SEMA News - October 2010

Industry Celebrates New Hall of Famers, Board Members

	SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting (left) and Chairman-Elect Paul “Scooter” Brothers (right) welcome first-time SEMA Board member John Hotchkis of Hotchkis Performance.
	The program also featured thoughts from SEMA Cares Committee Chairman Joel Ayres

More than 500 members of the industry attended the annual SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser in Pasadena, California, July 23, to honor 2010 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees Van Woodell, Chuck Schwartz and Richard “Dick” McMullen and to raise money for children’s charities Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp. They also came to thank departing SEMA Board of Directors members for their service and to welcome new members.

“We appreciate the contributions that the outgoing Board members have given and are looking forward to working with the new Board members,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “We’re confident that their unique backgrounds and experiences will help guide the industry to grow and prosper. We owe a huge ‘thank you’ to all the volunteers who helped make the fundraising activities such a success. This is a wonderful example of how this industry is able to work together and accomplish great things. It was also great to be able to recognize our deserving new Hall of Fame inductees Richard ‘Dick’ McMullen, Chuck Schwartz and Van Woodell.” 

The day’s activities kicked-off with the 2010 Business Technology Symposium (BTS), a series of panel discussions and seminars sponsored by SEMA’s Street Performance Council (SPC). The seminars were focused on harnessing the power of the Internet to help specialty-equipment businesses grow, and topics ranged from the fundamentals of online marketing
and improving product data standards for better distribution to using video to promote products and creating a savvy Internet marketing budget.

A reception at the Pasadena Convention Center launched the evening’s Installation Banquet & Gala. Emcee Dave McClelland hosted the ceremonies honoring SEMA Hall of Fame inductees and incoming and outgoing Board members. The program also featured thoughts from SEMA Cares Committee Chairman Joel Ayres, and 2010 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Chuck Schwartz reflected on 28 years of serving as the producer of the SEMA Show. 

Fundraising for Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp didn’t stop with the Gala. Several donors from the industry and the SEMA Board of Directors answered SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting’s challenge that he would shave his head for a $10,000 pledge to Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp. This was reminiscent of last year when Ayres, his wife Cindy, Show ‘N Shine organizer Mike Spagnola and SEMA Vice President of Communications and Events Peter MacGillivray shaved their heads for charity. Through the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, Pinewood Drag Races and Show ’N Shine car show, the industry and its enthusiasts raised nearly $86,000—including the $10,000 raised from Kersting’s shaved head.

SEMA thanks all the volunteers for their efforts. Those who would like to lend a hand next year are encouraged to contact SEMA Special Events Manager Lisa Moreno.  

Kersting (left) and Brothers (right) laughung with outgoing board member Ralph Accinno Of Racer's Equipment Warehouse		Richard “Dick” McMullen’s widow, Sally McMullen, gave an acceptance speech on behalf of the late 2010 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee.
Chuck Schwartz, 2010 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee, reflected on 28 years of serving as producer of the SEMA Show.		The 2010 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Van Woodell has served three consecutive two-year terms on the SEMA Board of Directors.