Toyota's history of extreme camouflage may mean that this is the only look of the new Prius that we'll get until the North American International Auto Show in January, says auto spy photog Brenda Priddy. This is the first time Priddy's network of spy shooters has caught the hatch design fully uncovered.

The new Prius will be built at Toyota's new Mississippi plant and will measure in a bit wider (about 2.5 cm) and about 3 cm shorter than the current model, Priddy says. The new Prius us also expected to get a 40-plus horsepower bump from a new 1.8L engine, and better fuel economy. Nickel metal hydride batteries will still provide electric power, but lithium ion batteries are anticipated in the future.

Our industry has much at stake in this election. On November 4, 2008, voters will elect thousands of state and local leaders, 11 governors, 435 members of Congress, 35 senators and a new president. Each and every one of these elected officials has the ability to positively or negatively shape legislation affecting each of us, our company and our communities.

Given that most of the industry will be in Las Vegas attending the SEMA Show, individuals are urged to vote prior to leaving. The links below will provide information on voter registration, obtaining absentee ballots or where available, voting early in person.

This information is designed to encourage employees of SEMA-member companies, regardless of political affiliations, to exercise their civic duty and vote. This message is brought to you by SEMA PAC. For more information, contact PAC Administrator Jason Tolleson at jasont@sema.org or by phone at 909/396-0289, ext. 168.

Voter Information

Alabama
Register to Vote—deadline: October 24
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 30

Alaska
Register to vote—deadline: October 5
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 25

Arizona
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 24
Early voting in person starting October 2

Arkansas
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 29
Early voting in person starting October 20

California
Register to vote—deadline: October 20
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 28

Colorado
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 28
Early voting in person starting October 20

Connecticut
Register to vote—deadline: October 28
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: November 3

Delaware
Register to vote—deadline: October 11
Absentee ballot—deadline: November 4

Florida
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 29

Georgia
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 31

Hawai'i
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 28
Early voting in person from Oct 21 to Nov 1

Idaho
Register to vote—deadline: October 10
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 29

Illinois
Register to vote—deadline: October 7
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 27
Early voting in person from October 14 to October 30

Indiana
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 27
Early voting in person from October 6 to November 3

Iowa
Register to vote—deadline: November 5
Absentee ballot—deadline: October 31

Kansas
Register to vote—deadline: October 20
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 31

Kentucky
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline: October 29
Early voting in person starts 12 days prior to an election

Louisiana
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—must vote in person from October 21 to October 28

Maine
Register to vote—deadline: November 5
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: November 4
Early voting in person starting 30 days prior to an election   

Maryland
Register to vote—deadline: October 14
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 28

Massachusetts
Register to vote—deadline: October 15
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: November 3, 12:00 p.m.

Michigan
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: November 1  

Minnesota
Register to vote—deadline: November 5
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: no deadline; ballot must be returned by Election Day

Mississippi
Register to vote—deadline: October 3
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: contact your circuit or municipal clerk

Missouri
Register to vote—deadline: October 8
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 29

Montana
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: November 3, 12:00 p.m.

Nebraska
Register to vote—deadline: October 17
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 27

Nevada
Register to vote—deadline: October 14
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 28
Early voting in person from Oct 18 to Oct 31

New Hampshire
Register to vote—deadline: October 25
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: contact your town or city clerk

New Jersey
Register to vote—deadline: October 14
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 28

New Mexico
Register to vote—deadline: October 7
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 31
Early voting in person from October 18 to November 1

New York
Register to vote—deadline: October 10
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 28

North Carolina
Register to vote—deadline: October 10
Absentee ballot—deadline: November 4

North Dakota
Register to vote—deadline: don't need to register
Absentee ballot—deadline: November 4

Ohio
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: November 1

Oklahoma
Register to vote—deadline: October 10
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 29

Oregon
Register to vote—deadline: October 14
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: all voting is by mail

Pennsylvania
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 28

Rhode Island
Register to vote—deadline: October 4
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 14

South Carolina
Register to vote—deadline: October 4
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: November 1

South Dakota
Register to vote—deadline: October 20
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: November 5

Tennessee
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 28
Early voting in person from October 15 to October 30   

Texas
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 28
Early voting in person from October 20 to October 31

Utah
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 31

Vermont
Register to vote—deadline: October 29
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: November 3

Virginia
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 28
Early voting in person ends November 1

Washington
Register to vote—deadline: October 4
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: November 3

West Virginia
Register to vote—deadline: October 14
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 29
Early voting in person from October 15 to November 1

Wisconsin
Register to vote—deadline: November 5
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 30

Wyoming
Register to vote—deadline: November 5
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: contact your local county clerk

President Bush signed into law the economic stabilization bill which included renewal of the research and development (R&D) tax credit, a top legislative priority for SEMA. The R&D tax credit was extended through 2009, retroactive to its expiration on December 31, 2007. The new law increases the alternative simplified credit from 12% to 14% for the 2009 tax year and repeals the alternative incremental research credit for the 2009 tax year.

Lawmakers estimate that businesses will take advantage of $19 billion in tax credits over the next 10 years. The credit offsets R&D costs for companies that invest time and money before they are able to produce new products. The research must be technological in nature and aimed at introducing a new or improved product based on function, performance, reliability or quality.

Money may be spent on both in-house and outside research. The credit is generally 20% of funds spent above the "base-period amount."

For more information, contact Brian Duggan: briand@sema.org.

SEMA submitted comments to federal lawmakers defending continued use of off-highway vehicles (OHV) on federal lands in the Eastern Sierra and Northern San Gabriel region in Southern California. SEMA opposes legislation (H.R. 6156) to designate 475,000 acres of federal lands in Mono, Inyo and Los Angeles Counties as “wilderness.”

OHVs would be denied access to the land since motorized recreation is not permitted in a wilderness area. The bill was the topic of a hearing by a U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resources Subcommittee. 

SEMA recommended an alternative approach that would protect our nation’s natural wonders and motorized recreation. SEMA recommended that the bill specifically protect OHV use on “cherry-stemmed” routes. These routes are often old roads, trails or paths formerly used for mining, logging or agricultural operations.

SEMA also recommended the use of less-restrictive land designations for portions of the land, such as a “National Recreation Area” or a “Backcountry Recreation” designation proposed by the Blue Ribbon Coalition (www.sharetrails.org/backcountry). SEMA recommended continued access to the Furnace Creek Road.

For more information, contact Brian Duggan at briand@sema.org.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) plans to update the new performance tests for motorcycle helmets under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 218. The NHTSA is proposing to strengthen the penetration, impact and retention tests.

The NHTSA is also tightening the labeling requirements, including a provision that helmets be marked with the manufacturer’s name along with the words “DOT” and “certified” to make it easier for riders to distinguish between FMVSS No. 218-compliant helmets and novelty helmets commonly referred to as “skullcaps” and “beanies.” In recent years, the number of riders wearing compliant helmets has dropped despite a widespread effort to encourage helmet usage. 

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

TROUBLED TIMES: Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves pleaded not guilty to charges of tax evasion and fraud, which the federal government brought against Castroneves and his sister Katiucia last week. Castroneves was freed on a $10 million bond but cannot leave the country.

HE’S OUT: Former Craftsman Truck Series champion Jack Sprague has been released from his ride in the series with Kevin Harvick Inc. Team owner Kevin Harvick will drive the No. 2 Chevrolet at Martinsville (Virginia) Speedway on October 18.

NEW POST: Dan Davis, former director of racing for Ford Motor Company, has taken a new position as COO of the Miller Motorsports Park road course located near Salt Lake City, Utah.

IN THE SEAT: Released from his ride with Team Red Bull, A.J. Allmendinger will drive Michael Waltrip’s No. 00 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway this weekend.

POWER RANKINGS: NHRA Top Fuel point leader Tony Schumacher remained at the top of the National Speed Sport News Power Rankings. The National Speed Sport News Power Rankings are published weekly in the 74-year-old motorsports publication.

A SPONSOR?: National Speed Sport News will present the sixth annual Economaki Champion of Champions award to the series champion in December deemed by the NSSN staff as the most worthy of the honor. NSSN is currently seeking a presenting sponsor for the award. Call Liz Mellott (704/455-8045) or Chris Sessions (704/455-8046) for information.

SUBSCRIBE: National Speed Sport News has been published weekly since 1934. To subscribe to National Speed Sport News, click on the following link for a special industry rate: www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/subscribe.html?pid=NQ%2BVfhkepT4%3D.

NEWS NUGGETS

COUNTDOWN HISTORY MAY BE REVISITED AS SERIES HEADS TO VIRGINIA: It was a story for the history books entering Sunday’s eliminations round at last year’s Virginia NHRA Nationals. Teammates Gary Scelzi and Ron Capps both entered the day out of the top four spots and out of advancing to the championship rounds of the inaugural NHRA Countdown to the Championship Countdown to 1 final round. With their championship hopes and their entire 2007 season resting on a mere four passes down the quarter-mile strip, Scelzi and Capps knew that every round win could be the difference between competing for the NHRA POWERade world championship or not.

With Countdown contenders Robert Hight, Jack Beckman, Mike Ashley and Tony Pedregon falling in the first two rounds, the two Don Schumacher teammates met in the final round, with Scelzi driving past Capps for the win. The final-round appearance was enough to secure both drivers a spot in the Countdown to 1 that year. Fast forward one year later and many 2008 Countdown contenders hope to find that same success as the NHRA POWERade Series heads back east for the Virginia NHRA Nationals.

In one of the tightest battles for the POWERade world championship, the top four spots in the Funny Car points standings are separated by a mere 76 points, or just four points shy of a runner-up finish. Funny car points leader Tim Wilkerson has bounced back from his first-round loss in the opening race of the Countdown to 1 in Charlotte to back-to-back wins in Dallas and Memphis. A win in Virginia would propel his Levi Ray & Shoup Chevy Impala SS ahead of the field and current second-place driver Jack Beckman.

In Top Fuel, Tony Schumacher has built his points lead in the Countdown to 1, picking up two wins in three final-round appearances in the playoffs. Though it seems all but sure that Schumacher will finish the season with his sixth POWERade world championship, the fact that crew chief Alan Johnson will leave the team at season’s end to start up a Top Fuel/Funny Car team of his own, the question has to be asked, is this the final championship run for this famed Top Fuel dynasty?

The Pro Stock world championship is still up in the air, with only 63 points separating first place and defending world champion Jeg Coughlin from fourth place and three-time world champion Greg Anderson. Countdown contenders Coughlin, teammate Dave Connolly, Allen Johnson and Jason Line are among the select few who have found the winner’s circle at Virginia, making it’s anybody’s race in Pro Stock.

NHRA, FULL THROTTLE UNVEIL NEW SERIES LOGO FOR 2009 SEASON: Reaching another milestone in the transformation from the NHRA POWERade Series to the NHRA Full Throttle Series, NHRA and Full Throttle unveiled the new series logo this week for the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Series. Full Throttle and the NHRA collaborated to create a signature logo design that brings together the essence and personality of the brand and the sport in an iconic way.

“This logo represents the next generation of NHRA Drag Racing,” said Gary Darcy, NHRA senior vice president-sales & marketing. “Our partnership with The Coca-Cola Co. has been one of the longest and most enduring series sponsorships in all of motorsports, and we are confident that aligning NHRA with Full Throttle is a move that makes enormous strategic sense for the future growth of both brands.” For more on the NHRA Full Throttle Series, visit www.nhra.com.

ASHLEY FORCE TO RECEIVE JIM MURRAY MEMORIAL FOUNDATION AWARD: Funny Car sophomore driver and Countdown contender Ashley Force will receive the 2008 Female Athlete of the Year Award from the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation at the 10th anniversary Tribute to Living Legends of Sports and Media awards dinner at the Beverly Hilton hotel, Thursday, October 30. Other honorees joining Force at the awards dinner include Olympic gold medalist and boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard, Los Angeles Times sports columnist Helene Elliott and legendary sports photographer Howard Bingham. For more information on the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation, as well as the awards dinner, visit www.nhra.com. 

PRO STOCK’S GRAY AND JOHNSON FORM TWO-CAR ALLIANCE FOR 2009: Pro Stock contenders Johnny Gray and Allen Johnson have formed a two-car team alliance for the 2009 and 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series seasons. The new alliance will allow the two teams to work together as one while still racing under separate banners. Gray will continue to run the SKI Racing Dodge Stratus, and Johnson will carry on with the Mopar/J&J Racing Dodge Stratus.

“I’m glad to have Johnny and his whole team join forces with us,” said Johnson. “I think it’s a good marriage. Johnny and I are a good matchup both in our personal business lives—where I’m in the oil business and he’s in the crude-oil business—and in our racing experience. He brings a lot to the table, and I see good things for both of us next year.”

COMING ATTRACTIONS

VIRGINIA NHRA NATIONALS, VIRGINIA MOTORSPORTS PARK, OCTOBER 10–12: Making its fourth stop in the Countdown to 1 playoffs, the NHRA POWERade Series returns to Richmond, Virginia, before the final two races of the season. Defending event winners include Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel); Gary Scelzi (Funny Car); and Dave Connolly (Pro Stock).

ACDELCO LAS VEGAS NHRA NATIONALS, OCTOBER 30–NOVEMBER 2: Making its second stop of the season in Las Vegas, drivers in all four professional categories will fight it out at the fifth and next-to-last race of the Countdown to 1. Defending event winners include Rod Fuller (Top Fuel); Tony Pedregon (Funny Car); Greg Anderson (Pro Stock); and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NHRA FINALS, AUTO CLUB RACEWAY AT POMONA, NOVEMBER 13–16: The 2008 season comes to an end where it started in sunny California and the Countdown to 1 comes to an end as POWERade world champions are determined in this final race. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock); and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

HE SAID, SHE SAID

300-PLUS MPH WITH A CHIP ON HIS SHOULDER: Funny Car points leader Tim Wilkerson isn’t shy about his “David vs. Goliath” status. The single-car team owner, who’s made a career of knocking off multi-car teams round after round, has accepted the fact that most didn’t expect this out of his Levi Ray & Shoup Chevy Impala team.

“Knowing that a lot of people didn’t think we could do this really motivates me and the guys,” said Wilkerson. “When we race these champions we have to have the right attitude. We stop treating them like there’s no way we can beat them. These are the guys you want to beat, so that’s how we live it.”

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

1: The number of round wins Greg Anderson has had since the start of the Countdown to 1 playoffs. Anderson entered the playoffs in the top spot in the point standings with five for five in final round appearances and 32 round wins, but has struggled to get past the first round in the past three races. Anderson has never won at Virginia Motorsports Park.

DID YOU KNOW… 

…that two of the three winningest drivers at Virginia Motorsports Park are also the winningest drivers in NHRA history? John Force (126 career wins) and Warren Johnson (96 wins) both have four wins at Virginia Motorsports Park. Top Fuel pilot Cory McClenathan is the third driver on the most wins list with four victories at the track.

Pirelli Tires recently announced a $15 million investment to boost its manufacturing capacity by 20% at its Modular Integrated Robotized System (MIRS) factory in Rome, Georgia. The factory produces high-performance tires for the North American market, and the investment will increase the number of MIRS production lines from four to five. 

Century Truck Caps, a division of the Truck Accessories Group, announced that it recently added three new dealers: Truck’n America in the Baltimore/Washington D.C., area; Alexanders Camper Sales in Bloomington, Indiana; and Mike Ryan’s Truck & Auto in Pensacola, Florida. Century attributes quality products and its continued dealer support as the main reasons it continues to draw new dealers in a tough economic climate.

Torque.TV currently features television coverage of the 2008 Carlisle All-Truck Nationals that took place in August. Record crowds attended the three-day event and Torque.TV includes coverage of the Truck Tug of War and all of the mud runners, rock crawlers, low riders, lifted legends and more.

“The All-Truck Nationals are centrally located and staged within reach of attendees from a huge, diverse geographical area,” said Torque.TV CEO Jesse Raiford. “Killer trucks and great stories come from all over and their owners jump into the event action for our cameras.” Check out the action here. 

Laser Design Inc. and GKS Inspection Services launched their newly improved website at www.laserdesign.com. The redesigned site provides updated product and service information, current news and case studies and features new online video demonstrations of products and services.  

More than $2 million will be up for grabs at the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) World Finals at Rockingham Dragway in Rockingham, North Carolina, October 17–19. Championship showdowns are expected in Top Fuel, Nitro Funny Car, Pro Modified and Pro Stock—classes that remain undecided heading into Rockingham. For more information, visit www.ihra.com. 

Rookie Spencer Massey heads to Rockingham as the IHRA points leader in Top Fuel.

The Cooper Tires & Rubber Company and Roush Performance entered into an agreement through which Cooper was named the official tire of Roush Performance. Cooper will supply ultra-high-performance tires for Stage 1, 2 and 3 and other limited-edition vehicles, such as the P51B Roush-customized Mustangs, currently available at select Ford dealerships nationwide.

Cooper Tires is the official tire of Roush Performance.

 
Click on the logo to visit SPC's website.

Find Out Where The Youth Market is Headed

You are invited to attend SEMA’s Street Performance Council Youth Focus Panel during the Formula Drift Final Fight Event.
 
The focus panel will feature dozens of youth speaking candidly about their hobby. Discover what they really think and want from the automotive specialty-equipment market.

When: Saturday, October 11 at 3:00 p.m.
Where: Irwindale Speedway, 500 Speedway Drive, Irwindale, California 91706
 
RSVP Required: The location of the Youth Focus Panel is in a restricted area, and a special pass is needed for access.
 
If you have any questions about the focus panel, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112, or e-mail paulm@sema.org.

SPC Column in SEMA Member News

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

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

Click on the logo to visit ARMO's website.

ARMO Special Projects in Motion

Sponsorships are being accepted for the ARMO Industry Awards Reception. Now is the time to participate in this great opportunity to show your support of the restoration market, its community, its people and its businesses. Click here to download and print a sponsorship form.
 
For more information, contact any Select Committee member or Jan Desma, 909/396-0289, ext. 134, or e-mail jand@sema.org.

ARMO Column in SEMA Member News

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

Click on the logo to visit HRIA's website.

HRIA Special Projects in Motion

Sponsorships are being accepted for the HRIA Industry Awards Reception. Participate in this great opportunity to show your support of the hot-rod community, its people and its businesses. Click here to download and print a sponsorship form.
 
For more information contact any Select Committee member or Jan Desma, 909/396-0289 ext. 134 or e-mail jand@sema.org.

HRIA Column in SEMA Member News

Read HRIA's column featured in the September/October 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 TORA's website.

Display Your Truck for Charity 

TORA is still accepting applications for display trucks and SUV’s for their SEMA Show Booth, but time is running out!

“Each year TORA can accommodate up to three trucks or SUV’s in its SEMA Show booth,” said TORA Chairman Ron DiVincenzo. “What makes the display so special is that the owner of each vehicle chosen for display makes a $1,000 donation to SEMA Childhelp Charities. The fact that we always have three vehicles that represent such a large charitable donation makes me proud to serve on the TORA Select Committee.”

Any TORA member wishing to apply for one of the display spots should contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org immediately. Time is running out for applications!

TORA Column in SEMA Member News

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

Click on the logo to visit MPMC's website.

Media Registers for Annual MPMC Media Trade Conference

Media who wish to attend the 12th annual MPMC Media Trade Conference may register online now at www.sema.org/media. The MPMC Media Trade Conference provides media attendees the opportunity to have up to 42 individual, 30-minute, face-to-face meetings with various manufacturers to gather technical and new product content. During the registration process, attendees are asked to prioritize each of the 100 exhibiting manufacturers as “must meet with”, “ok to meet with” or “do not wish to meet with.”  Following the close of registration on December 5, individualized schedules are produced for each attendee and exhibitor, utilizing the prioritizations as much as possible.

The MPMC Media Trade Conference is widely regarded by both manufacturers and media as a “must attend” event. Now in its 12th consecutive year, the conference has grown to an extent that the number of exhibitor spots is capped at 100, due to time and space constraints. Even so, many media attendees report that they gather enough editorial and technical content in three days to last them an entire 12 months. Likewise, exhibiting manufacturers acknowledge that the Media Trade Conference gives them exposure to media that is not available at any other venue. Only MPMC member manufacturers are eligible to apply for an exhibitor suite, making the conference a true council member benefit.

MPMC Column in SEMA Member News

Click on the logo to visit MRC's website.

MRC Column in SEMA Member News

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

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

Click on the logo to visit PRO's website.

PRO will hold an open meeting during the 2008 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The meeting is open to all PRO Council members, and will be in meeting rooms N219–N222, located in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Now more than ever, PRO needs input from all its members. So please plan to attend on Thursday morning at the Show, and bring all your ideas with you!

What: PRO Open Meeting
When: Thursday, November 6, 2008, 7:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall, rooms N219–N222

PRO Column in SEMA Member News

Read PRO's column featured in the September/October 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 WTC's website.

WTC Column in SEMA Member News

Read WTC's column featured in the September/October 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.

Be a part of what some have called “The Most Productive Event at the SEMA Show.”
Get your company more exposure today by sponsoring the SEMA Speed Networking Breakfast—Powered by SBN.
 
Sponsorship includes many exciting benefits:

• Breakfast tickets (additional available at $10 each)
• Scholarship fund donation
• Eligibility to place items in goody bags that will be distributed to all breakfast attendees
• Logo in the event’s looping PowerPoint presentation
• Small logo on advance promotional material and on-site handouts
• Thank-you recognition at event
• Recognition in applicable SBN news vehicles—electronic and print—prior to and after the event
• Company name linked to your corporate website on breakfast webpage
• Handout of pre-registered attendees

Come join us for the breakfast, see the Woman of The Year and Athena Awards—and stay for Speed Networking—all while supporting the worthy cause of the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund.
 
Sponsor companies need not be SBN members. All SEMA-member companies are eligible.

Click here to download the sponsorship form.
 
Attendee breakfast tickets can also be purchased by clicking here.

“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 program, click here.

SEMA Speed Networking Breakfast—Powered by SBN

Check out this video of SBN members in action during the valuable SEMA Speed Networking Breakfast—Powered by SBN held annually at the SEMA Show. Check out the video by clicking here

SBN Column in SEMA Member News

Read SBN's column featured in the September/October 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.

Join YEN

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 program, click here.

YEN Column in SEMA Member News

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

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

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