News and updates from SEMA's councils and committees.

Select Committee nominations for SEMA's councils and committees are currently being accepted until March 25, 2011. There are 12 council and committee groups within SEMA, and each represents a collection of SEMA members that share a common business purpose or market segment. Councils work to identify related business goals, issues and challenges that require a special focus by the association.

News and updates from SEMA's councils and committees.

Select Committee nominations for SEMA's councils and committees are currently being accepted until March 21, 2011. There are 12 council and committee groups within SEMA, and each represents a collection of SEMA members that share a common business purpose or market segment. Councils work to identify related business goals, issues and challenges that require a special focus by the association.

The 2011 SEMA Membership Directory is currently being produced and will be released on May 2, 2011. The Directory will be included with the May issue of SEMA News—the association's trade magazine.

Because “social media” are such buzzwords these days, a lot of people think that these new channels somehow exist in a different dimension of the space-time continuum and that different rules and laws of physics apply. But when it comes to customer service and building and protecting your business reputation, the same principles apply in social media as in all other channels of communication between you and your customers. The following are three basic things that you should do well in customer service. But doing so may pay off differently in social media.

Do you know someone who is worthy of SEMA Hall of Fame enshrinement? This is your last chance to submit your nominations, which are due March 16, 2011. Created in 1969, the SEMA Hall of Fame is the most prestigious award presented to an individual by the association. It is designed to honor outstanding persons in the industry who have enhanced the stature of, or significantly contributed to, the industry and/or association's growth. Nominations can be submitted online by following this link.

While most business people enjoy planning for success, preparing for disaster is equally crucial. Whether bracing to endure earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes or man-made events, such as terrorism or other crimes, including physical and cyber attacks, every company should take steps to survive, recover and resume operations in the event of catastrophe. Basic preventative measures apply to any type of disaster or business interruption, but specific measures tailored to geographic or regional conditions should also be considered.

A new study commissioned by SEMA indicates that aftermarket products influence about 1,180,000 new-vehicle sales each year. The automotive marketing research and consultancy firm AutoPacific collected and analyzed consumer data to quantify the effect that accessorization has on the sale of new vehicles. The resulting report, “Influence of Accessories on New-Vehicle Sales,” details the findings.