My feet have recovered, my neck is almost back in line, but my eyes are still big.  The SEMA show this year was another great showing of the automotive industry and its aftermarket capabilities.

For those not familiar with SEMA, let me bring you up to speed quickly.  SEMA, Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association, is a group that serves the $36.7 billion automotive specialty-equipment industry - from doing research projects on trends to giving business to business solutions.  The SEMA Show is held during the first week in November and is the premier automotive accessories trade event in the world. The event is closed to the public, but offers the industry and media an opportunity to see the new releases for 2009 and early releases for 2010.

Only Las Vegas can house such a convention that is spread across multiple buildings.  There are over 2,000 exhibitors filling over one million sq ft of exhibit space and 125,0000 attendees bumping into each other in the aisles.

I know there is a mileage count somewhere for the person that walks the entire show.  It is something totally ridiculous.  And I will have to say I came pretty close to being able to see it all in four days….but not quite.  There was so many great new products to see and talk about that our pace got cut down as our conversations got longer.

It was exciting to walk the off road hall that had side x side products oozing out of each booth.  Mike and I took notes on each and will be bringing you more detailed information in the magazine.  The diesel performance hall had some great new gadgets.  The tool section had some really neat new tools that are must haves and will show up in our Garage issue (trust me, if I think they are cool, I know you will think they are must have’s).  The audio/video section was booming out the tunes and in the mix we found some gadgets that will make being on the trail more fun.  The main hall was all of your big boy corporations, and it took a little to sort through them, but with talking came the introduction of the side x side product that they had in the back corner or not even displayed.  The tire and wheel building was the last building to run through (by then my roller bag needed new wheel bearings!)  and we found a couple new wheels and tires that are ready to hit the market.

I took a lot of pictures for you.  Some are of new products that you will see featured in the magazine, others are of really exceptional vehicles that lined the inside and outside of the halls.  There was no lack of chrome or color, but interestingly the flat paint is the newest trend – and not only black but reds and oranges too.   Enjoy…and look to the New Product section of the magazine for more coverage on the products you need to know about.

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During last year’s SEMA Installation Banquet, SEMA held a series of activities to raise funds for two worthy charities: Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp. More than $175,000 was donated to the two groups, and thousands of children were able to enjoy a better life than they would have otherwise. This year’s SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser will be held on July 25 in Irvine, California. Activities are again being held to raise funds for Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp. Among the activities is an auction that will take place onsite that evening. So that more people can participate and help support these two charities, one rare and unique item is up for bid at ebay, the online auction site. That item is Kyle Petty’s own 2006 Victory motorcycle, valued at over $15,000 and driven in the 2007 Ride Across America Charity Ride. This motorcycle is a black Jackpot model and includes a custom luggage rack built by Kyle himself, saddlebags and a full windshield. In addition, the winner will receive one core rider position on the 15th Anniversary Chick-fil-A Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America in 2009, valued at over $13,000, and includes:

• Nine nights hotel accommodations
• Fuel for one motorcycle at all scheduled Pit stops
• All scheduled group meals
• Commemorative Designer Leather Jacket
• Event t-shirt and cap
• All company-sponsored t-shirts
• Transportation of one (1) motorcycle from NC to designated 2009 headquarters of Charity Rid

Please help us promote this auction item to your readers by linking to the auction
from your website(s).

The Kyle Petty Motorcycle and Ride Package is available for bid at www.ebay.com/sema.

The Kyle Petty Motorcycle and Ride Package is up on ebay now, and will remain
on bid until Friday, July 25, 2008.

Despite challenges in our economy, our industry has been fortunate and prospered greatly. We’re
asking the automotive industry to come together to support two industry-related charities. With strong ties to the wheel market, Childhelp has been helping victims of child abuse and neglect since 1959. Victory Junction, which was founded by Kyle Petty and his wife Pattie, gives children with chronic or serious illnesses a wonderful and unique camping experience.100% of the proceeds from this auction will benefit these two organizations.

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JASON TOLLESON WITH THE SPECIALTY EQUIPMENT MARKET ASSOCIATION (SEMA) APPOINTED AS THE OFF-ROAD BUSINESS ASSOCIATION’S (ORBA) NEWEST BOARD MEMBER

At the May meeting of ORBA’s Board of Directors Jason Tolleson, Government and Public Affairs Manager for the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), was selected to serve on the Board of Directors. Tolleson serves as the director of SEMA’s grassroots lobbying program, the SEMA Action Network, as well as the primary contact for the association on land access issues. In this role he coordinates legislative and regulatory activities with other industry and end-user OHV organizations.

SEMA has been a member of ORBA since 2004. SEMA and ORBA have similar mission statements, to protect and promote their member businesses, so it seems a natural fit that our two organizations work together. “I welcome this opportunity to join with my fellow board members and ORBA staff in advocating on behalf of the off-road industry,” said Tolleson. “Through the support of our members, we will continue to engage and educate policymakers on the economic and political strength of the OHV industry.”

Tolleson is a graduate of Brigham Young University-Hawaii, where he majored in political science. Upon moving to Washington, D.C., he began work as a legislative aide on Capitol Hill. More recently, he served as a lobbyist representing local governments and transit agencies before joining the SEMA Government Affairs Office in 2004. Fred Wiley, Executive Director of ORBA, stated “We look forward to working with Jason and taking advantage of his vast experience.”

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