Head-Turning Custom Cars and Trucks, Celebrities and Awards at SEMA Spring Expo 2003
DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (Dec. 20, 2002) - SEMA's hottest show vehicles, most popular automotive and truck accessory exhibitors, and industry celebrities and VIPs will converge on Nashville, Tenn., Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 13-15, for SEMA Spring Expo 2003. This powerhouse industry show brings together buyers and manufacturers of the latest automotive accessories and performance products at the Nashville Convention Center to showcase the best new offerings and designs, provide business education, and honor significant industry individuals. For the first time ever, the SEMA Spring Expo will combine two of its key market segments - represented by the Truck Cap & Accessory Alliance (TCAA) and the Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) - to deliver cross-marketing opportunities. In addition, celebrities including perennial industry favorite Linda Vaughn, and legendary inspirational speaker and former NFL referee Jim Tunney are part of the weekend's program. Tunney will give the Expo's keynote speech on Friday, Feb. 14. Customized cars and trucks will be on display, many of them award-winning project vehicles shown at SEMA Show 2002, as customized by some of the industry's most innovative designers. These vehicles provide a glimpse into the future of specialty automotive and truck trends and technologies. "Automotive manufacturers use our annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas to debut some of their latest concept vehicles, and we are arranging to bring the most exciting of these vehicles to the SEMA Spring Expo," said Peter MacGillivray, vice president of sales and marketing for SEMA. "From tough, mean performance pickups with turbo and supercharged power to amazing creative- design concepts that challenge traditional boundaries of style and technology, we plan to 'wow' SEMA Spring Expo attendees with vehicles that best illustrate the leading-edge performance and accessory abilities of our members." During the Expo, the two SEMA councils most involved with the SEMA Spring Expo - PRO and TCAA - will hold general membership meetings and social functions. TCAA is sponsoring an Industry Education Day on Thursday, Feb. 13, and PRO's educational seminar line-up is set for Saturday, Feb. 13. Both councils will have social functions on Friday evening. PRO's Industry Awards Reception will begin at 5:30 p.m., and the TCAA Awards Banquet will follow. TCAA will present a number of industry awards to its members, including: The Ron Webster Memorial Award to recognize outstanding engineering achievements; The Chairman's Award to honor a significant contribution to TCAA; two Best Product awards (one for a product under $500, the other for products over $500); the Best In Show Award to the best overall product display at the Expo; and the TCAA Hall of Fame award to an individual selected by TCAA members for his or her overall achievements. PRO awards to be presented that Friday evening include the Truck-Accessory Specialist of the Year; the Restyler of the Year, and the Jim Borre Lifetime Achievement Award. Also on tap that evening will be the presentation of the Creative Styling & Trim Awards sponsored by Chevrolet Motor Division and designed to recognize installer creativity and craftsmanship. More information about SEMA Spring Expo 2003, its concept and show cars, its exhibitors, and its educational program, is available at www.semaspringexpo.com. SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, represents the $26 billion specialty automotive industry. Founded in 1963, the trade association has more than 4,500 member companies. It is the authoritative source of research data, trends and market growth information for automakers and the specialty auto products industry. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger cars, minivans, trucks, SUVs and recreational vehicles. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA, 91765-3914; call 909/396-0289; or visit www.sema.org or www.enjoythedrive.com. # # # FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media contacts: Rosemarie Kitchin, rosemariek@sema.org SEMA, 909/396-0289, ext. 104 Lisa Guth, lisag@sema.org SEMA, 909/396-0289, ext. 181 CHEVY TO SPONSOR AWARDS COMPETITION AT SEMA SPRING EXPO DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (Dec. 20, 2002)-- Chevrolet Motor Division will sponsor the Creative Styling & Trim Awards Competition at the SEMA Spring Expo, scheduled for the weekend of Feb. 13-15 at the Nashville (Tenn.) Convention Center. Back by popular demand, according to Ellen McKoy, senior director of dealer relations for SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, the program recognizes the creativity and craftsmanship of professional installers. "This is an excellent way for Chevrolet to support restylers and the value they bring to car dealers at the local level," she said. The Chevrolet program, in its ninth year, has four award categories: best interior design of a passenger car or truck; best exterior design for a passenger car; best exterior design for a truck, and best of show. "Chevrolet and SEMA have a long-time cooperative relationship dating back to the late '70s," said Carl Sheffer, SEMA's vice president for OEM relations. "We are delighted that Chevrolet is again recognizing the efforts of our industry in customizing and accessorizing Chevrolet cars, trucks and SUVs. This continuing commitment is outstanding." To be eligible for the award, the accessorized Chevrolet vehicles must be current models. The competition is free and open to show attendees and exhibitors. Entry vehicles will be on display at the SEMA Spring Expo. For more information or to obtain an entry form, contact McKoy at fax 909/860-0184 or ellenm@sema.org. All entries must be received by Monday, Jan. 20, 2003. More information about SEMA Spring Expo and its seminars, meetings, and social functions is available at www.semaspringexpo.com.