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From left: SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting, Sara O’Meara of Childhelp, Mike Spagnola of Street Scene Equipment, Joel Ayres of Truck Accessories Group and Yvonne Fedderson of Childhelp. |
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SEMA News - June 2010
SEMA Named Childhelp 2010 Corporate Sponsor of the Year
Childhelp, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect, presented SEMA with the Childhelp 2010 Corporate Award at a luncheon on April 14 at the annual Childhelp Day of Hope Ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Childhelp ambassador Jane Seymour—actress, artist and jewelry designer—was in attendance and spoke at the event.
Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and his wife Caryll, who have been active in Childhelp for many years, also spoke.
A handful of other senators and congressmen were also in attendance. Joel Ayres, chairman of the SEMA Cares committee, and Mike Spagnola, president of Street Scene Equipment Inc., accepted the award on SEMA’s behalf.
Top Vehicle Program Evolves at the SEMA Show
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Exhibitors at the 2010 SEMA Show will determine which of the hottest cars and trucks will be named Vehicles of the Show. |
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Show organizers will survey every booth vehicle at the SEMA Show, which takes place Tuesday–Friday, November 2–5, 2010, in Las Vegas. The most prominent vehicles in the three categories will be announced as the Vehicles of the Show.
Members of the specialty-equipment industry have defined trends and pioneered technology for several decades. Their cumulative voice influences consumer spending and creates business opportunities. This program is intended to leverage the special role that the specialty-equipment industry plays.
Contenders for the winning vehicles will be announced prior to the 2010 SEMA Show, with the winning vehicles named on the first day of the event, Tuesday, November 2, in Las Vegas. Here is more information about the SEMA Show.
Foose Returns as Grand Marshal of SEMA’s Summer Car Show
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Award-winning automotive designer and fabricator Chip Foose returns as the grand marshal of the SEMA Show ’N Shine public car show. |
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Held in connection with the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser (taking place the evening before, on July 23) and the SEMA Pinewood Drag Races, also on July 24, the Show ’N Shine car show will draw some of the best local enthusiast cars, trucks and classics, with all proceeds benefiting children’s charities Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp. More than 200 vehicles packed the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California, last year.
“I was thrilled to be a part of the inaugural SEMA Show ’N Shine last year and am even more excited to return for 2010,” said Foose. “SEMA is an important organization for car enthusiasts and industry people like myself, and I’m proud to take part and work in supporting children’s charities through this event.”
Foose’s design talent will be displayed at the show through his personal vehicles and those he’s worked on, including a ’59 Bel Air, among others. Last year, Foose brought a ’56 Ford F-100 pickup, an ’02 Ford T-Bird Speedbird that starred in “Rides” and his Foose Coupe.
Both the Show ’N Shine and Pinewood Drag Races are part of the 2010 SEMA Leadership Days. Other activities include the SPC Business Technology Conference and the Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, both scheduled for the day and evening before, on July 23.
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Attendee and media registration are open for the 2010 SEMA Show and AAPEX. |
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Registration for 2010 SEMA Show and AAPEX Now Open
Attendee and media registration for the 2010 SEMA Show and AAPEX are now open at www.SEMAShow.com and www.aapexshow.com.
The two shows, held the first week of November in Las Vegas, are open to auto-related buyers, installers, retailers, dealers, manufacturer reps and other specified categories.
Registration allows attendees to enter both the SEMA Show (Tuesday–Friday, November 2–5, at the Las Vegas Convention Center) and AAPEX (Tuesday–Thursday, November 2–4, at the Sands Expo & Convention Center).
To register, visit www.SEMAShow.com or www.aapexshow.com and click the registration link. Enter an e-mail address in the attendee or media section to get started.
Fast Facts
The Eaton Vehicle Group hired Rodger Olson as automotive global aftermarket sales manager. Olson is responsible for developing the global aftermarket for all automotive products and has a successful history as an aftermarket sales manager for markets that include military, hybrid, electric and performance. Eaton, Cleveland, OH; 216/523-5000.The Sports Car Club of America Inc. (SCCA) named Nate Siebens public relations manager of the SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Series for the 2010 season. Through his company, LCS Public Relations, founded in 2007, Siebens will oversee public relations efforts for the Trans-Am Series, working in concert with SCCA’s in-house public relations staff. His duties include feature articles, press releases and media materials for Trans-Am. SCCA, Topeka, KS; 785/357-7222.
S&W Race Cars announced that Rory Krupp has joined its sales team. According to S&W President Scott Weney, Krupp spends his days as a builder and fabricator and his weekends as the pilot of S&W’s dragster “house car.” Krupp has recently spent time learning a new skill—sales. “Some people can’t get enough, and Rory is living proof,” explained Weney. S&W, Spring City, PA; 610/948-7303.
J. Craig Jordan will succeed Charles “Bud” Wise as vice president of human resources at PPG Industries. Wise will retire from the company effective August 1. Jordan will become a member of PPG’s operating committee, reporting to Chairman and CEO Charles Bunch. Jordan joined PPG in 1989 as director of human resources at the company’s plant in Natrium, West Virginia. He assumed responsibility for corporate industrial relations in 2003, and his responsibilities subsequently expanded to include employee relations, policy and compensation. PPG Industries, Strongsville, OH; 440/572-6131.
Go Rhino! Products named Kathryn Gallagher its marketing manager. She will manage advertising, events, marketing and branding efforts for all IDDEA brands, including Reflections and Big Country Truck Accessories. Gallagher has 11 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket industry, working with companies such as Advanstar Communications and CEC Wheels. She is also a member of the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network and the SEMA Young Executives Network. Go Rhino!, Brea, CA; 888/427-4466.
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Jim MacMaster, Yokohama Tire Corp. |
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Holley Performance Products hired John Sonnefeldt as director of sales. He joins Holley with more than 15 years of experience in the performance aftermarket. He is an avid car enthusiast who has built and displays an award-winning ’71 restomod Chevelle. Holley Performance Products, Bowling Green, KY;
270/782-2900.
John York joined the Federated Auto Parts management team as corporate comptroller. York began his aftermarket career working for Perfection Hy-Test, where he held various positions, including financial analyst, regional sales manager, assistant comptroller and, most recently, sales manager of traditional business.
Four Seasons was presented an “Extra Miler” award at AutoZone’s Vendor Summit meeting in Memphis, Tennessee. According to AutoZone, the award is presented to vendors who are unfazed by obstacles, who go above and beyond the call of duty, who exceed expectations and consistently deliver more than
is expected.
Optima Batteries partnered with World Racing Inc. for the 2010 drag-racing season. As the official battery supplier of World Racing Inc., Optima Batteries will provide product and technical sport to World Racing and owner/driver Chris Rado for various competitions. Optima Batteries, Milwaukee, WI; 888/8OPTIMA.
Hastings East Manufacturing Company Ltd., a wholly foreign-owned enterprise of Hastings Manufacturing Company LLC, was recognized as a top 10 automotive parts brand in China. A Top Ten Foreign Automotive Parts Brand in China ceremony was held at the presidential guest house in Beijing. The award selections were made by a panel of state representatives, educational institutions, the Society of Automotive Engineers China, China Auto Parts Association and the automotive aftermarket media.
Mobileye Inc. established a partnership with InstallerNet Inc. that will provide Mobileye customers with immediate access to InstallerNet’s nationwide network of more than 1,500 installation facilities in addition to Mobileye’s existing dealer network. Mobileye driver assistance technologies, such as forward collision warning, headway monitoring and lane-departure warning systems, help alert drivers to potentially life-threatening situations. Mobileye Inc., Southfield, MI; 877/221-0280.
HRE Performance Wheels selected Kahn Media to assist with public relations and communication initiatives. In addition to providing media outreach and PR assistance, Kahn Media will work with HRE management on strategic planning initiatives and social media marketing campaigns to elevate brand visibility, increase sales and promote the company’s top products. HRE Performance Wheels, Vista, CA;
760/598-1960.
Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) acquired Accessories Marketing Inc. (AMI), creator and manufacturer of the Slime brand of tire-sealant products. AMI is a leader in flat-tire prevention and repair. Accessories Marketing Inc. employs approximately 60 people and has a global headquarters in Grover Beach, California. The purchase was announced by David C. Parry, executive vice president of ITW, who indicated that AMI would become part of ITW’s performance polymers and fluids group and continue to operate as a separate entity. The AMI acquisition was led by Permatex, a business unit of ITW. Accessories Marketing Inc., Grover Beach, CA;
805/489-0490.
The Automobile Club of Southern California has expanded its sponsorship of the NHRA to include the title rights of the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway International Raceway outside St. Louis. The expansion also includes naming rights for Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, entitlement rights of the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals held at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, sponsorship of the Auto Club “Road to the Future” award annually recognizing the sport’s professional rookie of the year, presenting sponsorship of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum and presenting sponsorship of the popular California Hot Rod Reunion held at Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, California. NHRA, Glendora, CA; 626/963-7695. Automobile Club of Southern California;
800-352-5382.
Off Road Industry magazine recently named Alloy USA’s yoke conversion kits to its list of “10 Best Products for 2010.” Alloy USA is exclusively distributed by OMIX-ADA Inc. Alloy USA, Suwanee, GA; 800/449-6649.
National Parts Wholesaler has selected Edgenet’s data services for product-information management and distribution for www.searchparts.com. According to National Parts Wholesaler, Edgenet will help customers of Searchparts.com locate the quality data needed to make informed purchasing decisions.
ID Agency’s open house and automotive photography exhibition in April featured custom cars and the works of DC Chavez, Mo Satarzadeh, Joey Redmond, Michael Carrillo and Estevan Oriol, and appearances by Formula Drift drivers Chris Forsberg and Dai Yoshihara. The Los Angeles marketing firm counts Falken Tire, Brembo and Formula Drift among its specialty-equipment industry clients.
