ARMO

Gene “Joe” Dickhundt (center) was presented with the annual Jeff Moses Memorial Scholarship Award. Joining Dickhundt for the presentation of a $1,000 check were ARMO Chairman Jim Barber and Chair-Elect Laura Bergan.

SEMA Member News - January/February 2010

Welcome 2010!

New Year, New Beginning

I am writing this article at the close of the 2009 SEMA Show. Almost everyone I spoke with stated that customer traffic was up, and they felt that they had more quality buyers than in recent years.

Our annual reception, held Tuesday evening, November 4, during the Show, was also a success. More than 300 attended the event, hosted by “My Classic Car’s” Dennis Gage, an ARMO Hall of Fame member. A very special thank you goes out to all of the sponsors who made this event possible. During the reception, Hall of Famer Steve Ames presented Gene “Joe” Dickhundt with the annual Jeff Moses Memorial Scholarship Award. Dickhundt intends to use his award to reduce the student loans he accrued while attending McPherson College, where he earned his four-year restoration degree.

Fall Hershey, hosted by the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA), was presented with the Restoration Event of the Year award. Bill Smith accepted the award on behalf of the Hershey region from Barber.

Restoration Event of the Year

Our annual awards were also presented during the reception. Restoration Event of the Year was presented to Fall Hershey, hosted by the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA). Fall Hershey is known as one of the largest and finest shows in the country. It professionally integrates vendors and their products with displays of high-quality collector cars. Bill Smith accepted the award on behalf of the Hershey region.




Business of the Year

The ARMO Business of the Year was awarded to National Parts Depot (NPD), which over a number of years has earned an excellent reputation for quality, service, integrity and business ethics within both the restoration hobby and with its partners and suppliers in the restoration industry. NPD continues to be a major sponsor of The Iacocca Foundation, lending support to a variety of good causes that range from perpetuating the American automotive tradition to raising research funds for a cure for diabetes. NPD also continues to be a loyal supporter of both the AACA and the AACA Museum.

Rick Schmidt (center) of National Parts Depot accepted the ARMO Business of the Year award on behalf of the company. Presenting the plaque were Dennis Gage (left) and Barber.

NPD’s support of car clubs and car shows justified its nomination for ARMO Business of the Year. NPD’s support has often been behind the scenes and has gone unnoticed. Recently, with the economy in a downturn, many small car clubs have struggled to keep their local shows going. In response, NPD stepped up, increasing its support over the past 12 months to more than 280 clubs and shows. While some of these shows are big and prestigious, most are small local shows whose main goals are to bring classic car enthusiasts together and to raise money for local charities.


Person of the Year

The ARMO Person of the Year award was presented to Jim Menneto, president and publisher of Hemmings Motor News. Menneto has been a big advocate of the hobby/restoration industry, hosting the 2009 leadership summit and publishing the 2009 Getting Started in the Collector Car Hobby publication.

Please remember to congratulate the award winners during a phone conversation or when you see them at an event in 2010.

Annual Long-Range Planning Meeting

The ARMO Person of the Year award was presented to Jim Menneto (center), president and publisher of Hemmings Motor News. Dennis Gage (left) and ARMO Chairman Jim Barber presented the award.

Start the new year off right by marking your calendars for the ARMO annual Long-Range Planning meeting to be held in conjunction with the Grand National Roadster Show at the Fairplex in Pomona, California, over the weekend of January 29–31, 2010. Our host hotel is the Sheraton Inn Fairplex, which is located next door to the Grand National Roadster event. Our Long-Range Planning meeting will be held at SEMA’s headquarters in Diamond Bar, California, located just nine miles away from the Fairplex.

This is a great opportunity to participate in the council’s planning for 2010 and beyond. Members participate for the first half of the day during this meeting, and then the Select Committee holds a closed meeting after lunch to review the ideas and concepts discussed and to formulate the council’s long-range plan.

Please plan to attend and participate. As one member stated, “Southern California in January, cool cars and industry people—what could be better?”

Remember, it’s a new year and a new beginning! Best wishes to all for a prosperous 2010!