By Linda Spencer

Join SEMA Monday, November 4, for one or more roundtables designed to help attendees network with stakeholders in key markets even before the Show doors open.

Join SEMA Monday, November 4, for one or more roundtables designed to help attendees network with stakeholders in key markets even before the SEMA Show doors open. All three sessions will be held in the Las Vegas Convention Center Upper North Hall, Room N259.

Middle East: Opportunities to Connect With Middle East Buyers
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Meet with buyers from throughout the region who can let you know what their customers want! Learn how to cash in on this lucrative region with passionate consumers with disposable income. The United Arab Emirates and surrounding countries provide some of the best opportunities for U.S. specialty-parts manufacturers. Off-roading, classic-car collecting and motorsports are all strong markets throughout the region. Attendees will also learn about the details of the 2020 SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference. Register now!

Australia/New Zealand: Opportunities to Connect With Australian Buyers
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.

Meet for lunch and conversation with top buyers from Down Under. Learn the latest trends from distributors of off-road, styling, restoration and performance products and the opportunities in these countries of pickup (utes) and SUV customizing fanatics, V8 lovers and diehard hot-rod enthusiasts. Learn the challenges (such as the late arrival of the JL Wrangler and ’19 Mustang and, not to mention, it’s a right-hand-drive market). Find out how U.S. manufacturers and their Australian partners have overcome these hurdles and are getting product to their Australian and New Zealand customers. Register now!

Latin America: Opportunities to Connect With Buyers From Latin America
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.

Due to popular demand, this session is back for a second year! Trade buyers and media from Central and South America will discuss their respective markets and opportunities in this pickup and car-crazy region. Learn what’s hot and what’s not. Get insider tips into which vehicles are local customizers’ rides of choice and the top-selling products. Learn more about the opportunities and challenges U.S. manufacturers seeking to sell in Latin America face—from language issues, tariffs and small fragmented markets—and how they have overcome these challenges. Register now!

By Linda Spencer

Join SEMA Monday, November 4, for one or more roundtables designed to help attendees network with stakeholders in key markets even before the Show doors open.

Join SEMA Monday, November 4, for one or more roundtables designed to help attendees network with stakeholders in key markets even before the SEMA Show doors open. All three sessions will be held in the Las Vegas Convention Center Upper North Hall, Room N259.

Middle East: Opportunities to Connect With Middle East Buyers
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Meet with buyers from throughout the region who can let you know what their customers want! Learn how to cash in on this lucrative region with passionate consumers with disposable income. The United Arab Emirates and surrounding countries provide some of the best opportunities for U.S. specialty-parts manufacturers. Off-roading, classic-car collecting and motorsports are all strong markets throughout the region. Attendees will also learn about the details of the 2020 SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference. Register now!

Australia/New Zealand: Opportunities to Connect With Australian Buyers
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.

Meet for lunch and conversation with top buyers from Down Under. Learn the latest trends from distributors of off-road, styling, restoration and performance products and the opportunities in these countries of pickup (utes) and SUV customizing fanatics, V8 lovers and diehard hot-rod enthusiasts. Learn the challenges (such as the late arrival of the JL Wrangler and ’19 Mustang and, not to mention, it’s a right-hand-drive market). Find out how U.S. manufacturers and their Australian partners have overcome these hurdles and are getting product to their Australian and New Zealand customers. Register now!

Latin America: Opportunities to Connect With Buyers From Latin America
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.

Due to popular demand, this session is back for a second year! Trade buyers and media from Central and South America will discuss their respective markets and opportunities in this pickup and car-crazy region. Learn what’s hot and what’s not. Get insider tips into which vehicles are local customizers’ rides of choice and the top-selling products. Learn more about the opportunities and challenges U.S. manufacturers seeking to sell in Latin America face—from language issues, tariffs and small fragmented markets—and how they have overcome these challenges. Register now!

By Linda Spencer

Have a drink on SEMA and meet top international buyers and a panel of distinguished international journalists who serve as SEMA Global Media Award judges at the International Happy Hour.

Registration is now open for the 2019 International Happy Hour (IHH)—the SEMA Show’s largest annual international specialty-equipment trade gathering. Come by, have a drink on SEMA and meet top international buyers and a panel of distinguished international journalists who serve as SEMA Global Media Award judges, Wednesday, November 6, from 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m., in room N255 of the Las Vegas Convention Center. More than 1,000 companies are expected to attend the 16th annual event. 

Registration is complimentary but required. Don’t miss the largest annual international networking event for the specialty-equipment industry.

Exhibitors—register now!

The event is open to both exhibitors and international buyers. Questions? contact Kristin Atwan at kristina@sema.org.

By Linda Spencer

Have a drink on SEMA and meet top international buyers and a panel of distinguished international journalists who serve as SEMA Global Media Award judges at the International Happy Hour.

Registration is now open for the 2019 International Happy Hour (IHH)—the SEMA Show’s largest annual international specialty-equipment trade gathering. Come by, have a drink on SEMA and meet top international buyers and a panel of distinguished international journalists who serve as SEMA Global Media Award judges, Wednesday, November 6, from 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m., in room N255 of the Las Vegas Convention Center. More than 1,000 companies are expected to attend the 16th annual event. 

Registration is complimentary but required. Don’t miss the largest annual international networking event for the specialty-equipment industry.

Exhibitors—register now!

The event is open to both exhibitors and international buyers. Questions? contact Kristin Atwan at kristina@sema.org.

By Linda Spencer

Have a drink on SEMA and meet top international buyers and a panel of distinguished international journalists who serve as SEMA Global Media Award judges at the International Happy Hour.

Registration is now open for the 2019 International Happy Hour (IHH)—the SEMA Show’s largest annual international specialty-equipment trade gathering. Come by, have a drink on SEMA and meet top international buyers and a panel of distinguished international journalists who serve as SEMA Global Media Award judges, Wednesday, November 6, from 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m., in room N255 of the Las Vegas Convention Center. More than 1,000 companies are expected to attend the 16th annual event. 

Registration is complimentary but required. Don’t miss the largest annual international networking event for the specialty-equipment industry.

Exhibitors—register now!

The event is open to both exhibitors and international buyers. Questions? contact Kristin Atwan at kristina@sema.org.

By Zane Clark

The 2018 SEMA Show HRIA Builders Panel.

Don’t miss the following six builder seminars taking place at the 2019 SEMA Show, November 5–8, in Las Vegas:

What's the Future of Car Builds?
Tuesday, November 5: 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m., LVCC N258
Electric cars are here already but haven’t exactly achieved critical mass or a price point that works. And everything is connected now, so of course cars will be. What then is the car of the future, exactly? What sells it? And more importantly, who builds it?

• Robert Vogt, CTO Voyomotive
• Azizi Tucker, CTO, XING Mobility
• Kyle Kuhnhausen, Owner/Fabrication Specialist, Kuhnhausen Metal Concepts LLC
• John Waraniak, Vice President of Vehicle Technology, SEMA
• Tim Strange, Owner, Strange Motion
• Representative from WIRED Magazine’s Automotive Division

Art, Design and Cars
Wednesday, November 6: 9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m., LVCC N258
Join a panel of industry artists, builders and designers for a real-world conversation that highlights the creative and functional aspects of vehicle builds.

• John Stewart, Vice President, Editorial Director, SEMA News
• Max Grundy, President, Fear in the New Beauty
• Kyle Ticker, President, Detroit Speed Inc.
• John Waraniak, Vice President of Vehicle Technology, SEMA
• Randy Lorentzen, Automotive Photographer, RoddingRevolutions.com

Restoration Builder's Panel, Powered by ARMO
Wednesday, November 6: 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m., LVCC N258
Go behind the scenes to better understanding the art and craft of vehicle restoration.

• Amy Fitzgerald, Cool Hand Customs
• Tim Strange, Strange Motion
• Jesse Henke, JH Restorations
• Jordon Henke, JH Restorations
• E.J. Fitzgerald, Cool Hand Customs

Metal Fabrication 201: Fabrication for Aftermarket Automotive Electronics Technology
Wednesday, November 6: 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m., LVCC N253
What hides behind the panels and separates professional builds from hobby builds has everything to do with the structure, planning and service-friendly design. What people see can also be enhanced with creative metalworking techniques that set a specialist apart from other builders and add personalization for the client.

• Gary Bell, President of Define Concepts LLC
• Bryan Schmitt, President of Mobile Solutions USA

Hot Rod Builder's Panel, Powered by HRIA
Thursday, November 7: 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., LVCC N258
What does it take to be a successful vehicle builder? How do you differentiate yourself? How do you grow your reputation as a top-tier builder? What are the pitfalls? Who do you partner with? Get answers to these questions and more from some of the industry’s most respected builders.

• Rick Love, Vintage Air
• Troy Trepanier, Rad Rides by Troy
• Bobby Alloway, Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop
• Kyle Tucker, Detroit Speed Inc.
• Charley Hutton, Charley Hutton’s Color Studio

Hot Rod and Resto-Mod Interior Fabrication—Design Like the Pros
Thursday, November 7: 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m., LVCC N253
Learn from the Master of Modern-style, upscale hot-rod and restomod interior fabrication. Attendees will learn how to efficiently conceptualize, plan and execute enhancements for classic vehicles outfitted in the modern era.

• Gary Bell, President of Define Concepts LLC
• Bryan Schmitt, President of Mobile Solutions USA

Register for the full builder package.

Sign Up. Show Up. Preview all seminars and register.

Contact SEMA’s Senior Director of Education Zane Clark for additional information.

By Zane Clark

The 2018 SEMA Show HRIA Builders Panel.

Don’t miss the following six builder seminars taking place at the 2019 SEMA Show, November 5–8, in Las Vegas:

What's the Future of Car Builds?
Tuesday, November 5: 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m., LVCC N258
Electric cars are here already but haven’t exactly achieved critical mass or a price point that works. And everything is connected now, so of course cars will be. What then is the car of the future, exactly? What sells it? And more importantly, who builds it?

• Robert Vogt, CTO Voyomotive
• Azizi Tucker, CTO, XING Mobility
• Kyle Kuhnhausen, Owner/Fabrication Specialist, Kuhnhausen Metal Concepts LLC
• John Waraniak, Vice President of Vehicle Technology, SEMA
• Tim Strange, Owner, Strange Motion
• Representative from WIRED Magazine’s Automotive Division

Art, Design and Cars
Wednesday, November 6: 9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m., LVCC N258
Join a panel of industry artists, builders and designers for a real-world conversation that highlights the creative and functional aspects of vehicle builds.

• John Stewart, Vice President, Editorial Director, SEMA News
• Max Grundy, President, Fear in the New Beauty
• Kyle Ticker, President, Detroit Speed Inc.
• John Waraniak, Vice President of Vehicle Technology, SEMA
• Randy Lorentzen, Automotive Photographer, RoddingRevolutions.com

Restoration Builder's Panel, Powered by ARMO
Wednesday, November 6: 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m., LVCC N258
Go behind the scenes to better understanding the art and craft of vehicle restoration.

• Amy Fitzgerald, Cool Hand Customs
• Tim Strange, Strange Motion
• Jesse Henke, JH Restorations
• Jordon Henke, JH Restorations
• E.J. Fitzgerald, Cool Hand Customs

Metal Fabrication 201: Fabrication for Aftermarket Automotive Electronics Technology
Wednesday, November 6: 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m., LVCC N253
What hides behind the panels and separates professional builds from hobby builds has everything to do with the structure, planning and service-friendly design. What people see can also be enhanced with creative metalworking techniques that set a specialist apart from other builders and add personalization for the client.

• Gary Bell, President of Define Concepts LLC
• Bryan Schmitt, President of Mobile Solutions USA

Hot Rod Builder's Panel, Powered by HRIA
Thursday, November 7: 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., LVCC N258
What does it take to be a successful vehicle builder? How do you differentiate yourself? How do you grow your reputation as a top-tier builder? What are the pitfalls? Who do you partner with? Get answers to these questions and more from some of the industry’s most respected builders.

• Rick Love, Vintage Air
• Troy Trepanier, Rad Rides by Troy
• Bobby Alloway, Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop
• Kyle Tucker, Detroit Speed Inc.
• Charley Hutton, Charley Hutton’s Color Studio

Hot Rod and Resto-Mod Interior Fabrication—Design Like the Pros
Thursday, November 7: 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m., LVCC N253
Learn from the Master of Modern-style, upscale hot-rod and restomod interior fabrication. Attendees will learn how to efficiently conceptualize, plan and execute enhancements for classic vehicles outfitted in the modern era.

• Gary Bell, President of Define Concepts LLC
• Bryan Schmitt, President of Mobile Solutions USA

Register for the full builder package.

Sign Up. Show Up. Preview all seminars and register.

Contact SEMA’s Senior Director of Education Zane Clark for additional information.

By Zane Clark

The 2018 SEMA Show HRIA Builders Panel.

Don’t miss the following six builder seminars taking place at the 2019 SEMA Show, November 5–8, in Las Vegas:

What's the Future of Car Builds?
Tuesday, November 5: 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m., LVCC N258
Electric cars are here already but haven’t exactly achieved critical mass or a price point that works. And everything is connected now, so of course cars will be. What then is the car of the future, exactly? What sells it? And more importantly, who builds it?

• Robert Vogt, CTO Voyomotive
• Azizi Tucker, CTO, XING Mobility
• Kyle Kuhnhausen, Owner/Fabrication Specialist, Kuhnhausen Metal Concepts LLC
• John Waraniak, Vice President of Vehicle Technology, SEMA
• Tim Strange, Owner, Strange Motion
• Representative from WIRED Magazine’s Automotive Division

Art, Design and Cars
Wednesday, November 6: 9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m., LVCC N258
Join a panel of industry artists, builders and designers for a real-world conversation that highlights the creative and functional aspects of vehicle builds.

• John Stewart, Vice President, Editorial Director, SEMA News
• Max Grundy, President, Fear in the New Beauty
• Kyle Ticker, President, Detroit Speed Inc.
• John Waraniak, Vice President of Vehicle Technology, SEMA
• Randy Lorentzen, Automotive Photographer, RoddingRevolutions.com

Restoration Builder's Panel, Powered by ARMO
Wednesday, November 6: 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m., LVCC N258
Go behind the scenes to better understanding the art and craft of vehicle restoration.

• Amy Fitzgerald, Cool Hand Customs
• Tim Strange, Strange Motion
• Jesse Henke, JH Restorations
• Jordon Henke, JH Restorations
• E.J. Fitzgerald, Cool Hand Customs

Metal Fabrication 201: Fabrication for Aftermarket Automotive Electronics Technology
Wednesday, November 6: 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m., LVCC N253
What hides behind the panels and separates professional builds from hobby builds has everything to do with the structure, planning and service-friendly design. What people see can also be enhanced with creative metalworking techniques that set a specialist apart from other builders and add personalization for the client.

• Gary Bell, President of Define Concepts LLC
• Bryan Schmitt, President of Mobile Solutions USA

Hot Rod Builder's Panel, Powered by HRIA
Thursday, November 7: 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., LVCC N258
What does it take to be a successful vehicle builder? How do you differentiate yourself? How do you grow your reputation as a top-tier builder? What are the pitfalls? Who do you partner with? Get answers to these questions and more from some of the industry’s most respected builders.

• Rick Love, Vintage Air
• Troy Trepanier, Rad Rides by Troy
• Bobby Alloway, Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop
• Kyle Tucker, Detroit Speed Inc.
• Charley Hutton, Charley Hutton’s Color Studio

Hot Rod and Resto-Mod Interior Fabrication—Design Like the Pros
Thursday, November 7: 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m., LVCC N253
Learn from the Master of Modern-style, upscale hot-rod and restomod interior fabrication. Attendees will learn how to efficiently conceptualize, plan and execute enhancements for classic vehicles outfitted in the modern era.

• Gary Bell, President of Define Concepts LLC
• Bryan Schmitt, President of Mobile Solutions USA

Register for the full builder package.

Sign Up. Show Up. Preview all seminars and register.

Contact SEMA’s Senior Director of Education Zane Clark for additional information.

By Linda Spencer

Alibaba staff from the company’s U.S. and Chinese offices (pic­tured is Stephanie Yu from the company’s office in Hangzhou, China) conducted a hands-on workshop at the recent SEMA Export Fair on how to use China’s mega e-commerce site’s intellectual property platform. The session provided participants with a step-by-step guide on how to actively monitor Alibaba (or its Tencent sister website) to search for and submit requests for the removal of products from vendors that are infringing on a rights holder’s trademark, copyright and/or pat­ents. Alibaba will shortly publish a handbook outlining these steps. SEMA has received advanced copies, which are being made available to members.

An advanced copy of a new handbook created by Alibaba with the steps to take if you see unauthorized versions of your products in their mega online mall is available through SEMA, courtesy of Alibaba. Sign up to receive a copy of the handbook.

Additional Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Resources

To help members navigate IP issues, SEMA maintains informational materials online and staff is available year-round to help answer IP-related questions.

The federal government also has a handy website listing best practices for companies to protect their IP abroad. Included on the comprehensive site is an online course and a list of upcoming events.

Ultimately, companies may need legal counsel outside of SEMA and the U.S. government to represent your interests and advise on specifics, but both SEMA and the U.S. government are available to provide information and help guide members in the right direction.

By Linda Spencer

Alibaba staff from the company’s U.S. and Chinese offices (pic­tured is Stephanie Yu from the company’s office in Hangzhou, China) conducted a hands-on workshop at the recent SEMA Export Fair on how to use China’s mega e-commerce site’s intellectual property platform. The session provided participants with a step-by-step guide on how to actively monitor Alibaba (or its Tencent sister website) to search for and submit requests for the removal of products from vendors that are infringing on a rights holder’s trademark, copyright and/or pat­ents. Alibaba will shortly publish a handbook outlining these steps. SEMA has received advanced copies, which are being made available to members.

An advanced copy of a new handbook created by Alibaba with the steps to take if you see unauthorized versions of your products in their mega online mall is available through SEMA, courtesy of Alibaba. Sign up to receive a copy of the handbook.

Additional Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Resources

To help members navigate IP issues, SEMA maintains informational materials online and staff is available year-round to help answer IP-related questions.

The federal government also has a handy website listing best practices for companies to protect their IP abroad. Included on the comprehensive site is an online course and a list of upcoming events.

Ultimately, companies may need legal counsel outside of SEMA and the U.S. government to represent your interests and advise on specifics, but both SEMA and the U.S. government are available to provide information and help guide members in the right direction.