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.
 |
| Visit YEN's website |
 YEN participants will represent different niches in the specialty-equipment market as they interact with tour attendees and students on the seven different stops along the seven-city, seven-day journey to share about their careers with the next generation of industry talent. |
YEN Power Tour Applications Now Open!
The Young Executives Network (YEN) is now accepting applications for 10 young automotive professionals to earn the opportunity to participate in the Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour. Participants in the YEN Power Tour will receive:
- Hotel Accommodations
- $500 grant for passengers, $1,750 grant for drivers
- VIP Entry into the Power Tour
- Ticket to Opening Night Hospitality Party
- Premier Parking Location – YEN Corral
- Long Hauler Gifts
- SEMA Swag
YEN participants will represent different niches in the specialty-equipment market as they interact with tour attendees and students on the seven different stops along the seven-city, seven-day journey to share about their careers with the next generation of industry talent.
“The YEN Power Tour is about more than hitting the road in your musclecar or hot rod; it's about forging relationships and making connections,” said SEMA Board member Dan Kahn. “There are literally thousands of job opportunities in the automotive aftermarket for young people across the nation in the automotive aftermarket—we want to tell that story and show that in our high-performance family, young people aren't afraid to get their hands dirty."
Learn more and apply today to join the YEN Power Tour. The application period is February 29–April 8. All YEN members are eligible to apply. Not yet a member? Join today.
 |
| Visit ARMO's website. |
 The Hot Products Showcase is an exciting and valuable opportunity for ARMO-member companies to put their product(s) in front of 100,000 restoration enthusiasts at Spring Carlisle. |
Registration for ARMO Hot Products Showcase Now Open
The Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) Hot Products Showcase is an exciting and valuable opportunity for ARMO-member companies to put their product(s) in front of 100,000 restoration enthusiasts at Spring Carlisle. The Showcase is open Thursday–Saturday, April 21–23. For just the cost of shipping your product(s) to the Carlisle Fairgrounds, you'll receive:
- Product displayed in the ARMO Hot Products Tent, located strategically right in the center of the event grounds.
- Product shot by a professional photographer and available for your own use.
- Your product photos displayed in the ARMO booth at the SEMA Show and in a photo gallery on SEMA.org.
If you are going to Carlisle, you can save on the shipping cost by dropping off and picking up your product on-site.
In addition, if your hot product is new this year, you may enter it for an ARMO New Product award in one of nine categories. Judging of New Product Award entries is Thursday, April 21, and winners are announced that evening at the ARMO industry mixer located in the tent. Formal award presentations will be made at the ARMO Awards Reception at the 2016 SEMA Show. These New Product Awards provide yet another marketing opportunity for ARMO-member companies.
New Product Award Categories:
- Reproduction of original replacement interior
- Non-original interior
- Reproduction of original replacement exterior/trim
- Non-original exterior/trim
- Reproduction of original replacement drivetrain/brakes/suspension/wheels
- Non-original drivetrain/brakes/suspension/wheels
- Reproduction of original replacement engine/engine component
- Non-original engine/engine component
- Accessary item (e.g., eight-track tape, record player, bud vase, etc.)
For more information, contact Council Director Jim Skelly at 909-978-6690 or jimsk@sema.org.
 | |
| Visit HRIA's website |
 The HRIA is hosting a General Membership Meeting at the Charlotte Auto Fair in Charlotte, North Carolina, where an expected 150,000 automotive enthusiasts gather to buy and sell unique vehicles and restoration parts. |
HRIA General Membership Meeting
The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) is hosting a General Membership Meeting at the Charlotte Auto Fair in Concord, North Carolina, where an expected 150,000 automotive enthusiasts gather to buy and sell unique vehicles and restoration parts. The meeting kicks off Thursday, April 7, at 9:00 a.m. HRIA members and aspiring members will discuss relevant topics specific to the hot-rod industry, mingle with council leadership and learn about the 2016 initiatives. A complimentary lunch will be served to those who attend the meeting, which will be held in the Media Center Auditorium located in the Charlotte Motor Speedway Infield.
Discussion topics include:
- What is the biggest challenge for your company today?
- What is the biggest opportunity for your company today?
- How can HRIA/SEMA help?
RSVP by Monday, March 28, and receive one full event credential for Charlotte Auto Fair, one special parking pass to get closer to the Media Center Auditorium and a detailed map.
For questions, contact Jim Skelly, SEMA Council Director at 909-978-6690 or jimsk@sema.org.
 | |
| Visit MRN's website. |
New Matching Program Connects Reps and Manufacturers
As a manufacturers' rep, are you looking for new lines to carry? The Manufacturers' Rep Network (MRN) may have the solution for you. The network has announced a new benefit for SEMA manufacturer members and MRN members, entitled the Manufacturers' Representative Matching Program. The intention is to create an easier approach to connect reps to manufacturers. Through this program, MRN members can enroll to receive notifications of manufacturers seeking representation.
One person per agency can opt in to receive immediate notification of manufacturers seeking representation. Each notification sent will include the basic information to evaluate the opportunity and the contact information to follow up directly with the manufacturer. This program will boost reps’ networks for new sales opportunities and give them a chance to showcase their agencies. On the flip side, the program will save manufacturers the headache of traditional avenues of searching for representation. With the Rep Matching Program, reps will come to you.
SEMA MRN members seeking to opt in to receive notification of manufacturers seeking representation.
SEMA manufacturer members seeking product and/or service representation.
Questions? Please contact SEMA's Director of Networks, Bryan Harrison at 909-978-6691 or bryanh@sema.org.
 | |
| Visit PRO's website. |
Why would a dealership want to get into aftermarket accessories? |
New Videos on NIADA.TV Addressing Dealership Success Through Accessory Programs
Collaboration between the Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) and the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA) continues with the release of additional videos on NIADA.TV’s Aftermarket/SEMA channel. These latest videos showcase some of the most experienced restylers, manufactures and service providers in the PRO community sharing their perspectives on what dealerships should consider if they want to start and run a successful accessories program.
The newest batch of videos focus on the following questions:
- Why would a dealership want to get into aftermarket accessories?
- What are the first steps a dealership should take when starting an accessories program?
- What are some categories of entry-level accessories that a dealership can use to start their program?
Future videos will discuss how a dealership can find the right partner to help build their accessories program and dispel some common misconceptions about aftermarket accessories.
These videos are a great resource for direct use by dealership principals and sales directors looking for areas of growth for their business. They are also a valuable tool that restylers can use when calling on local dealerships to answer some of the common questions many dealerships have about the accessories industry in general and how expanding their business in this way can create a new revenue source.
To view these and other aftermarket-focused videos, visit www.niada.tv and click on the Aftermarket/SEMA Channel tab.
For questions regarding PRO, please contact Clayton Drescher, senior council manager, at 909-978-6696 or claytond@sema.org.