By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Support for the bipartisan Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2021 (RPM Act), H.R. 3281, continues to expand each day as members of Congress receive an outpouring of support for the bill from racers and the motorsports parts industry.

Over the past few weeks, 12 House members have agreed to cosponsor the bill, including U.S. Representatives David McKinley (R-WV), Robert Latta (R-OH), Ann Kuster (D-NH), Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Jim Hagedorn (R-MN), Scott DesJarlais (R-TN), David Kustoff (R-TN), Glenn Thompson (R-PA), Carol Miller (R-WV), Matt Rosendale (R-MT), Trent Kelly (R-MS), and Jared Golden (D-ME).

Rep. McKinley’s support for the RPM Act is particularly noteworthy. Rep. McKinley serves as the Ranking Member of the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change, which has jurisdiction over the legislation. The Congressman cosponsored the RPM Act bill as a result of the strong support that his constituents voiced for the legislation and the importance of the bill to the racing community in West Virginia and motorsports parts businesses. Rep. McKinley also cosponsored the RPM Act during the 2019-2020 session of Congress.

The RPM Act must be enacted into law to guarantee your right to modify street cars, trucks, and motorcycles into dedicated race vehicles, and ensure that industry can offer parts that enable racers to compete. It is imperative that lawmakers continue to be reminded of the importance of passing the RPM Act. Currently, 77 members of the House have cosponsored the bill. Click here to see the current list of RPM Act cosponsors, and don’t forget to send a letter to your U.S. Representative asking them to support the bill and fight for it to become law.

For details, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By Ashley Reyes

TC Olsen is the SEMA Young Executives Network’s (YEN) newest spotlight member. Olsen is the director of talent acquisition at LKQ Corporation, a provider of alternative and specialty parts to repair and accessorize automobiles. Get to know what keeps him in the industry in his interview with SEMA, below.

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

TC Olsen: It's more of a guiding principle: "Good, Better, Best. Don't ever let it rest, until your good is better and your better is best." I've whispered that saying to myself thousands of times, especially when facing adversity.

SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?

TO: I grew up in an automotive family that consisted of many "backyard mechanics." I have a level of respect for the automotive industry as a whole, which stems from many childhood memories under a hood, climbing through a salvaged vehicle and running through the pits of dirt tracks.

I see the generational gap growing as more automotive professionals are pulled into other industries due to the lack of education, awareness, and support. I feel we need to protect the future of the industry by driving awareness and involvement during the early education of our youth.

SEMA: Where can you be found on a Saturday?

TO: You can find me coaching. I have a passion for coaching youth sports. I've been coaching youth sports for almost 10 years.

SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?

TO: I research, plan, establish visuals, rehearse, and execute.

SEMA: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who it would be?

TO: I would go to lunch with Elon Musk. I'd be interested to hear his strategy on revolutionizing the industry and understand where he sees it going in the next 5-10 years.

If you are a current YEN member, fill out a YEN member spotlight form. Selected candidates may be featured on YEN’s social media, SEMA eNews and YEN-member updates.

By Ashley Reyes

Dennis Michael is the latest SEMA Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN) member to share his insight on how his company pivoted during the pandemic and utilized technology to keep business moving forward.

Michael is the owner of Holeshot Brandworks, an branding agency that works with aftermarket companies.

SEMA: How has your company pivoted during the pandemic?  

Dennis Michael: It has given us time to write our book The Automotive Branding Guide.

SEMA: What technology tools, new or old, have you leaned on recently?

DM: We have leaned on social media and zoom. 

SEMA: What new trends have you noticed with sales and marketing?

DM: Membership and subscription sites are growing in popularity. Finding greater meaning and belonging is being sought after not only by consumers but business owners as well. Quality over quantity is trending in consumer buying habits. Social media is being leaned on quite a bit for marketing. Authentic voices and content are being developed.

SEMA: What, if any, changes in business do you feel will outlive the pandemic?

DM: Remote working or hybrid models will become normal. Zoom meetings between client and contractor are now perfectly ok to conduct. Listening will need to be relearned by many as well as basic social skills.

Fill out this form for a chance to be featured in the next ETTN member insight. By sharing your experiences, you can inspire and motivate other members to learn new tips and ideas. You may also be featured on ETTN’s social media and in SEMA eNews.

By Kyle Cheng

After a disruptive 2020, the U.S. economy continues to show resilience and appears set for strong economic growth for the rest of 2021. Demand remains high as consumers are shopping more and returning to normal life. Both the current and long-term outlook are positive.

Despite this, challenges remain. Supply issues are limiting production for some sectors, which is driving up prices for consumers. It’s also straining sales for some products, as inventories can’t keep up with demand. This is especially true for the automotive industry. New vehicle sales hit record highs in April but declined in May as dealers couldn’t keep up with the demand. While economists expect these supply issues and price increases to be short-term, it will be an important metric to monitor in the coming year.

Want to learn more about the economic factors shaping our industry? Download the new June Industry Indicators report today at www.sema.org/research.

Also from SEMA Market Research:

Want to learn more about the state of the industry from companies within it? Download the new “SEMA State of the Industry—Spring 2021” report today at www.sema.org/research.

By Della Domingo

Applications are now available for exhibitors of the 2021 SEMA Show to host a press conference here. While a press conference is not ideal for every exhibitor, it can be effective for those who have an announcement that appeals to a large number of media.

Here are some important tips to consider before applying:

Be Detailed on the Application

Press conferences are scheduled based on information on the application. Include detailed information about the press conference and clearly indicate your day and time preferences. Also note if there are factors that should be considered when assigning a date or time (such as a presenter’s limited availability).

Apply Before the Deadline

All applications are due Friday, August 6. The schedule is created shortly after the deadline. Once the schedule is created, it’s difficult—if not impossible—to add to the schedule.

Confirm Your Application Was Received

Exhibitors will receive a confirmation email automatically after the application is submitted. If a confirmation email is not received, there may be technical problems and the application may not have gone through successfully. Exhibitors who do not receive the confirmation email should follow up with pr@sema.org.

Look For Your Update in Late-August

All exhibitors who applied for a press conference will be notified of the status of their application in late-August. Exhibitors will be required to respond to the notification to confirm the assigned day and time.

Plan To Promote Your Press Conference

While SEMA promotes the official press conference schedule to all media, exhibitors should plan on promoting their own press conferences. There is no guarantee that media will attend all press conferences and historically there is a direct correlation between the amount of outreach an exhibitor makes to the number of media who attend a press conference. Exhibitors should be targeted in their outreach and communicate to media who are in their market segment.

Consider Alternatives to A Press Conference

Press conferences require a great deal of time and planning, yet media may not be able to attend. Media often prefer flexibility and may be more likely to cover your news if you provide it to them in advance. Consider offering the media embargos to release news on a specific day and time, instead of requiring that they attend a press conference at a specific day and time. Also consider posting SEMA Show press releases in the Online Media Center prior to the Show, giving media the opportunity to search for relevant news in their product category.

Reach out to the pr team at pr@sema.org to learn more about SEMA Show press conferences and other media resources.

By Ashley Reyes

Regarded by many as the industry’s top awards, the SEMA Industry Awards recognize outstanding contributions to the specialty-equipment industry over a year-long period and are presented in front of thousands at the Industry Awards Banquet at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The SEMA Industry Awards include awards for:

• Person of the Year
• Warehouse Distributor of the Year
• Manufacturer of the Year
• Gen-III Innovator of the Year

To nominate an honoree or learn more about the program, visit sema.org/awards, or contact Lindsay Bianco at lindsayb@sema.org.  

Nominations close Friday, July 23.

By Ashley Reyes

As aftermarket businesses and the economy begin to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses must stay informed about trends that have changed and where the most opportunities can be found for various aftermarket segments.  

Available now for download at www.sema.org/research, the 2021 SEMA Market Report provides an overview on the state of the U.S. specialty-equipment market and examines how consumers and business adapted to the pandemic, along with how much was spent, and where, on specialty-automotive parts and accessories in 2020. It also examines how consumers and businesses adapted to the extraordinary events of 2020, along with how easing restrictions and continued economic recovery may affect the industry over the next couple of years.    

During a live webinar on July 20 at 11:00 a.m. PDT, SEMA Market Research Director Gavin Knapp and Market Research Manager Matt Kennedy will present highlights from the recently released report - which can help companies better navigate the industry landscape and opportunities moving forward, and ultimately help grow their business.  

Visit www.sema.org/research to download the report.   

Click here to register for the webinar.

By Ashley Reyes

With an expanded prize package and increased benefits to applicants, the 9th annual SEMA Launch Pad competition included a record-high number of applications from entrepreneurs of new automotive-related products. At 181, the number surpasses the previous high of 120 applications.

“Based on interest in the SEMA Launch Pad, innovation and creativity in the industry are stronger than ever” said Ted Wentz, SEMA Board Member and Chair of the SEMA Launch Pad Task Force. “Not only did we receive more applications than ever before, but the quality of the applications is impressive. The products represent such a variety and spectrum of items that support vehicle customization.”

Fifteen applicants have been selected as semi-finalists and will advance to the next round. The applicants will be narrowed down further, down to five finalists who will pitch their business ideas at the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. There, a panel of judges will select three winners to receive cash prizes in the amount of $5,000, $20,000, and $75,000 to be used for the benefit of their business.

The 2021 SEMA Launch Pad Semi-finalists are:

Cameron Crummie, Owner, MDV
Product: Guard – Modular LED Bluetooth-controlled brush guard for trucks and SUVs.

Adam Gruener, CEO, Off Road In Mind
Product: RGB-Recovery Gear Box – Can be used for recovery gear, emergency gear, or for any other storage needs and is typically attached to a spare tire on the back of a vehicle.

Jonathan Hurley, Owner, ToolBox Widget
Product: ToolBox Widget – Modular tool organizers that allow a mechanic to connect as many tool organizers together as needed, making them customizable to the mechanic.

Monika Kalenski, President and CEO, MEK Magnet
Product: Printed side body protection paneling utilizing nano-hold technology to stick to aluminum and non-metal vehicles. Protects vehicles from scrapes and scratches when off-roading while adding style with printed graphics.

Brendan McGrath, CEO, Dyme Performance Systems Inc.
Product: Rattlesnake Toolkit – Toolkit that can measure the exact length and angle of a hose assembly down to the millimeter, significantly reducing time and cost.

Robert McKeirnan, President and Managing Partner, Stratos Meccanica LLC
Product: Strada and Corsa Concealed Quick Disconnect Interface – Concealed interface for mounting a license plate to the front of a vehicle. Does not require having to drill holes into the front bumper and does not require tools to remove once installed.

D.J. Potter, CEO, Sawtooth
Product: Sawtooth STRETCH Tonneau Cover and Sawtooth SURFBOARD Cartop Carrier – Tonneau that loads, secures, and protects cargo taller than the pickup truck bed walls.

Alan Reyes, Co-founder and President, Xtrusion Designs LLC
Product: Modular Cargo Bedracks – Modular cargo solution that allows the usage of T-Slot aluminum profiles as its main component, allowing a complete customizable platform for the end user.

Kevin Robinson, President, TRAC LLC
The TRAC Tire Rotation Assistance Cart is a tool designed to simply lift and remove a wheel from a vehicle during service. The tool is designed to reduce workplace injuries while increasing productivity.

Paul Rooprai, CEO, AutoBio LLC
Product: AutoBio Tags – 2.5-inch round cling that goes inside the windshield and is embedded with technology (QR & NFC) that serves as a portal to a car's story and is scannable with a smartphone.

Michael Ruhs, Co-founder and CEO, TailHand
Product: TailHand – Customizable platform and accessories system that mounts directly to most pickup truck tailgates, providing an “extra hand” for securing tools and raw materials, transforming a tailgate into a versatile mobile-workstation.

Tom Sawarynski, Owner, Off-Road Research
Product: Smart Cap Module (SCM) – Allows any aftermarket shock absorber with a bridge or remote mounted reservoir to broadcast damper position to an external module or modules.

Michael Sullivan, Owner, Fox Products LLC
Product: RaZorTop Retractable Cap – Roll open tonneau cover that raises up to a full-size cap when needed and retracts by the press of a button on a wireless remote control.

Edward Tansingco, President, Thinskinz
Product: Thinskinz Door Protectors – Removable, hard plastic interior door panel protectors that snap onto OEM interior door panels without fasteners or adhesives to protect doors against damage from objects or pets inside the vehicle.

Dustin Woolf, Owner, Woolfpack Racing
Product: Natural Nitrous – Stand-alone refrigerated system for the air induction of the motor. It lowers the air charge and dehumidifies the moisture which increases horsepower because there are dense oxygen atoms in the cylinder. It also lowers emissions because of the complete burn of the fuel.

To learn more about SEMA Launch Pad and each of the 15 semi-finalists, visit www.sema.org/launchpad.

By Ashley Reyes

Worrying about how much money you make or what your job title is may be preventing you from greater success. Instead, Shannon Welch of “Hey Shannon Quick Question” recommends focusing on becoming valuable. If there is value, success will naturally follow.   

Hear about Welch’s career journey and how she’s discovered her value during the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) Facebook Live Chat on July 7, at 12:00 p.m. PT. 

Welch will share what she has learned about creating value to attract success and how others can shift their mindset from being busy to being valuable  

Location: SBN Facebook page  

Recent photos of an all-new Ford Bronco prototype reveal a set of orange cables wrapping the frame underneath the front passenger side, which could indicate that its a hybrid. Also, the vehicle was on its way to the Ford Test Laboratory, where the automaker does EPA testing for new powertrain setups.

The roof of the heavily camouflaged prototype could be hiding a roof-mounted camper, or a set of solar panels that may combine with the ProPower onboard generator.

Also worth noting is the snorkel on the passenger-side A-pillar, along with a set of skinny tires and a front fascia with incongruent intakes.