If 2010 SEMA Show exhibitor commitments are any indication, then the specialty-equipment economy is recovering and businesses are feeling more confident in their financial outlook.

Housing through the official SEMA Show and AAPEX Housing Bureau is now available online, and some of the Las Vegas hotel deals haven’t been this low in years! Some hotels are offering drastically discounted rates for only a limited time, with early-bird rates available only through the website.

SEMA Show Exhibitors! Time is running out to participate in 2010 SEMA Show priority booth space selection. Take a few minutes to complete the Exhibit Space Rental Agreement (ESRA) and return by May 7 to secure the best spot on the showfloor for your company and products.

Richard “Dick” McMullen, Chuck Schwartz and Van Woodell have contributed to and shaped the specialty-equipment industry. Their achievements will be recognized with induction into the SEMA Hall of Fame.

SEMA and California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC) presents the first-ever “Profit 101” Workshop. This “hands-on experience” training will take you through the process of inspiring innovation from new-product ideation, to strategic planning and marketing, to minimize risk and increase success in the marketplace.

News and updates from SEMA's councils and committees.

As one of the fastest-growing market sectors in Mexico, the automotive industry presents a timely opportunity for SEMA members seeking to establish a foothold in this expanding consumer base. The annual SEMA Show is one of the best places for specialty-equipment manufacturers to meet with buyers from Mexico, with more than 1,157 attending the Show in 2009. But don't wait until November to start making contacts. The 12th edition of the PAACE Automechanika, July 14–16 in Mexico City, draws automotive professionals and buyers from throughout Latin America and presents a great opportunity to test the market.

United States Congressman John Campbell took time from his busy schedule in January to meet with SEMA members at an event hosted by Hillbank Motor Corporation in Irvine, California. The gathering was part of SEMA's Congressional Site Visit Program, which provides an opportunity for lawmakers to visit SEMA-member facilities and discuss current industry issues with constituents.

While e-retailers have made a sport of predicting when mobile eCommerce should really be taken seriously, a new report from market researcher Gartner (www.gartner.com) indicates that the time for guessing games is over. Specifically, Gartner is projecting that the number of mobile phones on the planet with web access will overtake the number of PCs with web access by 2013. [Read more]

SEMA News recently had the opportunity to catch up with ProPledge Director of Operations Joe Sebergandio. Having just returned from the annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) conference, where he and the rest of the ProPledge staff met with with potential participants, Sebergandio took time out to discuss the fundamentals of ProPledge as well as provide insight into the program's future.