17th Annual Hot Product Showcase a Success

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SEMA Member News—September/October 2014

17th Annual Hot Product Showcase a Success

Each year, manufacturer members of the Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) submit products to the Hot Product Showcase in order to gain exposure for their businesses. This year marked the 17th annual event at Spring Carlisle, one of the world’s largest gatherings of automotive restoration enthusiasts. The 2014 event was held April 23–26 and boasted more than 60 products from 24 ARMO-member companies.

Council members received an unprecedented amount of promotion for only the cost of shipping the products. In addition to the on-site exposure to consumers attending the collector-car swap meet, corral and auction, all of the product entries were professionally photographed. The photos are available to the manufacturers and will appear on the ARMO webpage in addition to slideshows at the ARMO reception and booth at the 2014 SEMA Show.

Each of the products was screened in an application process to ensure that it was a product of an ARMO-member company, market-ready by the opening of the Showcase and demonstrated unique or innovative technology to benefit the restoration community. Member companies that would like to participate in next year’s Showcase can learn more here. The event will take place April 23–25, 2015. Members are encouraged to make note of the dates and watch for more information about product submissions, coming soon.

Member personnel who choose to attend with their products have the chance to see some of the hottest innovations on the market and interact with the consumers who use their parts. The four-day event also provides quality networking opportunities with peers and industry leaders. An integral part of the week is the ARMO Networking Mixer, which takes place annually on Thursday night in the Hot Products Tent. Attendees can grab a drink and spend time interacting one on one with council leadership and staff from fellow ARMO member companies. It’s an event that holds enormous potential for new ideas and partnerships as members network with new and old industry friends. The mixer is also open to prospective members who want to try the council on for size and learn more about how they could benefit from involvement in the group.

Newly Elected Select Committee Members Congratulated

 

 Vince Coscia began his two-year ARMO select committee term on July
Vince Coscia began his two-year ARMO select committee term on July

  
Voting for the ARMO select committee elections took place May 30–June 13, 2014. Nominees were collected from the general membership during the spring, and a task force from the select committee worked to narrow down the candidates. The final ballot included seven candidates, vying for five open seats. Four of those elected were incumbents:
  • Matt Agosta, president/CEO of Steele Rubber Products Inc.
  • Jim Pennekamp, national sales manager of TrimParts Inc.
  • Vic Pompino, CFO/EVP of operations for Eckler Industries Inc.
  • Tray Smith, vice president of H&H Classic Parts

The group also welcomes Vince Coscia as a first-time select committee member. Owner of Performance Plus Connection, Coscia has more than 50 years of experience in the automotive specialty-equipment market. He worked his way up through the ranks from sales associate to his current position and has a long-standing devotion to the aftermarket. His love affair with the industry began in his early days as a drag racer and race-car builder. Coscia also believes in the importance of supporting the next generation of restorers. He is involved with several schools and supports their automotive programs. Coscia will serve a two-year term on the committee, from 2014 to 2016.

SEMA Member News recently caught up with Coscia to learn a little more about his personal goals for his time on the committee.

SEMA Member News: What is your history in the industry and in the council?

Vince Coscia: I’ve been in the industry for more than 50 years, from manufacturing to present-day business and everything in between. In the few years I have been in the ARMO council, I have tried to recruit members through my business, from builders to suppliers.

SMN: Why do you feel it’s important to serve on the select committee?

VC: By being on the council select committee, I feel that I can represent and help find solutions to problems that our members’ businesses encounter.

SMN: What are your goals and how might your experience benefit the council?

VC: My goals are to increase membership in SEMA and ARMO by showing businesses how they can improve and assure their business in the future.

SMN: What are some opportunities you see for the council?

VC: I see an opportunity to help our members compete in today’s worldwidemarketplace, both with their skills and with their knowledge.