SEMA News - August 2010
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Dennis Gage, host of the “My Classic Car” TV show, will appear as a special celebrity guest at the SEMA Show ’N Shine car show, where he will sign autographs and discuss cars with attendees and vehicle owners. |
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Recognizing the SEMA Board
The Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser recognizes the dedicated service of the SEMA Board of Directors—a wholly volunteer group of talented individuals who are elected by the membership to lead the association in its efforts. As the outgoing directors are thanked, those who have been newly elected to serve the association are welcomed.
New Hall of Fame Inductees
The newest inductees into the SEMA Hall of Fame are formally introduced during the gala. This year, the three individuals whose dedication have greatly contributed to the success of the specialty-equipment industry are Chuck Schwartz of ConvExx, Van Woodell of Weathers Auto Supply and the late Richard “Dick” McMullen of McMullen Advertising.
SPC Business Technology Symposium
Automotive specialty-equipment industry leaders and digital-technology experts will convene on Friday, July 23, for the one-day Street Performance Council (SPC) Business Technology Symposium to address the newest trends and strategies for conducting business in the digital age. Sessions will cover topics ranging from market research in the digital age and social media for your business to getting people to read your e-mails.
Pinewood Drag Races
The Pinewood Drag Races are among the fundraising events that benefit the two childrens charities that have become focal points of the SEMA Cares committee and the industry’s collective generosity—Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp. Held Saturday, July 24, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., the races feature hand-crafted racers built by volunteers and children from both charities squaring off to see who can capture the quickest run down the track. Participants who sponsor a child’s car will be designated as the team owner and race under the child’s name.
Show ‘N Shine Car Show
Chip Foose, award-winning automotive designer and fabricator, will return as grand marshal of the second-annual SEMA Show ‘N Shine public car show on Saturday, July 24. In addition, “My Classic Car” host Dennis Gage will appear as a celebrity guest. Gage will sign autographs and discuss cars with attendees.
The Show ’N Shine car show will draw some of the best local enthusiast cars, trucks and classics, with all proceeds benefiting Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp. More than 200 vehicles packed the Pasadena Convention Center last year.
2010 SEMA Leadership Days Events Schedule
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
- 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., SEMA BOD Orientation; Pasadena Westin, San Marino Room
- 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m., Executive Committee Meeting; Pasadena Westin, San Rafael Room
Thursday, July 22, 2010
- 7:00 a.m.–8:00 a.m., Council Leadership Summit Breakfast; Pasadena Westin, Madera Room
- 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., Council Leadership Summit; Pasadena Westin, Madera Room
- 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., Joint Session SEMA BOD; Pasadena Westin, San Marino Room
- 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m., BOD/Council Lunch; Pasadena Westin, San Rafael Room
- 12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m., BOD Spouse’s Luncheon; Pasadena Westin, Ventana Restaurant
- 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m., BOD Meeting Resumes; Pasadena Westin, San Marino Room
- 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m., Council Leadership Summit Resumes; Pasadena Westin, Madera Room
- 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m., Welcome Reception; Pasadena Westin Courtyard
Friday, July 23, 2010
- 7:00 a.m.–8:00 a.m., SEMA BOD Breakfast; Pasadena Civic Center, Conference Room 211
- 8:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., SPC Member Breakfast; Pasadena Convention Center, Ballroom D
- 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m., SEMA BOD Meeting Resumes; Pasadena Civic Center, Conference Room 211
- 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., SPC Technology Symposium General Sessions; Pasadena Convention Center, Ballroom B-C
- 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m., SPC Lunch; Pasadena Convention Center, Ballroom D
- 1:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m., SPC Technology Symposium Resumes, Tracks 1 & 2; Pasadena Convention Center, Ballrooms A-C
- 4:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m., Governance Meeting, Pasadena Civic Center, Room 211
- 6:30 p.m.–10:00 p.m., Installation Banquet Reception & Gala; Pasadena Civic Center, Foyer & Ballrooms D–H
Saturday, July 24, 2010
- 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., SEMA Show ‘N Shine and Pinewood Drag Races; Pasadena Convention Center, Exhibit Halls A-B
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Exhibitors of the 2010 SEMA Show can prep for the Show by accessing the Exhibitor Services Manual now available online. |
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2010 SEMA Show Exhibitor Services Manual Now Available Online
The 2010 SEMA Show Exhibitor Services Manual (ESM) is now available online. You do not need to register or log in to download the forms contained on this website unless you are ordering services directly from Freeman.
New features of the Exhibitor Services Manual are:
- Layout to review the forms in book format
- Search box to find individual forms by keywords
- Table of contents that links to forms
- Ability to download the entire manual or individual pages to your computer
- Ability to print individual forms
- Ability to forward forms to others in your organization
If you intend to order products or services from Freeman, click on the “login” link to register on the Freeman website. If you misplaced your Freeman Online password, contact Freeman Exhibitor Services Department at 702/579-1700. For assistance, contact Show management at 702/450-7662, ext. 120.
Fast Facts
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Michael Santa Cruz |
Michael Santa Cruz joined ProMedia LLC—producers of the NMRA Keystone Automotive Ford Nationals and the NMCA Edelbrock Muscle Car Nationals—as its sponsorship sales manager. Santa Cruz started in the automotive performance industry in 1986 with Ford-sponsored SCCA pro road race team Kaufmann Racing. Before joining ProMedia, Santa Cruz worked with several Southern California performance automotive companies, including Eibach Springs, Petersen Publishing Company, Tokico and Magnaflow Exhaust. He will assist the NMRA and NMCA series with development of additional contingency sponsors and spearhead all new class sponsorship opportunities for potential car show sponsors. ProMedia LLC, Santa Ana, CA; 714/444-2426.
Wes-Coast Marketing Inc. has teamed up with Power Tank (Advanced Air Systems) to represent the company in the 13 western states and western Canada. According to Wes-Coast marketing, Power Tank, is the original high-performance C02 air system designed for off-road, 4x4, desert and sand use. Wes-Coast Marketing, Upland, CA; 909/946-6899.
Strictly Diesel and Sinister Diesel (formerly ITP Diesel) have joined forces to elevate their nationwide product and service offerings. The companies also announced their new 15,000-sq.-ft. facility, located in Phoenix, Arizona. The new facility has more bays for completing maintenance and repair work; more parking for customer vehicles; more space to store products used for service, repair and maintenance; and additional space for aftermarket product inventory and new-product development.Tuff Stuff Performance Accessories hired Mike Stasko as marketing manager to lead and implement the company’s new marketing programs. Stasko has been in the performance industry for nearly 35 years, having held marketing positions at Mr. Gasket Company, Corsa Performance and, most recently, as the marketing manager at Prestolite Performance. Tuff Stuff Performance Accessories, Cleveland, OH; 800/331-6562.
HKS USA Inc. entered into an exclusive agreement with InterWorks Unlimited Inc. to co-develop a line of racing video game controllers. According to HKS USA, it is the first performance manufacturer to jointly develop a gaming controller that is designed to give enthusiasts a more accurate gaming experience. The HKS racing controller for PlayStation3 will feature special accelerator and brake buttons on the right side of the controller and an active circular steering controller on the left side. HKS USA Inc., Los Angeles; 310/491-3300.
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Paul Fessel |
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Firestone Industrial Products Company LLC promoted Paul Fessel to division manager of light-duty business. He will lead the company’s complete line of suspension solution products and will oversee development of Firestone’s latest product offerings. Fessel has been with Firestone for 16 years, previously serving as project engineer for Ride-Rite sales; applications engineer and senior sales engineer for OE sales; China business development manager; and automotive OE sales manager. Firestone Industrial Products, Indianapolis, IN; 317/575-700.
Twenty-year automotive aftermarket veteran Bryan Robb has founded the Digital Throttle ad network, powered by Adify. The company helps online advertisers reach auto enthusiasts by combining similar aftermarket-focused websites into attractive niche audiences—an approach that Robb said helps advertisers target unique niche audiences and the larger DIY community. Digital Throttle, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA; 949/713-0944.
K&N Filters has signed on to support the Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe (B.R.A.K.E.S.) Teen Pro-Active Driving School, presented by NHRA held at the Fairplex in Pomona, California. The school, which is provided free of charge to all participating teens and parents, provides behind-the-wheel training for young drivers in an effort to reduce the number of injuries and deaths that result from teen driver accidents. The school is comprised of five different driving courses, including a wet skid pad, a slalom course, accident avoidance, panic stops and a course that discourages driving with distractions. Held December 11–12, there are two sessions each day. For more information, visit
www.putonthebrakes.org. K&N Engineering, Riverside, CA; 951/826-4100. NHRA, Glendora, CA; 626/914-4761.
The following appointments were announced within Hastings Manufacturing Co.’s marketing, sales and administration areas. Richard Zwiernikowski, CFO, moved to vice president of finance and administration; Jeffrey Guenther was promoted to vice president of international sales; Thomas DeBlasis was promoted to vice president of domestic aftermarket sales; David Sepesi was promoted to vice president of OEM sales; and Edward Webb was promoted to director of distribution operations. Each of these individuals will report to Fred Cook, president and CEO.
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Jim Helberg |
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Automotive media and marketing veteran Jim Helberg was named Autobytel’s executive vice president for product, marketing and analytics. Helberg arrives at Autobytel with a 25-year record of strategic marketing, advertising and media accomplishments with some of the leading automotive ad agencies. He has worked with many of the major OEMs, including Chrysler, Nissan, Honda and Toyota. In his new role, Helberg will oversee all of Autobytel’s web products and consumer and trade marketing initiatives.
Scott O’Toole, a 28-year automotive aftermarket veteran, announced his departure from Motor State Distributing to form his own data solutions company, RPM Data Services. The company’s focus is to work with racing, performance and accessory companies to get their data consolidated and standardized in an acceptable format (ACES and PIES) to meet the needs of all distribution-channel partners. RPM Data Services, Coloma, MI; 877/673-3520.
Superchips launched a new performance racing division known as Superchips Racing. The launch of the new division is accompanied with the release of its first racing performance programmer, the Superchips Racing Ford Diesel Tuner, designed exclusively for racing environments. Superchips, Sanford, FL; 407/585-7000.
Bruno Massel and Matt Steele, the hosts of the television program “Truck U,” plan to build a rock racer/rock climber from the ground up to compete in the 2011 Griffin King of the Hammers rock-crawling event. The cross-functional vehicle will include new locking differentials, a suspension system, state-of-the-art safety equipment, a complete tube chassis, winches, a high-performance LS1 engine and a new interior. Companies that take part in the building of the Rock Racer will get a decal or logo on the vehicle. This “Truck U” special will air on the Speed Network in July/August 2010.
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James R. Bolch |
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The TTXGP, which bills itself as the world’s first zero-carbon race series, held its inaugural U.S. race during the West Coast Moto Jam at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California. ZeroAgni rider Shawn Higbee won the race after a long battle with Lightening Motorcycles rider Michael Barnes. Both riders delivered lap times on electric motorcycles just 18 seconds off the AMA Superbike pace, according to race officials. WerkStatt rider Jennifer Bromme, riding a Mavizen TTX02, suffered a software glitch on her first lap and needed to reboot her bike, but still managed a fourth-place finish. For more information, visit www.egrandprix.com. TTXGP, United Kingdom, +870-445-0111.
Ignition products company Enerpulse Inc. announced that its proprietary Pulstar pulse plugs will be test-marketed by O’Reilly Auto Parts in selected premium stores in Atlanta, Houston and Dallas. The program involves a patented, proprietary technology, with five SKUs covering approximately 75% of the automobiles and light-duty trucks in the United States. Enerpulse, Albuquerque; 888/800-6700.
3M launched a new installer program that offers training, testing and accreditation for installers and installation companies. The program teaches how to install vehicle and boat graphics as well as other applications. Several training programs are currently available to teach new skills or enhance existing ones. For available installer training videos, training dates and availability, visit www.3mgraphics.com/installationtraining. 3M Automotive Division, St. Paul, MN; 651/733-1110.
