SEMA Member News—November/December 2014
WTC SEMA Show Happenings and a New Tool for Members
As SEMA Show attendees walk through South Hall during Show week, the creativity of the Wheel & Tire Council’s (WTC) members will be evident. In 2014, WTC will host a few main attractions for members of the segment, including a general membership meeting, a seminar and the industry awards reception. These events will ensure that members stay up to date with important developments in the council and in the industry as a whole.
General Membership Meeting
The WTC general membership meeting will take place Monday, November 3, from 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. in the Las Vegas Convention Center, Rooms N219–N220 (North Hall, second floor). Open meetings provide a valuable opportunity for WTC members to come together, network and share ideas.
The WTC leadership hosts this meeting every year at the Show in order to provide updates on council activities and initiatives. It is also a great venue for members to learn how to get more involved, give feedback, voice concerns and share opportunities. As WTC moves forward and strategically maps out its direction, it is even more important for members to hear about the group’s vision for the future directly from the leadership and to cultivate an active membership.
Special Seminar
- Protecting Your Patents, Trademarks & Copyrights: The Experts Tell You How
November 3, 2014, 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m., Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N252
The automotive specialty-equipment industry thrives on creativity. However, what is innovative may also be subject to imitators in the face of fierce competition in a global marketplace. Presented by a representative from the FBI and seasoned intellectual-property attorneys, this informative seminar provides a broad overview on protecting your patents, trademarks, trade secrets and copyrights in the United States and overseas.
WTC will power the panel, which will be moderated by Ashley Ailsworth from SEMA’s government affairs office. Topics to be discussed include protecting your intellectual property at trade shows and online; understanding the difference between counterfeits, unlawful knockoffs and legal imitations; identifying fake merchandise; and working with customs, FBI and other government agencies to seize pirated products and prevent illegal knockoffs.
Industry Reception
WTC members are invited to the WTC industry reception at the Renaissance Hotel Pool on Tuesday, November 4, from 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Mix, mingle, eat and drink with your colleagues from the wheel and tire industry and recognize the achievements of one very special professional who will be receiving the WTC Hall of Fame award that night.
The SEMA WTC Hall of Fame was originally founded to honor and recognize outstanding industry veterans in the wheel and tire market whose creativity, integrity and accomplishments have enhanced the status of the industry on a national level while significantly contributing to its growth. Last year, Corky Coker of Coker Tire was honored with the award.
WTC members know the value of making connections to launch a career or grow a business, which is why the primary focus of the annual reception is networking. Above all, the reception provides a relaxed atmosphere in which attendees can catch up with old friends, explore new opportunities and strengthen existing partnerships. This is the place to be for individuals in the market, so mark your Show schedule and stop by on Tuesday evening.
Solutions for the Information Age
By Wayne Williams
We live in the information age and information is power. WTC and Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) have joined forces to tackle tough questions regarding size and ride. The goal was to determine the actual effects of plus-size tire and wheel assemblies on a variety of vehicles. The Ford F-150, America’s number-one selling truck, was selected as the first test vehicle.
A wide variety of tests was performed at CU-ICAR in South Carolina. CU-ICAR operates some of the most sophisticated testing facilities in the world. After months of testing and evaluation, the results have been compiled and are now available in the industry’s first “Ride Guide.”
The “Ride Guide” outlines the key findings in a format that will assist counter sales staff and consumers alike in selecting the right tire and wheel packages for their vehicles. Additional vehicles have been discussed and selected as future candidates for testing at CU-ICAR to broaden the knowledge base and provide powerful and accurate information to the industry.
SEMA and its councils are working diligently with state-of-the-art sources, such as Clemson University, to provide cutting-edge information and powerful tools that provide solutions for the automotive aftermarket.
Request your “Ride Guide” now at www.sema.org/wtc.