SEMA Member News—July/August 2013
MEMBER NEWS
SEMA 360 Days a Year
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In addition to providing business resources and cost-savings programs that impact the bottom line for its member companies, SEMA has educational tools and networking opportunities that help enhance the careers of individual staff.
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 is an overview of the diversity of SEMA’s business resources and solutions.
Councils & Committees: SEMA councils and committees are comprised of members with a common business purpose or market segment. The groups identify shared business goals, issues and challenges that require a special focus by the association.
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 the Annual Market Study, Trends and Forecast Reports, Consumer Segmentation, International Research, industry and niche-market 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 industry presenters. Members unable to participate in a live program 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.
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 a comprehensive website, grass-roots enthusiast support through the SEMA Action Network, a political action committee (PAC) and a quarterly PAC newsletter.
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, an
International Buyers’ Guide, consumer affairs and public relations and international support at domestic shows.
OEM Relations & Programs: The SEMA original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) relations department provides hands-on access to new vehicles as well as OEM-provided CAD/CAM drawings for manufacturing members.
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 costs only.
Product Development: SEMA has resources to help members to test, tune and develop new products, including EO testing and certification assistance. Additional services include surface scanning, 3-D printing services and marketing and media development assistance.
SEMA Data Co-op (SDC): The SDC is an industry-owned and -operated product data repository configured and stored in the accepted industry ACES and PIES standards where manufacturers manage and distribute their product data. Suppliers own and control all their data, and customized export formats are available
for receivers.
Industry Communications: SEMA’s publications include the monthly trade magazine SEMA News and the SEMA eNews weekly electronic newsletter as well as comprehensive websites loaded with information about the industry and association programs and services.
SEMA Classifieds: SEMA members have free access to industry classified-ad postings/listings to post ads for jobs, list resumes or list items for sale.
Logistics Solutions: SEMA and UPS have partnered to provide members with discounts on package and freight shipping as well asspecial pricing on value-added business services. 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. Coverages include general liability, business property, workers’ compensation, employment liability, professional liability and more.
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): First Data provides members with fast, convenient and secure payment solutions. With more than 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.
For more information on how SEMA’s member benefits can impact your business, contact SEMA Customer Service at
909-610-2030 or members@SEMA.org or visit www.SEMA.org/benefits.