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My First-Time SEMA Show Experience: A Life-Changing Affair

2024-11-29

As a lifelong car enthusiast, attending the SEMA show has always been a dream come true. This year, I finally had the opportunity to experience it firsthand and it was an absolute blast. From the incredible builds to the passionate people, SEMA is truly a one-of-a-kind event.

Uncover the Future of Enthusiasm at SEMA

SEMA - An Annual Trade Show with a Big Impact

The Specialty Equipment Market Association primarily focuses on helping industry professionals do their jobs to the best of their ability. Despite the many uncertainties the industry is facing, SEMA is alive and doing well. With 160,000 people in attendance this year and more than 2,400 vendors, it has officially surpassed pre-COVID numbers. It's not just an annual trade show; it's a celebration of car culture and innovation. 1: SEMA serves as a platform for aftermarket brands to showcase their latest and greatest products. Surrounded by amazing builds and attended by all the biggest influencers and celebrities in the space, it has a unique charm. The exclusivity of being a business-to-business affair makes it even more desirable. 2: Mike Spagnola, the SEMA CEO, emphasizes that no matter what type of vehicle - EV, internal combustion engine, hydrogen, or other alternative fuels - the industry will continue to push the envelope. This shows the adaptability and resilience of the automotive industry.

Hank O'Hop - Meeting with Companies and Making Connections

As The Drive's commerce editor, part of my job is meeting with companies to evaluate products. At SEMA, I had the opportunity to shake hands with reps and CEOs from various companies, pitching The Drive's brand. It was a busy but exciting experience. 1: Every day was filled with meetings and discussions about different products and collaborations. From impact wrenches to independent front suspension systems, I got to see the latest offerings in the automotive aftermarket. 2: The response from some big-name companies was overwhelming. We made some great connections and laid the groundwork for some exciting projects in 2025. It was a great start to the year.

Taking It All In - The Amazing Builds

There is no shortage of amazing builds to look at at SEMA. As a Mopar nut, I was particularly taken by the sudden rise in appreciation for classic Dodge and Plymouth muscle cars. 1: Everywhere I looked, there was a second-generation Charger that made my heart skip a beat. The Joe Dirt replica at the ACES Fuel Injection booth served as a benchmark for my own Charger. It made me realize that I need to step up my game. 2: The Ringbrothers' 1970 Plymouth Barracuda dubbed Infected was an absolute sight to behold. Their insane skill and attention to detail were on full display. And the Grand National, INVADR, with its detuned V6 producing over 1,200 horsepower and capable of 1,800 horsepower on full boost, was the talk of the show.

In the Right Place - Surrounded by Passion

Perhaps the most incredible thing about the SEMA show is the sense of passion and energy in the air. Everywhere you look, there are celebrities signing autographs, people showcasing amazing builds, and suppliers talking about game-changing technology. 1: I felt like I was in the right place when I saw familiar faces in the crowd. Surrounded by icons and heroes, I realized the impact they have had on me and the industry. It was a moment of profound self-enlightenment. 2: Watching Tanner Foust work his magic in a professional drift car reminded me that even I need to loosen up and have more fun with my car. SEMA is not just about cars; it's about the community and the love for all things automotive.

Après le Conseil communautaire du jeudi 21 novembre, les élus de Terres de Chalosse ont eu l'honneur de recevoir Pascal Anoulies, directeur des Finances publiques des Landes. Il est venu présenter le bilan du nouveau réseau de proximité, qui a marqué une étape importante pour le territoire.

Tagline : "Découvrez les Avancées Financières dans Terres de Chalosse"

Le Nouveau Réseau de Proximité

En 2021, la charte signée avec l’intercommunalité a permis de regrouper les services fiscaux à Saint-Sever. Avant cela, les trésoreries de Montfort-en-Chalosse et Mugron étaient fermées. Maintenant, il n’y a plus que huit trésoreries dans le département au lieu de 23. Par contre, 28 sites d’accueil ont été créés, notamment dans les Maisons France service. À Montfort-en-Chalosse et à Mugron, les animateurs France Service formés par le service fiscal peuvent répondre aux questions essentielles et diriger le public si nécessaire. Le téléphone est un outil complémentaire, avec les contre-appels des usagés avant les rendez-vous, pour bien cerner les problèmes. Selon les services des Finances publiques, 70 % des cas sont résolus rapidement.

Le Souci de Performance Comptable

Le président de Terres de Chalosse, Didier Gaugeacq, s’est réjoui de la fréquentation de l’espace France Service, avec un bon retour de satisfaction. Pascal Anoulies a indiqué travailler à l’amélioration des indicateurs de recettes et de dépenses, en veillant à réduire les délais de paiement. Il a insisté sur l’importance des mairies pour la bonne marche des services.

Les Décisions Communautaires

Les élus ont approuvé la convention d’adhésion à l’Adavem 40 pour l’aide aux victimes, avec une contribution de 3 230 euros, soit 0,17 € par habitant. Ils ont également approuvé une décision modificative au budget annexe Habitat-Urbanisme. En outre, ils ont accepté une demande de fonds de concours pour la commune de Saint-Jean-de-Lier, pour un montant de 907 euros. Ils ont accordé quatre lots du marché de restauration à l’entreprise Api pour la livraison de repas à l’Ehpad des Cent-Marches, l’accueil de loisirs et la crèche Joséphine-Baker.

Les Changements dans le Personnel

Après quelques mouvements dans le personnel de la communauté, les élus ont pris acte de mise à disposition, mutation, promotion et autres modifications dans les postes gérés par les ressources humaines de l’intercommunalité. Ces changements sont une preuve de l’activité et de l’évolution constante de l’organisation.

Before delving into the mechanics of RiverWild's transformation into a brand for a family of companies, it's crucial to understand the motivation behind its inception. Reid Smith, along with his wife Jaclyn, founded RiverWild with a guiding principle to impact and develop people. As he started working with her in 2014, they believed that if one had to work, why not choose a place where enjoyment and pride could be found. This people-focused approach gives employees the freedom from micromanagement and the ability to achieve a work-life balance. For instance, managers have unlimited personal time off, and construction employees at the Clayton headquarters have a 24-hour gym. Good employees get the job done without constant supervision. For clients, transparency, long-term relationships, and access to decision-makers in case of problems are key.

Discover the Success背后的秘密 of RiverWild

Founding Principles and Early Days

RiverWild began in residential real estate a decade ago and has since evolved to include commercial construction, development, a faith-based foundation, and the sale of Wagyu beef. The latter is headquartered on a 1,200-acre Sampson County ranch purchased in 2021 for $7.19 million. Reid Smith emphasizes that they wanted to create a company that did things differently. One of the differences is the establishment of their One Compassion foundation, which provides various services such as regional disaster relief, Christmas toys for Johnston County children, and local farm product donations to food banks. Last year, it logged over 1,000 volunteer hours, served more than 2,300 meals, and helped 291 families. "We knew from the start that the business would need the community's support, so we wanted to give back hand in hand," he says.

In 2014, Reid Smith was a homebuilder, and Jaclyn Smith had her real estate license. Within three years, the company expanded from a residential neighborhood developer to a construction company working on larger industrial projects like schools, apartment complexes, and grocery stores. RiverWild provides grading, water, sewer, stormwater, and asphalt services in preparing construction sites and tries to operate within an hour's drive of Clayton in Johnston County, covering areas like Raleigh, Durham, Apex, Garner, and Selma.

Company Culture and Values

RiverWild Construction President Nick McKeel joined the company in January 2021 as a project manager when it was known as Providence Construction. By January 2022, he was in his current role, and the company rebranded to RiverWild. He believes that the company's ability to be proud of its faith and address it publicly is unique. McKeel's wife, Jenna, is a director at One Compassion. Reid Smith, a Johnston County native, met Jaclyn while they were on the golf teams at Campbell University and graduated in 2008. He has a business degree, and she studied elementary education.

In construction, different companies have different roles in moving a project forward. For RiverWild, weekly meetings and communication about project challenges and work status are essential. They aim to provide value engineering, save money, and be a partner rather than just a business transaction. Anthony Gallo, a senior project manager for Raleigh-based Salisbury & Moore Construction, worked with RiverWild in 2020 on an elementary school construction project and later on a water treatment plant. He praises RiverWild's workers for being on the job site at the right time and delivering as promised.

Business Growth and Future Outlook

In the first quarter of this year, RiverWild budgeted $6.7 million in revenue but reached nearly $9.4 million, which is 159% more than the same period last year. RiverWild also includes RiverWild Development, RiverWild Construction, RiverWild Homes, RiverWild Real Estate, Wilders, Wilders Wagyu, and One Compassion. The "Wild" part of the name stands for "Will to win; Intentional adaptability; Live compassionately; and Disciplined execution." At their ranch, they provide birthing plans and toys to keep calves entertained, emphasizing that happy, healthy cows lead to a better experience for everyone. They sell their Wagyu beef and Berkshire pork products online and at various locations.

Although business has slowed overall compared to two or three years ago, RiverWild enters 2025 with a good backlog. Reid Smith emphasizes the importance of company culture, comparing it to a marriage that needs to be earned every day. Success for him is not just about numbers but about the people they meet and the lives they touch. "The people we've met, the people we get to do life with every day, that's where we've succeeded," he says.