Welcome New Select Committee Members!

By Rose Kawasaki

		Christina Kwan, CEO of Kwan International, was re-elected to the SBN Select Committee.

SEMA councils and committees hold elections every June for Select Committee members who will begin their terms in July. Select Committee members are dedicated volunteers who are elected by the members of the council to serve in various leadership capacities for the benefit of fulfilling their council’s or committee’s mission statement. Without the help of these brilliant and tireless volunteers, advancements on behalf of our members could not be possible.

This year the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) is happy to announce the re-election of Christina Kwan, CEO of Kwan International, and Nan Kevin Gelhard, advertising manager of Summit Racing. Both have been elected to their second two-year terms. Joining them will be our newly elected members: Debra Fickler, attorney with Spencer Fane Britt & Browne LLP; S. Kellie Colf, vice president of sales for AfterMarketer Club; and Susan Carpenter, president of JR Products. Congratulations and welcome, ladies!

Although the elections have ended, SBN members are still able to become involved through service on our member resource pool (MRP). MRP members are able to assist remotely on any one of our many task forces, which include those for education, outreach, member networking, mentoring, education, awards, the Speed Networking Breakfast and writing content for member communications, website and social-networking portals.

Visit www.sema.org/sbn to join a committee. Once you’ve joined, an SBN Select Committee team member will contact you. If you are already a member of the SEMA website, go to your MySEMA portal, add the SBN to your groups, and turn on your notifications so that you will be able to receive task force information.

Speed Networking Breakfast

It is hard to believe that the last quarter of 2011 is quickly approaching. Fortunately, the SBN has not skipped a beat and is hard at work planning for this year’s annual Speed Networking Breakfast—Powered by SBN, which will be held again at this year’s SEMA Show. This premier networking event has already surpassed ticket sales month to date over last year and is guaranteed to be another sold-out event as more industry professionals recognize the value and opportunity that the Speed Networking Breakfast provides.

Here’s the buzz from some of last year’s participants about this event:

“A wonderful breakfast, great people and a relaxed environment combine to provide a fantastic opportunity for making new contacts within the industry!”

—Jeremy Auvil,
SPEC Inc.

“Great use of time and energy. Great exposure.”

—John Curry,
Bridjit Curb Ramps

“One of the best events at SEMA. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to network one-one-one with your industry colleagues.”

—Christopher Lam,
Chicago Brand Industrial Inc.

“The SEMA SBN Speed Networking Breakfast is great networking and for a great cause. If you must miss an event at SEMA, don’t make it this one!”

—Jim Ferraro,
DDD Parts Grabber

“For me, the best part of the SEMA Show is the people I meet and the relationships that are established. The Speed Networking Breakfast provides an additional opportunity to extend those relationships.”

—Mark Pitcher,
Second Chance Restorations

“The Speed Networking Breakfast was perfect. I made a lot of very good contacts in a short period of time.”

—Christine LeMay,
The Marx Group

“The 2010 SEMA Networking Breakfast was one of the best events ever. Meeting new contacts in different categories can only be done at this level of quantity and quality at SEMA.”

—Jim Napier,
Turbo HorsePower

The SEMA Speed Networking Breakfast—Powered by SBN, will be held on Thursday, November 3, at Hilton Ballroom A from 7:00 a.m–9:00 a.m. If you are attending the SEMA Show and would like the chance to meet and network with many industry movers and shakers, here is your opportunity! Get your tickets now for the ever-popular Speed Networking Breakfast before it sells out. Tickets are presale only and are limited.

This event has sold out a month in advance for two years in a row! It is open to all SEMA members and includes breakfast, presentations of the coveted SBN Athena Award, the SBN Woman of the Year Award, the Mentor of the Year Award and the popular Speed Networking session that provides attendees with one-on-one, three-minute segments to meet and exchange information. Bring plenty of business cards!

Go to www.sema.org/sbnbreakfast for more information and to purchase your ticket.