SEMA News—October 2016
INDUSTRY NEWS
SEMA Provides Comprehensive Guides to Government Issues Impacting Member Companies
 SEMA’s government affairs office has compiled guides for members about healthcare, intellectual property rights, auto parts regulation and the Bonneville Salt Flats. |
SEMA’s Government Affairs Office has compiled four comprehensive guides for members that cover topics of federal standards and regulations in the areas of healthcare, intellectual property rights, auto parts and, most recently, the Bonneville Salt Flats.
The newest brochure answers questions such as:
- How is SEMA’s heritage tied to Bonneville?
- Why are the Salt Flats disappearing?
- What is SEMA doing to help restore Bonneville?
The guides are available in two forms: a six-page downloadable brochure that provides a concise overview, or the same information with clickable links for additional background resources. Visit www.sema.org/government-affairs to view and download the brochures.
Editors and Reporters: Get Advance Previews of SEMA Show Exhibitors
 The TORA Media Preview will enable editors and reporters to preview products and conduct interviews before the SEMA Show officially opens. |
Editors and reporters at the 2016 SEMA Show will be able to preview products and conduct interviews before the Show officially opens by participating in the Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) Media Preview. The media-exclusive event takes place Monday, October 31, the day before the annual SEMA Show opens.
The TORA Media Preview hours are 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. in the Media Center. The event will include 25 exhibiting companies, all members of TORA that manufacture truck-related products.
To attend the preview, media can select the event on the SEMA Show media application at www.SEMAShow.com/register. Those who have already secured media credentials or who have questions may contact SEMA PR at pr@sema.org or 909-978-6722.
SEMA Offers New Research—Vehicles In Operation Data
SEMA has partnered with Experian Automotive, allowing members to request Vehicles in Operation counts and gain new insights for their businesses. Vehicles in Operation counts can help businesses understand opportunities for product development and planning, inventory management, sales planning and location decisions.
For example, if you are thinking of offering your products for the ’05 Ford Mustang but are not sure of the sales potential, SEMA Market Research can help you assess how many of those Mustangs are still on the road.
This program is available for current SEMA members in manufacturing, distribution and retail/installation. Simply request specific Vehicles in Operation counts from SEMA Market Research, and staff members gather the information. Visit www.sema.org/vio for more information.
n Through Experian’s AutoCount Vehicles In Operation, SEMA Market Research can provide members with comprehensive counts of vehicles on the road in the United States.
Great Vegas Rooms Still Available in Every Price Range
 When booking with the SEMA Show’s official housing partner, attendees are guaranteed the lowest rates for Show week. |
The SEMA Show Travel and Lodging page lists hotel properties that can be searched by several categories, including price, location, amenities and rating. There are currently a range of hotels in various price ranges that still have rooms available, including Aria, Circus Circus, Luxor and Tropicana.
The program is powered by the SEMA Show’s official housing partner OnPeak. Showgoers receive the guaranteed lowest rates for their rooms as well as added perks such as no booking or cancellation fees and simple tools to manage group bookings. Book now at www.SEMAShow.com/travel.
For assistance with booking, contact OnPeak at 866-611-8831, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (CST), Monday–Friday.
How Brick-and-Mortar Stores Can Stay Ahead of Online Retailers
 The retail marketplace is changing but that doesn’t mean that brick-and-mortar shops are going away. Learn how to keep a competitive advantage during the 2016 SEMA Show Education Days. |
Online aftermarket industry sales are growing rapidly. According to one report, online aftermarket revenue was $6.5 billion last year. That report also noted that retail stores generated $30 billion in sales—proof that brick-and-mortar isn’t going away.
What do you need to do to guarantee that your store’s sales continue to grow in the face of this digital challenge? The 2016 SEMA Show will introduce a new retail track designed to provide ammunition to take on online competitors. Sessions will cover topics such as selling value, low-cost design ideas for retail spaces, principles for success and personalized service for customers.
Competing with an anonymous website can be tricky for brick-and-mortar store managers, so take advantage of the SEMA Show’s retail track to find out how to beat online competitors.
View complete information on all the 2016 SEMA Show education tracks at www.SEMAShow.com/education.
SEMA Show to Introduce All-New Student Career Day
 Engineering students attended a Career Day at the SEMA Garage in February. |
A recent SEMA Industry Employment Perspective Study found that 95% of companies in the automotive aftermarket industry will need to hire new employees with specific skills in the next five years. The number-one problem, according to the study, is that companies don’t know where to look for the highly skilled employees they will need in the future.
This year, in support of SEMA’s Career Paths initiative, the SEMA Show will launch its first-ever Student Career Day. On Monday, October 31, from 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m., SEMA Show exhibitors will have the chance to meet with about 600 high-school and college students who will attend the Show and introduce them to their companies and the career opportunities available to them.
For more information or to register to participate, contact SEMA’s Senior Director of Education Zane Clark at zanec@sema.org.
