Strengthen Your Company Through Community
No matter what niche you're in—rods, restoration, racing, restyling, 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 HRIA's website |
 One-of-a-kind pinewood hot rods were displayed at the ARMO/HRIA shared SEMA Show booth and brought to the reception to be auctioned off to benefit SEMA Cares children’s charities. |
HRIA Builder’s Challenge Auction Results Announced
The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) gathered for its annual Industry Reception, Wednesday, November 2, at the 2016 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Each year, up-and-coming builders have the opportunity to showcase their skills by building a Pinewood hot rod. These one-of-a-kind hot rods are displayed at the ARMO/HRIA shared booth and brought to the reception to be auctioned off to benefit SEMA Cares children’s charities. This year, the auction raised $6,735. A special thank you to those who donated and took home a pinewood. The reception’s table sponsors donated a total of $8,750 to the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund and were honored at the event. Special thanks go to:
- Advanced Plating
- Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop
- American Autowire
- Borgeson Universal
- Bowler Performance Transmissions
- Car Buff Network
- Championship Auto Shows
- Classic Instruments
- Comp Performance Group
- Danny’s Rod Shop
- Flaming River Industries Inc.
- Goodguys Rod & Custom Association
- Goolsby Customs
- Hot Rods by JSK
- Ididit Inc.
- Lokar Inc.
- Motorstate Distributing
- National Street Rod Association
- Painless Performance Products
- Ron Francis Wiring
- Steele Rubber Products
- TEN: The Enthusiast Network
- Vintage Air
- Xceleration Media
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| Visit TORA's website. |
 The 2016 Pinewood drag races at the TORA Industry Reception raised more than $2,500, and $5,250 in connection with the TORA featured vehicles. |
TORA Reception Raises $7,750 for SEMA Cares Charities
The Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) held its annual Industry Reception, Wednesday evening, November 2, at the 2016 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The event consisted of networking, food and beverages, and the much-anticipated Pinewood drag races. Dozens of Pinewoods were on display for patrons to sponsor.
All proceeds from the races go to SEMA Cares children’s charities. The 2016 races raised more than $2,500, and $5,250 was raised in connection with the TORA featured vehicles from CamoLiner Inc., FLO Airride Mfg., Hellwig Products, Iron Cross, Richie’s Truck and Auto, Voodoo Customs LLC, and Zero to 60 Designs/Ford Bronco Brothers.
TORA Congratulates the 2016 award winners:
- TORA Hall of Fame – George Lathouris, Keystone Automotive
- TORA Retailer of the Year – Terry’s Toppers
- Ron Webster Memorial Award – Mark Turner, Daystar
- TORA Best New Product Under $500 – Bubba Rope for its product “Rock-N-Roll Recovery Kit”
- TORA Best New Product Over $500 – Truck Hero Inc. for its product “Ridge Lander”
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| Visit MPMC’s website. |
The Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) is gearing up to host four industry events at the PRI Trade Show this winter. MPMC is dedicated to the growth and prosperity of motorsports parts manufacturers by providing meaningful solutions to industry-specific issues and challenges. All MPMC members as well as prospective members are encouraged to attend the events during the PRI Trade Show.
MPMC General Membership Meeting
A general membership meeting will be held Wednesday, December 7, from 3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m, at the Indiana Convention Center in room 243 to update MPMC members on the most current and ongoing council initiatives. The meeting will serve as a great opportunity to meet the select committee and learn how to become more involved. The event will feature a presentation entitled “Marketing in 2016 and Beyond: It’s Different, But Here’s How to Succeed,” by Brian Lohnes of Bangshift.com, and Zan Martin and Jeff Lee from Martin & Company Advertising. From this open discussion, attendees will take away tools for maximizing exposure for their companies.
Sanctioning Body Discussion
Issues, challenges and opportunities between motorsports manufacturers and sanctioning bodies will be addressed at an open discussion between manufacturers and a panel of representatives from several motorsports sanctioning bodies. This valuable discussion will take place Thursday, December 8, from 2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m., at the Indiana Convention Center in room 242. Scheduled to participate are representatives from ARCA, NASCAR, ProMedia (NMCA/NMRA) and Formula Drift. This session is open to manufacturers only.
Preparing a Sponsorship Proposal
When motorsports companies begin their strategic marketing forecasts for the year, event sponsorships are a large factor. Companies may ask themselves: “Which events should we be part of? What opportunities should we jump on? How do we negotiate maximum exposure within our budget?” In a session to take place Friday, December 9, from 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m., in the Indiana Convention Center in room 242, Alex Striler, director of sales and marketing for Team Lucas, will help attendees navigate these tough questions. Striler is also the author of Motorsports Marketing and Sponsorships and X Play Nation of Action Sports.
Over the Road Rules for Motorsports Haulers Part 3
MPMC continues its interactive discussion on laws that affect racers and manufactures alike for the third year in a row. Not a rehash of previous seminars, this 2016 edition will pick up where last year’s session ended. There are numerous state and federal regulations that apply to the operation of anyone hauling a race car to or from an event in order to distinguish between a hobby or a taxable, fee-paying business. Guest speakers will share their extensive experience navigating the myriad regulations of hauling race cars and equipment. This popular discussion takes place Friday, December 9, from 2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m., at the Indiana Convention Center in room 242.
Hall of Fame Industry Reception
Join MPMC as it honors and immortalizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the motorsports industry through their life’s work by inducting them into the MPMC Hall of Fame—the most prestigious award the council presents. The reception serves as a wonderful opportunity to close out the PRI Show with an evening of networking with industry friends and colleagues. Enjoy hot hors d’oeuvres and drinks while mingling with the MPMC select committee and this year’s Hall of Fame inductees. The reception will take place Friday, December 9, from 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m., at the Indiana Convention Center in rooms 208 and 209.
Register now for these events.
If you have any questions regarding these events or MPMC, contact Director of Councils Jim Skelly at 909-978-6690 or jimsk@sema.org.