SEMA Member News—September 2019
ETTN to Deliver Technology-Focused Learning Experiences
 SEMA’s Vice President of Vehicle Technology John Waraniak gives a presentation on vehicle technology during an ETTN-sponsored education seminar. |
The Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN) is a community within SEMA dedicated to providing a forum for technology-centered aftermarket professionals to connect, collaborate, learn and advance their careers. With that focus in mind, ETTN has centered its attention on presenting professional-development and career-enhancing opportunities at this year’s SEMA Show.
Engage and Connect at ETTN Vehicle Tech Lunch & Learn
From 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, ETTN will present its sixth annual Vehicle Tech Lunch & Learn. The event offers tech-savvy attendees an opportunity to talk about the latest vehicle technology trends and mingle with leading industry experts in an informal setting.
“Are you an engineer, fabricator or technical professional in your business?” asked ETTN Chair Ian Lehn. “Do you get hungry at lunchtime? Then you should seriously consider taking advantage of ETTN’s unique Tech Lunch & Learn. Our roundtable-style event will enable you to sit with experts in various disciplines ranging from additive manufacturing to rapid prototyping and legal consulting. It’s a great opportunity to connect with engineers and other technical professionals and grow your resource base, while grabbing a free meal and getting off your feet. Join us and let’s grow the industry.”
The event is also an opportunity to honor and celebrate outstanding achievement in the technology sector. Awards will be presented in three categories.
The ETTN Genius Award pays tribute to individuals whose innovations have made significant contributions toward advancing technology that positively impacts the growth and progress of the automotive industry.
The ETTN Techie Award recognizes an individual for engineering achievements of a product, process or component that demonstrates innovative or original engineering development and/or advances state-of-the-art technology as it pertains to the automotive industry or product sector.
ETTN will also salute the winner of its Ambassador Award, which recognizes an ETTN member who has demonstrated exceptional volunteer contributions or increased membership and awareness of ETTN during the past year.
Take a Deep Dive Into Evolving Technology
Providing educational and business-growth opportunities are top ETTN priorities. Within that context, the network sponsors technology-rich seminars during the SEMA Show. This year’s Vehicle Technology Track will consist of a series of forums led by industry experts who will share valuable insights and information on the ever-evolving technology landscape.
“The technology seminars cater specifically to the innovators and developers of our industry,” Lehn said. “They aim to engage the curious and provide information on where the future of the aftermarket is headed. It is imperative that any company planning to grow and develop new ideas has representation at these seminars. With technology evolving exponentially, it is one of the best ways to ensure that you stay at the forefront.”
The technology track includes five high-powered sessions. To kick off the program on Monday, November 4, industry experts will delve into “3-D printing in the Automotive Industry: How It Will Benefit Your Business.” The session will focus on how 3-D printing is driving innovation, improving efficiency with quick design iterations, improving design cycles and thereby reducing time to market, and increasing worker productivity and safety, among other relevant aspects of additive manufacturing.
On tap for Tuesday, November 5, is a session titled “Racing and Performance Forum: Keeping Technology at the Forefront,” during which attendees will hear directly from a full grid of frontline leaders, experts and drivers on the latest technologies and innovations being used in racing and adapted to production, as well as the direction and importance of motorsports technology to the future of the performance industry.
Two technology-centered seminars are slated for Wednesday, November 6. First up: “Advanced Vehicle Technology: Practice, Policy and Challenges.” As advanced-vehicle technology changes how vehicles are designed, developed, serviced and customized, SEMA-member manufacturers, distributors and installers are facing increasing challenges now and in the years to come. The panel discussion will focus on practices, policies and product-liability considerations attendees need to know to grow and prosper in an evolving aftermarket.
The afternoon session, “Automotive 4.0: New Technologies, New Opportunities,” will bring together leading technology experts to discuss how SEMA members can compete in today’s rapidly evolving market segments as well as understand and leverage new aftermarket growth opportunities and the latest product-development and manufacturing technologies.
The fifth seminar, “Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Forum: Next-Gen Safety Performance,” is scheduled for Thursday, November 7. Many ADAS systems are already on board popular vehicles modified by member companies. To ensure that members’ aftermarket products and modifications can be successfully integrated with the latest factory-installed ADAS technologies, the briefing will touch on key considerations, including new business opportunities for passive aftermarket ADAS products, challenges members encounter with ADAS technologies, and identifying potential resources, practices, tools and approaches required to develop solutions.
