Next
Issue Due Out 12/20/02 - Deadline For Materials 12/13/02
SEAMO
Update
I'll begin with apologies for a slightly delayed and abbreviated
edition of SEAMO News, due in part to the busy schedule
of media events at this time of year, as well as the time
spent getting a few important SEAMO projects completed or
started.
You'll note that our usual member profiles are conspicuously
absent this month, so take that as your cue to get your
15 minutes of fame by sending us a short biography for inclusion
in an upcoming issue of SEAMO News. A picture of you or
your favorite vehicle can be included if you wish. Also,
if you have an announcement of any sort that would be of
interest to our readers, pass it along and we'll try to
include it.
In the next few weeks, SEAMO members should begin receiving
their copy of the 2003 SEAMO Membership Directory in the
mail. This 72-page spiral-bound book contains the contact
information for every major auto manufacturer, as well as
our media and PR colleagues throughout the region.
Special thanks go out to Neal Zipser of the Motor &
Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) for arranging
the donation of the printing for the directory. If you'd
like a copy of this valuable resource and you're not already
a member, it's time to quit stalling and !
You also need to watch your mailboxes and in-boxes for
your invitation to the upcoming Southeast holiday reception.
Open to both members and non-members, the manufacturer-sponsored
event will take place at Chateau Elan in Braselton, Georgia
on Saturday, December 14.
For those who wish to arrive early, there will be a limited
number of press vehicles available for local drive loops
from noon until 5 PM. Then beginning at 6:30 PM, there will
be a reception and dinner in the Chateau's Winery Pavilion.
Spouses are encouraged to attend. Full details and RSVP
information will be included on the invitations.
Finally, in early 2003, we will begin organizing local
"chapters" in each major metropolitan area. The
chapter system will likely be an extension of the "Third
Thursday" luncheons conducted by the members in the
Carolinas over the last several months. By picking a fixed
date for each area (Miami 3rd Tuesday, Atlanta 3rd Wednesday,
etc.), this will enable manufacturers or those with an announcement
to make plans and include us in their presentation schedules.
As the year begins, we'll also be looking for a director
from each major metro area, as well as an "at large"
director to represent those members who live and work outside
of the heavily populated areas. These directors, as well
as a few to represent the manufacturer and PR communities,
will make up the "board of directors" who will
help take SEAMO to the next level as an organization.
SEMA
Spring Expo Expands In Nashville
According to a recent announcement by the
Specialty Equipment Market Association, the 2003 SEMA Spring
Expo (February 14-15 - Nashville Convention Center ) will
now feature both the TCAA Light-Truck Accessory Expo and
the PRO Restyling & Trim Expo.
The newly designed venue is the result of intensive planning
and discussion, which included the leadership from two of
the SEMA councils with constituent interests in the show,
the Truck Cap & Accessory Alliance (TCAA) and the Professional
Restylers Organization (PRO).
"There's no question this will be a synergistic show
for our truck-cap and accessory retailers. It's a wonderful
opportunity for them to enhance their businesses and explore
cross-marketing opportunities," said Bobby Combs, TCAA
chairman. Richard Sherman, PRO chairman, said, "I echo
Bobby's sentiments wholeheartedly. There is a natural affinity
between the two industry segments. Bringing the councils
together under the SEMA Spring Expo banner not only will
benefit restylers and cap dealers, but the industry as a
whole."
Detroit
Press Club Announces 2003 International Wheel Awards Competition
The Detroit Press
Club Foundation (DPCF) recently announced that the Automotive
Hall of Fame (AHF) in Dearborn, Michigan will be the venue
for the 2003 International Wheel Awards presentation, April
10, 2003.
"Hosting
the Wheel Awards at the Automotive Hall of Fame is a perfect
complement, since it is here that the history of mobility
is kept alive," said Jeff Leestma, president of the
AHF. "By annually recognizing excellence in automotive
journalism, we preserve another aspect of this great industry."
The competition
was established to reward and encourage excellence in journalism.
Cash prizes, including separate Golden Wheel awards, will
be presented to print and broadcast journalists whose works
are judged best among all entries. For the first time, the
program will be managed by the Individual Communicators
Network, an association of independent business communicators.
"With a
second year nearly passing without a Wheel Awards, members
of the ICN expressed concern that one of the few international
competitions for excellence in automotive journalism was
fading into history," said Victor Pytko, president
of the ICN. "We are very pleased that the Detroit Press
Club Foundation has agreed to accept the support of the
Automotive Hall of Fame and our volunteers, and we look
forward to receiving a record number of entries."
The competition
is open to all journalists whose material was published
or aired during calendar year 2002. Initial award categories
are: Best News Story - Newspaper, General Interest Magazine/Special
Interest Publication, Internet, Television and Radio; Best
Editorial or Column (Print); Best News Programming/Documentary
(Broadcast); Best Product Review/Evaluation (Print); Best
News; and Photography.
The deadline
for receipt of entries is Friday, January 31, 2003. There
is a fee of $75 (US) per entry. Judging will be conducted
by Dean Will Norton, Jr. of the University of Nebraska's
College of Journalism and Mass Communications, and will
be based on journalistic enterprise, value and pertinence
to the reader, viewer or listener.
Final categories,
entry forms and rules are available at:
or by calling Steve Purdy at (517) 655-3591
Auto Restoration Website Debuts
Writer/broadcaster
Les Jackson and web designer Satch Reed have partnered to
form a new website dedicated to auto restoration. The site,
www.secondchancegarage.com, features theory, step-by-step
tutorial, tips, etc. It also contains articles that assess
personal skill levels, vehicle condition and many other
aspects of the hobby, and will link to car clubs, forums
and suppliers of parts and equipment.
Each month's
issue features a short history of a collectible car. Called
Auto Biography, the article relates how the vehicle came
into production, its good (and bad) features and its present
value to collectors. A running character, Dr. Crankshaft,
gives his special brand of commentary on the sort of troubles
encountered by those pursuing the collector-car hobby.
"We have
set out to create an online ‘university of auto restoration,'"
says Les. "There are thousands of restorers out there
looking for someone to coach them, step-by-step, through
a restoration. This site allows the broadest possible audience
access to the fundamentals, techniques, tricks - and even
the mistakes – we've all experienced."
The pair have
(collectively) restored 17 vehicles over the past 30 years
and have mastered all skills required for such major undertakings.
Along with a huge body of articles he's written on the subject,
Les teaches an auto restoration basics class in Arlington,
Virginia adult education. For further information contact:
Les Jackson 703 528-2954 or email to ljcarguy@msn.com
On The Lighter
Side - Investing
Let's puts things in perspective!
If you had bought $1,000.00 worth of Nortel stock two
years ago, it would now be worth about $13.90.
With Enron, you would have $16.50 of the original $1,000.00.
With Worldcom, you would have less than $5.00 left.
However if you had bought $1,000.00 worth of Budweiser
(the beer, not the stock), drank all the beer, then turned
in the cans for the 10 cent deposit, you would have $214.00.
Based on the above, my current investment advice is to
drink heavily and recycle!
Contact
Info & Links
Here's how to join SEAMO, be added to or removed from the
mailing list, submit news items or photos for upcoming newsletters,
or just make your opinion known.
Next
Issue Due Out 12/20/02 - Deadline For Materials 12/13/02
Send
your comments, complaints, newsletter submissions or mailing
list updates to:
South
East Automotive Media Organization
4429 Back Creek Church Road
Charlotte, NC 28213-5251
