Click on the logo to visit MPMC's website.
2008 MPMC Media Trade Conference
Media Trade Conference Exhibitor Registration Now Open!
Exhibitor Registrations for the 2009 MPMC Media Trade Conference are now being accepted! A registration form is available for download on the MPMC webpage, www.sema.org/mpmc. Each MPMC member company will also receive a link to the registration form via e-mail and a hard copy via U.S. Postal Service. If you do not receive either the e-mail or hard-copy version, or if you have any questions, please contact Jim Skelly, the MPMC council liaison, at jimsk@sema.org. You should also e-mail Jim to request a confirmation that your application has been received. The 2009 MPMC Media Trade Conference is scheduled for January 20–22 at the Embassy Suites LAX South, next to Los Angeles International Airport.
Registration is only available to MPMC member companies. Exhibitor registration will close on August 15, 2008, at which time all registrations will be assigned a random number. Exhibitors with six or more years of seniority and who complete the registration process by August 15, 2008, are guaranteed an exhibitor suite. The remaining suites will be assigned by the random number tagged to the registration (The receipt date of the application has no bearing on whether or not you are assigned a suite).
Due to the logistics of the event, only 100 exhibitor suites are available. Any company that does not receive a suite assignment will be placed on a waiting list in random number order. More details of the registration process are available on the form itself.
New Chairman-Elect
Kyle Fickler of Aeromotive Inc. was elected to the position of MPMC chairman-elect during a Select Committee meeting held on January 25, following the annual MPMC Media Trade Conference. Fickler assumed duties as chairman-elect on July 1. On that same date, current Chairman-Elect Bill Floyd became Chairman of MPMC when Lisa Chissus’ two-year term as MPMC chairperson ended.
MPMC Column in SEMA Member News
Read MPMC's column featured in the July/August issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.
For information about MPMC, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Click on the logo to visit ARMO's website.
ARMO Council Announces Election Results
On July 1, 2008, Jim Barber of Classic Automotive Restoration Specialists Inc. assumed the chairman position, with Laura Bergan of American Collectors Insurance Inc. taking the chairman-elect seat.
ARMO welcomes it newly elected leaders and looks forward to working closely with them. Join us in welcoming:
- Ken DeVries – Auto Trader Classics
- Michael Manning – American Autowire
- Sal Perez – American Muscle Car
ARMO welcomes back its returning members:
- Jeff Broadus – Car Collector Magazine
- Kim Mitchell – Eaton Detroit Spring Inc.
- Sheila Perkins – Bradley David Productions
- Alex Tainsh – TrimParts Inc.
ARMO thanks its retiring member Walter Vaughan of Steele Rubber Products for his years of dedication and volunteer service to the ARMO membership.
Contact Chairman Barber and Chairman-Elect Bergan or any of the Select Committee members with any questions or to introduce yourself to them. Jan Desma, SEMA council relations director and staff liaison for ARMO, can be reached at 909/396-0289, ext. 134 or jand@sema.org.
ARMO Column in SEMA Member News
Read ARMO's column featured in the July/August issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.
ARMO Select Committee Elections
If you have any questions about the election, contact Jan Desma at 909/396-0289, ext. 134, or jand@sema.org.
For more information about ARMO, contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Click on the logo to visit HRIA's website.
HRIA Announces New Leadership Team
On July 1, 2008, the council welcomed its newest members to the Select Committee. Please join us in welcoming:
- Sandie Denton – Made For You Products
- Kerry Hopperstad – Hopperstad Customs
HRIA welcomes back its returning members:
- Ed Capen – Goodguys Rod & Custom Association
- John McLeod – Classic Instruments Inc.
- John Menzler – Comp Performance Group
- Stacy Tucker – Detroit Speed and Engineering Inc.
HRIA thanks its retiring members Yogi Somerville of Yogi’s Inc. and Chico Kodama of Mooneyes USA Inc. for years of dedication and volunteer service to the membership of HRIA.
Jeanette Ladina of Flaming River Industries Inc. and Dennis Overholser of Painless Performance continue in their leadership roles as chairman and chairman-elect, respectively.
Contact Chairman Ladina and Chairman-Elect Overholser or any of the Select Committee members with any questions or to introduce yourself to them.
Jan Desma, SEMA council relations director and staff liaison for HRIA, can be reached at 909/396-0289, ext. 134 or jand@sema.org.
A Message From HRIA Chairman-Elect Dennis Overholser
Fellow Council Leaders:
HRIA has purchased two pinewood cars for the upcoming Pinewood Drag Race at the Gala. Each committee person has chipped in with a donation, and two committee members are building the cars. After the races, the cars will be donated to the two charities—one for each charity—for the kids to enjoy. I challenge each of you to do the same: To not only help the kids with a cash donation, but the more cars we can give them, the more fun they can have in the future.
Dennis Overholser,
HRIA Chairman-Elect
HRIA Column in SEMA Member News
Read HRIA's column featured in the July/August issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.
For more information about HRIA, contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Click on the logo to visit TORA's website.
TORA Welcomes New Select Committee Members
Bill Cole of Yankee Custom Truck Caps, Brad Leach of Tom’s Camperland and Melanie White of Hellwig Products all joined the TORA Select Committee on July 1, 2008.
“I am extremely pleased with the election results,” said TORA Chairman Ron DiVincenzo. “Bill Cole has been in the industry for many years, not only as a business owner but as an active force in the TORA. Bill was on the original Board of Directors of TCAA when it all started, and we are grateful that he has the dedication to step up and serve on the Select Committee once again. Brad and Melanie, while representing the 'younger generation,' also have lifetimes of experience, each having grown up in family-operated businesses. I’m very excited about the coming year for the TORA.”
Webinar CD added to TORA’s List of Member Benefits
The TORA, in conjunction with the SEMA education and marketing departments, has created a CD compilation of SEMA webinars. Having access to webinars online is a great SEMA-member benefit, but listening to one still requires sitting down at the computer and downloading.
With this CD, TORA members can listen to 11 TORA-relevant seminars without the need for Internet access. You can listen in the car or on a plane. If you are savvy enough to convert and load the files onto your iPod, you can even listen to them while tearing up the treadmill!
The 11 seminars included on the CD are:
- Making sure your web store is open for business
- Secrets to marketing a highly effective website
- How reps can help installers sell to car dealers
- Your customer doesn’t live here any more
- How manufacturers can communicate more effectively with distributors and customers
- The mindset of leadership—timeless qualities of a successful leader
- Lean Manufacturing—how to eliminate waste in manufacturing and distribution
- Management strategies for the most challenging situations
- Six Sigma—the secret weapon of success
- Financial management for the non-financial manager
- Get Paid: Avoiding slow/non-paying customers and collecting debt.
For a copy of the "TORA Education & Training Benefits Webinar CD," TORA members can contact Staci Bostock at stacib@sema.org. The 11 seminars featured on the CD are but a small sampling of what’s available from the SEMA website. On the SEMA homepage, click on “Shows and Events” then “webinars.” You can search the webinars by author or topic.
TORA Column in SEMA Member News
Read TORA's column featured in the July/August issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.
For information about the TORA, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Click on the logo to visit MRC's website.
The New MRC
On July 1, 2008, Joel Rosenthal of Gantt-Thomas & Associates Inc. moved into the position of Chairman of the MRC, with Wade Cobb of Hapco LLC as his wing-man and chairman-elect.
We look forward to working closely with MRC’s newly elected members:
- Tommy Jourdan – True High Performance Sales
- Les Rudd – Bob Cook Sales
We welcome back returning select committee members:
- Bill Chamberlain – JS Chamberlain & Associates
- Evan Mecham – Evan Mecham & Associates
And we thank the following retiring members for their years of volunteer service and dedication to the MRC:
- Bob Bader – Hapco
- Mark Adin – PSKB
- Zane Shaffer – Wes-Coast Marketing
- Alex Walker – Bob Cook Sales
MRC re-evaluated and decreased the amount of seats on the Select Committee thus allowing more focus on membership participation. The council has 14 leaders on the Select Committee serving its membership.
Please feel free to contact Chairman Rosenthal and Chairman-Elect Cobb or any of the select committee members with any questions or to introduce yourself to them. Staci Bostock, SEMA council relations coordinator and staff liaison for MRC, can be reached at 909/396-0289, ext. 104 or e-mail stacib@sema.org.
MRC Column in SEMA Member News
Read MRC's column featured in the July/August issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.
For information about MRC, contact Staci Bostock at stacib@sema.org.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Click on the logo to visit PRO's website.
PRO Welcomes New Select Committee Members
Five new members joined the PRO Select Committee roster on July 1, 2008. “We lost a total of five outstanding Select Committee members this year,” said PRO Chairman Chuck Blum. “We will miss their experience on the Select Committee. But at the same time, we picked up five new members who are talented and eager to contribute, and I look forward to working with them in the coming year.” A complete roster of the PRO Select Committee may be found on the PRO Council homepage at www.sema.org/pro. The five newest Select Committee members are:
- Mike Bolio - Scafidi Bolio & Associates
- Stefan Majlinger - Katzkin Leather
- Shari McCullough-Arfons - McCullough Public Relations
- Doug Perez - Automotive Essentials
- Dale R. Sterwart - 3M Automotive Division
Record Attendance Highlights Annual PRO Long Range Planning Meeting
The Professional Restylers Organization held its annual Long-Range Planning Meeting at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Detroit, June 12–13, with a record 40 members in attendance.
“This is the largest attendance that I can remember in recent history,” commented PRO Chairman Chuck Blum. “Not only was I impressed by the attendance numbers, but the participation by all the attendees was inspiring. This meeting proves once again that PRO council members are committed to the restyling industry, and they believe in the networking and collaboration opportunities provided by PRO.”
PRO Open Meeting at SEMA Show 2008!
PRO will hold an open meeting during the 2008 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The meeting is open to all PRO council members, and will be in meeting rooms N219-222, located in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Now more than ever, PRO needs input from all its members. So please plan to attend on Thursday morning at the Show, and bring all your ideas with you!
What: PRO Open Meeting
When: Thursday, November 6, 2008
7:30 am to 9:30 am
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center
North Hall, rooms N219-222
Mark Your Calendar!
PRO Column in SEMA Member News
Read PRO's column featured in the July/August issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.
For information about PRO, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Click on the logo to visit SBN's website.
Congratulations to the Newly Elected SBN Select Committee Members
The ballots are in and the votes have been counted for elections of the 2008 SBN Select Committee. With record voter turnout and a slate of excellent candidates, the SBN Select Committee elected to add two seats bringing the count to 17. It was an exciting and close race. We now have two new members of the Select Committee, and five returning incumbents.
I would like to welcome our two newest members:
- Daytona Dayton - President, Daytona & Friends Global Enterprises Inc.
- Rose Kawasaki - Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Exports International/Avanche Corp.
And we are glad to see the return of our five incumbents:
- Lee McGuire - Skyjacker Suspensions
- Bianca Hennings - Window Canvas
- Tracy Teuscher - The Buzz Maker!
- Lauren Fix - Classic Tube
- Leslie Maxwell - The Marx Group
Their two-year terms began July 1, 2008. We look forward to an exciting future for the SBN with many new and improved programs.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the elections.
Discover the SEMA Mentoring Program—Powered by the SBN
“I’ll get by with a little help from my friends…” - Joe Cocker
Everyone needs help or expert advice from time to time, and SEMA’s Mentoring Program is an excellent resource to get answers to all your questions. Whether you need to know more about SEMA, market information for a start-up company or advice on how to approach your boss about a new position, the SEMA Mentoring Program can help.
“Ask A Mentor” is perfect for one-time questions. You can expect multiple SEMA mentors to provide online guidance and answers to your industry-related questions.
Short-term Assistance/Guidance is for help with a specific project or task. A SEMA council/committee mentor with the expertise you seek will be paired up with you to provide guidance with your project.
Long-term Relationship is helpful for developing your professional career. In this program segment you will be paired with a SEMA council/committee mentor who will provide guidance and assistance for ongoing career development or a long-term project.
So whether you just need an answer to a question or you want to cultivate a mentoring friendship, the SEMA Mentoring Program—Powered by the SBN is available to help. After all, we can all use a little help from our friends.
For more information on the program, click here.
SBN Select Committee Election
If you have any questions about the Select Committee elections, contact Jan Desma at 909/396-0289, ext. 134 or jand@sema.org.
SEMA Speed Networking Breakfast—Powered by SBN
Check out this video of SBN members in action during the valuable SEMA Speed Networking Breakfast—Powered by SBN held annually at the SEMA Show. Check out the video by clicking here
SBN Column in SEMA Member News
Read SBN's column featured in the July/August issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.
For information about SBN, contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Click on the logo to visit SPC's website.
Improve Your Online Presence and Message at SEMA’s Internet Symposium
Discover better ways to connect with your customers through the SEMA Internet Symposium on July 25, in Irvine, California. From everyday products to specialty items, the Internet has changed the way customers research and buy. To meet the needs of the more empowered consumer, businesses need to take advantage of opportunities through the Internet to deliver product messages and drive sales. Whether your company is ready to learn the fundamentals or prepared for focused Internet solutions, take advantage of the 2008 SEMA Internet Symposium on July 25.
The symposium’s curriculum covers broad-based topics, such as Internet marketing and understanding legal rights online, as well as more advanced subjects, such as pay-per-click web design and web-based customer relationship management.
The event is facilitated by SEMA’s Street Performance Council, and course descriptions, complete information and registration for the SEMA Internet Symposium are available by clicking here. The 2008 SEMA Internet Symposium is held in conjunction with the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser. For more information on the Gala and its related fundraising activities, click here.
New Council Name
The SEMA Board of Directors has approved Street Performance Council (SPC) as the replacement for the Sport-Compact Council (SCC) name. The council’s current Select Committee recommended the change to better serve its members in the extremely diverse street-performance industry. The council is committed to maintaining its mission statement and current objectives—to provide market information, education and support members concerning new and emerging trends. This council name represents a broader market and provides new growth and educational opportunities for the diverse council membership.
SPC Chairman Eric Breslow remarks, “As SEMA itself has expanded to include different facets of the automotive aftermarket, the street-performance parts manufacturers and distributors didn’t have an exclusive council representing their interests. Some gravitated to the Sport-Compact Council, but with our new name, member benefits and initiatives, we welcome those diverse companies with open arms.”
A Message From SPC Chairman Eric Breslow
Dear SPC Member:
In today's volatile economy, member companies must exploit every opportunity to get product messages in front of the end consumer and drive that all-important purchase dollar to their coffers. All levels of commerce have unprecedented access to product knowledge via the Internet. Take advantage of another exclusive SEMA-member benefit and attend the 2008 Internet Symposium, July 25, 2008, in Irvine, California.
Your SPC Select Committee has been busy developing this year's Internet Symposium. Thanks to attendee suggestions from last year, the day's events have been split into two separate tracks. One for people who are seeking a broad "50,000-ft." view of understanding how the Internet impacts an individual business, and a more focused track for in-depth Internet solutions.
It is the mission of SPC to make sure that our valued members have the first opportunity to sign up. Last year we sold out in just one week. For the schedule and online registration, click here.
See you in July.
Best regards,
Eric Breslow, SPC Chairman
SPC Column in SEMA Member News
Read SPC's column featured in the July/August issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.
For information about SPC, contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Click on the logo to visit WTC's website.
Congratulations to the Newly Elected WTC Select Committee Members
- Linda Blumer - SenDel Wheel/TIRECO Inc.
- Barry Horlick - Voxx Products Inc.
- Jim Husted - Discount Tire Co.
- David Insull - American Tire Distributors
- Bob Riegel - Bridgestone/Firestone - Incumbent
- Carl Robinson - Mickey Thompson Performance Tires - Incumbent
- Brandon Stotsenburg - Mobile Awareness LLC - Incumbent
- Shelly Urwiler - Ultra Wheel
WTC Column in SEMA Member News
Read WTC's column featured in the July/August issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.
For information about WTC, contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Click on the logo to visit YEN's website.
Congratulations to the Newly Elected YEN Select Committee Members
- Tim Watts - Superlift Suspension Systems - Incumbent
- Fred Snow - Hella Inc. - Incumbent
- Rachel Fernandez - TruXedo by Shur-Co Automotive
- Lee McGuire - Skyjacker Suspensions - Incumbent
Join YEN
Did you know that the SEMA Young Executives Network has over 500 members networking in the industry and is the largest SEMA committee? If you are employed by a SEMA-member company and are under the age of 39, then you can join the SEMA Young Executives Network for FREE. If you are interested in becoming part of the team, please visit our website at www.sema.org/yen.
YEN Member of the Month Spotlight
Did you know that YEN has a Member of the Month Spotlight on the SEMA website and that anyone can be nominated? To view previous selections or to make a nomination, visit www.sema.org/yen.
SEMA Silent Auction
Efforts for the 2008 SEMA Silent Auction are beginning NOW! To learn more about the silent auction and how it has raised nearly $150,000 for SEMA scholarships in the last two years, visit the SEMA Silent Auction website at www.semasilentauction.com.
Discover The SEMA Mentoring Program—Powered by the SBN
“I’ll get by with a little help from my friends…” - Joe Cocker
Everyone needs help or expert advice from time to time, and SEMA’s Mentoring Program is an excellent resource to get answers to all your questions. Whether you need to know more about SEMA, market information for a start-up company or advice on how to approach your boss about a new position, the SEMA Mentoring Program can help.
“Ask A Mentor” is perfect for one-time questions. You can expect multiple SEMA mentors to provide online guidance and answers to your industry-related questions.
Short-term Assistance/Guidance is for help with a specific project or task. A SEMA council/committee mentor with the expertise you seek will be paired up with you to provide guidance with your project.
Long-term Relationship is helpful for developing your professional career. In this program segment you will be paired with a SEMA council/committee mentor who will provide guidance and assistance for ongoing career development or a long-term project.
So whether you just need an answer to a question or you want to cultivate a mentoring friendship, the SEMA Mentoring Program—Powered by the SBN is available to help. After all, we can all use a little help from our friends.
For more information on the program, click here.
YEN Column in SEMA Member News
Read YEN's column featured in the July/August issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.
For information about YEN, contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.