Retailers looking to grab the attention of more customers can find what they need in the SEMA 2007 Retail Resource Guide. Available to members free of charge, the guide provides store layout tips and examples, listings of visual merchandising suppliers, store fixture manufacturers and more.

The guide was originally featured at the 2007 SEMA Show's Retail Resource Center inside the Store of the Future display. For a free copy of the Retail Resource Guide, contact Monica Terlouw at monicat@sema.org, or 909/396-0289, ext. 150.

SPUR SALES WITH SIMPLE STORE LAYOUT CHANGES—GET YOUR FREE EVALUATION
Want to find out how simple changes to your store layout can help increase your sales and motivate your customers to buy and spend more? As a benefit to its members, SEMA offers expert advice on how to get the most from your retail space—and the best part is that it's free. Submit high-resolution photos of your store to editors@sema.org. Be sure the images are 300-dpi JPEGs, and be sure to include your name, company name, address, phone number, e-mail address and website URL (if applicable). Please include the words “Store Layout” on the e-mail subject line. Photos of your store along with the expert evaluation will be featured in an upcoming issue of SEMA News.

Drawing from a 40-year tradition of “giving back to the industry,” SEMA has established the SEMA Cares Committee. The new group will be charged with identifying and creating additional opportunities for its members to enrich the lives of children nationwide.

“SEMA members have a long history of giving back to our communities by assisting children and families who require a helping hand,” said Joel Ayres, who will be serving as the SEMA Cares Committee Chairman. “The SEMA Cares Committee will allow us to be even more effective, as we work as a collective group and pool our resources.”

For nearly two decades, SEMA members have been actively donating money to support charitable causes and the association has held various fundraisers. In recent years, SEMA and its members have raised money to benefit organizations such as Childhelp, whose mission is to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of abused and neglected children, and Victory Junction Gang Camp, an organization that enriches the lives of children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses.

Just last year, SEMA introduced a new component into its popular Installation Banquet, which now consists of an evening gala celebration and fundraiser. Among the goals of the SEMA Cares Committee will be to establish an even higher goal of charitable activity by creating new opportunities for SEMA members to give back through more events and to identify new charities to support.

The SEMA Cares Committee will be chaired by Ayres, a former SEMA Board member and national marketing director of the Leer Division, Truck Accessories Group (TAG) Inc. Ayres also is the former liaison to the Light-Truck Accessory Alliance (TORA) Select Committee and chairs the committee to establish a permanent SEMA Hall of Fame and History exhibit. His passion for childrens' charities goes back two decades when he founded Big Brothers of Northeastern Indiana and became the first chairman of the board at just 21 years old. Since then, he has volunteered for numerous other childrens' charities including: Sacramento Sutter Hospital Child Care Unit and Heartgallery.

In additional to the philanthropic efforts supported by SEMA Cares, the association also provides assistance to students studying for careers in the industry through the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, and the association provides support to at-risk employees and families through the Aftermarket Foundation.

For more information on Childhelp and Victory Junction, please visit:
www.childhelpusa.org
www.victoryjunction.org

Schedules for the 2008 SEMA MPMC Media Trade Conference have been e-mailed to all participants. Exhibitors who did not receive their schedules should contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org, 909/396-0289, ext. 103. Media who have not received their schedules should contact Della Domingo at dellad@sema.org, 909/396-0289, ext. 130.

Media who have not registered may still take part in the event, where they will be able to meet with 101 of the motorsports industry's leading manufacturers. Pre-register online at www.sema.org/MPMCconference/MediaRegister.aspx or sign up onsite at the Embassy Suites LAX. Come for one, two or three of the days (January 22–24) and leave with enough material to develop a year's worth of editorial.

The Ford Flex is among the 2009 models for which Ford is accepting project car proposals.

SEMA members: Ford is now accepting proposals for companies that would like to build a Ford-based project vehicle. This year's program includes new 2009 models Ford Flex, F-150 and the Mercury MKS. For proposal criteria and submission deadline, visit www.sema.org/oem, and click on the 2008 Ford Project Vehicle Program link under the Ford logo.

For additional information on project-vehicle programs, contact Bill Wolf at billw@sema.org.

Filler for eNews

SEMA Spring Expo and SEMA OFFROAD exhibitors are invited to promote any special offers, giveaways, promotions, new products or discounted pricing that might be offered at the upcoming shows through SEMA eNews. If you have anything you’d like to include, send a detailed explanation to Joe Lu at joel@sema.org, and it will be included in the newsletter. For complete information on the two shows, visit www.semaspringexpo.com or www.semaoffroad.com.

Questions regarding show specials or the upcoming events? Contact Gary Vigil at garyv@sema.org.

The Latest Offers

BD Diesel Performance (Booth #1302):  BD will introduce the X2, the ultimate diesel monitoring system at SEMA Spring Expo/SEMA OFFROAD.

• The X2 allows digital monitoring of up to seven parameters at the same time—and when used with a BD X-Tuner or other power module, it provides ultimate engine control and protection.
• The X2 can data log monitored parameters so they can be played back or downloaded onto a laptop.
• Capable of controlling multiple modules at the same time—great for “stacked” applications.
• LCD screen features white backlight for easy night viewing, molded A-pillar housing makes mounting easy.

For more information, call 800/887-5030, or visit www.dieselperformance.com.

Flitz International Ltd. (Booth #2323): Flitz International will be offering auto hot buys and special pricing on their waxes, polishes and supplies. With each purchase, they will be giving away free product. For a complete breakdown of the “auto hot buys” products, click here to download PDF.
 
TruXedo (Booth #2118): All dealers that sign up to become a New TruXedo Select Dealer at SEMA Spring Expo/SEMA OFFROAD will be entered into a drawing for a free TruXedo Dealer Package, including POP Displays, a TruXedo tonneau cover, six TruXseal - tailgate seals, 12 bottles of Pro-Tex protectant spray and TruXedo promotional items. Package valued up to $1,400. 
 
More SEMA Spring Expo/SEMA OFFROAD Offers

Siriani & Associates (Booth #1416):  Stop by to learn how to save up to 65% on shipping costs.

Car Care One (Booth #2002):  Enroll in Car Care One at SEMA Spring Expo/SEMA OFFROAD and your Car Care One registration fees ($150) will be waived. You will also receive a pair of Mechanix gloves. (Mechanix is a registered trademark of Mechanix Wear Inc.).

ICI Innovative Creations Inc. (Booth #2017): 

• Baja style light bar - 47% discount off all remaining inventory.
• New ICI Mud Flaps - 5% off any order of flaps, no minimums.
• 3-inch Round Nerf Bars - 5% discount on show orders.
• 4-inch Oval Nerf Bars - 10% discount on show orders.

Omix-Ada/Rugged Ridge (Booth #1324):  Rugged Ridge will be unveiling its new Mirror Relocation Brackets for the 2007–2008 Jeep Wrangler at SEMA Spring Expo/SEMA OFFROAD. 

• The brackets’ special design allows you to move your factory mirrors from the door to the body of the vehicle.
• Remove your doors for trail use without losing your mirrors!
• Constructed of black powdercoated steel for long life and extra durability. 
• For more information about the Rugged Ridge Mirror Relocation Brackets or to locate a Rugged Ridge distributor, please visit www.omix-ada.com or call 770/614-6101.

SEMA Manufacturing members are invited to participate in Toyota's upcoming Measuring Session for the top-selling Corolla S and Matrix XRS. Cameras are allowed. Both of the vehicles made their world premieres during the 2007 SEMA Show. The 2009 Toyota Corolla represents the 10th generation of the perennial favorite. "We believe in the importance of the small-car segment," said Toyota Corporate Marketing Manager Tim Morrison.

WHAT: 2009 Toyota Corolla S and Matrix XRS Measuring Session; Toyota Motor Sales USA

SEMA members: Tune in to the SEMA webinar on January 31, at 10 a.m. (PST) when Kathleen Barton presents “Managing Workplace Stress" to learn the latest stress-management tips and relaxation techniques that can be applied immediately to your job and your life.

Nearly 50% of all U.S. workers feel overwhelmed by a growing number of job tasks and longer working hours. High levels of stress in the workplace often lead to job burnout, resulting in lower productivity. Discover how you can effectively manage this stress and improve overall productivity in today’s demanding work environment. 

Presenter: Kathleen Barton, MBA, founder of The Success Connection

When: Thursday, January 31, at 10 a.m. (PST)

What's a Webinar?
The SEMA webinar program brings the world-class business seminars featured during the SEMA Show Education Week right to your desktop. Different business-building sessions are constantly being added to the program, offering members the latest insight and practices from today’s leading speakers. All SEMA webinars are conducted live and are open to all employees of SEMA-member companies free of charge. To participate, all you need is a computer with Internet access and a telephone.

All previously conducted SEMA webinars are available to download anytime by clicking here. To view upcoming presentations that you can attend via the telephone and Internet, click here.

For additional information on the SEMA webinar program, contact patt@sema.org.

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Legions of fans loyal to Detroit iron await the launch of the Dodge Challenger, February 6, at the Chicago Auto Show. The spy photographers at Brenda Priddy & Co. snagged these shots of a vinyl-laden pre-production Challenger working out in the snow. “One can easily tell that the production model is nearly identical to the concept shown on the auto show circuit,” Priddy tells us.

Dodge will begin production on its new musclecar, built on the new "LY" rear-wheel drive platform in Ontario, Canada, this spring, according to Priddy. Pricing is expected to start around $31,000, although rumors abound that R/T models have already pre-sold in the $50,000 range. A convertible is also expected in the future.

For those counting the minutes until the Challenger’s release, Dodge offers a helping hand at www.dodgechallengercountdown.com.