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.