By Ashley Reyes

Robert Simons

Robert Simons, president of Automotive Consulting Services Inc., is the latest ETTN member to share his insight on how his company is pivoting during the pandemic and utilizing technology to keep business moving forward in his recent interview with the SEMA Emerging Trends and Technology Network (ETTN).

Get to know Simons’ unique perspective on new remote work opportunities, and what technology tools he has leaned on recently as a result of the economic downturn.

SEMA: How has your company pivoted during the pandemic?

Robert Simons: While some clients have gone quiet during the shutdown, new ones have come on board. They’re seeing the value in the utilization of consultants when adding full-time employees is risky in this time of uncertainty.

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

RS: With travel options being limited, we are doing more over the phone and through web-conferencing tools.

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

RS: More remote work opportunities. As companies get comfortable with remote work and online meetings, the need for all employees to come into the office every day will be reduced. Also, as companies learn to operate lean, the use of outside consulting services should increase as a low-commitment, high-value resource. 

Register for ETTN’s Industry Talks: Back to Business virtual panel discussion on “Pivoting in a Pandemic: Technologies to Move us Forward” on September 4. Additional updates and resources to assist ETTN members get back to business are available at www.sema.org/reopen.  

Fill out this form for a chance to be featured in the next ETTN Member Insight.

By SEMA Editors

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

• ETTN Live Chat: Jonathan Mill, September 1, 2020
• SBN Live Chat: Rose Kawasaki, September 2, 2020
• Back to Business Webinar Series: Beyond the Pandemic, September 2, 2020
• Industry Talks: Back to Business—Pivoting in a Pandemic: Technologies to Move Us Forward, Powered by ETTN, September 4, 2020
• SBN Virtual General Membership Meeting, September 8, 2020
• WTC Ambassador Virtual Meeting, September 15, 2020
• PRI Trade Show, December 10–12, 2020, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis

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

SEMA Editors

SEMA eNews highlights SEMA-member companies’ websites weekly through the Hot Links to Cool Sites section. SEMA members: To be included in Hot Links to Cool Sites, email your company name and website to enews@sema.org. Note: Make sure to include “Hot Links” in the subject line of the email.

• Alliant Insurance Services Inc.
• Ballard & Allen Marketing Inc.
• Coker Tire Co. Inc.
• Euroleather
• Hypertech Inc.
• Kunzman & Associates
• Meyer Distributing
• Pacific Performance Engineering
• RSI North America Inc.
• Turn 14 Distribution Inc.

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org.

By Ashley Reyes

Seven years ago, Jonathan Mill submitted a two-and-a-half-minute video, which helped him earn the title as the first-ever SEMA Launch Pad winner. A few years later, Mill went on to win the SEMA Gen-III Innovator award in front of thousands of industry peers at the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, and he’s continued to push the boundaries of innovation both in media and business practices. In addition to working with some of the biggest names in the automotive space, Mill is an avid volunteer to the association has been credited with helping put together some of the most valuable education panels at the SEMA Show.

Join Mill in the SEMA Emerging Trends and Technology Network (ETTN) Facebook page, September 1, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT), as he shares personal stories and insights about launching a product into the marketplace, while walking attendees through aligning a product for market entry with a strong marketing strategy and channel partnerships. You’ll be able to ask questions and be inspired by Mill’s journey.

By Ashley Reyes

Seven years ago, Jonathan Mill submitted a two-and-a-half-minute video, which helped him earn the title as the first-ever SEMA Launch Pad winner. A few years later, Mill went on to win the SEMA Gen-III Innovator award in front of thousands of industry peers at the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, and he’s continued to push the boundaries of innovation both in media and business practices. In addition to working with some of the biggest names in the automotive space, Mill is an avid volunteer to the association has been credited with helping put together some of the most valuable education panels at the SEMA Show.

Join Mill in the SEMA Emerging Trends and Technology Network (ETTN) Facebook page, September 1, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT), as he shares personal stories and insights about launching a product into the marketplace, while walking attendees through aligning a product for market entry with a strong marketing strategy and channel partnerships. You’ll be able to ask questions and be inspired by Mill’s journey.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA announced today that it is offering an online marketplace to allow manufacturers and resellers in the specialty automotive segment to connect and conduct business. Taking place November 2-6, SEMA360 was created after industry members expressed a need for a viable marketplace solution in the absence of the 2020 SEMA Show.

“Creating a platform where the industry can gather and discover new products and trends has always been a SEMA priority,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “SEMA360 is the ideal solution to bring the industry together, at a time when we’ve all been kept apart. The platform allows qualified buyers to interact with manufacturers, see innovative new products, check out top SEMA Show builds, and take in industry-leading educational offerings."

Show organizers gathered input from industry members who registered concerns with typical “virtual trade show” solutions. The result is SEMA360, a simplified platform where SEMA will help manufacturers create a straightforward brand presence that will reach quality domestic and international buyers. With a focus on helping the industry grow their businesses, participating resellers will have access to product offerings and demonstrations, and manufacturer personnel.

“The industry made it clear there is a void to fill,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “SEMA360 addresses that need by leveraging SEMA’s exclusive buyer database to connect manufacturers with resellers.”

Key features of SEMA360 include:

• A simplified platform for manufacturers to showcase their new products and innovations
• Efficient interaction between manufacturers and resellers for quality business exchange
• SEMA vehicle reveals from world-class builders
• Industry-leading education focused on professional development and new strategies
• SEMA’s unrivaled media contacts amplifying news, products, and innovations to a world-wide audience

Manufacturer applications for SEMA360 will open September 3, at a SEMA-member rate of $495, and a nonmember rate of $1,495. Attendee registration, which opens mid-September, will be free to qualifying buyers who are SEMA members, and $25 to non-members. Qualifying media will be able to register at no cost.

To learn more about the SEMA360 or to register, visit www.sema360.com.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA announced today that it is offering an online marketplace to allow manufacturers and resellers in the specialty automotive segment to connect and conduct business. Taking place November 2-6, SEMA360 was created after industry members expressed a need for a viable marketplace solution in the absence of the 2020 SEMA Show.

“Creating a platform where the industry can gather and discover new products and trends has always been a SEMA priority,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “SEMA360 is the ideal solution to bring the industry together, at a time when we’ve all been kept apart. The platform allows qualified buyers to interact with manufacturers, see innovative new products, check out top SEMA Show builds, and take in industry-leading educational offerings."

Show organizers gathered input from industry members who registered concerns with typical “virtual trade show” solutions. The result is SEMA360, a simplified platform where SEMA will help manufacturers create a straightforward brand presence that will reach quality domestic and international buyers. With a focus on helping the industry grow their businesses, participating resellers will have access to product offerings and demonstrations, and manufacturer personnel.

“The industry made it clear there is a void to fill,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “SEMA360 addresses that need by leveraging SEMA’s exclusive buyer database to connect manufacturers with resellers.”

Key features of SEMA360 include:

• A simplified platform for manufacturers to showcase their new products and innovations
• Efficient interaction between manufacturers and resellers for quality business exchange
• SEMA vehicle reveals from world-class builders
• Industry-leading education focused on professional development and new strategies
• SEMA’s unrivaled media contacts amplifying news, products, and innovations to a world-wide audience

Manufacturer applications for SEMA360 will open September 3, at a SEMA-member rate of $495, and a nonmember rate of $1,495. Attendee registration, which opens mid-September, will be free to qualifying buyers who are SEMA members, and $25 to non-members. Qualifying media will be able to register at no cost.

To learn more about the SEMA360 or to register, visit www.sema360.com.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Virginia Senate introduced SEMA-supported legislation (S.B. 5029), which includes provisions that would change certain traffic infractions from primary to secondary offenses. A secondary offense is one for which a citation can only be issued if the driver is stopped for another separate offense.

If passed, the following traffic infractions would be changed to secondary offenses: operating a motor vehicle without an exhaust system that prevents excessive or unusual levels of noise, without a light illuminating a license plate or with certain sun-shading materials and tinting films.

For more information and to request support for this bill, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Virginia Senate introduced SEMA-supported legislation (S.B. 5029), which includes provisions that would change certain traffic infractions from primary to secondary offenses. A secondary offense is one for which a citation can only be issued if the driver is stopped for another separate offense.

If passed, the following traffic infractions would be changed to secondary offenses: operating a motor vehicle without an exhaust system that prevents excessive or unusual levels of noise, without a light illuminating a license plate or with certain sun-shading materials and tinting films.

For more information and to request support for this bill, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.