The 2011 Honda CR-Z measuring session May 18 from 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. in Torrance, California, and the 2011 Mazda2 measuring session May 19 from 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. in Irvine, California, is the first time SEMA has held back-to-back measuring sessions.

Exhibitors of the 2010 SEMA Show: Here is your final opportunity to sign up for the first-ever SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit and get your business up-to-speed with valuable information, techniques and skills to guarantee that your SEMA Show experience is profitable and successful.

The Tire Industry Association (TIA) and SEMA have come together to create the Global Tire Expo (GTE) – Powered by TIA, which will be a tire industry-only section of the SEMA Show, taking place November 2-5, 2010 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The new Expo will be open to all segments of the tire industry, including automotive, commercial, retreading, recycling and more.

Leading SEMA members, including AEM Performance Electronics, Eibach Springs Inc. and Competition Cams Inc., have already signed on to participate in SEMA's groundbreaking business-development conference taking place in Beijing in September. The three-day event, entitled the SEMA CIAPE China Business Development Conference, will include one-on-one meetings with Chinese distributors who want to give China’s burgeoning number of auto enthusiasts a taste of U.S. innovation. The SEMA members, for their part, aim to find Chinese companies that can do just that.

Manufacturers who have not yet applied to exhibit at the 2010 SEMA Show have until May 7, 2010, to take part in the Priority Booth Space Selection Process. The three-week process allows exhibitors an opportunity to select the actual location of their SEMA Show booth, as well as learn more about ways they can increase exposure and/or save money.

Background information and photos for the 17 industry professionals who are vying for a position on the 2010–2012 SEMA Board of Directors are now available online at www.sema.org/bod10/candidates. The SEMA Board of Directors provides strategic direction to the association and plays a critical role in shaping the future of the automotive specialty-equipment industry.

SEMA Government Affairs: Protecting the Industry in an Uncertain Political Landscape

Car and truck owners may now register their vehicles for the second annual SEMA Show ‘N Shine car show, taking place Saturday, July 24, 2010, at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California, by visiting www.sema.org/shownshine. All entries will receive a collector's-edition T-Shirt designed by automotive designer Chip Foose, along with several other gifts and prizes.

The California State Assembly voted to approve legislation to increase the registration limit for exempted specially constructed vehicle (kit car) registrations from 500 to 750 vehicles per year. The bill will next move to the Senate for consideration, where it is likely to have a much tougher journey. Current law provides for emissions-system certification and a model-year designation for specially constructed vehicles.

Automotive specialty-equipment market industry leaders and digital technology experts will convene for a day-long conference composed of panel discussions and keynote speakers, covering topics focused on the newest trends and strategies for conducting business in the digital age at the SEMA Business Technology Symposium, July 23, 2010, at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California, from 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.