Show Daily - Sema

SEMA Votes 2012: � ����������������
Critical Election Demands Industry Participation
By Chris Kersting, SEMA President and CEO
Election Day is less than one week
away, and the results of next Tuesday’s
contests will have far reaching
consequences for our country and our
industry. In addition to the presidential
election, voters will be electing 435
members of the U.S. House, 33 U.S.
senators, 12 governors and thousands
of state and local leaders. It is vitally
important that our industry members
make the effort and vote to fulfill their
civic duty, but, more importantly, to
weigh in on one of the most crucial
elections in our nation’s history.
Our industry and small businesses
are affected on a daily basis by laws
and regulations issued at the national,
state and local levels. Some laws and
rules are industry-friendly. Many are
not. Meanwhile, our economy is lagging
and prospects for improvement
are weak. On Election Day, we have
an opportunity to determine which
WD-40/SEMA Cares, continued from page 6
Leading companies that stepped up
to donate parts, equipment and services
to the project include: Street
Scene Equipment, Barrett-Jackson,
LMC Truck, L&R Engine, Egge,
MHT Wheels, Pirelli Tires, BASF
Paint, American Auto Wire, Painless
Performance, Quiet Ride, K&N Filters,
McGard and others.
In tribute to the 60th anniversary
of WD-40 Multi-Use Product, Foose
endowed the ’53 Ford with a vin-
8 SEMA Show Daily
elected politicians will be making the
laws and setting the regulatory direction
for our country.
At the national level, issues range
from tax reform and access to affordable
health care to keeping land open for
motorized recreation. At the state and
local level, issues range from equipment
standards to titling and registration
classifications, and from emissions test
exemptions to hobbyist rights. Each of
us owes it to our families, to our fellow
employees and to future generations to
be informed about the candidates, what
they stand for and whether you believe
they will help get our nation’s manufacturers
and small businesses moving
forward again. SEMA has several
resources available through the Government
Affairs office to help you learn
more about the candidates.
State Caucus: SEMA works closely
with hundreds of lawmakers at the
tage shop truck look that pays homage
to the truck that onced delivered
the first case of the WD-40 product
in the early ’50s when the manufacturer
was known as the Rocket
Chemical Company. Meanwhile, the
’12 Ford celebrates the manufacturer’s
current specialty products in the modern
era. This year marks the fourth
time that Foose has lent his considerable
design experience to SEMA Cares
project vehicles.
state level. More than 600 state legislators
who share a common goal
to support the motor-vehicle hobby
and the industry that serves it have
joined the State Automotive Enthusiast
Leadership Caucus. A full listing
of Caucus members can be found at
www.semasan.com.
SEMA PAC: SEMA also maintains
a Political Action Committee
(SEMA PAC) that helps elect proindustry,
pro-business candidates to
the U.S. Congress. SEMA PAC is
vital to protecting and promoting
the future of SEMA-member businesses,
as federal laws and regulations
have a direct impact on you and
your business.
Federal Caucus: In Washington,
D.C., members of the Congressional
Automotive Performance and Motorsports
Caucus have joined together to
recognize contributions made by the
“After raising a combined $400,000
for SEMA Cares with our last three
project vehicle builds, we expect these
trucks to turn a lot of heads and continue
to help a great cause,” said Tim
Lesmeister, vice president of marketing
for the WD-40 Co. “Working with
Chip, who’s an expert in his trade
and has been using our products his
whole life, is a great fit and we look
forward to showcasing more of his
designs on some limited-edition cans
this fall.”
automotive performance and motorsports
industry to the U.S. economy.
Recently, several Caucus members
have co-sponsored a bill to help stimulate
low-volume production of specialty
automobiles, thereby creating
jobs and offering unique products to
the American consumer. This informal
and bipartisan Congressional Caucus
has nearly 100 members. To see if
your elected officials are members, visit
www.semapac.com.
If you haven’t already, take a few
minutes to learn about SEMA PAC
during the Show. Not only will you
be entered to win a Kindle Fire HD,
but you’ll have access to inside information
from our SEMA Government
Affairs team on issues directly impacting
our industry. Stop by the SEMA PAC
Lounge in the SEMA Members Lounge
(N251) for more information. Take
action today and vote on November 6!
Chip Foose joins Gary Bennett, vice president of consignment for Barrett-Jackson, in front
of the ’53 Ford F-100 that will be auctioned for SEMA Cares charity.
“This year, we’re upping the ante
and building two vehicles—one that
pays tribute to WD-40 Co.’s history,
and one that celebrates some of its
newer specialty products that help auto
pros like me get the job done right,”
explained Foose.
WD-40 Co. is now collaborating
with SIM to help spread the word
about the charity truck builds. For
more information about the WD-40/
SEMA Cares truck builds project, visit
www.WD40.com/Foose.