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 MPMC’s website. |
Media Trade Conference Events
The annual Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council’s (MPMC) Media Trade Conference (MTC) will be held January 23–26, giving manufacturers the opportunity of private one-on-one meetings with media to showcase their new, innovative products. In addition to full days of scheduled meetings, the council is hosting evening events for further networking opportunities.
MPMC Open Meeting
On January 23, MPMC invites you to an open meeting for select committee introductions, to hear about the council’s initiatives for 2017 and network with fellow motorsports parts manufacturers. The event will take place at the Embassy Suites Orange County Airport North at 2:00 p.m. You do not have to attend the Media Trade Conference to come to this meeting. Be sure to stick around for the ETTN Motorsports Tech Roundtable event taking place directly after the meeting.
MPMC Media Appreciation Reception
The MPMC Awards Reception will be held Tuesday evening, January 24. The reception provides an added opportunity for exhibitors and media to mingle and network over drinks and hot hors d’ourves. One influential individual from the media will be honored and awarded with the Robert E. Petersen award for his/her outstanding contribution to the motorsports industry and MPMC throughout the year of 2016.
SEMA Battle of the Builders Advanced Preview Screening
An exclusive, advanced screening of the SEMA Battle of the Builders TV special, premiering on the Velocity Network in February, will take place Thursday, January 26, from 6:00 p.m–7:30 p.m, at the Embassy Suites in Santa Ana, California. Please join us as we preview the one-hour program that takes viewers behind the scenes of the 2016 SEMA Show and the Battle of the Builders competition. The television show is hosted by industry celebrities Chris Jacobs and Adrienne “AJ” Janic.
Please RSVP before January 13.
ETTN Motorsports Tech Roundtable
The Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN) Motorsports Tech Roundtable is the must-attend event for staying current with motorsports technology through five small roundtable discussions with industry experts.
Discussion topics:
- The Fundamental Principles of Intake Manifold Design
- Emissions Compliance for Street Performance Products
- Advancements in Product Design, From Idea to Prototype
- Current Technology Transfer Trends from Track to Street
- Obtaining Patents to Protect Motorsports Technology
When: Monday, January 23, from 2:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Where: Embassy Suites Orange County Airport North
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| Visit ETTN's website |
 This year’s Motorsports Tech Roundtable, to be held January 23, at the 2017 SEMA Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference (MTC) in Santa Ana, California, will offer a chance for participants to meet with experts to discuss a variety of topics. |
ETTN Motorsports Tech Roundtable Discussion Topics Announced
By Tim Sayers
The second annual Motorsports Tech Roundtable will be held January 23, at the 2017 SEMA Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference (MTC) in Santa Ana, California. The event will be hosted by the SEMA Emerging Trends and Technology Network (ETTN).
This year’s Roundtable will offer participants a chance to meet with experts to discuss a variety of topics. The roundtable format offers open conversations that can impact current and future product development and testing. Attendees will talk with top industry talent and innovative minds on emerging technical trends in the motorsports industry.
Topics will include:
The Fundamental Principles of Intake Manifold Design
Expert: Dr. Rick Roberts, Edelbrock
Discussion: It is known that intake manifold design can have a significant effect on performance of an internal combustion (IC) engine. In this presentation, some of the significant experimental findings in the 100-year development of IC engines and theories developed from them will be reviewed and discussed. These results collectively have led to the computer simulation methods used today, which will be reviewed along with presentation of results from an example simulation.
Emissions Compliance for Street Performance Products
Expert: Peter Treydte, compliance center manager, SEMA
Discussion: Emissions regulations from EPA and CARB and how to make products comply with the law. Special focus on CARB Executive Orders and how the SEMA Compliance Center can help with the process.
Advancements in Product Design, From Idea to Prototype
Expert: Gabe Hall, Magnaflow; Mike Spagnola, vice president, OEM and product development, SEMA
Discussion: Leveraging new technologies at the SEMA Garage to bring motorsports products to market faster and with confidence.
Current Technology Transfer Trends from Track to Street
Expert: John Waraniak, vice president of vehicle technology, SEMA
Discussion: Technology transfer from the track to the street is one of the primary reasons why SEMA, as well as auto manufacturers, compete in motorsports. Racing is the Gemba and frontline for advanced vehicle technologies. Whether it’s gasoline, electric, hybrid or hydrogen, it’s a good time to be in the performance business. Horsepower is being matched with computing power, and new market segments are being created in safety, emissions, vehicle electronics, electrification, connected and automated driving performance. Technology and innovation leadership along with talent development are the three primary investments specialty-equipment companies need for creating a competitive advantage and staying relevant with advanced vehicle technology, consumer trends and social demands.
Topic: Obtaining Patents to Protect Motorsports Technology
Expert: Robb Roby, partner, Knobbe Martens
Discussion: An important component of running a manufacturing business is protecting your investment in thousands of hours of designing and manufacturing your motorsports “widget.” This table discussion will explore the reasons to pursue patents for your motorsports products, along with best practices in defending your intellectual property.
The Motorsports Tech Roundtable will be held Monday, January 23, 2017, from 2:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
For more information, contact Bryan Harrison, director of networks, at bryanh@sema.org or 909-978-6691.
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| Visit SBN's website. |
SBN & YEN to Co-Host at Media Trade Conference Meetup
 All members and prospective members of SBN and YEN are encouraged to attend a meetup at the Media Trade Conference to strengthen their automotive aftermarket communities in an engaging and relaxed atmosphere. |
The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) and Young Executives Network (YEN) are holding a meetup at the Media Trade Conference, Thursday, January 26. All members and prospective members of SBN and YEN are encouraged to attend to strengthen their automotive aftermarket communities in an engaging and relaxed atmosphere. Members of the SBN and YEN select committees and SEMA staff will be present to discuss opportunities to get more involved and volunteer.
The mixer will take place January 26, from 7:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m., at the Embassy Suites Santa Ana–Orange County Airport North. You do not have to be an attendee or exhibitor at the Media Trade Conference to attend the SBN/YEN Mixer. Look for us near the gazebo.
For more information, contact SEMA Director of Networks Bryan Harrison at bryanh@sema.org or 909-978-6691.