By Della Domingo

Media credentials allow journalists to cover all the new products, exhibiting companies, and exciting new features, as well as provide full access to the Media Center throughout the week, where dedicated Wi-Fi, computers and other amenities are available to facilitate filing stories.

Media registration for the 2017 SEMA Show is now open.  

This year’s SEMA Show is taking place October 31–November 3, 2017, in Las Vegas. The event is on track to feature more than 2,400 exhibiting manufacturers of automotive parts, and include a full week of special events and activities. Register to attend today, and secure hotel accommodations for the entire week.

Advance registration will ensure journalists’ badges are ready for pickup in the Media Center (Room S220) without any delays. Media credentials allow them to cover all the new products, exhibiting companies and exciting new features, as well as provide full access to the Media Center throughout the week, where dedicated Wi-Fi, computers and other amenities are available to facilitate filing stories.

As a trade-only event, media credentials are available to qualified individuals who are reporting on the event. Even if they have previously attended the SEMA Show, they may be required to submit qualifying materials to verify their affiliation with a media company.

Members of the media can get the most out of the 2017 SEMA Show by selecting the following media activities during the application process:

• TORA Media Preview Exclusive (October 30, 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.): Presented by the Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA), the Media Preview Exclusive gives credentialed media easy access to the products from the SEMA Show before it even opens.
• SEMA Awards Press Conference (October 31, 7:30 a.m.–8:45 a.m.): Held at the Westgate Hotel Paradise Event Center during the New Products Breakfast, approved media can enjoy a complimentary sit-down breakfast and be the first to learn the winners of the Best New Products Awards and the Hottest Vehicles.
• SEMA Ignited (November 3, evening): Approved media have access to exclusive amenities during SEMA Ignited, where thousands of consumers enjoying the festivities and SEMA Cruise (a parade of vehicles exiting the Convention Center) offer prime photo opportunities.

Don’t delay. Register today to ensure that your media credentials are ready for quick and easy pickup during the event.

For additional information, contact SEMA PR at 909-978-6722 or pr@sema.org.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Chris Douglas	Kevin Feeney

COMP Performance Group Appoints Douglas and Feeney to New Executive Leadership Roles

Effective May 1, 2017, The COMP Performance Group has announced that Chris Douglas will assume the role of chief operating officer with day-to-day responsibility for the operations and overall efficiency of the organization. Douglas enters the new role after nearly 15 years with the company, most recently serving as the vice president of marketing since 2009. In addition to his new role as COO, Douglas will continue to serve the industry through his position on the SEMA Board of Directors. In addition, company veteran Kevin Feeney has been named to the newly formed chief product officer position. In this role, Feeney will utilize his 30 years of industry experience to oversee the development, improvement and manufacture of all products within the CPG portfolio of brands. Feeney enters this role after serving as the vice president of engineering and product development for the past two years. Both Douglas and Feeney will interface directly with company ownership (Ron Coleman and Paul “Scooter” Brothers) and Chief Sales Officer Rick Sparks to define and execute the strategic direction of the overall organization.

Ben Graham

Ben Graham Named Ken-Tool National Sales Manager

Douglas Romstadt, president of Ken-Tool, has announced the appointment of Ben Graham to the position of national sales manager. Graham has spent his entire career in the tire and rubber industry, employed by Myers Industries for nearly 20 years in a variety of sales functions, and by BJ Rocket America as the general manager of sales. He will report directly to Romstadt, and will also assume responsibility for the company’s marketing initiatives.

Keystone Automotive Operations Inc. has added Dana Spicer, Yukon Gear & Axle, Dynamic Suspension, AirBedz, CargoGlide, Cargo Ease, Rack’Em and Prince Lionheart to its suspension and truck bed/van accessory market segments.

Keystone Automotive Operations Inc. Welcomes New Lines

Keystone Automotive Operations Inc. has added Dana Spicer, Yukon Gear & Axle, Dynamic Suspension, AirBedz, CargoGlide, Cargo Ease, Rack’Em and Prince Lionheart to its suspension and truck bed/van accessory market segments. Keystone has more than 165,000 unique stocking SKUs and will continue to expand its footprint to meet the needs of its customer base.

Classic Industries Acquires California Mustang Parts and California Muscle Parts

Classic Industries has announced the acquisition of California Mustang Parts, California Muscle Parts and Highway Classics. California Mustang has served Mustang enthusiasts with its mail-order restoration parts catalog since 1976. California Mustang’s sister company, California Muscle Parts, is the division formed to handle classic Ford Falcon parts, and more notably, an extensive selection of parts, accessories and restyling components for late-model Mustangs. Highway Classics is the wholesale division of the company, handling the sale of a variety of classic auto parts and accessories to restoration shops, body shops, parts stores and other businesses across the globe.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Attending the Washington Rally is a unique opportunity to connect face-to-face with your legislators on Capitol Hill and inform them of the issues that matter most to you, your community and your business, including the RPM Act.

SEMA’s Washington, D.C., Rally is less than two weeks away, and it’s shaping up to be our biggest rally yet! Join our outreach to lawmakers as we push for a vote on the RPM Act and protect the future of motorsports. Here are four ways SEMA members can support our 2017 efforts—whether you are joining us in D.C. or participating from home:

Send a Letter: One of the best ways to stand up for the RPM Act and protect your right to convert a street car into a racecar used exclusively at the track is to send a letter to your members of Congress, which encourages your lawmaker to act on the bill. Even if you have signed a letter in the past, please take a moment and sign another. Tell to your elected officials to support the RPM Act.

Join the Conversation Online: Members attending the Rally are strongly encouraged to post photos of their time with lawmakers and fellow SEMA members in D.C. on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Keep friends, family and fellow racers posted on what’s going on as you work to protect our right to race. If you’re not attending, you can still follow the action happening in the nation’s capital, May 16–17, on SEMA’s social media pages: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

We encourage you to use #SaveOurRacecars to follow the conversation. And if you’re in D.C., let people know by also using #SEMARally2017.

Engage With Your Member of Congress: Attending the Washington Rally is a unique opportunity to connect face-to-face with your legislators on Capitol Hill and inform them of the issues that matter most to you, your community and your business, including the RPM Act. The results can lead to action. For example, last year, SEMA members attending the Rally were able to personally secure more than 20 co-sponsors for the RPM Act from their Congressional representatives. Even if you aren’t attending the Rally, SEMA’s team can help you set up meetings with your legislators through the Congressional Site Visit Program. For more information on hosting your lawmakers at your business, contact Christian Robinson at 202-751-8507, ext. 20, or christianr@sema.org.

Recruit Your Friends and Family: Let’s continue to build our momentum to save our racecars and pass the RPM Act. Encourage your friends, family and fellow racers to engage in this effort, send a letter to their lawmakers and follow the 2017 SEMA Rally action on their social media platforms.

With the RPM Act having recently been reintroduced in Congress, there’s still much work to be done. That’s what makes the Washington Rally—and your participation—so important.

For more information or questions about the 2017 Rally, contact Christian Robinson at 202-783-6007, ext. 20, or christianr@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Attending the Washington Rally is a unique opportunity to connect face-to-face with your legislators on Capitol Hill and inform them of the issues that matter most to you, your community and your business, including the RPM Act.

SEMA’s Washington, D.C., Rally is less than two weeks away, and it’s shaping up to be our biggest rally yet! Join our outreach to lawmakers as we push for a vote on the RPM Act and protect the future of motorsports. Here are four ways SEMA members can support our 2017 efforts—whether you are joining us in D.C. or participating from home:

Send a Letter: One of the best ways to stand up for the RPM Act and protect your right to convert a street car into a racecar used exclusively at the track is to send a letter to your members of Congress, which encourages your lawmaker to act on the bill. Even if you have signed a letter in the past, please take a moment and sign another. Tell to your elected officials to support the RPM Act.

Join the Conversation Online: Members attending the Rally are strongly encouraged to post photos of their time with lawmakers and fellow SEMA members in D.C. on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Keep friends, family and fellow racers posted on what’s going on as you work to protect our right to race. If you’re not attending, you can still follow the action happening in the nation’s capital, May 16–17, on SEMA’s social media pages: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

We encourage you to use #SaveOurRacecars to follow the conversation. And if you’re in D.C., let people know by also using #SEMARally2017.

Engage With Your Member of Congress: Attending the Washington Rally is a unique opportunity to connect face-to-face with your legislators on Capitol Hill and inform them of the issues that matter most to you, your community and your business, including the RPM Act. The results can lead to action. For example, last year, SEMA members attending the Rally were able to personally secure more than 20 co-sponsors for the RPM Act from their Congressional representatives. Even if you aren’t attending the Rally, SEMA’s team can help you set up meetings with your legislators through the Congressional Site Visit Program. For more information on hosting your lawmakers at your business, contact Christian Robinson at 202-751-8507, ext. 20, or christianr@sema.org.

Recruit Your Friends and Family: Let’s continue to build our momentum to save our racecars and pass the RPM Act. Encourage your friends, family and fellow racers to engage in this effort, send a letter to their lawmakers and follow the 2017 SEMA Rally action on their social media platforms.

With the RPM Act having recently been reintroduced in Congress, there’s still much work to be done. That’s what makes the Washington Rally—and your participation—so important.

For more information or questions about the 2017 Rally, contact Christian Robinson at 202-783-6007, ext. 20, or christianr@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Attending the Washington Rally is a unique opportunity to connect face-to-face with your legislators on Capitol Hill and inform them of the issues that matter most to you, your community and your business, including the RPM Act.

SEMA’s Washington, D.C., Rally is less than two weeks away, and it’s shaping up to be our biggest rally yet! Join our outreach to lawmakers as we push for a vote on the RPM Act and protect the future of motorsports. Here are four ways SEMA members can support our 2017 efforts—whether you are joining us in D.C. or participating from home:

Send a Letter: One of the best ways to stand up for the RPM Act and protect your right to convert a street car into a racecar used exclusively at the track is to send a letter to your members of Congress, which encourages your lawmaker to act on the bill. Even if you have signed a letter in the past, please take a moment and sign another. Tell to your elected officials to support the RPM Act.

Join the Conversation Online: Members attending the Rally are strongly encouraged to post photos of their time with lawmakers and fellow SEMA members in D.C. on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Keep friends, family and fellow racers posted on what’s going on as you work to protect our right to race. If you’re not attending, you can still follow the action happening in the nation’s capital, May 16–17, on SEMA’s social media pages: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

We encourage you to use #SaveOurRacecars to follow the conversation. And if you’re in D.C., let people know by also using #SEMARally2017.

Engage With Your Member of Congress: Attending the Washington Rally is a unique opportunity to connect face-to-face with your legislators on Capitol Hill and inform them of the issues that matter most to you, your community and your business, including the RPM Act. The results can lead to action. For example, last year, SEMA members attending the Rally were able to personally secure more than 20 co-sponsors for the RPM Act from their Congressional representatives. Even if you aren’t attending the Rally, SEMA’s team can help you set up meetings with your legislators through the Congressional Site Visit Program. For more information on hosting your lawmakers at your business, contact Christian Robinson at 202-751-8507, ext. 20, or christianr@sema.org.

Recruit Your Friends and Family: Let’s continue to build our momentum to save our racecars and pass the RPM Act. Encourage your friends, family and fellow racers to engage in this effort, send a letter to their lawmakers and follow the 2017 SEMA Rally action on their social media platforms.

With the RPM Act having recently been reintroduced in Congress, there’s still much work to be done. That’s what makes the Washington Rally—and your participation—so important.

For more information or questions about the 2017 Rally, contact Christian Robinson at 202-783-6007, ext. 20, or christianr@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Attending the Washington Rally is a unique opportunity to connect face-to-face with your legislators on Capitol Hill and inform them of the issues that matter most to you, your community and your business, including the RPM Act.

SEMA’s Washington, D.C., Rally is less than two weeks away, and it’s shaping up to be our biggest rally yet! Join our outreach to lawmakers as we push for a vote on the RPM Act and protect the future of motorsports. Here are four ways SEMA members can support our 2017 efforts—whether you are joining us in D.C. or participating from home:

Send a Letter: One of the best ways to stand up for the RPM Act and protect your right to convert a street car into a racecar used exclusively at the track is to send a letter to your members of Congress, which encourages your lawmaker to act on the bill. Even if you have signed a letter in the past, please take a moment and sign another. Tell to your elected officials to support the RPM Act.

Join the Conversation Online: Members attending the Rally are strongly encouraged to post photos of their time with lawmakers and fellow SEMA members in D.C. on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Keep friends, family and fellow racers posted on what’s going on as you work to protect our right to race. If you’re not attending, you can still follow the action happening in the nation’s capital, May 16–17, on SEMA’s social media pages: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

We encourage you to use #SaveOurRacecars to follow the conversation. And if you’re in D.C., let people know by also using #SEMARally2017.

Engage With Your Member of Congress: Attending the Washington Rally is a unique opportunity to connect face-to-face with your legislators on Capitol Hill and inform them of the issues that matter most to you, your community and your business, including the RPM Act. The results can lead to action. For example, last year, SEMA members attending the Rally were able to personally secure more than 20 co-sponsors for the RPM Act from their Congressional representatives. Even if you aren’t attending the Rally, SEMA’s team can help you set up meetings with your legislators through the Congressional Site Visit Program. For more information on hosting your lawmakers at your business, contact Christian Robinson at 202-751-8507, ext. 20, or christianr@sema.org.

Recruit Your Friends and Family: Let’s continue to build our momentum to save our racecars and pass the RPM Act. Encourage your friends, family and fellow racers to engage in this effort, send a letter to their lawmakers and follow the 2017 SEMA Rally action on their social media platforms.

With the RPM Act having recently been reintroduced in Congress, there’s still much work to be done. That’s what makes the Washington Rally—and your participation—so important.

For more information or questions about the 2017 Rally, contact Christian Robinson at 202-783-6007, ext. 20, or christianr@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Attending the Washington Rally is a unique opportunity to connect face-to-face with your legislators on Capitol Hill and inform them of the issues that matter most to you, your community and your business, including the RPM Act.

SEMA’s Washington, D.C., Rally is less than two weeks away, and it’s shaping up to be our biggest rally yet! Join our outreach to lawmakers as we push for a vote on the RPM Act and protect the future of motorsports. Here are four ways SEMA members can support our 2017 efforts—whether you are joining us in D.C. or participating from home:

Send a Letter: One of the best ways to stand up for the RPM Act and protect your right to convert a street car into a racecar used exclusively at the track is to send a letter to your members of Congress, which encourages your lawmaker to act on the bill. Even if you have signed a letter in the past, please take a moment and sign another. Tell to your elected officials to support the RPM Act.

Join the Conversation Online: Members attending the Rally are strongly encouraged to post photos of their time with lawmakers and fellow SEMA members in D.C. on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Keep friends, family and fellow racers posted on what’s going on as you work to protect our right to race. If you’re not attending, you can still follow the action happening in the nation’s capital, May 16–17, on SEMA’s social media pages: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

We encourage you to use #SaveOurRacecars to follow the conversation. And if you’re in D.C., let people know by also using #SEMARally2017.

Engage With Your Member of Congress: Attending the Washington Rally is a unique opportunity to connect face-to-face with your legislators on Capitol Hill and inform them of the issues that matter most to you, your community and your business, including the RPM Act. The results can lead to action. For example, last year, SEMA members attending the Rally were able to personally secure more than 20 co-sponsors for the RPM Act from their Congressional representatives. Even if you aren’t attending the Rally, SEMA’s team can help you set up meetings with your legislators through the Congressional Site Visit Program. For more information on hosting your lawmakers at your business, contact Christian Robinson at 202-751-8507, ext. 20, or christianr@sema.org.

Recruit Your Friends and Family: Let’s continue to build our momentum to save our racecars and pass the RPM Act. Encourage your friends, family and fellow racers to engage in this effort, send a letter to their lawmakers and follow the 2017 SEMA Rally action on their social media platforms.

With the RPM Act having recently been reintroduced in Congress, there’s still much work to be done. That’s what makes the Washington Rally—and your participation—so important.

For more information or questions about the 2017 Rally, contact Christian Robinson at 202-783-6007, ext. 20, or christianr@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the “Working Families Flexibility Act of 2017” (HR 1180), which would allow private-sector employers to provide their workers the option of receiving an hour-and-a-half of comp time or time-and-a-half pay for overtime hours worked. The bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act, which currently requires non-exempt employees, including management, administrative and professional employees who earn a salary of less than the threshold (an amount subject to change under a 2016 rulemaking that’s being challenged in federal court) to be paid overtime wages after 40 hours of work a week. The comp-time option would be subject to a collective bargaining agreement or the consent of affected employees. A companion bill has been introduced in the U.S. Senate but there has been no action to date.  

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the “Working Families Flexibility Act of 2017” (HR 1180), which would allow private-sector employers to provide their workers the option of receiving an hour-and-a-half of comp time or time-and-a-half pay for overtime hours worked. The bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act, which currently requires non-exempt employees, including management, administrative and professional employees who earn a salary of less than the threshold (an amount subject to change under a 2016 rulemaking that’s being challenged in federal court) to be paid overtime wages after 40 hours of work a week. The comp-time option would be subject to a collective bargaining agreement or the consent of affected employees. A companion bill has been introduced in the U.S. Senate but there has been no action to date.  

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the “Working Families Flexibility Act of 2017” (HR 1180), which would allow private-sector employers to provide their workers the option of receiving an hour-and-a-half of comp time or time-and-a-half pay for overtime hours worked. The bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act, which currently requires non-exempt employees, including management, administrative and professional employees who earn a salary of less than the threshold (an amount subject to change under a 2016 rulemaking that’s being challenged in federal court) to be paid overtime wages after 40 hours of work a week. The comp-time option would be subject to a collective bargaining agreement or the consent of affected employees. A companion bill has been introduced in the U.S. Senate but there has been no action to date.  

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.