SEMA Member News—November/December 2015

Buyers Incentives at 2015 SEMA Show

A wide variety of businesses attend the SEMA Show each year, but companies in the buyer category—identified with a red badge—who are also association members enjoy a few special benefits.

Member Buyer Rewards Program

The Member Buyer Rewards (MBR) program was created specifically for SEMA members attending the Show as buyers. These individuals will receive their MBR cards in mid-October or can pick them up in the Members Lounge during Show hours for access to these perks:

• MBR Lounge (located in the SEMA Members Lounge in the Las Vegas Convention Center North Hall, Room N251) offers member buyers coffee and a place to rest their feet Tuesday through Friday during Show hours.
• Dedicated MBR Taxi Lines from 2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, and 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. on Friday.
• Reserved seating for the New Products Breakfast, featuring the SEMA Award press conference (Tuesday) and the NHRA Breakfast (Wednesday). Tickets are required and space is limited. Plan to arrive early!

Take Advantage of the Members Lounge

Buyers who join SEMA during the Show will gain entry to the Members Lounge during Show hours.

Buyers who join SEMA during the Show will gain entry to the Members Lounge during Show hours. This area offers much more than just a place to take a break and network with other SEMA members; it’s also a convenient place to have a meal. Hot lunches will be available for purchase from 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. daily, or pick up a cold Grab ‘N’ Go meal during Show hours.

Other perks of the lounge include access to a computer with Internet service and a printer as well as charging stations for cell phones and other wireless devices. Meeting rooms are also available for groups of 10 or fewer at no extra charge to member exhibitors and buyers. (According to Show rules, non-exhibiting manufacturers and members otherwise eligible to exhibit are not permitted to use the meeting rooms.) Visit www.SEMAShow.com/esm to book a meeting room ahead of time, or visit the Members Lounge to check availability during the Show.

There Is Such a Thing as a Free Lunch!

The way to new members’ hearts may be through their stomachs. An added incentive for companies that become members during Show week is two lunch tickets that can be redeemed in the Members Lounge during Show hours for either a hot lunch or a Grab ‘N’ Go meal. It’s just SEMA’s way of saying “Welcome!”

Becoming a member is a quick and easy application process. Visit SEMA in the Grand Lobby during Show hours to speak with a membership representative and join the association that exists to help your business grow and prosper.

Make Connections With Other Members

One of the most important benefits that association members gain is the opportunity to connect with others in the industry. This is much easier during the SEMA Show, when members from all over the world gather in one place. In actuality, some of the most lasting connections are made off the Show floor at after-hours events.

Joining a council or network guarantees new members a link to a community of like-minded individuals with similar areas of focus and business challenges. Many of the groups hold general membership meetings and networking receptions throughout Show week, which help facilitate introductions that can lead to important professional relationships. Don’t miss the chance to build your network in Vegas.

To learn more about any of the networking events, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

Data Downloads Free Through the SEMA Data Co-op

SEMA understands what a challenge it can be for retailers and distributors to acquire quality product data, including weights and measures, accurate descriptions, current pricing, UPC codes and the like as well as detailed vehicle application data to power year/make/model lookups. The SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) offers a single source for accessing data.

The SDC’s unique approach for data receivers is to provide data exports in exactly the right formats for a variety of systems. Whether receivers need full ACES and PIES XML or a custom spreadsheet format, the SDC can accommodate every company’s individual needs. Data downloads are available to SEMA members at no charge.

Visit the SDC’s representatives in the Grand Lobby of the LVCC for demonstrations, answers to questions and to sign up and start taking advantage of free data exports right away. You can also stop by their booth #20579, just behind the Ford display in the raised meeting room.