key packages, which include booth panels, electricity, furniture, carpet, drayage, labor and more, include variations of the services requested most and offer exhibitors the flexibility to select from a range of panel and carpet colors.

“The discount booth packages are examples of how we are helping exhibitors get the most out of their investment,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events.

SEMA worked closely with Freeman Co. to develop the packages.

“We encourage exhibitors to take advantage of this offer,” said MacGillivray, noting that it will also eliminate the possibility of any last-minute expenses and allow exhibitors to focus on other important aspects of the SEMA Show.

“The SEMA Show is the largest gathering of automotive specialty-equipment businesses in the United States,” said MacGillivray. “This is the time and the place that exhibitors should focus on connecting with the industry, and these packages will help when many of our members need it most.”

MacGillivray encourages exhibitors to take advantage of the tools and resources that connect exhibitors with buyers. An online matchmaking program will launch Monday, June 15, to make communication easy, and a new Leads Guaranteed Program will highlight the best matches for exhibitors.

To learn more about the special exhibitor programs available this year, visit www.SEMAShow.com. For general information about how to exhibit at the 2009 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com or contact ConvExx Show Management at sema-exhibit@convexx.com or 702/450-7662, ext. 120.