Click on the logo to visit TORA's website.

TORA Long-Range Planning Meeting Moves to Pasadena

Mark your calendar for the annual TORA Long-Range Planning Meeting, which is moving to a new time and location. The Long-Range Planning Meeting will be held on Thursday, July 30, from 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. at the Westin Hotel in Pasadena, California. The meeting is being held in conjunction with the annual Council Leadership Seminar and SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser.

“The TORA Long-Range Planning Meeting is typically held in the East or Midwest,” said TORA Chairman Ron DiVincenzo. “It was slated for Orlando in March, in conjunction with the TSTC. When that got postponed, we had to look elsewhere. This will be our first time on the West Coast and perhaps we can meet face-to-face with some West Coast TORA members who would otherwise not attend the Long-Range Planning Meeting.”

Detailed information will be mailed to all TORA member companies shortly. You may also contact TORA staff liaison Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org for more information.

George Lathouris Named TORA Chair-Elect

The TORA Select Committee has named Keystone’s George Lathouris as its chair-elect. Lathouris will assume his new responsibilities on July 1, when Kelly Kneifl assumes the duties of chairman from current Chairman Ron DiVincenzo. Congratulations to George!

TORA Column in SEMA Member News

Read TORA's column featured in the March/April issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For more information about TORA, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

Click on the logo to visit ARMO's website.

In conjunction with the Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show in Indianapolis, ARMO hosted a seminar entitled "10 Things You Can Do Today to Improve Your Website Results Tomorrow," presented by Brian Offenberger. At the event, five lucky winners were awarded free consultations with Offenberger. The lucky winners were:

• Tom Marx–Marx Group Advisors
• David Chamberlain–All Classic Restoration
• Dana Miller–Sambrea, Inc.
• Stan Pridham–KMS Tools
• Michael Manning–American Autowire

Free Marketing for ARMO Members

Once again, the ARMO New Products Showcase will be held at the Spring Carlisle in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, from Wednesday to Sunday, April 22–26, 2009. This is a fantastic opportunity to introduce your creative and innovative products to hobbyists and the industry for FREE!

This year, there will be no judging, but rather a focus on simply showcasing the products entered. Entries will be photographed at Spring Carlisle and the photos, product descriptions and company name will be displayed in the ARMO booth at the 2009 SEMA Show.

Please review the information on the ARMO New Products Showcase entry form. Entries are due by Wednesday, April 15, 2009. Please direct questions and submit forms to Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

ARMO Column in SEMA Member News

Read ARMO's column featured in the March/April issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

______________________________________________________________________________

Click on the logo to visit HRIA's website.

More than 400 hot-rod enthusiasts packed nearly 40 workshops at the Education & Training

Day held in conjunction with the Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show.

Education & Training Day at the Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show A Tremendous Success!

More than 400 hot-rod enthusiasts, including business owners, car builders and committed staff attended nearly 40 manufacturer workshops last week at the Education & Training Day, held in conjunction with the Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show in Indianapolis. Many classrooms exceeded capacity as attendees learned about topics that ranged from suspensions and brakes to air conditioning and fuel injection. Armed with fresh product knowledge and selling techniques, participants will undoubtedly benefit greatly with higher sales and more bottom line profits. Be sure to mark March 11, 2010 on your calendar for next year’s Education & Training Day, presented by the Hot Rod Industry Alliance.

HRIA Column in SEMA Member News

Read HRIA's column featured in the March/April issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For more information about HRIA, contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

Click on the logo to visit MRC's website.

Manufacturers Seeking Rep List Now Available

Manufacturers’ representatives are encouraged to contact Staci Bostock at stacib@sema.org to request the Manufacturers Seeking Rep List, which is available at no cost. Compiled using information collected from manufacturers prior to the 2008 SEMA Show, the listing contains details on manufacturers currently seeking the services of manufacturers’ representatives along with the lines available and company contact information. The list was originally available in the MRC Rep Center during the week of the 2008 SEMA Show.

MRC Column in SEMA Member News

Read MRC's column featured in the March/April issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about MRC, contact Staci Bostock at stacib@sema.org.

______________________________________________________________________________________

MPMC Column in SEMA Member News

Read MPMC's column featured in the March/April issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about MPMC, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

Click on the logo to visit PRO's website.

PRO Long-Range Planning Meeting

The annual PRO Long-Range Planning Meeting is slated for Thursday and Friday, June 18–19, 2009, in Detroit. The Crown Plaza Hotel, minutes from the Detroit Metro Airport, will once again host the event and is offering a blocked-out room rate of only $115 for meeting attendees. Lunch is included both days, with a continental breakfast also included on Friday morning.

The Long-Range Planning Meeting begins at 11:00 a.m. Thursday morning, continues through lunch and then moves into breakout groups in the afternoon. The breakout groups continue on Friday. Everyone will reconvene mid-morning on Friday for breakout reports and a box lunch before adjourning at 1:00 p.m., in time for those early afternoon flights back home.

There is no better opportunity to share ideas and plan for solutions than at the PRO Long-Range Planning Meeting. Official meeting notices will go out shortly with more details. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

PRO Business Development Guidebook Now On Sale

In today’s ever-changing marketplace, staying ahead of the competition is more important and challenging than ever. To be successful, you not only need an effective business strategy, but also the tools and resources to help your company excel and stand out from the pack. The PRO Business Development Guidebook is your handy reference guide.

Beginning with an overview of the importance of having a business plan—including tips on how to develop a business plan and the many purposes it can serve—the manual offers chapter-by-chapter strategies for making your business a success.

From understanding the basics of business finance and the importance of quality and service and how to make them hallmarks of your business, to building knowledge and skills among your employees to branding your restyling business as a market leader, the guidebook offers information critical to the day-to-day and long-term operation of your business.

Whether you’re starting your own restyling business or already own one—be it mobile or brick and mortar—you’ll find the answers that you’ve been looking for in the guidebook. PRO Council members contributed much of the information contained in the guidebook, drawing on their experience and knowledge to present a valuable business tool.

Click here to download the PRO business guidebook order form, or contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

PRO Column in SEMA Member News

Read PRO's column featured in the March/April issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about PRO, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Click on the logo to visit SPC's website.

SPC Column in SEMA Member News

Read SPC's column featured in the March/April issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Click on the logo to visit WTC's website.

WTC Long-Range Planning Meeting

Attend the WTC Long-Range Planning Meeting and help shape the course of the council’s agenda. It’s time to voice your opinion.

The meeting will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2009, from 10:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m. at:

SEMA Headquarters
AAA Building—Second Floor
1577 South Valley Vista Dr.
Diamond Bar, CA 91765

RSVP by Friday, May 8, 2009 to Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

WTC Column in SEMA Member News

Read WTC's column featured in the March/April issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about WTC, contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

Click on the logo to visit SBN's website.

Discover the SEMA Mentoring Program—Powered by the SBN

Everyone needs help or expert advice from time to time, and SEMA’s Mentoring Program is an excellent resource to get answers to all your questions. Whether you need to know more about SEMA, market information for a start-up company or advice on how to approach your boss about a new position, the SEMA Mentoring Program can help.

“Ask A Mentor” is perfect for one-time questions. You can expect multiple SEMA mentors to provide online guidance and answers to your industry-related questions.

Short-term Assistance/Guidance is for help with a specific project or task. A SEMA council/committee mentor with the expertise you seek will be paired up with you to provide guidance with your project.

Long-term Relationship is helpful for developing your professional career. In this program segment you will be paired with a SEMA council/committee mentor who will provide guidance and assistance for ongoing career development or a long-term project.

So whether you just need an answer to a question or you want to cultivate a mentoring friendship, the SEMA Mentoring Program—Powered by the SBN is available to help. After all, we can all use a little help from our friends.

For more information on the SEMA Mentoring Program, click here.

SBN Column in SEMA Member News

Read SBN's column featured in the March/April issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about SBN, contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.
______________________________________________________________________________________

Click on the logo to visit YEN's website.

Did you know that the SEMA Young Executives Network has more than 500 members networking in the industry and is the largest SEMA committee? If you are employed by a SEMA-member company and are under the age of 39, then you can join the SEMA Young Executives Network for FREE. If you are interested in becoming part of the team, please visit our website at www.sema.org/yen.

YEN Member of the Month Spotlight

Did you know that YEN has a Member of the Month Spotlight on the SEMA website and that anyone can be nominated? To view previous selections or to make a nomination, visit www.sema.org/yen.

Discover The SEMA Mentoring Program—Powered by the SBN

“I’ll get by with a little help from my friends…” - Joe Cocker

Everyone needs help or expert advice from time to time, and SEMA’s Mentoring Program is an excellent resource to get answers to all your questions. Whether you need to know more about SEMA, market information for a start-up company or advice on how to approach your boss about a new position, the SEMA Mentoring Program can help.

“Ask A Mentor” is perfect for one-time questions. You can expect multiple SEMA mentors to provide online guidance and answers to your industry-related questions.

Short-term Assistance/Guidance is for help with a specific project or task. A SEMA council/committee mentor with the expertise you seek will be paired up with you to provide guidance with your project.

Long-term Relationship is helpful for developing your professional career. In this program segment you will be paired with a SEMA council/committee mentor who will provide guidance and assistance for ongoing career development or a long-term project.

So whether you just need an answer to a question or you want to cultivate a mentoring friendship, the SEMA Mentoring Program—Powered by the SBN is available to help. After all, we can all use a little help from our friends.

For more information on the SEMA Mentoring Program, click here.

YEN Column in SEMA Member News

Read YEN's column featured in the March/April issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about YEN, contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

Click on the logo to visit TORA's website.

TORA Long-Range Planning Meeting Moves to Pasadena

Mark your calendar for the annual TORA Long-Range Planning Meeting, which is moving to a new time and location. The Long-Range Planning Meeting will be held on Thursday, July 30, from 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. at the Westin Hotel in Pasadena, California. The meeting is being held in conjunction with the annual Council Leadership Seminar and SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser.

“The TORA Long-Range Planning Meeting is typically held in the East or Midwest,” said TORA Chairman Ron DiVincenzo. “It was slated for Orlando in March, in conjunction with the TSTC. When that got postponed, we had to look elsewhere. This will be our first time on the West Coast and perhaps we can meet face-to-face with some West Coast TORA members who would otherwise not attend the Long-Range Planning Meeting.”

Detailed information will be mailed to all TORA member companies shortly. You may also contact TORA staff liaison Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org for more information.

George Lathouris Named TORA Chair-Elect

The TORA Select Committee has named Keystone’s George Lathouris as its chair-elect. Lathouris will assume his new responsibilities on July 1, when Kelly Kneifl assumes the duties of chairman from current Chairman Ron DiVincenzo. Congratulations to George!

TORA Column in SEMA Member News

Read TORA's column featured in the March/April issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For more information about TORA, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

Click on the logo to visit ARMO's website.

In conjunction with the Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show in Indianapolis, ARMO hosted a seminar entitled "10 Things You Can Do Today to Improve Your Website Results Tomorrow," presented by Brian Offenberger. At the event, five lucky winners were awarded free consultations with Offenberger. The lucky winners were:

• Tom Marx–Marx Group Advisors
• David Chamberlain–All Classic Restoration
• Dana Miller–Sambrea, Inc.
• Stan Pridham–KMS Tools
• Michael Manning–American Autowire

Free Marketing for ARMO Members

Once again, the ARMO New Products Showcase will be held at the Spring Carlisle in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, from Wednesday to Sunday, April 22–26, 2009. This is a fantastic opportunity to introduce your creative and innovative products to hobbyists and the industry for FREE!

This year, there will be no judging, but rather a focus on simply showcasing the products entered. Entries will be photographed at Spring Carlisle and the photos, product descriptions and company name will be displayed in the ARMO booth at the 2009 SEMA Show.

Please review the information on the ARMO New Products Showcase entry form. Entries are due by Wednesday, April 15, 2009. Please direct questions and submit forms to Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

ARMO Column in SEMA Member News

Read ARMO's column featured in the March/April issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

______________________________________________________________________________

Click on the logo to visit HRIA's website.

More than 400 hot-rod enthusiasts packed nearly 40 workshops at the Education & Training

Day held in conjunction with the Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show.

Education & Training Day at the Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show A Tremendous Success!

More than 400 hot-rod enthusiasts, including business owners, car builders and committed staff attended nearly 40 manufacturer workshops last week at the Education & Training Day, held in conjunction with the Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show in Indianapolis. Many classrooms exceeded capacity as attendees learned about topics that ranged from suspensions and brakes to air conditioning and fuel injection. Armed with fresh product knowledge and selling techniques, participants will undoubtedly benefit greatly with higher sales and more bottom line profits. Be sure to mark March 11, 2010 on your calendar for next year’s Education & Training Day, presented by the Hot Rod Industry Alliance.

HRIA Column in SEMA Member News

Read HRIA's column featured in the March/April issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For more information about HRIA, contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

Click on the logo to visit MRC's website.

Manufacturers Seeking Rep List Now Available

Manufacturers’ representatives are encouraged to contact Staci Bostock at stacib@sema.org to request the Manufacturers Seeking Rep List, which is available at no cost. Compiled using information collected from manufacturers prior to the 2008 SEMA Show, the listing contains details on manufacturers currently seeking the services of manufacturers’ representatives along with the lines available and company contact information. The list was originally available in the MRC Rep Center during the week of the 2008 SEMA Show.

MRC Column in SEMA Member News

Read MRC's column featured in the March/April issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about MRC, contact Staci Bostock at stacib@sema.org.

______________________________________________________________________________________

MPMC Column in SEMA Member News

Read MPMC's column featured in the March/April issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about MPMC, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

Click on the logo to visit PRO's website.

PRO Long-Range Planning Meeting

The annual PRO Long-Range Planning Meeting is slated for Thursday and Friday, June 18–19, 2009, in Detroit. The Crown Plaza Hotel, minutes from the Detroit Metro Airport, will once again host the event and is offering a blocked-out room rate of only $115 for meeting attendees. Lunch is included both days, with a continental breakfast also included on Friday morning.

The Long-Range Planning Meeting begins at 11:00 a.m. Thursday morning, continues through lunch and then moves into breakout groups in the afternoon. The breakout groups continue on Friday. Everyone will reconvene mid-morning on Friday for breakout reports and a box lunch before adjourning at 1:00 p.m., in time for those early afternoon flights back home.

There is no better opportunity to share ideas and plan for solutions than at the PRO Long-Range Planning Meeting. Official meeting notices will go out shortly with more details. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

PRO Business Development Guidebook Now On Sale

In today’s ever-changing marketplace, staying ahead of the competition is more important and challenging than ever. To be successful, you not only need an effective business strategy, but also the tools and resources to help your company excel and stand out from the pack. The PRO Business Development Guidebook is your handy reference guide.

Beginning with an overview of the importance of having a business plan—including tips on how to develop a business plan and the many purposes it can serve—the manual offers chapter-by-chapter strategies for making your business a success.

From understanding the basics of business finance and the importance of quality and service and how to make them hallmarks of your business, to building knowledge and skills among your employees to branding your restyling business as a market leader, the guidebook offers information critical to the day-to-day and long-term operation of your business.

Whether you’re starting your own restyling business or already own one—be it mobile or brick and mortar—you’ll find the answers that you’ve been looking for in the guidebook. PRO Council members contributed much of the information contained in the guidebook, drawing on their experience and knowledge to present a valuable business tool.

Click here to download the PRO business guidebook order form, or contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

PRO Column in SEMA Member News

Read PRO's column featured in the March/April issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about PRO, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Click on the logo to visit SPC's website.

SPC Column in SEMA Member News

Read SPC's column featured in the March/April issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Click on the logo to visit WTC's website.

WTC Long-Range Planning Meeting

Attend the WTC Long-Range Planning Meeting and help shape the course of the council’s agenda. It’s time to voice your opinion.

The meeting will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2009, from 10:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m. at:

SEMA Headquarters
AAA Building—Second Floor
1577 South Valley Vista Dr.
Diamond Bar, CA 91765

RSVP by Friday, May 8, 2009 to Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

WTC Column in SEMA Member News

Read WTC's column featured in the March/April issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about WTC, contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

Click on the logo to visit SBN's website.

Discover the SEMA Mentoring Program—Powered by the SBN

Everyone needs help or expert advice from time to time, and SEMA’s Mentoring Program is an excellent resource to get answers to all your questions. Whether you need to know more about SEMA, market information for a start-up company or advice on how to approach your boss about a new position, the SEMA Mentoring Program can help.

“Ask A Mentor” is perfect for one-time questions. You can expect multiple SEMA mentors to provide online guidance and answers to your industry-related questions.

Short-term Assistance/Guidance is for help with a specific project or task. A SEMA council/committee mentor with the expertise you seek will be paired up with you to provide guidance with your project.

Long-term Relationship is helpful for developing your professional career. In this program segment you will be paired with a SEMA council/committee mentor who will provide guidance and assistance for ongoing career development or a long-term project.

So whether you just need an answer to a question or you want to cultivate a mentoring friendship, the SEMA Mentoring Program—Powered by the SBN is available to help. After all, we can all use a little help from our friends.

For more information on the SEMA Mentoring Program, click here.

SBN Column in SEMA Member News

Read SBN's column featured in the March/April issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about SBN, contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.
______________________________________________________________________________________

Click on the logo to visit YEN's website.

Did you know that the SEMA Young Executives Network has more than 500 members networking in the industry and is the largest SEMA committee? If you are employed by a SEMA-member company and are under the age of 39, then you can join the SEMA Young Executives Network for FREE. If you are interested in becoming part of the team, please visit our website at www.sema.org/yen.

YEN Member of the Month Spotlight

Did you know that YEN has a Member of the Month Spotlight on the SEMA website and that anyone can be nominated? To view previous selections or to make a nomination, visit www.sema.org/yen.

Discover The SEMA Mentoring Program—Powered by the SBN

“I’ll get by with a little help from my friends…” - Joe Cocker

Everyone needs help or expert advice from time to time, and SEMA’s Mentoring Program is an excellent resource to get answers to all your questions. Whether you need to know more about SEMA, market information for a start-up company or advice on how to approach your boss about a new position, the SEMA Mentoring Program can help.

“Ask A Mentor” is perfect for one-time questions. You can expect multiple SEMA mentors to provide online guidance and answers to your industry-related questions.

Short-term Assistance/Guidance is for help with a specific project or task. A SEMA council/committee mentor with the expertise you seek will be paired up with you to provide guidance with your project.

Long-term Relationship is helpful for developing your professional career. In this program segment you will be paired with a SEMA council/committee mentor who will provide guidance and assistance for ongoing career development or a long-term project.

So whether you just need an answer to a question or you want to cultivate a mentoring friendship, the SEMA Mentoring Program—Powered by the SBN is available to help. After all, we can all use a little help from our friends.

For more information on the SEMA Mentoring Program, click here.

YEN Column in SEMA Member News

Read YEN's column featured in the March/April issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about YEN, contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

The Automotive Customer Centricity Summit, an event designed for senior-level executives in the automotive industry, is offering SEMA members a discounted registration rate. Industry leaders will discuss innovative strategies for strengthening customer retention, increasing customer lifetime value and improving profit margins at the June 16–17 event, held at the Ritz-Carlton in Marina del Rey, California, which also features a presentation by SEMA Vice President of Vehicle Technology John Waraniak.

For details about the Automotive Customer Centricity Summit, click here.

The Automotive Customer Centricity Summit, an event designed for senior-level executives in the automotive industry, is offering SEMA members a discounted registration rate. Industry leaders will discuss innovative strategies for strengthening customer retention, increasing customer lifetime value and improving profit margins at the June 16–17 event, held at the Ritz-Carlton in Marina del Rey, California, which also features a presentation by SEMA Vice President of Vehicle Technology John Waraniak.

For details about the Automotive Customer Centricity Summit, click here.

Check out some of our GMC Sierra 2008 SEMA Show Pictures!

Check out some of our GMC Sierra 2008 SEMA Show Pictures!

Dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows and activities have been announced. Details are:

SEMA Webinar, "Job Costing Systems That Will Boost Your Cash Flow," April 2, 2009, 10:00 a.m. (PDT)

SEMA Webinar, "Tough Times Bring Change: Learn How to Manage Moving Forward," April 9, 2009, 10:00 a.m. (PDT)

"The Race Goes Green" Conference, April 16, 2009, Long Beach, California
 

 The 2009 NCMA Knowledge Exchange Conference, May 2–5, 2009, Newport Beach, California

SEMA Webinar, "Contract Law 101: Sponsored by SEMA SPC," May 7, 2009 (PDT)

SEMA Wheel & Tire Council Long-Range Planning Meeting, May 14, 2009, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (PDT), Diamond Bar, California

SEMA Webinar, "Black Book," May 21, 2009, 10:00 a.m. (PDT)

SEMA Webinar, "Sales and Marketing Strategies Guaranteed to Make SEMA 2009 a Success," June 11, 2009, 10:00 a.m. (PDT)

SEMA Webinar, "An Interactive Discussion on Selling Online," June 25, 2009, 10:00 a.m. (PDT)

PAACE Automechanika Mexico, July 15–17, 2009, Mexico City

SEMA Webinar, "Introduction to Internet Marketing," July 16, 2009, 10:00 a.m. (PDT)

SEMA Pinewood Drag Race, August 1, 2009, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (PDT), Pasadena, California

SEMA Internet Symposium, August 1, 2009, 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. (PDT), Pasadena, California

SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, August 1, 2009, Pasadena, California 

SEMA Webinar, "Internet Marketing Tools," August 6, 2009, 10:00 a.m. (PDT)

SEMA Webinar, "25 Ways to be Successful at the SEMA Show," August 20, 2009 (PDT)

SEMA Webinar, "Basics of Website Design and Content," September 24, 2009

SEMA Show, November 3–6, 2009, Las Vegas

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstoreusa.com) at Travel Store USA, 949/930-9268.

Looking for Some Extra Publicity for Your Industry Event?
Publicize your events through the SEMA Online Calendar of Events located at http://www.sema.org/calendar. The calendar is stocked with information on events taking place throughout the year, broken down by month. Examples of events featured in the calendar include consumer shows and club events, educational and training workshops, conventions and trade shows, races and more.

To submit your event details for the calendar, e-mail company name and the date(s), location and name of the event to Shirley Presecan at shirleyp@sema.org.

The SEMA financial benchmarking program has been launched and is providing data for the industry. The focus this week is on jobbers/retailers. Following are a few nuggets gleaned from the responses for the month of January 2009.

Nearly 26% of responding jobbers/retailers say that they expect business to be up for the next three months compared to last year. We’ve heard from of number of industry executives that the first half of last year was pretty good. If that’s true and expectations come true, the first quarter of 2009 may be reasonably good.

Moreover, signs of industry health make the current economy seem a distant past. Despite the gloom, some retailers are opening their doors and welcoming new customers. New SEMA member and Rhode Island retailer Competition Motorsports highlights how retailers are beating the odds.

Owner Scott Szumita addresses their goals: “My store targets any and all types of consumers looking to style or enhance the performance of their car, truck or SUV," he said. "Whether it's an older car they are looking to restore or a new vehicle that they want to add some personal touches to, we need to be diversified in this market.”

Having a flexible product line and offering new services to customers may be the solution to a rough economy.

Three-Month Forecast of Retail Sales Compared to 2008

Almost 66% of jobbers and retailers expect healthy months ahead and foresee positive growth or a steady hold of current business.

Interestingly, those expecting business to be down project an average decrease of 29.5%, while those forecasting an upturn project an average increase of 25.8%. Retailers/jobbers report that in January 2009 their return rate was 7.4%. They also tell us that they averaged 8.8 inventory turns in 2008.

Right now, more than ever, the industry needs new tools to survive the tough economy. That’s why SEMA has launched a new financial benchmarking program. The program is designed to accumulate data that you can use to see how your company is doing in comparison to others in the industry. Each month, information from responding companies will be aggregated and reports generated for the basic distribution categories of the industry.

The program asks a battery of financial questions that provide essential information for business management. Using aggregated data from similar companies, SEMA members will be able to benchmark their operations, answering questions such as:

• What is the distribution of sales by jobbers/retailers?
• Does my company invest more in marketing than others in my category?
• How are my inventory turns doing compared to similar operations?
• Is the amount of product returns my company is having out of whack right now?

The data will provide benchmarking information for just about all aspects of a company’s financial operation. The added benefit is that over time, trend data will emerge, again providing a yardstick by which to compare your company’s operation.

To ease concerns that some company executives may have about SEMA seeing their individual company data, SEMA has contracted with an outside vendor, Hedges & Company, to collect and aggregate the information each month. They willingly enter into legally binding non-disclosure agreements with any and all who wish them, and report only aggregated data to SEMA and program participants. — SEMA Research & Information Center

The SEMA financial benchmarking program has been launched and is providing data for the industry. The focus this week is on jobbers/retailers. Following are a few nuggets gleaned from the responses for the month of January 2009.

Nearly 26% of responding jobbers/retailers say that they expect business to be up for the next three months compared to last year. We’ve heard from of number of industry executives that the first half of last year was pretty good. If that’s true and expectations come true, the first quarter of 2009 may be reasonably good.

Moreover, signs of industry health make the current economy seem a distant past. Despite the gloom, some retailers are opening their doors and welcoming new customers. New SEMA member and Rhode Island retailer Competition Motorsports highlights how retailers are beating the odds.

Owner Scott Szumita addresses their goals: “My store targets any and all types of consumers looking to style or enhance the performance of their car, truck or SUV," he said. "Whether it's an older car they are looking to restore or a new vehicle that they want to add some personal touches to, we need to be diversified in this market.”

Having a flexible product line and offering new services to customers may be the solution to a rough economy.

Three-Month Forecast of Retail Sales Compared to 2008

Almost 66% of jobbers and retailers expect healthy months ahead and foresee positive growth or a steady hold of current business.

Interestingly, those expecting business to be down project an average decrease of 29.5%, while those forecasting an upturn project an average increase of 25.8%. Retailers/jobbers report that in January 2009 their return rate was 7.4%. They also tell us that they averaged 8.8 inventory turns in 2008.

Right now, more than ever, the industry needs new tools to survive the tough economy. That’s why SEMA has launched a new financial benchmarking program. The program is designed to accumulate data that you can use to see how your company is doing in comparison to others in the industry. Each month, information from responding companies will be aggregated and reports generated for the basic distribution categories of the industry.

The program asks a battery of financial questions that provide essential information for business management. Using aggregated data from similar companies, SEMA members will be able to benchmark their operations, answering questions such as:

• What is the distribution of sales by jobbers/retailers?
• Does my company invest more in marketing than others in my category?
• How are my inventory turns doing compared to similar operations?
• Is the amount of product returns my company is having out of whack right now?

The data will provide benchmarking information for just about all aspects of a company’s financial operation. The added benefit is that over time, trend data will emerge, again providing a yardstick by which to compare your company’s operation.

To ease concerns that some company executives may have about SEMA seeing their individual company data, SEMA has contracted with an outside vendor, Hedges & Company, to collect and aggregate the information each month. They willingly enter into legally binding non-disclosure agreements with any and all who wish them, and report only aggregated data to SEMA and program participants. — SEMA Research & Information Center

The SEMA financial benchmarking program has been launched and is providing data for the industry. The focus this week is on jobbers/retailers. Following are a few nuggets gleaned from the responses for the month of January 2009.

Nearly 26% of responding jobbers/retailers say that they expect business to be up for the next three months compared to last year. We’ve heard from of number of industry executives that the first half of last year was pretty good. If that’s true and expectations come true, the first quarter of 2009 may be reasonably good.

Moreover, signs of industry health make the current economy seem a distant past. Despite the gloom, some retailers are opening their doors and welcoming new customers. New SEMA member and Rhode Island retailer Competition Motorsports highlights how retailers are beating the odds.

Owner Scott Szumita addresses their goals: “My store targets any and all types of consumers looking to style or enhance the performance of their car, truck or SUV," he said. "Whether it's an older car they are looking to restore or a new vehicle that they want to add some personal touches to, we need to be diversified in this market.”

Having a flexible product line and offering new services to customers may be the solution to a rough economy.

Three-Month Forecast of Retail Sales Compared to 2008

Almost 66% of jobbers and retailers expect healthy months ahead and foresee positive growth or a steady hold of current business.

Interestingly, those expecting business to be down project an average decrease of 29.5%, while those forecasting an upturn project an average increase of 25.8%. Retailers/jobbers report that in January 2009 their return rate was 7.4%. They also tell us that they averaged 8.8 inventory turns in 2008.

Right now, more than ever, the industry needs new tools to survive the tough economy. That’s why SEMA has launched a new financial benchmarking program. The program is designed to accumulate data that you can use to see how your company is doing in comparison to others in the industry. Each month, information from responding companies will be aggregated and reports generated for the basic distribution categories of the industry.

The program asks a battery of financial questions that provide essential information for business management. Using aggregated data from similar companies, SEMA members will be able to benchmark their operations, answering questions such as:

• What is the distribution of sales by jobbers/retailers?
• Does my company invest more in marketing than others in my category?
• How are my inventory turns doing compared to similar operations?
• Is the amount of product returns my company is having out of whack right now?

The data will provide benchmarking information for just about all aspects of a company’s financial operation. The added benefit is that over time, trend data will emerge, again providing a yardstick by which to compare your company’s operation.

To ease concerns that some company executives may have about SEMA seeing their individual company data, SEMA has contracted with an outside vendor, Hedges & Company, to collect and aggregate the information each month. They willingly enter into legally binding non-disclosure agreements with any and all who wish them, and report only aggregated data to SEMA and program participants. — SEMA Research & Information Center