SEMA News - June 2010

John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States, knew a thing or two about leadership. One of his most famous quotes was, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” Those are also fitting words to describe the upcoming SEMA Leadership Days, to be held July 21–24 in Pasadena, California.

Attendees will “learn more” by taking advantage of this year’s Business Technology Symposium at the Pasadena Convention Center on Friday, July 23, from 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. The topics for this full day of instruction will run the gamut from “The Future of Mobile Marketing” and “Reaching Your Customers on Forums and Blogs” to “Market Research in the Digital Age” and “Social Media for Your Business.” Your business can’t afford to stand still in a rapidly changing world. Here’s a chance to jump ahead, where the learning is tailored for our industry and the networking with industry peers alone is worth your while. Just contact Arlene Wood at arlenew@sema.org or call 909/396-0289 for details.

To “become more,” please join us for the annual Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser on Friday evening from 6:30 p.m.–10:00 p.m. (cocktail reception from 6:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.), where we will salute the contributions of the outgoing members of the SEMA Board of Directors and welcome the incoming group. In addition, the three newest members of the SEMA Hall of Fame will be celebrated. The actions and stories of the industry luminaries celebrated at this event inspire all of us to become more. Meanwhile, proceeds from the Gala Fundraiser and other activities are contributed to Childhelp, which aids victims of child abuse, and the Victory Junction Gang Camp, which uses camping experiences in its racing-themed facilities to enrich the lives of children who suffer from chronic medical conditions or illnesses.

“Dream more” is what we in the specialty-equipment industry do every day. The products manufactured, distributed and sold by SEMA-member companies are the very stuff dreams are made of, and the results of those dreams—at least a fair representation of them—will be on display at the SEMA Show ’N Shine on Saturday, July 24, from 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at the Pasadena Convention Center. Chip Foose, the award-winning automotive designer, fabricator and host of TLC’s “Overhaulin’,” has once again signed on to be the grand marshal of the show, which will feature a full range of musclecars, street rods, exotics and restorations.

To “do more,” take part in the SEMA Pinewood Drag Races, which will be run concurrently with the Show ’N Shine on Saturday. Help the children supported by Childhelp and the Victory Junction Gang Camp by sponsoring a pinewood dragster for less than $100, and we’ll see to it that your car is raced even if you can’t be there to watch the action in person. Contact Cindy Booher via e-mail at cindyb@sema.org for more information about this worthwhile, fun and fulfilling competition.

So much of what we do in business distracts us from the friendships we develop in our industry and the contributions we can make through volunteerism and human kindness. Join us for the activities of Leadership Days and reconnect to the great SEMA community of volunteers, leaders and industry icons. Our collective participation (that means you!) also brings out the best in our fellow enthusiasts, competitors and business associates through the actions they inspire.

Don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity to also bring out the best in yourself. 

—Christopher J. Kersting, CAE
President and CEO, SEMA