Strengthen Your Company Through Community
No matter what niche you're in—rods, restoration, racing, restyling, reps, trucks or wheels and tires—there's a SEMA council or professional network that's right for your company. SEMA councils and networks offer members a variety of niche-specific programs and activities designed to provide educational and networking opportunities while promoting their particular market segment.
 | |
| Visit YEN's website | |
 (L-R): (back row) Sergio Ramirez, Amanda Watt, Chris Potter, Adam Brown, Ben Chase, Wyatt Tegtmeier. (Front row) Rebeca Olavarrieta, Kenna Primm, Susan Rosales and Chris Lindh. |
Read Reflections From Fellowship Participants
By Amanda Gubbins
Reflections about the SEMA Show from this year’s Young Executives Network (YEN) Fellowship participants are now available online.
“My first SEMA Show experience was so much more than just walking the Show floor,” said Chris Potter. “It was about the people behind those parts and companies. It’s those people who come together and become SEMA. The organization can be described as the backbone of our industry. These people work together to promote and fight for our industry, ensuring that the automotive aftermarket and the people who are that industry can adapt and grow in an ever-changing world.”
Along with Potter, Adam Brown, Ben Chase, Chris Lindh, Rebeca Olavarrieta, Kenna Primm, Sergio Ramirez, Susan Rosales, Wyatt Tegtmeier and Amanda Watt also shared what they gained from the experience.
The SEMA Show YEN Fellowship is a benefit available to SEMA-member company employees under the age of 40 through YEN. This free group provides members with professional development opportunities alongside others in the industry. In particular, the fellowship program demonstrates SEMA’s commitment to recognizing and developing talent among the next generation of specialty-equipment professionals.
Candidates for the fellowship submit an application and essays, which are used to select the final 10 award winners. The selected participants then have the chance to develop their business skills and expand their professional network by attending events at the Show. Applications for the 2014 fellowship will be accepted beginning early in the New Year.
 |
| Visit HRIA's website |
 HRIA Education Day will consist of 24 sessions, each led by a hot-rod parts manufacturer educating attendees about product features, benefits and installation guidelines. |
Hot Rod Council to Present Education Day at 2014 Detroit Autorama
By Della Domingo
The annual SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Education Day will be held, for the first time, in conjunction with the Detroit Autorama—the 60-year-old custom car show taking place in March 2014 at Cobo Hall in Detroit. The program will consist of 24 sessions, each led by a hot-rod parts manufacturer educating attendees about product features, benefits and installation guidelines.
“For more than 10 years, HRIA Education Day has proven to be a key event for helping manufacturers share detailed, and sometimes technical, information about their products with their customers,” said Jim Skelly, SEMA director of councils. “Holding the Education Day program at the Detroit Autorama will allow HRIA members to expand and reach a new audience.”
HRIA previously held its Education Day program at the Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show in Indianapolis. The move to the Detroit Autorama will enable manufacturers to reach a new, expanded audience. Autorama, which is well known for having the world’s most coveted hot rods, prestigious awards competitions, as well as top celebrities and student programs, attracts more than 150,000 individuals annually. Education Day will take place Thursday, March 6, 2014 (the day before Autorama officially opens), and is open to all hot-rod shops and businesses, as well as to all Autorama attendees.
“As one the nation’s premier indoor custom car shows, the Detroit Autorama attracts thousands of businesses and enthusiasts who are passionate and deeply vested in new hot-rod products,” said Peter A. Toundas, president of Championship Auto Shows Inc.—promoter of the event. “The HRIA Education Day program will add a valuable element to the event, giving attendees an opportunity to connect directly with manufacturers, which would be difficult for them to do on their own.”
Attendee registration is now open. Reserve your spot today.
For more information about HRIA, contact Jim Skelly.
 |
| Visit MPMC's website. |
 The 2014 MPMC Media Trade Conference will be held January 21–23, at the Embassy Suites Orange County Airport South. |
By SEMA Editors
Reporters, editors and freelance journalists: Conduct private interviews with leading manufacturers during the 2014 MPMC Media Trade Conference. Registration is now open and available. The 2014 event takes place January 21–23, at the Embassy Suites Orange County Airport North in Santa Ana, California.
The annual Media Trade Conference, which features 100 companies from SEMA's Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC), brings together members of the working press with motorsports parts producers for face-to-face private meetings. Media reps have the opportunity to meet with up to 14 exhibitors each day of the conference—for a total of 42 quality meetings throughout the event's three days.
Media will select the manufacturers they most want to meet with and indicate those which they do not want to meet with when registering online. A personalized schedule will then be created for the registered media, and sent out in early January. Register now! Questions? Media inquiries can be directed to dellad@sema.org. All manufacturer questions or general questions about the event can be directed to jimsk@sema.org or 909-978-6690.
View the list of participating exhibitors.
Date: January 21–23, 2014
Location: Embassy Suites Orange County Airport South
1325 East Dyer Rd.
Santa Ana, CA 92705
 |
| Visit SBN's website. |
 Michelle Knight |
SBN Member of the Month: Michelle Knight, International AERO Products
Michelle Knight, communications director and central U.S. sales director for International AERO Products, is the SBN Member of the Month.
What does your company do?
International AERO Products manufactures a full line of interior and exterior detailing products that have been used on multi-million-dollar aircraft for several years.
What is the most satisfying aspect of your job?
The most satisfying aspect of my job is sharing with people innovative ways to protect their prized possessions with new technology and easy-to-use products.
How long have you been involved in the aftermarket industry?
Almost three years.
What brought you to the industry?
As a child, I grew up around this product line being used on private aircraft at International AERO Services. While I was still in college, I wrote the manuals on how to clean aircraft with these products. Once International AERO Products started in 2011, it was a perfect fit because I knew what these products could accomplish at more than 500 mph at an altitude of more than 30,000 ft., and couldn’t wait to present this line to the automotive industry.
What are your major professional accomplishments?
At 24 years old, I am still working on the big ones, so stay tuned.
Are you a member of other organizations?
SEMA's Young Executives Network.
Who is your industry mentor?
The entire International AERO Crew has been amazing—answering questions, giving me new detailing tips, working together as a crew and teaching each other something new every day. However, Mike Hansen, director of sales and marketing, has been an incredible mentor and always encourages me to try new things and gives me every opportunity to learn more about this incredible industry.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Always have a notebook by your bed because you never know when a great idea will come to mind.
What would someone meeting you for the first time be surprised to learn?
I’m a total bookworm and love to bake.
What is your dream car?
The Porsche 356A Speedster replica from Top Gun.
What is your favorite pastime?
Growing up in Huntington Beach, California, my family and I spent tons of time at the beach, going to events such as the Long Beach Grand Prix, and of course, days at Disneyland.