By Kristin Atwan

Join SEMA for the 2020 SEMA Business Development Conference in the Middle East. The March 31–April 7 eight-day trip to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabis is co-sponsored by the U.S. government.

Join SEMA for the 2020 SEMA Business Development Conference in the Middle East. The March 31–April 7 eight-day trip to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia is co-sponsored by the U.S. government. This is a low-cost, effective way to meet pre-vetted buyers and exhibit at the largest vehicle customization show in the region.

Hotels, meals, turnkey booth, and the flight from Abu Dhabi to Riyadh Saudi Arabia are covered. Participants will also attend a reception at the U.S. Ambassadors residence in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and tour top specialty-equipment shops in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Federal grants of $1,250 are available, as well as an additional $1,500 grant available to qualified California-based manufacturers.  Twenty-five additional states have confirmed that they have funds available to defray the cost to participate on the 2020 SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference.

Read about the 2019 trip.

For more information, visit www.SEMA.org/middleeast, or contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

For more information on available state funding, contact Kristin Atwan at kristina@sema.org.

By Kristin Atwan

Join SEMA for the 2020 SEMA Business Development Conference in the Middle East. The March 31–April 7 eight-day trip to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabis is co-sponsored by the U.S. government.

Join SEMA for the 2020 SEMA Business Development Conference in the Middle East. The March 31–April 7 eight-day trip to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia is co-sponsored by the U.S. government. This is a low-cost, effective way to meet pre-vetted buyers and exhibit at the largest vehicle customization show in the region.

Hotels, meals, turnkey booth, and the flight from Abu Dhabi to Riyadh Saudi Arabia are covered. Participants will also attend a reception at the U.S. Ambassadors residence in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and tour top specialty-equipment shops in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Federal grants of $1,250 are available, as well as an additional $1,500 grant available to qualified California-based manufacturers.  Twenty-five additional states have confirmed that they have funds available to defray the cost to participate on the 2020 SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference.

Read about the 2019 trip.

For more information, visit www.SEMA.org/middleeast, or contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

For more information on available state funding, contact Kristin Atwan at kristina@sema.org.

Following are dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

• WTC Ambassador (WTCA) Call, December 4, 2019
• 2019 Advanced Engineering Technology Conference, December 10–11, 2019, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis
• YEN Meetup at PRI, December 12, 2019, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis
• 2019 PRI Trade Show, December 12–14, 2019, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis
• YEN General Membership Call, January 15, 2020
• MPMC Media Trade Conference, January 21–23, 2020, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Santa Ana, California
• SBN Biannual General Membership Call, February 4, 2020
• 2020 SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference, March 31–April 5, 2020, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
• YEN General Membership Call, April 15, 2020
• WTC Ambassador (WTCA) Call, May 6, 2020
• 2020 SEMA Show, November 3–6, 2020, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas

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

By Kristin Atwan

Pictured from left: Elizabeth Clark, U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration’s Automotive Team Leader; Robert Ledesma, International Team Lead, Motorstate Distributing; Darren Lane, B2B eCommerce & Export Sales Manager, Motorstate Distributing; Ace Chatoo, MW Company’s Regional Sales Manager/Middle East Sales Manager; James Lawrence, SEMA Chairman of the Board Elect, CEO of Power Automedia; and from Mickey Thompson Tires and Wheels Bill O’Roake, International Sales Manager, Caroline Perkins, Credit Manager, and Don Sneddon, Advertising Manager.

Three SEMA member companies—Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels, MW Company and Motorstate Distributing—received prestigious Department of Commerce Export Achievement Awards for impressive success in growing their export sales.

Each of the companies participated in one or more of the 2019 trips that SEMA conducted to explore the potential of the specialty equipment industry with markets overseas. The awards were presented to this year’s recipients at the 2019 SEMA International Happy Hour reception by Liz Clark, an official from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

By Christian Robinson

California Assembly Member Timothy Grayson was introduced as the winner of the Stephen B. McDonald Legislator of the Year award at the 2019 SEMA Show.

California Assembly Member Timothy Grayson was introduced as the winner of the Stephen B. McDonald Legislator of the Year award at the 2019 SEMA Show. Representing the 14th District, Assembly Member Grayson was recognized for his efforts in the California legislature to promote policies and legislation that support the automotive hobby.

Assembly Member Grayson is proudly counted among the hundreds of pro-hobby lawmakers comprising the SEMA-supported State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus and has routinely demonstrated his commitment to the industry. The annual award is bestowed to the state lawmaker who has gone above and beyond to support the industry in their home state and was named for SEMA’s late Vice President of Government Affairs Stephen B. McDonald, who was the leading advocate behind the founding and growth of the Caucus.

“Since I was a teenager, I’ve enjoyed the challenge and satisfaction that comes with customizing my cars. I’m a proud owner of classic cars but I’m even more proud of the opportunity to support this exciting and innovative industry,” Assembly Member Grayson said.

Assembly Member Grayson was one of the driving forces behind legislation to restore law enforcement’s ability to issue fix-it tickets for vehicles suspected of violating California’s exhaust noise limits. In 2018, the state passed legislation that removed this ability, and which generated significant concern within the $3 billion exhaust-related marketplace and enthusiast community.

In response, Assembly Member Grayson, along with his colleague, Assembly Member Jim Frazier, authored legislation (AB 390) to immediately reinstitute fix-it tickets, which was quickly passed by the Assembly Transportation Committee without opposition. From there, language from the bill was included in a larger budget package (SB 112) and championed by Assembly Member Grayson, who shepherded it past the finish line. With Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature in late September, fix-it tickets are once again being issued to motorists.

In addition to being a lawmaker, Assembly Member Grayson, along with his wife Tammy, is also an enthusiast. Included in the rayson’s collection are two classic Ford Mustangs, including a ’67 Fastback and a ’65 coupe that is currently being restored.

“SEMA members create thousands of jobs in California and contribute greatly to the economic vibrancy of our state. I look forward to working with SEMA for years to come and hopefully having the honor to show and participate in a future SEMA event,” said Assembly Member Grayson.

By Christian Robinson

California Assembly Member Timothy Grayson was introduced as the winner of the Stephen B. McDonald Legislator of the Year award at the 2019 SEMA Show.

California Assembly Member Timothy Grayson was introduced as the winner of the Stephen B. McDonald Legislator of the Year award at the 2019 SEMA Show. Representing the 14th District, Assembly Member Grayson was recognized for his efforts in the California legislature to promote policies and legislation that support the automotive hobby.

Assembly Member Grayson is proudly counted among the hundreds of pro-hobby lawmakers comprising the SEMA-supported State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus and has routinely demonstrated his commitment to the industry. The annual award is bestowed to the state lawmaker who has gone above and beyond to support the industry in their home state and was named for SEMA’s late Vice President of Government Affairs Stephen B. McDonald, who was the leading advocate behind the founding and growth of the Caucus.

“Since I was a teenager, I’ve enjoyed the challenge and satisfaction that comes with customizing my cars. I’m a proud owner of classic cars but I’m even more proud of the opportunity to support this exciting and innovative industry,” Assembly Member Grayson said.

Assembly Member Grayson was one of the driving forces behind legislation to restore law enforcement’s ability to issue fix-it tickets for vehicles suspected of violating California’s exhaust noise limits. In 2018, the state passed legislation that removed this ability, and which generated significant concern within the $3 billion exhaust-related marketplace and enthusiast community.

In response, Assembly Member Grayson, along with his colleague, Assembly Member Jim Frazier, authored legislation (AB 390) to immediately reinstitute fix-it tickets, which was quickly passed by the Assembly Transportation Committee without opposition. From there, language from the bill was included in a larger budget package (SB 112) and championed by Assembly Member Grayson, who shepherded it past the finish line. With Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature in late September, fix-it tickets are once again being issued to motorists.

In addition to being a lawmaker, Assembly Member Grayson, along with his wife Tammy, is also an enthusiast. Included in the rayson’s collection are two classic Ford Mustangs, including a ’67 Fastback and a ’65 coupe that is currently being restored.

“SEMA members create thousands of jobs in California and contribute greatly to the economic vibrancy of our state. I look forward to working with SEMA for years to come and hopefully having the honor to show and participate in a future SEMA event,” said Assembly Member Grayson.

By Della Domingo

The 2020 Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference will be held January 21–23, at the Embassy Suites Orange County Airport North.

Journalists who would like the best possible schedules for the 2020 MPMC Media Trade Conference and want to obtain their schedules in early January must register by December 20. Those who register after the deadline will receive their schedules on-site.

The 2020 MPMC Media Trade Conference, held January 21–23, at the Embassy Suites Orange County Airport North in Santa Ana, California, gives editors and reporters an opportunity to meet one-on-one with executives from top motorsports parts manufacturers in the industry. By attending all three days of the conference, journalists can have up to 42 uninterrupted meetings (up to 14 each day).

Having their schedules weeks before the start of the 2020 MPMC Media Trade Conference enables journalists to prepare for their private meetings with company executives. Media participation is free to all editorial representatives, making it the most affordable and efficient way for reporters to get detailed information specific to their audience needs and interests and gather a year’s worth of editorial content.

Meetings are scheduled based on the companies that journalists select on their applications. Journalists should mark companies as “Need to Meet” or “OK to Meet” to request meetings with representatives from those companies. For companies outside of their editorial needs, journalists should mark “Don’t Want to Meet” to avoid having a meeting scheduled.

Register now for the three-day exclusive event.

For questions, visit the MPMC Media Trade Conference website or contact Juan Torres at juant@sema.org or 909-978-6722.

By Della Domingo

The 2020 Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference will be held January 21–23, at the Embassy Suites Orange County Airport North.

Journalists who would like the best possible schedules for the 2020 MPMC Media Trade Conference and want to obtain their schedules in early January must register by December 20. Those who register after the deadline will receive their schedules on-site.

The 2020 MPMC Media Trade Conference, held January 21–23, at the Embassy Suites Orange County Airport North in Santa Ana, California, gives editors and reporters an opportunity to meet one-on-one with executives from top motorsports parts manufacturers in the industry. By attending all three days of the conference, journalists can have up to 42 uninterrupted meetings (up to 14 each day).

Having their schedules weeks before the start of the 2020 MPMC Media Trade Conference enables journalists to prepare for their private meetings with company executives. Media participation is free to all editorial representatives, making it the most affordable and efficient way for reporters to get detailed information specific to their audience needs and interests and gather a year’s worth of editorial content.

Meetings are scheduled based on the companies that journalists select on their applications. Journalists should mark companies as “Need to Meet” or “OK to Meet” to request meetings with representatives from those companies. For companies outside of their editorial needs, journalists should mark “Don’t Want to Meet” to avoid having a meeting scheduled.

Register now for the three-day exclusive event.

For questions, visit the MPMC Media Trade Conference website or contact Juan Torres at juant@sema.org or 909-978-6722.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) granted exclusion for 36 products contained in List 3 Chinese imports subject to 25% tariffs. The products cover a wide variety of commodities but includes:

• Ratcheting chain hoists, other than skip hoists or hoists of a kind used for raising motor vehicles, such chain hoists not powered by an electric motor (described in statistical reporting number 8425.19.0000).
• Road wheels of aluminum for motor vehicles of subheading 8703.21.01, each measuring 30 cm or more but not over 51 cm in diameter and 14 cm or more but not over 28 cm in width (described in statistical reporting number 8708.70.4545).
• Drive shafts, also known as propeller shafts, that connect a transmission to a differential, allowing a vehicle to move, designed for use in the manufacture of motor vehicles primarily used for amusement, recreation, sporting and off-road transportation classified in heading 8703 (described in statistical reporting number 8708.99.6805).

More information is available online.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) granted exclusion for 36 products contained in List 3 Chinese imports subject to 25% tariffs. The products cover a wide variety of commodities but includes:

• Ratcheting chain hoists, other than skip hoists or hoists of a kind used for raising motor vehicles, such chain hoists not powered by an electric motor (described in statistical reporting number 8425.19.0000).
• Road wheels of aluminum for motor vehicles of subheading 8703.21.01, each measuring 30 cm or more but not over 51 cm in diameter and 14 cm or more but not over 28 cm in width (described in statistical reporting number 8708.70.4545).
• Drive shafts, also known as propeller shafts, that connect a transmission to a differential, allowing a vehicle to move, designed for use in the manufacture of motor vehicles primarily used for amusement, recreation, sporting and off-road transportation classified in heading 8703 (described in statistical reporting number 8708.99.6805).

More information is available online.

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