SEMA members that sell or distribute products can now obtain an unlimited number of product data exports from the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) at no cost.

Following a strong formal launch of its Product Information Management System (PIMS) in May 2013, coupled with the announcement of free product data exports to SEMA members later that year, the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) has seen unprecedented growth in membership in recent months. In late February, a significant participation milestone was reached with the signup of its 600th member.

"The reception we are receiving in the industry is just fantastic," said Jim Graven, SDC director of membership. "In particular, we are seeing very strong interest from the re-seller community, which obviously has a very strong pent-up demand for quality, affordable product data. As we continue to build this momentum with these data receivers, more and more manufacturers are coming our way to utilize the SDC as a central point for easy management, storage, validation and distribution of their data. We are even seeing significant interest from the replacement parts side of the business, and we welcome any manufacturers in that marketplace to check us out."

Jon Wyly, CEO of the SDC, commented, "Successful distribution of product data across the industry is critical to powering business systems of all types, ranging from internal shipping and category management needs at the distribution level, to the mandatory availability of product information to grow business and close sales in brick-and-mortar and eCommerce retail environments. It feels great to have made such significant progress in this arguably very challenging endeavor."

The SEMA Data Co-op is an industry-owned and -operated initiative designed to bring full product data management capabilities to participating suppliers, and to deliver clean, customized data exports to receivers at the lowest possible cost. Features include a secure, industry standards-based centralized data repository, extensive onboarding tools, expert live training and technical assistance and unlimited standard or fully customized data exports. To learn more about the program, visit the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) website or contact Jim Graven at 888-958-6698, ext 4.

	SEMA members that sell or distribute products can now obtain an unlimited number of product data exports from the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) at no cost.

Following a strong formal launch of its Product Information Management System (PIMS) in May 2013, coupled with the announcement of free product data exports to SEMA members later that year, the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) has seen unprecedented growth in membership in recent months. In late February, a significant participation milestone was reached with the signup of its 600th member.

"The reception we are receiving in the industry is just fantastic," said Jim Graven, SDC director of membership. "In particular, we are seeing very strong interest from the re-seller community, which obviously has a very strong pent-up demand for quality, affordable product data. As we continue to build this momentum with these data receivers, more and more manufacturers are coming our way to utilize the SDC as a central point for easy management, storage, validation and distribution of their data. We are even seeing significant interest from the replacement parts side of the business, and we welcome any manufacturers in that marketplace to check us out."

Jon Wyly, CEO of the SDC, commented, "Successful distribution of product data across the industry is critical to powering business systems of all types, ranging from internal shipping and category management needs at the distribution level, to the mandatory availability of product information to grow business and close sales in brick-and-mortar and eCommerce retail environments. It feels great to have made such significant progress in this arguably very challenging endeavor."

The SEMA Data Co-op is an industry-owned and -operated initiative designed to bring full product data management capabilities to participating suppliers, and to deliver clean, customized data exports to receivers at the lowest possible cost. Features include a secure, industry standards-based centralized data repository, extensive onboarding tools, expert live training and technical assistance and unlimited standard or fully customized data exports. To learn more about the program, visit the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) website or contact Jim Graven at 888-958-6698, ext 4.

By Zane Clark

	Jim Graven

Are you ready for the selling season? Would you like to boost your profits and expand your market reach? Standards compliant data is easily sharable, and the time to start is now! Led by Jim Graven, SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) director of membership, webinar participants will learn how the SDC program works through a presentation and live demonstration of their system. Then subscribe to the SDC to sell more parts!

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how the SDC helps suppliers and receivers sell more parts.
• Use the online user interface and take a tour of SDC features and functionality.
• Learn how to upload new products, update current products and validate product data to industry standards.
• Learn how to schedule downloads, review current member listings and manage data feeds.

Join the SEMA Education Institute (SEI) and the SDC team! Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

For more information contact Juliet Marshall at 909-978-6655.

Jim Graven came to the SDC in August 2012 with more than 15 years of experience in the specialty-parts aftermarket, taking responsibility for member services, recruitment and promotions.
 
His background includes extensive sales, marketing and project management experience at Reliable Automotive and Arrow Speed Warehouse, where he managed various customer-facing teams, events, media production and end-to-end project organization. In 1990, Graven earned a B.S. in finance from Georgia Southern University.
 
Graven's energetic and attentive style, coupled with a broad background in the industry, made him the ideal candidate to work closely with SDC members to optimize their experience. In addition, his flair for communication, organization and teaching make him ideally suited for welcoming new members into the SDC.

By Zane Clark

	Jim Graven

Are you ready for the selling season? Would you like to boost your profits and expand your market reach? Standards compliant data is easily sharable, and the time to start is now! Led by Jim Graven, SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) director of membership, webinar participants will learn how the SDC program works through a presentation and live demonstration of their system. Then subscribe to the SDC to sell more parts!

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how the SDC helps suppliers and receivers sell more parts.
• Use the online user interface and take a tour of SDC features and functionality.
• Learn how to upload new products, update current products and validate product data to industry standards.
• Learn how to schedule downloads, review current member listings and manage data feeds.

Join the SEMA Education Institute (SEI) and the SDC team! Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

For more information contact Juliet Marshall at 909-978-6655.

Jim Graven came to the SDC in August 2012 with more than 15 years of experience in the specialty-parts aftermarket, taking responsibility for member services, recruitment and promotions.
 
His background includes extensive sales, marketing and project management experience at Reliable Automotive and Arrow Speed Warehouse, where he managed various customer-facing teams, events, media production and end-to-end project organization. In 1990, Graven earned a B.S. in finance from Georgia Southern University.
 
Graven's energetic and attentive style, coupled with a broad background in the industry, made him the ideal candidate to work closely with SDC members to optimize their experience. In addition, his flair for communication, organization and teaching make him ideally suited for welcoming new members into the SDC.

By Zane Clark

	Jim Graven

Are you ready for the selling season? Would you like to boost your profits and expand your market reach? Standards compliant data is easily sharable, and the time to start is now! Led by Jim Graven, SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) director of membership, webinar participants will learn how the SDC program works through a presentation and live demonstration of their system. Then subscribe to the SDC to sell more parts!

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how the SDC helps suppliers and receivers sell more parts.
• Use the online user interface and take a tour of SDC features and functionality.
• Learn how to upload new products, update current products and validate product data to industry standards.
• Learn how to schedule downloads, review current member listings and manage data feeds.

Join the SEMA Education Institute (SEI) and the SDC team! Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

For more information contact Juliet Marshall at 909-978-6655.

Jim Graven came to the SDC in August 2012 with more than 15 years of experience in the specialty-parts aftermarket, taking responsibility for member services, recruitment and promotions.
 
His background includes extensive sales, marketing and project management experience at Reliable Automotive and Arrow Speed Warehouse, where he managed various customer-facing teams, events, media production and end-to-end project organization. In 1990, Graven earned a B.S. in finance from Georgia Southern University.
 
Graven's energetic and attentive style, coupled with a broad background in the industry, made him the ideal candidate to work closely with SDC members to optimize their experience. In addition, his flair for communication, organization and teaching make him ideally suited for welcoming new members into the SDC.

By Zane Clark

Nancy Friedman

Some words are conversation distractions. They can confuse, annoy and stop a conversation. When that happens it can be difficult to get back on track. Plan on attending Friedman’s webinar as she runs through the words that can kill the deal. You’ll wish you'd had the alternative words sooner—you’d have saved a lot of sales. Don't miss this appointment to hear from the Telephone Doctor.

Register Today! Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

For more information contact Juliet Marshall at 909-978-6655.

A six-time SEMA speaker, Nancy Friedman returns to us once again to entertain, engage, excite, educate and motivate our audiences. Born and raised in Chicago, she and her family now live in St. Louis, where they run Telephone Doctor Customer Service Training. She is a much sought-after conference and corporate meeting speaker on sales and customer service and author of eight books on sales and customer service. She, along with her son and husband David and Dick, offer seven divisions of Telephone Doctor to help companies communicate better with their customers. Her high energy and humorous presentation is a highlight at all meetings, and SEMA members keep asking for her to come back. Friedman can be reached at 314-291-1012 or at the Telephone Doctor website, www.telephonedoctor.com.

By Zane Clark

Nancy Friedman

Some words are conversation distractions. They can confuse, annoy and stop a conversation. When that happens it can be difficult to get back on track. Plan on attending Friedman’s webinar as she runs through the words that can kill the deal. You’ll wish you'd had the alternative words sooner—you’d have saved a lot of sales. Don't miss this appointment to hear from the Telephone Doctor.

Register Today! Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

For more information contact Juliet Marshall at 909-978-6655.

A six-time SEMA speaker, Nancy Friedman returns to us once again to entertain, engage, excite, educate and motivate our audiences. Born and raised in Chicago, she and her family now live in St. Louis, where they run Telephone Doctor Customer Service Training. She is a much sought-after conference and corporate meeting speaker on sales and customer service and author of eight books on sales and customer service. She, along with her son and husband David and Dick, offer seven divisions of Telephone Doctor to help companies communicate better with their customers. Her high energy and humorous presentation is a highlight at all meetings, and SEMA members keep asking for her to come back. Friedman can be reached at 314-291-1012 or at the Telephone Doctor website, www.telephonedoctor.com.

The Camaro is available for SEMA Show project vehicle proposals.

This year’s Chevrolet SEMA Project Vehicle Program will focus on designers and manufacturers dedicated to creating new accessories and vehicle personalization items for Chevrolet's ’15 vehicles.

Vehicles available include:

• Silverado (light-duty only)
• Tahoe
• Sonic
• Spark
• Cruze
• Impala
• Camaro

Requirements:

• Preservation of Chevrolet bowtie on front and rear of vehicle, not to be painted
• High level of paint and build quality; no wraps
• Sponsorship decals to be limited to the lower 1/3 of the vehicle side
• Commit to periodic design and build check-ins
• Promote vehicle through November 4, 2015
• Retain vehicle insurance totaling at least $3 million until the completion of the one-year contract
• Submit proposal by March 31, 2014

Proposals must include:

• An introductory letter defining the vehicle theme, content and SEMA Show display location
• A realistic exterior rendering with the intended colors and modifications accurately defined
• A build timeline with start and completion dates
• A detailed list of upgrades and modifications, including new products developed with the use of the vehicle
• A promotional plan beyond the SEMA Show
• Three printed copies mailed to the address listed below
• An additional digital copy sent to the e-mail below

Builders are urged to contact Tom Gardner at thomas.gardner@gm.com before submitting a formal proposal to discuss the vehicle theme and modifications.

Send proposals to:

Tom Gardner
Mail Code: 480-717-004
GM Technical Center – AEC Building
30003 Van Dyke Ave.
Office 168-04
Warren, MI 48090-9060

The Camaro is available for SEMA Show project vehicle proposals.

This year’s Chevrolet SEMA Project Vehicle Program will focus on designers and manufacturers dedicated to creating new accessories and vehicle personalization items for Chevrolet's ’15 vehicles.

Vehicles available include:

• Silverado (light-duty only)
• Tahoe
• Sonic
• Spark
• Cruze
• Impala
• Camaro

Requirements:

• Preservation of Chevrolet bowtie on front and rear of vehicle, not to be painted
• High level of paint and build quality; no wraps
• Sponsorship decals to be limited to the lower 1/3 of the vehicle side
• Commit to periodic design and build check-ins
• Promote vehicle through November 4, 2015
• Retain vehicle insurance totaling at least $3 million until the completion of the one-year contract
• Submit proposal by March 31, 2014

Proposals must include:

• An introductory letter defining the vehicle theme, content and SEMA Show display location
• A realistic exterior rendering with the intended colors and modifications accurately defined
• A build timeline with start and completion dates
• A detailed list of upgrades and modifications, including new products developed with the use of the vehicle
• A promotional plan beyond the SEMA Show
• Three printed copies mailed to the address listed below
• An additional digital copy sent to the e-mail below

Builders are urged to contact Tom Gardner at thomas.gardner@gm.com before submitting a formal proposal to discuss the vehicle theme and modifications.

Send proposals to:

Tom Gardner
Mail Code: 480-717-004
GM Technical Center – AEC Building
30003 Van Dyke Ave.
Office 168-04
Warren, MI 48090-9060

The Camaro is available for SEMA Show project vehicle proposals.

This year’s Chevrolet SEMA Project Vehicle Program will focus on designers and manufacturers dedicated to creating new accessories and vehicle personalization items for Chevrolet's ’15 vehicles.

Vehicles available include:

• Silverado (light-duty only)
• Tahoe
• Sonic
• Spark
• Cruze
• Impala
• Camaro

Requirements:

• Preservation of Chevrolet bowtie on front and rear of vehicle, not to be painted
• High level of paint and build quality; no wraps
• Sponsorship decals to be limited to the lower 1/3 of the vehicle side
• Commit to periodic design and build check-ins
• Promote vehicle through November 4, 2015
• Retain vehicle insurance totaling at least $3 million until the completion of the one-year contract
• Submit proposal by March 31, 2014

Proposals must include:

• An introductory letter defining the vehicle theme, content and SEMA Show display location
• A realistic exterior rendering with the intended colors and modifications accurately defined
• A build timeline with start and completion dates
• A detailed list of upgrades and modifications, including new products developed with the use of the vehicle
• A promotional plan beyond the SEMA Show
• Three printed copies mailed to the address listed below
• An additional digital copy sent to the e-mail below

Builders are urged to contact Tom Gardner at thomas.gardner@gm.com before submitting a formal proposal to discuss the vehicle theme and modifications.

Send proposals to:

Tom Gardner
Mail Code: 480-717-004
GM Technical Center – AEC Building
30003 Van Dyke Ave.
Office 168-04
Warren, MI 48090-9060