SEMA Member News—November/December 2015

WTC and TIA: Partners in Education

The WTC select committee enjoyed its time meeting with the rest of the WTC membership at the council’s annual reception.

A common interest exists between the Tire Industry Association (TIA) and the SEMA Wheel & Tire Council (WTC). That commonality is fully expressed each year in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), when the hall serves as the temporary home to the Global Tire Expo and the Wheels & Accessories section of the SEMA Show. In addition to the resources available on the Show floor, TIA and WTC have collaborated to present a joint educational seminar entitled “Aftermarket Wheels and Tires—Right Sale, Right Fit.” The seminar will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m., in LVCC room N252.

Focusing on the importance of how an informed sales and installation team inspires confidence in customers, experts from TIA and WTC will present new and updated resources to support sales-counter staff and installation technicians in making the sale and completing the installation. Attendees will be able to equip their sales staffs with the data-driven knowledge they need to educate customers on the effects of various plus-sizing decisions on vehicle dynamics and provide techs with the resources they need to correctly and quickly install aftermarket wheel-and-tire packages while maintaining TPMS integrity and accuracy.

The speakers will include Wayne Williams of Exsell Marketing, who is the chair-elect of WTC, and Sean MacKinnon, director of automotive training development for TIA.

WTC Resources to Protect Your Trademark, Patent and Copyright

WTC members have a unique opportunity to schedule a free, one-on-one meeting with an intellectual property rights, customs or antitrust attorney on Tuesday and Wednesday of the SEMA Show. Private meetings are available in 20-minute segments to bring your specific questions and concerns to experts in these fields. The topics available for discussion include:

• Counterfeit, unlawful knock-offs and legal imitations
• Applying for a patent or registering trademarks and copyrights
• Strategies for enforcing your rights in the United States and overseas
• New procedures for working with customs and the local ports
• Working with law enforcement to stop criminal activity
• Designing and implementing resale and minimum advertised price programs

Don’t let this chance slip by. To inquire about available appointments, contact Ashley Ailsworth via e-mail at ashleya@sema.org or by phone at 202-783-6007 x19. To make the most of this opportunity, specify your area of interest when you schedule your appointment(s) so that you can be paired with an attorney specializing in that discipline.

Industry Reception

WTC members are invited to the council’s industry reception at the Renaissance Hotel pool on Tuesday, November 3, 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Mix, mingle, eat and drink with your colleagues from the wheel and tire industry, and recognize the achievements of one very special professional who will be receiving the WTC Hall of Fame award that night.

The SEMA WTC Hall of Fame was originally founded to honor and recognize outstanding industry veterans in the wheel and tire market whose creativity, integrity and accomplishments have enhanced the status of the industry on a national level while significantly contributing to its growth. Last year, two special individuals were honored with the award—Joe Schaefer of Konig American, and David Insull of American Tire Distributors. To view past award recipients, visit www.sema.org/wtc-award-winners. Each of the award winners has been nominated and voted upon by the council members themselves.

WTC members know the value of making connections to launch a career or grow a business, which is why the primary focus of the annual reception is networking. Above all, the reception provides a relaxed atmosphere in which attendees can catch up with old friends, explore new opportunities and strengthen existing partnerships. This is the place to be for individuals in the market, so mark your Show schedule and stop by on Tuesday evening.