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 market-specific programs and activities designed to provide educational and networking opportunities while promoting their particular industry segment.
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| Visit MPMC’s website. |
MPMC Hosting Events at the PRI Show
MPMC Open Membership Meeting
Wednesday, December 9, at 11:00 a.m.
Room 243
MPMC Open Meeting attendees will hear the latest developments from the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) and share challenges and opportunities with their fellow motorsports parts manufacturers. A complimentary boxed lunch will be included. The meeting is open to all PRI exhibitors.
MPMC “New Products in the Fast Lane” seminars
Thursday, December 10, from 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Rooms 240–242
Nine MPMC manufacturers will present product seminars to attendees, showcasing their latest products. Previously presented on Wednesday before the Show, moving the seminars to Thursday has pushed pre-registrations to standing-room-only for all nine seminars. Stop by if you have a break from your booth.
MPMC Seminar
Friday, December 11, at 2:00 p.m.
Room 241
This is a follow up to last year’s highly popular discussion on the varied rules and regulations that affect anyone towing a rig to and from a trade show, swap meet or race. If you attended last year’s seminar then you know how informative this discussion can be.
MPMC Hall of Fame Industry Reception
Friday, December 11, at 5:00 p.m.
Room 208–209
Join us in welcoming the two newest members into the MPMC Hall of Fame—Ron Johnson and Dick Berggren. In addition to the Hall of Fame ceremony, the reception is a great place to meet up with friends, old and new, after a long second day on the PRI Trade Show floor. Hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be served.
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Media: Register for Media Trade Conference by December 14 for Optimum Advance Schedule
Media registration is currently open and there is no cost for participation. The MPMC Media Trade Conference provides media with an opportunity to have private sit-downs with up to 14 exhibitors each day for a total of up to 42 quality meetings in just three days! The 2016 event has an impressive roster of 100 manufacturers eager to promote their latest innovations. Speak directly with top executives and key personnel about the industry’s latest products. Continue to make key connections and network during afternoon lunches and breaks. This event is the most efficient, effective and affordable way for reporters to get detailed information, specific to their audience’s needs and interests.
Register by December 14 to get the best possible schedule and receive it in advance.
Not an MPMC member? Join today. MPMC members must manufacture parts used in sanctioned motorsports events, and all applications for membership are subject to review. Contact Council Liaison Jim Skelly at 909-978-6690 or jimsk@sema.org with any questions.
For media inquiries, contact Della Domingo at dellad@sema.org, or call 909-978-6723.
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| Visit TORA's website. |
 Kathryn Reinhardt of MagnaFlow accepts the 2015 SEMA Person of the Year award during the SEMA Banquet. |
TORA’s Chair-Elect Kathryn Reinhardt Named 2015 SEMA Person of the Year
By Katie Carson
The Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) has announced that Kathryn Reinhardt of MagnaFlow and TORA chair-elect was named SEMA Person of the Year at the SEMA Banquet during the 2015 SEMA Show. The award celebrates leadership and volunteerism to the industry, and Reinhardt joins the elite group of 47 other individuals who have been named SEMA Person of the Year.
Reinhardt’s first involvement in the industry was showing new mods she had made to her car in local car shows. “I didn’t actually know back then that I could make a career out of the aftermarket industry,” she recalls, “I was just having fun with a hobby.”
She attended her first SEMA Show as a builder more than 10 years ago, and from that experience, she decided to pursue an automotive career in California. She landed her first job at CEC Wheels. Since, she has specialized in marketing for Spectre Performance, Advanstar Communications, GoRhino and has now been with MagnaFlow for more than three years.
“Today, I am excited and proud to work in an industry that evolves and changes daily,” says Reinhardt. “I love going to events and seeing new vehicles, meeting new people and creating new products. I love that we are expanding into international markets and pushing new distribution globally sharing our hobby with people everywhere.”
MagnaFlow strongly believes in their employees getting involved with the SEMA councils and networks, viewing it as an opportunity to expand their individual paths and company presence. Reinhardt currently serves as the TORA chair-elect and is an advocate for volunteering at SEMA and giving back to the industry.
“If you want to better yourself, you have to better your surroundings, and that’s how I feel about the industry,” Reinhardt says. “I can’t grow unless I help the industry grow, too. Being an advocate for this industry is easy because it’s something I love dearly.”
Reinhardt felt complete shock when she heard Dave McClelland, the voice of SEMA, announce her name after describing characteristics and attributes of the 2015 SEMA Person of the Year. She took the stage and became a presence amongst more than 3,000 banquet attendees. Reinhardt gave a heartfelt thank you to her friends, family, colleagues and mentors who have inspired her to become the woman and professional she is today. “I’m just glad I didn’t trip or pass out!” she jokes. Reinhardt says she feels honored and humbled to be considered for this award, and to be a recipient is something that she will truly cherish.
She has been recognized in years past for her outstanding contributions to SEMA’s Councils and Networks. She serves on the select committee as the TORA chair-elect and is a valuable member of the Young Executives Network (YEN) and SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN). Also this year, Reinhardt won the YEN Vanguard Award, and in 2014, she was awarded with the TORA Chairman Award and was named the SBN Athena Woman of the Year.
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| Visit YEN's website |
 Robert Vogt (center) of Voyomotive was named the winner of the 2015 SEMA Launch Pad with his product VOYO—a plug-in connected car platform that links the driver’s car to the cloud using their cellphone. |
SEMA Launchpad Winner Announced
The SEMA Launch Pad competition, hosted by SEMA’s Young Executives Network (YEN), gives entrepreneurs under 40 the opportunity to jump start their businesses. All YEN members are invited to submit a business plan. This year, dozens of innovators entered plans, which were narrowed down to five finalists through social media voting. The finalists appeared before a panel of judges made up of industry leaders and presented their product/service to win a prize package designed to aid in the launch of their product/service.
Robert Vogt of Voyomotive was named the winner of the 2015 SEMA Launch Pad with his product VOYO—a plug-in connected car platform that links the driver’s car to the cloud using their cellphone. VOYO collects data produced by vehicles to monitor fuel efficiency, increase vehicle safety and perform diagnostic tests.
“We’re exacting about 100 advanced, interesting parameters per model and nobody else is doing this,” Robert said. “That’s the unique part; we’re able to access all that information.”
Those parameters, which are collected from cars made after 1996, add convenience for drivers with features, such as automatic unlocking doors and vehicle diagnostics. According to the company, VOYO also has the first aftermarket start/stop system function.
VOYO will begin shipping in February and continue to add new features as more data is collected. Vogt said the company will begin collecting data in Europe and Canada in 2016 to make the technology compatible with more users.