SEMA News - July 2009
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SEMA Show organizers are taking extraordinary steps to attract qualified buyers in support of the new Powersports & Utility Vehicles section.
Two-Pronged Promotion Strategy: First, a comprehensive awareness program that includes editorial, advertising and webinars at various trade shows to educate our 52,000-plus qualified SEMA Show buyers on the cross-selling opportunities they can realize with powersports products. Second, the buyer universe is expanding to include new buyers from the strategic powersports marketing partnership.
Built-In Powersports Buyer Interest: At the 2008 SEMA Show, more than 2,500 buyers were registered as powersports buyers. More than 170 SEMA Show exhibitors indicated that they manufacture powersports products, and more than 1,200 attendees expressed interest in their products. For every one of the last four SEMA Shows, more than 250 powersports vehicles were displayed.
Key Powersports Marketing Partnerships: SEMA is about to kick off promotional partnerships with leading business publications in the powersports industry. SEMA will be an official sponsor at industry events and will host industry educational efforts and participate in print, online newsletter and website promotions.
SEMA Attracts Buyers From Key Western States: The SEMA Show’s highest concentration of buyers comes from western states, such as Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah. Industry research ranks these markets among the top markets for powersports.
Multi-Channel Marketing Campaign: More than 400,000 pieces of direct mail will be distributed; print ads will be run multiple times in more than 130 domestic and international publications; and more than 25 banner ads will be posted on industry trade websites. In addition, 50,000-plus targeted voicemails will be broadcast, and promotions will be held at major international trade shows.
Lowest Hotel Room Rates in Six Years: More than 30 Las Vegas hotels have dropped room rates for SEMA Show attendees, with savings of up to 66% and prices starting at just $41.
Go to hotel reservations on the Show's website to make your hotel reservations now.
Discount Airfare with JetBlue: SEMA has teamed up with JetBlue to offer 2009 SEMA Show attendees a 5% discount on the lowest available airfare to Las Vegas when booked online. The promotion is good from any city serviced by JetBlue and will run until the last day of the Show. Valid outbound travel dates are October 28–November 6, with return flights valid November 1–8. To book your flight, visit www.jetblue.com/promo and use promo code SEMA2009.
To buy a booth, go to the registration page, e-mail ConvExx or call 702/450-7662 ext. 120. For more information, visit the SEMA Show website.
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Foose Presides Over SEMA Public Car Show
Chip Foose, award-winning automotive designer and fabricator, and host of TLC’s “Overhaulin’,” has been named Grand Marshall of the August 1 SEMA Show ’N’ Shine public car show. The inaugural event will take place inside the newly remodeled Pasadena Convention Center, where more than 200 vehicles will come together to help two worthy children’s charities.
“I was thrilled when Chip Foose graciously agreed to be the Grand Marshall of our inaugural car show and be on hand to share his passion and expertise with his fellow automotive enthusiasts,” said Joel Ayres, chairman of the SEMA Cares Committee. Taking place along with the car show will be the 2nd Annual SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Race.
Presented by eBay Motors, the derby will feature more than 250 cars in three classes For more information, visit the SEMA Leadership Days homepage.
Register Now for the 2009 SEMA Internet Symposium
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The SEMA Internet Symposium will provide participants with proven strategies and best practices from experts in the fields of online marketing, multimedia, business development and eCommerce. Through interactive panel discussions, the sessions will include everything from the current state of the Internet and search-engine optimization to website metrics and protecting intellectual property online. Other tracks include:
- New Data Standards for Electronic Cataloging (ACES and PIES
- Today’s Essential Online Business and Social Media Tools
- Creating Compelling Videos That Sell
- Internet Marketing Planning and Budgeting
For more information and to register vist the SEMA Internet Symposium website.
SEMA Education Institute Offers Top-Notch Business, Sales and Product Training Programs
To continue helping its members maximize business results, SEMA has launched a new state-of-the-art online learning center, the SEMA Education Institute (SEI), that will deliver first-class training and education programs of all types to the specialty-equipment industry.
SEMA partnered with software developers, subject-matter experts and professional educators to build an advanced learning program available 24/7 that focuses on two key areas: product training and professional skills improvement. This program has career-path training opportunities tailored to the counterman all the way through the company owner and president. The first group of training programs, which include an introductory sales training course for retailers, is now available on the SEMA Education Institute website. New programs will be added on a monthly basis and will include webinars, seminars, courses and other services from world-class subject-matter experts and industry leaders.
“We keep a regular pulse on the changing needs of our members and the industry as a whole, and we realize what our industry needs today is access to quality training as well as ongoing sales and marketing assistance, especially given today’s economy,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA’s president and CEO. “The new SEI will offer top-notch training to jobbers, retailers and WDs at a fraction of normal internal development costs. In fact, several of the same programs are offered by Fortune 500 firms for their customers and employees.”
The SEI Learning Center will serve as the platform for delivering this web-based training. This provides all SEMA members one location to access all of their training needs—from introductory classes to advanced product training and instruction. The Learning Center will also house an extensive library of personal skills and professional development courses.
“Ultimately, SEI will serve as a central repository for continued adult education in the aftermarket,” said Bob Price, SEI executive director and specialty-equipment industry veteran. “Travel budgets are being slashed, but there is still a need in this industry for ongoing product training and education. SEI will provide practical and engaging programs that are accessible right from people’s desktops. Our goal at SEI is to help members maximize their business potential and attract and retain quality employees. We’ll do this by providing best-in-class training at all levels of experience and job function.”
Fast Facts
Pete Meier was named the new technical editor of Motor Age magazine, an Advanstar Communications Inc. publication. Previously a contributing editor for the magazine, Meier is an ASE Certified Master Auto Technician, a sponsoring member of the International Automotive Technicians’ Network and a trained vocational instructor. Advanstar Communications, Woodland Hills, CA; 818/593-5000.
Eastern Catalytic appointed Charles Pantano to lead the company’s emissions certification efforts. Before joining Eastern Catalytic, Pantano was an electro-mechanical engineer, and he most recently worked as a product design engineer for Advent Design (Bristol, Pennsylvania). Eastern Catalytic, Langhorne, PA; 215/702-3600.
 | Daystar Products recently completed a 10,000-sq.-ft. addition to its manufacturing facility in Phoenix, bringing the facility’s total square footage to 40,000. Daystar Products, Phoenix, AZ; 800/595-7659. |
All-American off-road racer Rob MacCachren has committed his Rockstar Energy Racing team to compete in the new Traxxas TORC Series. MacCachren will drive his Dave Clark-built Rockstar Energy Ford in the Pro 2WD division in the new short-course series.
 | Egge Machine Co. Inc. hired Del Austin as its new sales director. Austin has owned both jobber stores and machine shops and is a hands-on enthusiast. Egge Machine Co. Inc., Santa Fe Springs, CA; 800/866-3443. |
NVision Inc. plans to expand its Dallas-Fort Worth office in Coppell, Texas, in response to current demand for the company’s 3-D non-contact measurement systems.
 | The Ohio Technical College was awarded the top prize—$10,000 worth of Chicago Pneumatic tools—in the 2nd annual Tomorrow’s Technician/Chicago Pneumatic competition. Tomorrow’s Technician magazine, produced by Babcox Publications, and Chicago Pneumatic created the contest to recognize top technical colleges with training programs that prepare students for real-world careers. Ohio Technical College, Cleveland, OH; 800/322-7000; Chicago Pneumatic Tools, Charlotte, NC; 800/624-4735. |
ASA Tire Systems awarded Superior Tire & Service of Orange, Texas, with $25,000 in funds from the $1 million Tire Dealer Bailout Program during the Texas Tire Dealers Association annual convention in San Antonio in April. The money from ASA Tire Systems will be used to update Superior Tire & Services’s technology infrastructure as it continues to rebuild its business in the post-Ike devastation. ASA Tire Systems, Nashua, NH; 603/889-8700.
 | Kicker Performance Audio will donate about $1,500 of gear toward the Mustang Makeover Project—a special project of the Mustang Club of America (MCA) in celebration of the 45th anniversary of the Mustang and Drake Automotive Group’s 30th anniversary. MCA club Mustangs of East Texas and the Pay It Forward restoration team will start with a ’66 Ford Mustang convertible project car and $10,000 in parts donated by Drake Automotive Group. The club will finish with a completely restored Mustang that will be displayed in the Drake Automotive Group booth during the 2009 SEMA Show this November and later sold at auction. Proceeds from the sale of the car will benefit the charity selected by the winning MCA club. Mustang Club of America (MCA), Penascola, FL; 850/438-0626. |
Dave Schaub, San Francisco Bay-area native and hot-rod enthusiast, will set out on September 8 to drive his ’32 Ford roadster through all the 49 continental states in nine days. He hopes to raise $50,000–$100,000 for the Ronald McDonald House at Stanford. The black ’32 roadster was built by Roy Brizio Street Rods and is wrapped in a vinyl cover by Yak Graphics to carry sponsor logos and signage. For more information, visit www.49in9.com. Roy Brizio Street Rods, San Francisco, CA; 650/952-7637.
Aeromotive Inc. hired Steve Swanson as sales manager. Swanson’s tenure in the industry spans more than 36 years and includes service on the SEMA Board of Directors and as a member of several SEMA councils and committees. Aeromotive, Lenexa, KS; 913/647-7300.
The National Street Rod Association (NSRA) announced that, beginning in 2010, vehicles 30 years old and older will be accepted for participation at every NSRA Event. For additional information, contact NSRA (Memphis) at 901/452-4030 or Jim Rowlett, NSRA marketing director, at 817/581-9915. National Street Rod Association, Memphis, TN; 901/452-4030.
Tire Group International hired Ricardo Villanueva as country manager for its sales office in the Dominican Republic, which the company opened in 2008. Villanueva’s most recent position was vice president of sales for Serit Tires, where he was an integral part of the company’s growth in the Dominican Republic and South American markets.
Currie Enterprises is celebrating its 50th year in business in 2009. To commemorate the event, the company is offering a 21/4-inch, limited-edition, self-adhesive, gold-embossed medallion free with the purchase of any Currie catalog. Currie Enterprises, Anaheim, CA; 714/528-6957.
Pilot Automotive Inc. appointed David Tang vice president of retail sales. Tang was most recently the vice president of sales with Elegant LLC and, prior to that, served as executive vice president of sales and marketing for 3A Racing. Pilot Automotive Inc., City of Industry, CA; 626/937-6988.
Katzkin Leather Inc. and Webasto Product North America have combined their sales organizations. Effective May 1, the newly expanded Katzkin sales team is the single point of contact for both companies’ product lines. Katzkin Leather Inc., Montebello, CA; 323/725-1243; Webasto Product North America, Fenton, MI; 810/593-6000.
As part of its 35th anniversary celebration, Skyjacker Suspensions has expanded its facilities to provide additional warehouse and manufacturing space. Skyjacker Suspensions, West Monroe, LA; 318/388-0816.
Jennifer Tio, president of Chicago-based Maximum Marketing Services Inc., was elected to the Chicago Manufacturing Center board of directors. Tio joined Maximum Marketing Services in 1985 and was named company president in 2006.
Through an exclusive partnership with Advanced Mobil Products (AMP), Exide Technologies will supply lead-acid automotive-starting batteries for the mobile replacement marketplace. The partnership is for five years.
SEMA-member Motorpool.com announced that it has created the world’s first social networking website for classic- and collector-car enthusiasts. Check out the website at www.motorpool.com. Motorpool.com, Birmingham, AL; 205/877-8044.
DuPont announced a five-year extension to its agreement to serve as a major corporate sponsor of the collision repair technology program at Pennsylvania College of Technology. Under the renewed agreement, DuPont will donate liquid coatings and its patented technology color proofing system for instructional use in Pennsylvania College’s collision repair labs. DuPont, Wilmington, DE; 302/992-3190.
