SEMA News - November 2010

For those of you reading this in Las Vegas, welcome to the greatest automotive specialty-equipment show on earth! The SEMA Show is the most universally known and recognized benefit that the association offers to its membership and to the industry. I hope you will use it this year as a springboard to discover SEMA’s other outstanding programs and services that, like the Show, are tremendous tools to help your company thrive and be profitable.

The SEMA Board of Directors and the association’s staff closely monitor the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. During the past 24 months, the association has established services aimed to help your company in today’s unique environment.

For example, we are offering live seminars and webinars at a range of levels to help your company understand how to approach and execute an online marketing plan, whether you are a manufacturer, distributor or  retailer. Key content from the recent Business Technology Symposium is available now. And while you’re here at the SEMA Show, check out the Online Marketing Conference on Monday, November 1, 9:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m., Room N255 in the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), and the Online Marketing Track on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, November 2, 3 and 4, 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m., LVCC Room N258.

Meanwhile, a key component of success in online marketing is having comprehensive and accurate product information available in a data format that makes it useful. The association’s Business Technology Committee (BTC) has made available to members an industry standard data template that you should be using today to organize your data. The benefits of complete data in an industry standard format include improved product exposure, increased sales, fewer returns and faster order turnaround. If you haven’t already done so, you can learn about the aftermarket data standards and put them into practice by visiting www.sema.org/pies on the SEMA website.

Another noteworthy benefit is SEMA’s outstanding government affairs program. SEMA rallies the membership and our enthusiast-based SEMA Action Network (SAN) to fight burdensome legislation and regulations and to seek passage of provisions that will help our members’ businesses. For instance, SEMA was an active advocate for a newly passed law establishing a $30-billion lending resource for small businesses. The bill also includes $12 billion in tax cuts for small businesses and a depreciation provision that allows small businesses to continue writing-off 50% of the cost of new equipment. These are real benefits for SEMA-member companies. But we need your voice. Stop by the SEMA Members’ Lounge, LVCC Room N250, and meet our government affairs team to learn more. For a listing of some of the important proposed laws and regulations that could affect your business, visit here. You can also encourage your customers and friends to join the SEMA Action Network, a SEMA organization that keeps enthusiasts informed of proposed laws and  gives them an easy means to have their voices heard in Washington and the state capitols.

For more on the SAN, pick up the October issue of any Source Interlink enthusiast title—the publisher has generously provided  cover feature stories on the SAN and legislation affecting the hobby.

Thank you all for helping SEMA deliver an outstanding SEMA Show 2010! I hope you’ll carry many newfound opportunities back to your businesses, and I encourage you to use all of SEMA’s programs and services to help you succeed.

See you on the Show floor!  

—Chris Kersting, SEMA President and CEO