By Ashley Reyes

SEMA Accessory Sales Professional (SASP) exam is based on the SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) Sales Training Manual and includes 50 multiple-choice questions focused on customer relations and sales strategy, salesperson knowledge and practices, business structure and sales processes, marketing and promotions, and SEMA PRO-recommended business practices and preparations.

For a limited time, SEMA members can take the SEMA Accessory Sales Professional (SASP) exam at no cost. The exam, which helps restylers update their business practices and gain a head start on boosting sales, is available free-of-charge until June 12.

The fee is waived to assist restylers and resellers who have been affected by the Coronavirus situation. With many SEMA members having experienced a disruption in their businesses and employees sheltering at home, now is an ideal time to obtain SASP certification. The designation validates expertise in   customer relations and sales strategies and positions professionals as leaders in the automotive restyling field. Nearly 150 restylers across the country have obtained SASP certification since the program was introduced about a year ago, and they are already reporting an increase in sales.

The five-section exam is based on the SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) Sales Training Manual and includes 50 multiple-choice questions focused on customer relations and sales strategy, salesperson knowledge and practices, business structure and sales processes, marketing and promotions, and SEMA PRO-recommended business practices and preparations.

“We’re hoping to assist members rise above challenges during this time of need,” said SEMA Director of Councils Denise Waddingham. “By participating in this program, employees can get updated tips and strategies to improve their business practices, better preparing them to return to work.”

Participants who pass the exam will also receive a sales professional certificate and badge to recognize them for their achievement while providing business owners with a valuable marketing edge.

Originally valued at $19.99, SEMA-member company employees can now take the exam for free and obtain the manual free of charge.

For more information, visit www.sema.org/pro or contact Denise Waddingham at deniselw@sema.org.

By Rachel Tatum

The SEMA Show Online Media Center, available exclusively to SEMA Show exhibitors, allows exhibitors to submit press releases and photos at no cost.

Press releases can be an easy and effective way to generate buzz about your 2020 SEMA Show news. In addition to sending it out to targeted journalists, exhibitors are encouraged to post their Show-related news and announcements to the SEMA Show Online Media Center—a destination where media go to obtain exhibitor-related news and information regarding the latest products, hottest vehicles and activities at the upcoming Show.

Exhibitors can attach photos and select the market segments that are relevant to their news. Whether exhibitors are announcing new products, a booth demonstration, vehicle unveiling or celebrity appearance, there are best practices when drafting a release and posting in the SEMA Online Media Center to get maximum exposure. Here are some tips for exhibitors to keep in mind:

• Have a strong headline: Make it concise and compelling to grab the attention of your reader.
• Stick to the facts: Avoid embellishing or opinions. Reporters are looking for news and will not report on the “best” or “greatest” products. They will, however, report on products that result in specific outcomes.
• Tag your Show category: The Online Media Center allows exhibitors the ability to select which show categories their news falls under. Journalists can then filter press releases by their market segment.
• Include a photo: Editors like to run photos with their news stories. Many editors will only use releases that have photos. JPEGs are preferred, and print publications will insist on high-resolution 300dpi images.
• Write like an editor: Most publications follow the Associated Press (AP) format. Become familiar with this style of writing to help you craft your message in a way that makes it easy to read and easy to use.
• Include your contact info: Whether you’re inviting your reader to an event or introducing your new product, make sure you include your SEMA Show booth number and media contact information should a journalist have any questions or want to drop by your booth.

Exhibitors can receive additional tips and assistance with media outreach during the SEMA Show by contacting Rachel Tatum at rachelt@sema.org or 909-978-6669.

By Rachel Tatum

The SEMA Show Online Media Center, available exclusively to SEMA Show exhibitors, allows exhibitors to submit press releases and photos at no cost.

Press releases can be an easy and effective way to generate buzz about your 2020 SEMA Show news. In addition to sending it out to targeted journalists, exhibitors are encouraged to post their Show-related news and announcements to the SEMA Show Online Media Center—a destination where media go to obtain exhibitor-related news and information regarding the latest products, hottest vehicles and activities at the upcoming Show.

Exhibitors can attach photos and select the market segments that are relevant to their news. Whether exhibitors are announcing new products, a booth demonstration, vehicle unveiling or celebrity appearance, there are best practices when drafting a release and posting in the SEMA Online Media Center to get maximum exposure. Here are some tips for exhibitors to keep in mind:

• Have a strong headline: Make it concise and compelling to grab the attention of your reader.
• Stick to the facts: Avoid embellishing or opinions. Reporters are looking for news and will not report on the “best” or “greatest” products. They will, however, report on products that result in specific outcomes.
• Tag your Show category: The Online Media Center allows exhibitors the ability to select which show categories their news falls under. Journalists can then filter press releases by their market segment.
• Include a photo: Editors like to run photos with their news stories. Many editors will only use releases that have photos. JPEGs are preferred, and print publications will insist on high-resolution 300dpi images.
• Write like an editor: Most publications follow the Associated Press (AP) format. Become familiar with this style of writing to help you craft your message in a way that makes it easy to read and easy to use.
• Include your contact info: Whether you’re inviting your reader to an event or introducing your new product, make sure you include your SEMA Show booth number and media contact information should a journalist have any questions or want to drop by your booth.

Exhibitors can receive additional tips and assistance with media outreach during the SEMA Show by contacting Rachel Tatum at rachelt@sema.org or 909-978-6669.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

While there are more than a few automotive enthusiasts in Congress, U.S. Representative Doug LaMalfa’s (R-CA) enthusiasm for the hobby and collection of classic vehicles puts him in a class by himself. LaMalfa started wrenching on cars during his formative years and his passion for buying and personalizing vehicles continued to grow during the ensuing decades. His fleet includes Ford trucks from '34 and ’50, Mustangs (’65, ’68, ’03 and ’13), a ’69 Torino Talladega, a ’72 Pantera and ’55 and ’56 Thunderbirds that he maintains for his parents. Find out more information on the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

Watch the video below to learn more about Rep. LaMalfa, an advocate for the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. Send a letter asking your legislator to support the RPM Act and protect the future of motorsports.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

While there are more than a few automotive enthusiasts in Congress, U.S. Representative Doug LaMalfa’s (R-CA) enthusiasm for the hobby and collection of classic vehicles puts him in a class by himself. LaMalfa started wrenching on cars during his formative years and his passion for buying and personalizing vehicles continued to grow during the ensuing decades. His fleet includes Ford trucks from '34 and ’50, Mustangs (’65, ’68, ’03 and ’13), a ’69 Torino Talladega, a ’72 Pantera and ’55 and ’56 Thunderbirds that he maintains for his parents. Find out more information on the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

Watch the video below to learn more about Rep. LaMalfa, an advocate for the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. Send a letter asking your legislator to support the RPM Act and protect the future of motorsports.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

While there are more than a few automotive enthusiasts in Congress, U.S. Representative Doug LaMalfa’s (R-CA) enthusiasm for the hobby and collection of classic vehicles puts him in a class by himself. LaMalfa started wrenching on cars during his formative years and his passion for buying and personalizing vehicles continued to grow during the ensuing decades. His fleet includes Ford trucks from '34 and ’50, Mustangs (’65, ’68, ’03 and ’13), a ’69 Torino Talladega, a ’72 Pantera and ’55 and ’56 Thunderbirds that he maintains for his parents. Find out more information on the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

Watch the video below to learn more about Rep. LaMalfa, an advocate for the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. Send a letter asking your legislator to support the RPM Act and protect the future of motorsports.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

While there are more than a few automotive enthusiasts in Congress, U.S. Representative Doug LaMalfa’s (R-CA) enthusiasm for the hobby and collection of classic vehicles puts him in a class by himself. LaMalfa started wrenching on cars during his formative years and his passion for buying and personalizing vehicles continued to grow during the ensuing decades. His fleet includes Ford trucks from '34 and ’50, Mustangs (’65, ’68, ’03 and ’13), a ’69 Torino Talladega, a ’72 Pantera and ’55 and ’56 Thunderbirds that he maintains for his parents. Find out more information on the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

Watch the video below to learn more about Rep. LaMalfa, an advocate for the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. Send a letter asking your legislator to support the RPM Act and protect the future of motorsports.

SEMA has partnered with Survey & Ballot Systems (SBS) to administer the 2020 SEMA Board of Directors election. To assure your election-specific broadcast email arrives safely in your inbox on May 12, 2020, simply add the following email address as an approved sender: noreply@directvote.net.  

SEMA has partnered with Survey & Ballot Systems (SBS) to administer the 2020 SEMA Board of Directors election. To assure your election-specific broadcast email arrives safely in your inbox on May 12, 2020, simply add the following email address as an approved sender: noreply@directvote.net.  

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) granted exclusion requests for 146 List 3 products imported from China and subject to 25% tariffs. The products cover a wide variety of commodities including several auto parts, such as:

• New non-radial pneumatic rubber tires suitable for ATVs and UTVs (HTS 4911.90.8010)
• Rubber vibration control goods (HTS 4016.99.5500)
• CV joint boots and rack and pinion bellows of neoprene (HTS 4016.99.6050)
• Convex rear-view mirrors, flat rear-view mirrors and glass mirrors (HTS 7009.10.0000)
• Aluminum carburetors and aluminum and steel crankcases (HTS 8409.91.9990)
• Vacuum pumps for automotive braking systems (HTS 8414.10.0000)
• Bumpers of round tubing or flat sheets of steel for ATVs or UTVs (HTS 8708.10.3050)
• Motor vehicle bumper underside attachments (HTS 8708.29.5060)
• Spoilers, splitters, diffusers and other devices providing aerodynamic downforce and engine covers (HTS 8708.29.5060)
• Tonneau covers for pickup trucks with soft vinyl panels that fold (HTS 8708.29.5060)
• Aluminum wheel spacers for ATVs and UTVs (HTS 8708.70.6060)
• Aluminum clad radiator tubes (HTS 8708.91.7550)
• Certain automatic transmission parts including flange forgings, front output shafts, aluminum housing for integrated wheel-end disconnect systems, hub forgings and park gear blanks (HTS 8708.99.6890)

View the entire list.

An exclusion is product-specific, not company-specific. That means a company which did not request the exclusion may still benefit although the benefit may be narrowly applied.  For example, the beneficiary company may need to demonstrate that its product’s technical specifications are related, and the product can be used in the same manner as the excluded product.

The time-period for List 3 exclusions is September 24, 2018–August 7, 2020, regardless of when the exclusion request was granted (the time-period for requesting an exclusion ended September 30, 2019).

In a separate action, the USTR will consider granting an extension of up to one-year for products previously granted exclusions between October 28, 2019–March 26, 2020. The deadline for requests is June 8, 2020.

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.