Staying competitive in the automotive specialty equipment market amidst today’s challenging economy is the focus of this year’s educational seminars, held in conjunction with the 2008 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show.

With the SEMA Show taking place Nov. 4-7 in Las Vegas, the educational program begins Nov. 3 and continues daily until Nov. 6. This year’s program includes more than 60 seminars and 100 speakers who will help industry professionals take advantage of this learning opportunity to expand their business knowledge, discover new strategies and understand the trends shaping the future of the industry.

“One of SEMA’s charges as a trade association is to provide industry professionals with the tools they need to succeed and prosper by keeping them on the leading edge of business knowledge,” says Nathan Ridnouer, SEMA’s senior director of member services. “The educational seminars are great way for attendees to capitalize on their show investment by taking advantage of learning opportunities that can help them achieve success after they leave Las Vegas.”

• The educational seminars are held in the Las Vegas Convention Center and are complimentary to all show attendees. This year’s educational program is specifically designed to address many industry-specific issues facing companies in today’s ever-changing business environment.
   
  A special emphasis was put toward making it easier for show attendees to identify and attend the sessions that are of greatest value to them. For the first time, sessions will be broken down into “tracks” that will include:
   
  ·                     Custom Services & Sales Solutions
  ·                     Essential Data Management Strategies, sponsored by the SEMA BTC
  ·                     Industry Trends & Forecasts
  ·                     International
  ·                     Leadership in a Challenging Economy
  ·                     Marketing Trends
  ·                     Motivation & Supervision Tactics
  ·                     Online Marketing, sponsored by eBay Motors
  ·                     Small Biz Finance & Operations
  ·                     Small Biz IT Manager, sponsored by the SEMA BTC
   
  

Seminar details, including topics, dates, times, locations and descriptions, are posted on www.SEMAshow.com. The website also includes updates and information about the SEMA Show, as well as an online registration form.

Industry professionals who attended the 2006 or 2007 SEMA Show are encouraged to register using their personalized alumni number, which will save them time and allow them to register without having to resubmit proof of trade status. Alumni numbers were sent to all past attendees or can be obtained by contacting customer service at [email protected] or calling toll- free at (866) 229-3687 or (301) 694-5243.