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

SEMA Webinar, "The Specialty-Equipment Automotive Company of the Future: Guideposts for Strategic Planning (Phase I)," January 15, 2009, 10:00 a.m. (PST)

SEMA MPMC Media Trade Conference, January 20–22, 2009, El Segundo, California

SEMA Webinar, "Social Media: A New Way to Take Your Business to the Top," January 22, 2009, 10:00 a.m. (PST)

SEMA Technical Skills & Training Conference, March 27–28, 2009, Orlando, Florida

Aftermarket eForum, July 13–15, 2009, Chicago, Illinois

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

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

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 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 automotive industry is undergoing one of the most rapid and significant structural changes in decades. Find out how to position yourself for success once the dust settles by tuning into the SEMA webinar, "The Specialty-Equipment Automotive Company of the Future: Guideposts for Strategic Planning (Phase I)."

The final report for Phase I of the SEMA Center for Automotive Research (CAR) Research Program, "The Specialty Equipment Supplier of the Future" highlights several important insights and guideposts expected to shape the specialty-equipment industry in the next three to seven years, including body and chassis electronics integration, OEM-aftermarket collaboration and new customization opportunities as more models are produced from fewer platforms. During this webinar, you will learn about industry trends, future challenges and potential solutions.

What: The Specialty-Equipment Automotive Company of the Future: Guideposts for Strategic Planning (Phase I)
When: Thursday, January 15, 2009, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. (PDT)
Presenter: Brett Smith, Assistant Director, Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology, Center of Automotive Research (CAR); Richard Wallace, Senior Project Manager, CAR
Moderator: John Waraniak, SEMA Vice President of Vehicle Technology

Click here to register for the January 15 webinar.

SEMA's Next Webinar

Learn the basics of standardized retail product eCataloging formats and sections of the data standards (Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard and Product Information Exchange Standard) in easy-to-understand layman’s terms during this webinar sponsored by the SEMA Business Technology Committee (BTC). Presenter Scott O'Toole will demonstrate the importance of accurate product eCataloging information, and the problems that inaccurate information can cause for your specialty parts and accessories business.
 
What: Business Efficiency 101: Using Product Information to Increase Sales, Boost Image and Reduce Costs
When: Thursday, February 5, 2009, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. (PT)
Presenter: Scott O’Toole, Manager, Product Pricing and PIES Compliance, Motor State Distributing

Click here to register for the February 5 webinar.

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As a result of increasing vehicle system integration and complexity, OEMs have been reluctant to grant SEMA-member companies access to a vehicle’s body and chassis electrical/electronic system architecture. As reported earlier, SEMA recently commissioned an in-depth study, which presents a potential methodology to overcome these challenges: The use of an authentication model, similar to that used in the consumer electronics and computer industries, which would allow member companies limited access to certain information, while still allowing OEMs final control over the end product.
 
The study, "The Specialty-Equipment Automotive Company of the Future: Guideposts for Strategic Planning (Phase I)" prepared by the Center for Automotive Research (CAR), reveals that the authentication model, while relatively uncommon in the automotive industry, has been a successful solution to similar challenges in other industries.

Ideally, the model would include a method for the customer to determine that the product is in compliance with OEM vehicle systems. This method would require an authentication chip, which would manage communication between the OEMs and member companies, the creation of legal agreements and a validation process.

Such a strategy would allow qualified member companies limited access to certain critical information, while still allowing OEMs to control the end product.

One OEM representative interviewed for the CAR study said the OEM was actively exploring this concept for its consumer electronics technology. And while the OEM revealed it is not currently considering such a strategy for any other system, it did not rule out the possibility of moving in that direction in the future.

The challenge remains for member companies to produce products that do not alter the vehicle’s integrity, yet adapt to a more electronically systems-integrated vehicle.

To gain insights from the CAR report, participate in the "The Specialty-Equipment Automotive Company of the Future: Guideposts for Strategic Planning (Phase I)" webinar, presented by Brett Smith, CAR assistant director of the manufacturing, engineering and technology group, and Richard Wallace, CAR senior project manager.

“The CAR Study research has identified the authentication model as well as several vehicle manufacturer strategies that will be important for SEMA-member companies to include in their business plans and decision-making processes,” said John Waraniak, SEMA vice president of vehicle technology.

“Critical among those are increased, but still tentative interest by vehicle manufacturers in partnering with specialty-equipment suppliers; the paradox of more vehicle models from fewer platforms; reducing build-order complexity and limiting consumer options at the assembly plant, and expanded opportunities for SEMA members with dealer-installed options; and automotive retail dealers—the final frontier,” Waraniak added. “This webinar will present the opportunities identified and strategies to succeed in this rapidly evolving business environment."

Both Smith and Wallace authored the CAR study and will present findings from the report. Waraniak will moderate the session.

The webinar is scheduled for Thursday, January 15, 2009, from 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. (PDT). For information on how to register for this webinar, click here.

SEMA's all-new truck and restyling education expo, the Technical Skills & Training Conference, is designed to give jobbers, retailers and installers a competitive advantage in this challenging economy. New products, technical and educational seminars, and hands-on product demos with manufacturers lead the agenda of this powerful knowledge fest. See below for events and seminar schedule. Register to attend online by March 13 for $75.

For more information, visit www.sema.org/tstc.

2009 SEMA Technical Skills & Training Conference
March 27–28, 2009, Orlando, Florida

Education seminars and Roundtables include:
Online Marketing Seminar: "Free Tools to Increase Website Sales"
Date: March 27, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.; 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. (repeat)
Presenter: Brian Offenberger, BizGrowth Solutions

Get ready to drive more traffic to your website. This innovative, idea-generating session will arm you with critical information to get your company online and revving sales. Watch your results soar in less than 90 days after attending this informative session. No theory, no hype—just lots of practical, easy-to-implement ideas that work, including:

• Get on the first page of Google and other search engines quickly and cheaply.
• Discover the four things you must NEVER do and 12 sure-fire ways to build incoming links.
• Identify eight free ways to spy on your competition—and a few cheap ways they hope you never learn.
• Find free diagnostic tools to evaluate your website—and those of your competitors.

E-mail Marketing Seminar: "Reach 10,000 Customers for $100"
Date: March 27, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.; 10:30a.m.–11:30 a.m. (repeat)
Presenter: Michael Kelly, ClickMail Marketing

E-mail is easy, but not easy to do right! Attend this session and learn about your top two e-mail challenges: deliverability and relevance. Michael Kelly will cover best practices and pitfalls, as well as how to reduce your marketing budget through effective e-mail practices. This could be your single best ROI on just a few minutes of your time.

Seminar Roundtables
During the TSTC Roundtables, attendees will participate in small groups (roughly 20 individuals) to discuss the issues impacting their businesses. Topics include online marketing, e-mail marketing, cash flow and inventory management. Come prepared to share your experiences!

–Online Marketing Roundtables with Brian Offenberger (available by RSVP only)
Date: March 27, 2009
Time: 12:00 p.m.–12:30 p.m.; 12:30 p.m.–1:00 p.m. (repeat)

–E-mail Marketing Roundtables with Michael Kelly (available by RSVP only)
Date: March 27, 2009
Time: 12:00 p.m.–12:30 p.m.; 12:30 p.m.–1:00 p.m. (repeat)

Cash Flow Management Seminar: "Beat the Cash Crunch"
Date: March 28, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Presenter: Tom Shay, Profits+Plus

Do you know how to make profit in good times? What happens when the cash isn't there to drive your business? Tom Shay knows the specialty-equipment market and will show you how to accurately project the cash and inventory needs of your business for the remainder of 2009 and beyond. You'll leave this session prepared to create a plan for success.

Inventory Management Seminar: "Turn It or Get Burned"
Date: March 28, 2009
Time: 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Presenter: Tom Shay, Profits+Plus
Are you getting burned? Other than extending the margins on the products you offer, are there other ways to make more money? Yes! Increase the turn rate for the sale of merchandise. Tom Shay will lend his expertise in helping you understand how to determine how much inventory you need in your business during each part of the year and to have cash on hand for the purchase of new inventory. Your bottom line will be thanking you for attending this session.

Seminar Roundtables
During the TSTC Roundtables, attendees will have the unique opportunity to participate with a small group (roughly 20 individuals) of their peers to take part in discussions on the issues impacting their business. The topics will include online marketing, email marketing, cash flow and inventory management. These sessions will only be successful if you come prepared to share!

–Cash Flow Roundtables with Tom Shay (available by RSVP only)
Date: March 28, 2009
Time: 1:30 p.m.–2:00 p.m.; 2:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m. (repeat)

–Inventory Management Roundtables with Tom Shay (available by RSVP only)
Date: March 28, 20009
Time: 3:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m.; 3:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m. (repeat)

Now more than ever, the specialty-equipment industry needs strong, visionary leadership. SEMA's 2009 Board of Directors Nominating Committee is asking you to identify the industry's most talented leaders and nominate them for a seat on the SEMA Board of Directors.

Take a few minutes to tell us about a potential nominee and their leadership background. Self-nominations are also welcome; often the best background and experience information comes from the source.

Nominations for the 2009 SEMA Board of Directors election are due Tuesday, January 27, 2009. Please complete the nomination form, and submit it to Nominating Committee Chairman Mitch Williams at mitchwilliams@pilotautomotive.com or liaison Christine Papavero at christinep@sema.org.

Be sure to include background information and qualifications to the Nominating Committee.

Click here to access the 2009 SEMA Board of Directors nomination form. The form is a writeable PDF; please follow the instructions below to complete and return it. 

1: Place your mouse cursor over the text fields and type in your responses as required.

2: When complete, go to File and select Save As...

3: You can keep the same file name or rename it, then save it to your computer

4: Open your e-mail program (Outlook, Yahoo! Mail, Gmail, etc.), compose an e-mail to Mitch Williams or Christine Papavero, and locate and attach the file before sending.

Learn several ways that the right marketing plan can increase your company's website traffic by tuning into the SEMA webinar “Increase Your Website Visibility With Web Analytics,” Thursday, January 22, 2009.

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