Spotlight on HRIA’s Feature Vehicle Program
The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Feature Vehicle Program is designed to bring attention to and highlight the works of builders in the hot-rod industry. Each year, 10 builders are selected to have their one-of-a-kind projects featured at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Three vehicles are displayed in the shared ARMO/HRIA booth located in Hot Rod Alley within Central Hall, and six are displayed at the banquet hall where the well-attended HRIA reception is held. One final vehicle is stationed in an alternate position that also gets plenty of foot traffic.
The Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) has new leadership as of July 1. Erika Wiesman of Hydro-E-Lectric Inc. moves into the chair position, and Tray Smith of H&H Classic Parts is the new chair-elect.
SEMA’s marketing and education departments have teamed to support the association’s Career Path initiative to engage the next generation and address the industry’s employment challenges.
The SEMA Launch Pad Business Competition Powered by the Young Executives Network (YEN) has entered its fourth year. The competition is designed to give the people behind a new product or company in its early stages the tools and connections to take it to the next level. New this year, SEMA decided to open the competition to nonmembers in hopes of reaching young entrepreneurs to show them the resources SEMA provides and the benefits of membership.
One of the biggest challenges facing career professionals these days is finding balance in our excessively fast-paced world. We try to maximize each minute of every day, downing energy drinks to try to squeak out an extra hour wherever we can. We run ourselves too hard, stretching our time too thin. Stress always seems to be one of those “handle it tomorrow” problems. Many people in high-powered careers love the high energy of a fast-paced lifestyle.
Vic Bennett of Gantt-Thomas & Associates moves into the chair position of the Manufacturers’ Rep Network (MRN), and Nathan Kunzman of Kunzman and Associates has moved into the chair-elect position. The MRN is dedicated to providing a forum for manufacturers’ representatives with the purpose of increasing their impact on the industry, exploring issues of common interest and concern, creating new business opportunities for reps, and elevating the overall image of the profession.