More Than 200 Companies Join SEMA at the 2011 SEMA Show

Signing up 200 new member companies at the 2011 SEMA Show was the easy part. There were special Show incentives and discounts for retailers that made SEMA membership a no-brainer for many companies. The goal for SEMA’s membership team now is to retain those members. How do we do that? The same way we retain other SEMA members: Connect them with SEMA’s membership resources and programs.

SEMA has many business resources and cost-saving programs to benefit its diverse membership types. Whether the member company is a manufacturer, a retailer, a jobber, a distributor, a rep or an installer, SEMA has tools available for member companies and their employees. The following are just a few of SEMA’s business resources and solutions.

Freight Savings Plan: Siriani has comprehensive freight savings plans. Members can save up to 70% on heavyweight shipping, up to 33% on FedEx Express shipping and up to 24% on FedEx Ground shipping. Enrollment is free for all SEMA-member companies.

Business Insurance Solutions Program: As the endorsed insurance broker for SEMA members, the Specialty Equipment Insurance Alliance (SEIA) delivers insurance solutions that not only protect members’ businesses, but also save them money. SEIA expertly matches member benefits with industry needs, delivering these core coverages:

Consumer Credit Card Program (CarCareONE): SEMA members can increase traffic and transaction size with GE Capital’s exclusive member-only consumer financing program. CarCareONE helps members bring it all together by enabling them to offer their customers six- and 12-month special financing.

First Data (Credit Card Processing): SEMA and First Data have partnered to bring members fast, convenient and secure payment solutions. With 40 years of industry-leading experience, Express Merchant Processing Solutions, powered by First Data, has helped millions of businesses bring safe, easy, cost-effective payments to customers with affordable support, regardless of the size of the business.

Rapid Prototyping Service: The SEMA Rapid Prototyping service helps members decrease product development time by producing prototypes without the need for a casting mold or CNC programming. The service is free (members pay material cost only).

	SEMA Council Leader

SEMA Classifieds: SEMA members have free access to industry classified-ad postings/listings to post ads for jobs, list résumés or list items for sale.

Councils and Committees: SEMA councils and committees are members with a common business purpose or market segment. The groups identify common business goals, issues and challenges that require a special focus by the association. The groups include:

• Automotive Restoration Market Organization
• Hot Rod Industry Alliance
• Light-Truck Accessory Alliance
• Manufacturers’ Rep Council
• Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council
• Professional Restylers Organization
• Street Performance Council
• Wheel & Tire Council
• SEMA Businesswomen’s Network
• Young Executives Network

SEMA Research & Information: SEMA conducts ongoing research reports on behalf of its member companies, many of which are available exclusively to SEMA members. Available reports include:

• Annual Market Study
• Light Truck Report
• Trends and Forecast Reports
• Compact Performance Reports
• Consumer Demand Index/PADI
• Financial Benchmarking Program
• International Research
• Industry Focused Reports
• And much more

Educational & Training Programs: SEMA’s webinar series provides members with information in brief, one-hour programs. Members can tune in to live broadcasts that include interactive question-and-answer sessions with the featured industry presenters. For those unable to participate in the live program, members can access a range of topics from the SEMA archived webinars through on-demand information.

SEMA Education Institute (SEI): SEI encompasses all of SEMA’s educational efforts, providing SEMA members with outstanding professional development and training resources.

Scholarships & Loan Forgiveness: SEMA maintains a program to pay part of the college tuition costs of today’s top students or contribute toward the student loans of employees of member companies.

International Resources: The SEMA International Relations Programs provide comprehensive services to member companies worldwide. There are a number of international programs available to SEMA members, including:

• International Market Reports
• International Buyers’ Guide
• Consumer Affairs & Public Relations
• International Support at Domestic Shows

OEM Relations & Programs (for Manufacturing Members Only): The SEMA OEM Relations department provides hands-on access to new vehicles (Measuring Sessions) as well as OEM-provided CAD/CAM drawings (Technology Transfer).

Government Affairs: SEMA has a proven legislative and regulatory program led by a professional staff based in Washington, D.C., that continually works on behalf of the membership. Government affairs programs include:

• Government Advocacy/Legislative Programs
• Professional Lobbying Staff (Federal and State)
• Legislative Alerts and Comprehensive Website
• Grassroots Enthusiast Support/SEMA Action Network
• Political Action Committee
• Quarterly PAC Newsletter

Industry Communications: SEMA’s publications include the monthly trade magazine SEMA News, the SEMA eNews weekly electronic newsletter as well as comprehensive websites loaded with information about the industry and association programs and services.

As you can see, there are many resources available to help SEMA member companies succeed. For more information on how SEMA’s member benefits can impact your business, contact Monica Terlouw at monicat@sema.org or 909-978-6695. For additional details about SEMA-member benefit programs, visit www.SEMA.org/sema-membership-benefits.

If you’re not already a SEMA member, join SEMA online now.