AAIW, SEMA, TIA, GTE, AAPEX – it’s not alphabet soup. Navigate through all the acronyms and you’ll discover a melting pot for all things automotive.
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show takes place Nov. 1 – Nov. 4 at the Las Vegas Convention Center during the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW). Also part of AAIW is the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX).
The Global Tire Expo (GTE) – Powered by the Tire Industry Association (TIA) is part of the SEMA Show.
“As always, we’re looking forward to another successful week of networking and seeing the latest products at the Global Tire Expo/SEMA Show,” says Roy Littlefield, TIA executive vice president.
“The lineup of educational sessions this year is particularly strong. In addition to our own TIA educational sessions, SEMA has some excellent offerings in social media, human resources and retailing — all of which should be of great interest to tire industry professionals.”
For the GTE, TIA and SEMA have teamed up to provide a tire exhibition and conference that serves the needs of tire dealers and the tire business community. It is targeted to all segments of the tire industry, including light-duty, medium-duty, heavy-duty, retreading, recycling and more.
Product categories cover passenger car, truck and off-the-road (OTR) tires; equipment; recycling; retreading; suppliers and affiliated organizations.
In addition to its education sessions, TIA will again be hosting its pre-show special events including a cocktail hour, the Tire Industry Honors Awards Ceremony, and the TIA welcome reception.
GTE education sessions
All sessions will be held in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Tuesday, Nov. 1
TPMS: Next Step in TPMS Diagnostics
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
TIA will be focusing on indirect TPMS diagnostics through the use of OBD II scan tools and live data.
Truck Tires: Reinforced Shoulder Repairs in the Field
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
The recently released reinforced shoulder repair (RSR) guidelines from the Tread Rubber and Repair Manufacturers Group (TRMG) make it possible for commercial retailers to repair small injuries in the shoulder with standard tire repair tools. This session will explain the limits for an RSR repair, the additional materials required, and the procedures for positioning the repair unit.
Successful Tire Dealers Share their Secrets
2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Tire dealers honored by the tire industry trade publications for their contributions to the industry and their communities are invited to share their thoughts on what has made them successful. There will be a question and answer session.
Wednesday, Nov. 2
Automotive Tire Service (ATS) Training Program
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
TIA presents an update to its ATS training program. This program trains instructors and technicians on all aspects of automotive tire service in the shop, from basic tire construction to advanced TPMS diagnostics.
Truck Tires: The Facts about Torquing Wheels
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
More and more fleets are asking commercial truck tire dealers to torque the wheels when the tires are serviced. While there are a lot of different methods for applying that torque, the factors associated with the RIST (Remove, Inspect, Snug and Torque) procedure are still going to determine whether the assemblies remain attached to the axle or come loose. This session will explain each step of the RIST procedure before taking an in-depth look at how torque results in the level of clamping force that is created between the wheel and the hub. Everything from impact tools to torque sticks and torque wrenches will be discussed along with the pros and cons of each approach.
TIA’s 2016 Legislative Review: The Issues that Affect You and How to Protect your Bottom Line
Noon – 1 p.m.
A variety of pending issues and legislation will be addressed in this session including tire recall recovery reform (tire registration), LIFO repeal, estate tax repeal efforts, marketplace fairness (internet sales), Obamacare, proposed overtime changes, working families social legislation (paid leave, minimum wage), OSHA inspections, IRS audits, used tire sales, tire aging, Chinese tariffs, and annual safety inspections.
Management: Improving Sales and Profits
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
This session will focus on techniques and ideas that retail tire dealers can use to help them increase car count and total sales.
TIA pre-show special events
TIA will hold a cocktail hour (5 p.m. to 6 p.m.), its Tire Industry Honors Awards Ceremony ( 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.), and the TIA Welcome Reception (8 p.m. to 10 p.m.) on the evening before the SEMA Show starts at the Tropicana Las Vegas.
SEMA Show events
The 2015 SEMA Show drew more than 60,000 domestic and international buyers. SEMA reports this year there will be more than 2,500 new parts, tools and components on display, with over 2,400 exhibiting companies filling over a million square feet of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
As in years past, the displays will be segmented into 12 sections: Global Tire Expo; Wheels and Accessories; Collision Repair and Refinish; Mobile Electronics and Technology; Restyling and Car Care Accessories; Tools and Equipment; Hot Rod Alley; Racing and Performance; Restoration Marketplace; Powersports and Utility Vehicles; Truck, SUVs and Off-road; and Business Services.
In addition, the SEMA Show provides educational seminars, product demonstrations, special events, networking opportunities and more.
SEMA seminars
SEMA is offering a multitude of seminars covering a vast array of topics from business management, human resources, social media and marketing strategies to trends and research. The seminars will be presented by proven experts in the various fields. Here is just a small sample of what to expect.
Business management:
- Putting the brakes on online discounting: What works, what doesn’t and why
- Minimum advertised pricing: The good, the bad and the ugly
- 5 ways to increase your cash flow for 2017
Human resources:
- Your well-oiled team... keeping your peak performers
- Bras, boyfriends and tattoos in the workplace
- Hire right the first time
Marketing strategies:
- Will your website survive the hot seat?
- The power of the inbox
- Doing more with less — shoestring marketing ideas
Social media:
- Make the most of your social media dollars with sponsored content
- Working with YouTube and Facebook stars to reach the next generation of automotive enthusiasts
- Creating fantastic social media content
See www.semashow.com for the complete schedule and the lineup of presenters.
SBN Gear-up Girl
Monday, Oct. 31
3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
The SEMA Businesswoman Network (SBN) will host its 5th annual Gear-up Girl networking event prior to the SEMA Show. This event is designed for all women, from students who want a career in the automotive aftermarket industry to industry veterans. It will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
YEN meeting and mixer
Monday, Oct. 31
5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
The Young Executives Network (YEN) will hold a general membership meeting and networking opportunity before the opening of the SEMA Show. Attendees will get a chance to mingle with fellow “YENsters” and learn the benefits of free YEN membership. It will be held at the convention center.
WTC reception
Tuesday, Nov. 1
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
SEMA’s Wheel and Tire Council (WTC) will hold its annual industry reception at the Renaissance Hotel pool deck. The council will be holding an awards ceremony to honor influential wheel and tire professionals.
SEMA banquet
Comedian Larry the Cable Guy is bringing his stand-up comedy routine to the 2016 SEMA Show as the featured entertainer at the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet on Thursday, Nov. 3
The Industry Awards Banquet is the automotive specialty equipment market’s premier awards ceremony where industry excellence and achievements are celebrated, SEMA notes. It is attended by nearly 3,000 automotive icons, professionals, supporters and celebrities.
Larry the Cable Guy is a multi-platinum recording artist, Grammy nominee, Billboard award winner and voice of “Mater” in the animated feature film “Cars” and “Cars 2.” He will share his humor, wit and comedy in an exclusive performance for SEMA Show goers.
Tickets are available to SEMA Show goers and include a formal sit-down dinner. The program also includes the announcement of the SEMA Person of the Year, Manufacturer of the Year, WD of the Year, Manufacturers’ Rep of the Year, Gen III of the Year and tributes to this year’s SEMA Hall of Fame inductees: Matt Agosta, Chip Foose and Gary Hooker.
SEMA VR Experience
Tuesday, Nov. 1 through Friday, Nov. 4
During show hours
Virtual reality (VR) and related technology, such as augmented reality, which powers the game Pokeman Go, are quickly catching on as sales tools to influence customer behavior, SEMA reports.
SEMA show attendees can experience this new video technology during the SEMA Show by visiting the SEMA VR Experience, located at SEMA Central in the Grand Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Show visitors can view a series of automotive-themed experiential demonstrations and learn how the technology can be applied to all areas of automotive aftermarket product sales, marketing and development. Live VR broadcasting, 360-degree video and fully immersive VR and AR experiences will be featured. Diamond Bar, Calif.-based SEMA Garage will present a 360-degree tour of the installation center, emissions lab, photo studio, 3D scanner and 3D printer and more. Other SEMA VR Experiences will include:
- BFGoodrich Are You Driver Enough VR Experience: A tire-test-driving experience with virtual instructors.
- Live 360-degree Video Broadcast Demonstration: With special cameras placed around the SEMA Show, see how 360-degree video can enhance live social-media event broadcasts.
- Optima Batteries’ Power of Legends VR Experience: A series of Optima Batteries ProPower Ambassadors show views of professional road racing, off-road racing and bass fishing.
- Augmented Reality Parts Catalog Demonstration: See how a parts catalog can come to life.
“The SEMA Garage 360-degree video tour is a great reason in and of itself to check out all of the cutting-edge demonstrations at the SEMA VR Experience,” says Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “The added bonus is that SEMA Show goers will be able to experience how virtual reality and augmented reality work, and learn how these new experiential video technologies can benefit their bottom line.”
SEMA Ignited
Friday, Nov. 4
More than 500 SEMA Show cars will be on exhibit following the SEMA Show. In this event, which is open to the public, attendees will see customized vehicles while enjoying food, music, celebrities, iconic builders and displays.
Next month MTD will look at what will be presented at AAPEX. For more information, see www.tireindustry.org and www.semashow.com.
