By SEMA Editors

Tire Group International Names New VP of Original Equipment and Fleet Sales

Tire Group International appointed Jeff DeVonde as its new vice president of original equipment and fleet sales for its domestic division. DeVonde brings more than 24 years of experience in the transportation industry selling and marketing truckload dry and refrigerated freight throughout the country. Previously, the Navy veteran worked as the director of sales for Alabama Motor Express.

“Jeff’s knowledge and experience in the transportation industry reflects our commitment to always finding new ways to take care of our customers’ needs,” said Joaquin Gonzalez Jr., Tire Group International's president.

Kahn Media Inc. Announces New Hires

	Jon Barrett

Kahn Media Inc. announced that public relations leader Jon Barrett has been named vice president of the company. Kahn Media founder and President Dan Kahn called Barrett a “strategic leader.”

“His background in data and digital technology will serve us well as our business evolves to cover a diverse range of digital marketing services,” Kahn said.

Kahn Media also added longtime motorcycle racer, instructor, and marketer Jason Thompson to the team as an account executive. Thompson will handle PR and marketing for MotoAmerica, the official AMA/FIM-sanctioned national road racing series in the United States.

Creative Director Franco Gutierrez will continue to lead the company’s creative team. Gutierrez will spearhead the expansion of the company’s art capabilities beyond website development, video production and graphic design into immersive digital marketing, studio photography and top-shelf brand development.

“Garage Gurus” Opens Training Facility in Dallas for Repair Professionals

The grand opening of the “Garage Gurus” regional training facility in Dallas, Texas, on July 17 drew automotive repair professionals from around the state. The center is one of Federal-Mogul Motorparts’ new nationwide technical training garages that help front-line industry professionals keep pace with the latest automotive technologies. The Dallas/Fort Worth training center will offer on-site, online and on-demand training and related support to technicians, shop owners, service writers and others from among the region’s more than 5,100 repair businesses. Garage Gurus is a major new “Tech First” initiative from Federal-Mogul Motorparts, providing a comprehensive platform of technical training and support for the vehicle service industry. The new training center is the sixth of up to 15 Garage Gurus locations scheduled to open this year.

Goodguys’ Announces Award Winners

The Goodguys Rod & Custom Association’s Street Machine of the Year (left), and the Street Rod of the Year (right).

Enthusiasts competed for the Goodguys 2015 Classic Instruments Street Rod of the Year and Goodguys 2015 Optima Batteries Street Machine of the Year awards July 12 at the 18th PPG Nationals in Columbus.

The Street Rod of the Year category was first, with one Chevy owned by Chuck Rowe competing against four Fords. Rowe’s Millington, Tennessee-based ’37 Chevy fended off the Fords to win the title. The car’s motor is an all-aluminum McLaren Chevy big-block recovered from Peter Revson’s 1971 Championship-winning Chaparral Can Am car. Other notable features include suicide doors, a Morrison chassis, Mike Long G-Force 6-speed transmission, one-off Alloway ET Wheels, red leather interior and Classic Instruments gauges.

In the Street Machine category, Lafayette, Louisiana’s Sonny and Debbie Freeman took home the prize with their Artic White ’67 Corvette by Mike Goldman Customs. The Vette’s scratch-built rockers sit 3-in. off the ground, channeled neatly over the Roadster Shop chassis. Not only is the Freeman Corvette flawless, but it’s also fast! With Talbert Goldman behind the wheel, the car ran an AutoCross lap of 42.414 seconds, one of the fastest laps in the class. Powering the nimble beast is a Mast Motorsports 427ci V8 pumping out 700 ponies.

Fire at the Eastwood Company Causes Shipping Delays

	Eastwood Co.'s building.

A July 9 fire at the Pottstown, Pennsylvania, headquarters of the Eastwood Co., a supplier of automotive restoration tools and finishes, caused smoke and water damage. Shipping operations have been temporarily delayed while fire investigators and cleanup crews work. Customers can continue placing orders at www.eastwood.com, which will be shipped out as soon as possible. No one was injured in the fire.

Premier Performance Products Upgrades Fulfillment Center

Premier Performance Products announced that the company has relocated its Kentucky fulfillment center to a new location double the size of the previous site. The new 95,000 square-foot warehouse will increase the company’s capacity to stock parts, expand the range of products offered and enable faster processing.  

SEM Products and Vicar International Announce Partnership

SEM Products, a manufacturer of interior paints and refinishing products, announced that it will expand its distribution by forming a strategic partnership with Vicar International. Vicar will be stocking three new lines, Color Coat, Classic Coat and Vinyl Coat, for indoor and outdoor applications with plans to expand.

Parent Petroleum Partners With VP Racing Fuels

VP Racing Fuels has introduced Parent Petroleum as its newest retail branding partner. Headquartered in St. Charles, Illinois, Parent owns and operates “The PRIDE” convenience stores in the greater Chicagoland area.

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.

	Getting coverage in SEMA’s pre-Show publications starts by submitting a simple press release. There is no cost to upload releases and related images, but pre-Show publications start production as early as August 3.

By Carr Winn

Getting coverage in SEMA’s pre-Show publications starts with a simple press release. In fact, SEMA hosts an Exhibitor Press Release Library online that provides a one-stop shop for exhibitors to post announcements. There is no cost to upload releases and related images, but pre-Show publications start production as early as August 3. Here are some details about content the editorial team needs and when and where it might be featured.

There are three types of content that are relevant for both SEMA News and the SEMA Show Daily—new product announcements, custom vehicle premieres and Show-related activities.

Publications and Deadlines

• The October issue of SEMA News has a special section that highlights new products that exhibitors will be unveiling at the 2015 SEMA Show. The deadline for submissions is August 10.

• The November issue of SEMA News has a special section dedicated to custom vehicles entered into SEMA’s Battle of the Builders competition. The deadline is September 8. For more information and to register for SEMA Battle of the Builders, visit www.semaignited.com. 

• The SEMA Show Daily is divided into four issues. The first issue will have a circulation of 40,000 and mails October 1, providing a sneak-peek of the SEMA Show’s can’t-miss features. The deadline is August 3.

• Show Daily #2 will be distributed Tuesday, November 3—the first day of the 2015 SEMA Show. It has a circulation of 10,000 and will be distributed at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The deadline is September 10.

• Show Daily #3 and #4 also have a circulation of 10,000 each. They will be distributed Wednesday, November 4, and Thursday, November 5. The deadline for both issues is October 5.

All issues of the SEMA Show Daily feature press releases that discuss celebrity appearances, company announcements and details on related Show activities.

In both SEMA News November and throughout all issues of Show Daily, press releases that discuss celebrity appearances and related Show activities will be featured. As an exhibitor, keep an eye on the editorial deadlines listed as you begin to finalize your Show promotions. To submit a release for consideration, upload it directly to the Exhibitor Press Release Library. This is where editors look to find out the latest updates on Show exhibitors.

If you are concerned about not having material ready by the deadline, keep in mind that editorial is chosen on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, once you do have a release and image ready, submit it, even if it is after the deadline. Journalists from around the world access this library for potential stories. When additional space becomes available, SEMA’s editorial team will continue to utilize the Press Release Library for new stories.

In terms of releases, oftentimes there is only space for 100–200 words. Our editorial team will shorten a longer release given space constraints. When it comes to images, the art department is looking for high-resolution images. That means 300 dpi and in one of the following file types—jpg, eps or tif. If you only have a rendering of a new product or a shot of a car while its being built, this is perfectly acceptable.

For a sample copy of the SEMA Show Daily, use this link: www.sema.org/publications. To advertise in SEMA News or Show Daily, contact sales@sema.org or call 909-396-0289.

Key Contacts for SEMA’s Exhibitor Press Release Library and SEMA’s editorial department:

	Getting coverage in SEMA’s pre-Show publications starts by submitting a simple press release. There is no cost to upload releases and related images, but pre-Show publications start production as early as August 3.

By Carr Winn

Getting coverage in SEMA’s pre-Show publications starts with a simple press release. In fact, SEMA hosts an Exhibitor Press Release Library online that provides a one-stop shop for exhibitors to post announcements. There is no cost to upload releases and related images, but pre-Show publications start production as early as August 3. Here are some details about content the editorial team needs and when and where it might be featured.

There are three types of content that are relevant for both SEMA News and the SEMA Show Daily—new product announcements, custom vehicle premieres and Show-related activities.

Publications and Deadlines

• The October issue of SEMA News has a special section that highlights new products that exhibitors will be unveiling at the 2015 SEMA Show. The deadline for submissions is August 10.

• The November issue of SEMA News has a special section dedicated to custom vehicles entered into SEMA’s Battle of the Builders competition. The deadline is September 8. For more information and to register for SEMA Battle of the Builders, visit www.semaignited.com. 

• The SEMA Show Daily is divided into four issues. The first issue will have a circulation of 40,000 and mails October 1, providing a sneak-peek of the SEMA Show’s can’t-miss features. The deadline is August 3.

• Show Daily #2 will be distributed Tuesday, November 3—the first day of the 2015 SEMA Show. It has a circulation of 10,000 and will be distributed at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The deadline is September 10.

• Show Daily #3 and #4 also have a circulation of 10,000 each. They will be distributed Wednesday, November 4, and Thursday, November 5. The deadline for both issues is October 5.

All issues of the SEMA Show Daily feature press releases that discuss celebrity appearances, company announcements and details on related Show activities.

In both SEMA News November and throughout all issues of Show Daily, press releases that discuss celebrity appearances and related Show activities will be featured. As an exhibitor, keep an eye on the editorial deadlines listed as you begin to finalize your Show promotions. To submit a release for consideration, upload it directly to the Exhibitor Press Release Library. This is where editors look to find out the latest updates on Show exhibitors.

If you are concerned about not having material ready by the deadline, keep in mind that editorial is chosen on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, once you do have a release and image ready, submit it, even if it is after the deadline. Journalists from around the world access this library for potential stories. When additional space becomes available, SEMA’s editorial team will continue to utilize the Press Release Library for new stories.

In terms of releases, oftentimes there is only space for 100–200 words. Our editorial team will shorten a longer release given space constraints. When it comes to images, the art department is looking for high-resolution images. That means 300 dpi and in one of the following file types—jpg, eps or tif. If you only have a rendering of a new product or a shot of a car while its being built, this is perfectly acceptable.

For a sample copy of the SEMA Show Daily, use this link: www.sema.org/publications. To advertise in SEMA News or Show Daily, contact sales@sema.org or call 909-396-0289.

Key Contacts for SEMA’s Exhibitor Press Release Library and SEMA’s editorial department:

	Getting coverage in SEMA’s pre-Show publications starts by submitting a simple press release. There is no cost to upload releases and related images, but pre-Show publications start production as early as August 3.

By Carr Winn

Getting coverage in SEMA’s pre-Show publications starts with a simple press release. In fact, SEMA hosts an Exhibitor Press Release Library online that provides a one-stop shop for exhibitors to post announcements. There is no cost to upload releases and related images, but pre-Show publications start production as early as August 3. Here are some details about content the editorial team needs and when and where it might be featured.

There are three types of content that are relevant for both SEMA News and the SEMA Show Daily—new product announcements, custom vehicle premieres and Show-related activities.

Publications and Deadlines

• The October issue of SEMA News has a special section that highlights new products that exhibitors will be unveiling at the 2015 SEMA Show. The deadline for submissions is August 10.

• The November issue of SEMA News has a special section dedicated to custom vehicles entered into SEMA’s Battle of the Builders competition. The deadline is September 8. For more information and to register for SEMA Battle of the Builders, visit www.semaignited.com. 

• The SEMA Show Daily is divided into four issues. The first issue will have a circulation of 40,000 and mails October 1, providing a sneak-peek of the SEMA Show’s can’t-miss features. The deadline is August 3.

• Show Daily #2 will be distributed Tuesday, November 3—the first day of the 2015 SEMA Show. It has a circulation of 10,000 and will be distributed at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The deadline is September 10.

• Show Daily #3 and #4 also have a circulation of 10,000 each. They will be distributed Wednesday, November 4, and Thursday, November 5. The deadline for both issues is October 5.

All issues of the SEMA Show Daily feature press releases that discuss celebrity appearances, company announcements and details on related Show activities.

In both SEMA News November and throughout all issues of Show Daily, press releases that discuss celebrity appearances and related Show activities will be featured. As an exhibitor, keep an eye on the editorial deadlines listed as you begin to finalize your Show promotions. To submit a release for consideration, upload it directly to the Exhibitor Press Release Library. This is where editors look to find out the latest updates on Show exhibitors.

If you are concerned about not having material ready by the deadline, keep in mind that editorial is chosen on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, once you do have a release and image ready, submit it, even if it is after the deadline. Journalists from around the world access this library for potential stories. When additional space becomes available, SEMA’s editorial team will continue to utilize the Press Release Library for new stories.

In terms of releases, oftentimes there is only space for 100–200 words. Our editorial team will shorten a longer release given space constraints. When it comes to images, the art department is looking for high-resolution images. That means 300 dpi and in one of the following file types—jpg, eps or tif. If you only have a rendering of a new product or a shot of a car while its being built, this is perfectly acceptable.

For a sample copy of the SEMA Show Daily, use this link: www.sema.org/publications. To advertise in SEMA News or Show Daily, contact sales@sema.org or call 909-396-0289.

Key Contacts for SEMA’s Exhibitor Press Release Library and SEMA’s editorial department:

By Michael Hart

	The 2015 SEMA Show is offering a number of different educational tracks designed to help you improve your performance and your company's business.

Maybe you’re involved in vehicle technology. Have you heard the latest ideas regarding automotive electronic fabrication? There are conference sessions that will supply you with suggestions about services your company may be able to provide its customers.

Or perhaps you’re in business operations. Have you figured out yet how to take big data and make it work for your company? There are always new ways to analyze data to improve a business’s bottom line. Check out the conference sessions available on that topic.

Are you on the sales side? Some educational tracks will provide an update on the latest in consultative sales skills that you could then share with your colleagues.

For those in marketing, there are also sessions that focus on search engine optimization designed to show you how to increase your company's website traffic.

Regardless of your job title or company role, there are conference sessions at the SEMA Show that can help you grow your career and your company’s business.

There’s even a form letter you can use to ask your boss for permission to attend the SEMA Show. Just fill in the appropriate details and send it along to your supervisor. Download a PDF version of the letter.

To see the complete list of education sessions, visit Recalibrate: 2015 SEMA Show Education Days.

By Michael Hart

	The 2015 SEMA Show is offering a number of different educational tracks designed to help you improve your performance and your company's business.

Maybe you’re involved in vehicle technology. Have you heard the latest ideas regarding automotive electronic fabrication? There are conference sessions that will supply you with suggestions about services your company may be able to provide its customers.

Or perhaps you’re in business operations. Have you figured out yet how to take big data and make it work for your company? There are always new ways to analyze data to improve a business’s bottom line. Check out the conference sessions available on that topic.

Are you on the sales side? Some educational tracks will provide an update on the latest in consultative sales skills that you could then share with your colleagues.

For those in marketing, there are also sessions that focus on search engine optimization designed to show you how to increase your company's website traffic.

Regardless of your job title or company role, there are conference sessions at the SEMA Show that can help you grow your career and your company’s business.

There’s even a form letter you can use to ask your boss for permission to attend the SEMA Show. Just fill in the appropriate details and send it along to your supervisor. Download a PDF version of the letter.

To see the complete list of education sessions, visit Recalibrate: 2015 SEMA Show Education Days.

By Michael Hart

	The 2015 SEMA Show is offering a number of different educational tracks designed to help you improve your performance and your company's business.

Maybe you’re involved in vehicle technology. Have you heard the latest ideas regarding automotive electronic fabrication? There are conference sessions that will supply you with suggestions about services your company may be able to provide its customers.

Or perhaps you’re in business operations. Have you figured out yet how to take big data and make it work for your company? There are always new ways to analyze data to improve a business’s bottom line. Check out the conference sessions available on that topic.

Are you on the sales side? Some educational tracks will provide an update on the latest in consultative sales skills that you could then share with your colleagues.

For those in marketing, there are also sessions that focus on search engine optimization designed to show you how to increase your company's website traffic.

Regardless of your job title or company role, there are conference sessions at the SEMA Show that can help you grow your career and your company’s business.

There’s even a form letter you can use to ask your boss for permission to attend the SEMA Show. Just fill in the appropriate details and send it along to your supervisor. Download a PDF version of the letter.

To see the complete list of education sessions, visit Recalibrate: 2015 SEMA Show Education Days.

By Michael Hart

	The 2015 SEMA Show is offering a number of different educational tracks designed to help you improve your performance and your company's business.

Maybe you’re involved in vehicle technology. Have you heard the latest ideas regarding automotive electronic fabrication? There are conference sessions that will supply you with suggestions about services your company may be able to provide its customers.

Or perhaps you’re in business operations. Have you figured out yet how to take big data and make it work for your company? There are always new ways to analyze data to improve a business’s bottom line. Check out the conference sessions available on that topic.

Are you on the sales side? Some educational tracks will provide an update on the latest in consultative sales skills that you could then share with your colleagues.

For those in marketing, there are also sessions that focus on search engine optimization designed to show you how to increase your company's website traffic.

Regardless of your job title or company role, there are conference sessions at the SEMA Show that can help you grow your career and your company’s business.

There’s even a form letter you can use to ask your boss for permission to attend the SEMA Show. Just fill in the appropriate details and send it along to your supervisor. Download a PDF version of the letter.

To see the complete list of education sessions, visit Recalibrate: 2015 SEMA Show Education Days.

	Transamerican Auto Parts will present its “Life Is Better Off-Road” SEMA Builder Award to the best presented, most off-road-capable truck, Jeep or SUV on display at the 2015 SEMA Show.

By SEMA Editors

Transamerican Auto Parts (TAP) will introduce the “Life Is Better Off-Road” SEMA Builder Award at the 2015 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The award is an annual industry prize bestowed by Transamerican Auto Parts to the best-presented, truly off-road-capable truck, Jeep or SUV on display at the Show.

This award is open to all off-road vehicle constructors and product manufacturers on display at the 2015 SEMA Show, and will be judged by an elite panel of industry experts. As the off-road performance category continues to grow in popularity, the Transamerican Auto Parts “Life is Better Off-Road” award will recognize the unique technological achievements and engineering advancements specific to the development of aftermarket products for off-road trucks, Jeeps and SUVs.

The panel of judges, representing a cross-section of the off-road industry, will include fabricators, journalists, industry personalities and professional off-road racers. They will select 10 semi-finalists from among the submitted entries based on such criteria as off-road reliability and capability, real-world functionality, quality of craftsmanship and overall vehicle presentation. From those contenders, one Jeep and one truck/SUV will be chosen as the two finalists to vie for the designation of being named the most authentic off-road-capable vehicle at the Show.

Transamerican Auto Parts President and CEO Greg Adler will present the award—a custom-designed trophy—on Thursday, November 5, at 2:00 p.m., at the ProComp/Transamerican Auto Parts booth (#62112) within the SEMA SCORE Baja 1000 Experience Area (located outside of the South Hall in the Silver Lot).

In addition to the award itself, the winner will receive a cover feature and multi-page vehicle spotlight in Off Road Adventures magazine; a professional photo shoot; recognition across the spectrum of Transamerican social media and digital channels; a promotional email campaign highlighting the award and winners; an invitation to be displayed in feature locations at TAP-sponsored events, tradeshows, and truck and Jeep fests; and extensive partner media coverage of the award. The 10 semi-finalists will also be included in the full media campaign and receive ribbons in recognition of the accomplishment.

To submit your off-road SEMA display vehicle for award consideration, visit the Transamerican Auto Parts website, where you may complete your entry online or download the PDF application. Email the completed application to lifeisbetteroffroadaward@transamericanautoparts.com.

	Transamerican Auto Parts will present its “Life Is Better Off-Road” SEMA Builder Award to the best presented, most off-road-capable truck, Jeep or SUV on display at the 2015 SEMA Show.

By SEMA Editors

Transamerican Auto Parts (TAP) will introduce the “Life Is Better Off-Road” SEMA Builder Award at the 2015 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The award is an annual industry prize bestowed by Transamerican Auto Parts to the best-presented, truly off-road-capable truck, Jeep or SUV on display at the Show.

This award is open to all off-road vehicle constructors and product manufacturers on display at the 2015 SEMA Show, and will be judged by an elite panel of industry experts. As the off-road performance category continues to grow in popularity, the Transamerican Auto Parts “Life is Better Off-Road” award will recognize the unique technological achievements and engineering advancements specific to the development of aftermarket products for off-road trucks, Jeeps and SUVs.

The panel of judges, representing a cross-section of the off-road industry, will include fabricators, journalists, industry personalities and professional off-road racers. They will select 10 semi-finalists from among the submitted entries based on such criteria as off-road reliability and capability, real-world functionality, quality of craftsmanship and overall vehicle presentation. From those contenders, one Jeep and one truck/SUV will be chosen as the two finalists to vie for the designation of being named the most authentic off-road-capable vehicle at the Show.

Transamerican Auto Parts President and CEO Greg Adler will present the award—a custom-designed trophy—on Thursday, November 5, at 2:00 p.m., at the ProComp/Transamerican Auto Parts booth (#62112) within the SEMA SCORE Baja 1000 Experience Area (located outside of the South Hall in the Silver Lot).

In addition to the award itself, the winner will receive a cover feature and multi-page vehicle spotlight in Off Road Adventures magazine; a professional photo shoot; recognition across the spectrum of Transamerican social media and digital channels; a promotional email campaign highlighting the award and winners; an invitation to be displayed in feature locations at TAP-sponsored events, tradeshows, and truck and Jeep fests; and extensive partner media coverage of the award. The 10 semi-finalists will also be included in the full media campaign and receive ribbons in recognition of the accomplishment.

To submit your off-road SEMA display vehicle for award consideration, visit the Transamerican Auto Parts website, where you may complete your entry online or download the PDF application. Email the completed application to lifeisbetteroffroadaward@transamericanautoparts.com.