Next
Issue Due Out 1/31/03 - Deadline For Materials 1/24/03
SEAMO
Update
As I commit yet another issue of SEAMO News to the electrons
in cyberspace, it's hard to believe this year is already
at its end. I'm impressed with the progress the group has
made in the past year, and look forward to continued growth
in the coming year. By this time, all of our members should
have received their 2003 directory, and many of you have
had a chance to attend some of the events we've organized.
Let's keep up the momentum in 2003!
During
the holidays, as you spend time with your family and friends,
we'd like to wish you good health, good fortune, and safe
travels. In the spirit of the holidays, try to remember
to take a few moments to call up and thank the PR and support
people who make our jobs a whole lot easier. Their jobs
aren't as easy as one might think, and a hearty thanks isn't
something they hear often enough.
Holiday Event Recap
Our 2002 Holiday Ride & Drive event was a tremendous
success and great fun for all who attended. Over two dozen
vehicles were on-hand, ranging from entry-level models like
the Saturn Ion, Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe, all the
way up to top-of-the-line supercars like the Acura NSX,
Dodge Viper, and even a David Brabham Edition Panoz Esperante.
Many of the manufacturers' PR representatives were at the
event, and we even had a surprise visit from Dan Panoz.
It's not every day that one gets face-to-face with the guy
whose name is on the grille of the car you're driving.
Although the day was a bit overcast and blustery, the Chateau
Elan Winery served as a picturesque backdrop for our collection
of the industry's finest products. Our drive route included
some local roads and a short section of freeway, providing
a variety of road-test conditions. The number of vehicles
available made it possible for everybody to get a chance
to drive everything they desired. With the previous day's
rain dried up before the event started, we steered clear
of any mishaps, and even the local police didn't realize
we were around until the last few trips of the day.
After the Ride & Drive event concluded, we reassembled
the group at Chateau Elan's Legends Golf Course Clubhouse
for a cocktail reception and dinner. Decorated for the holidays,
the Clubhouse's main dining room provided the perfect atmosphere
for conversation and networking among those in attendance.
In addition to Mr. Panoz, another special guest at the dinner
was Chris Horn of the Specialty Equipment Market Association
(SEMA), who was at the event to tell our group a little
about the upcoming SEMA Spring Expo to be held in Nashville,
Tennessee on February 14-15.
Each of our press guests at the dinner went home with a
gift bag filled with several items from the manufacturers
who sponsored the event. Everybody in attendance was thoroughly
pleased with the event and found it quite enjoyable.
Plans are already in the making to repeat the event next
year, with just a few minor changes in the format. As soon
as you open up your 2003 calendar, go ahead and block out
December 4-5 for the 2003 SEAMO Ride & Drive. Reversing
this year's format, the reception and dinner will be held
on the evening of Thursday, December 4th, with the Ride
& Drive taking place all day on Friday, December 5th.
The base of operations will once again be the beautiful
Chateau Elan Resort & Winery. Pending sufficient press
attendance, we'll likely have access to the track facilities
at nearby Road Atlanta.
We need to pass along a special thanks to Susan Childress
of Scottie Media and to John Harper's crew from Performance
Logistics. Susan did a great job of coordinating all of
the RSVP traffic, and was a big help with sorting out many
of the event's details. John Harper displayed extraordinary
multi-tasking skills by not only arranging the delivery
of over two dozen cars to the event, but also participating
in the delivery of his first daughter, Emma Marie (6 lbs.
14 oz.), all in the same week. John's crew did a stellar
job of handling the paperwork, key control, parking and
detailing at the event, we couldn't have done it without
them.
Finally, we'd be remiss if we didn't recognize those who
sponsored the reception and dinner at the 2002 Holiday Ride
& Drive event. Thanks to DaimlerChrysler, Ford, General
Motors, Honda, Nissan, Panoz, Saab, SEMA, Suzuki, and Toyota,
you're the greatest supporters a group could have.
Dues Renewal
Dues renewal invoices will start going out shortly after
the North American International Auto Show. While the dues
for press members remain unchanged, there has been a slight
change to the dues structure for Associate (PR, Support,
etc.) Members. Dues for Individual Associate Memberships
are now $100.00, while Corporate Membership (covers all
communications personnel) dues remain at $500.00.
Your continued support of SEAMO will help to expand the
opportunities for bigger and better automotive press events
in our region. The auto manufacturers and suppliers recognize
your participation in an organization such as SEAMO as a
mark of professionalism and a commitment to the industry.
If you haven't yet joined SEAMO, what are you waiting for?
In the past 18 months, the organization has followed-through
and delivered everything it had set out to do when originally
formed. We've provided multiple opportunities for the news
makers and the news reporters to network in business and
social settings, we've held drive events and hosted the
North American Concept Vehicle Award program, and we've
published an extensive membership directory and industry
source book. As the organization grows, we will continue
to build on this solid foundation.
SEMA
Spring Expo Reminder
Just one more reminder regarding the SEMA
Spring Expo in Nashville on February 14-15. This is a great
automotive event and it will be right in our own back yard.
Given the proximity of the event, we'd like to help arrange
vanpool/shuttle rides to and from the event from the Greensboro,
Atlanta and Birmingham metro areas. Please contact Tom Kelley
ASAP if you'd be interested in same-day service to and from
Nashville on the 14th.
Also, remember that you need to register for your press
credentials for the event ASAP. A copy of the registration
form can be downloaded from. Please help us support this important event.
2003 International
Wheel Awards Reminder
While you're working on your calendar, here's another reminder.
The Detroit Press Club Foundation (DPCF) will
hold the 2003 International Wheel Awards presentation on
April 10, 2003, at the
Automotive Hall of Fame (AHF) in Dearborn, Michigan.
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
Honda Continues Growth in Alabama
The Southeast region's significance in the automotive industry
was further emphasized when Honda Manufacturing of Alabama,
LLC (HMA) recently broke ground on its new $425 million
assembly line. The ceremony marked the beginning of construction
on the second assembly line, which will increase employment
to approximately 4,300 associates, double production capacity
to 300,000 engines and vehicles per year, and increase Honda's
investment in Alabama to more than $1 billion.
The expansion will increase total employment by 2,000 associates
and will add more than 1.1 million square feet to the existing
1.7 million-square-foot facility.
A decision regarding what model will be produced on the
second line will be made closer to start of mass production.
As with HMA's existing operations, the new line will incorporate
Honda's New Manufacturing System, which allows for production
flexibility based on customer demand.
The new assembly line will be constructed adjacent to the
existing facility on HMA's 1,350-acre site near Lincoln.
It will mirror the current facility's operations with synchronous
body and engine assembly under one roof. Operations for
stamping, plastic injection molding, die-casting and machining
of engines and engine assembly will be increased at the
existing facility to supply both assembly lines.
When completed in 2004, Honda's capital investment in North
America will total more than $7 billion. North American
employment will rise to more than 28,000 associates.
On The Lighter
Side - Driving In Chicago
With the Chicago Auto Show right around the corner, Paul
Abelson of the Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA)
thought we might need help with some of that city's unique
driving customs.
First you must learn to pronounce the
city name. It is "Shi-caw-go," or "Cha-ca-ga,"
depending on if you live North or South of Roosevelt Rd.
Next, if your road map is more than a
few months old, throw it out and buy a new one. If you're
in Naperville and your map is one week old, then it is
already obsolete.
Forget the traffic rules you learned
elsewhere. Chicago has its own version of traffic rules...
"Hold on and pray."
There is no such thing as a dangerous
high-speed chase in Chicago. We all drive like that.
All directions start with, "I-94"...
which has no beginning and no end.
The morning rush hour is from 6 to 10.
The evening rush hour is from 3 to 7.
Friday's rush hour starts Thursday morning.
If you actually stop at a yellow light,
you will be rear ended, cussed out and possibly shot.
When you are the first one on the starting
line, count to five when the light turns green before
moving to avoid crashing with all the drivers running
the red light in cross-traffic.
Construction on Northwest Tollway is
a way of life and a permanent form of entertainment. We
had sooooo much fun with it, that we added Elgin-O'Hare
and I-355 to the mix.
All unexplained sights are explained
by the phrase, "Oh, we're in Cicero!"
If someone actually has their turn signal
on, it is probably a factory defect.
Do not stop for stop signs, a quick tap
on the brakes is all you need.
Car horns are actually "Road Rage"
indicators.
All old ladies with blue hair in a Mercedes
have the right of way. Period.
First Ave, LaGrange Rd, NW Highway, all
mysteriously change names as you cross intersections (these
are only a FEW examples).
If you stop to ask directions on the
West or South Side you better be armed.
A trip across town (east to west) will
take a minimum of four hours, although many expressways
have unposted minimum speeds of 75 mph.
The minimum acceptable speed on the Dan
Ryan is 85. Anything less is considered downright sissy.
The wrought iron bars on windows in Englewood
and Austin are not ornamental.
The Eisenhower Expressway is our daily
version of NASCAR.
The Dan Ryan is called "The Death
Trap" for two reasons: "death" and "trap."
If it's 100 degrees, It's time for Taste
of Chicago.
If it's10 degrees and sleeting/snowing,
it's opening day at Cubs or Sox Park.
If it has rained 6 inches in the last
hour, the Western Open Golf Classic is in the second round.
If you go to Wrigley Field, pay the $25.00
to park "Cubs Lot" Parking; parking elsewhere
could cost up to $2500 for damages, towing fees, parking
tickets, etc.
If some guy with a flag, tries to get
you to park in his "yard," run over him.
Don't use land marks like trees, forest
or any open space as a guide because tomorrow it will
be a new subdivision!
When I-88 turns into the Eisenhower,
at that point it is in Hillside Illinois, and is known
as the Hillside Strangler. Need I say more???????
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 1/31/03 - Deadline For Materials 1/24/03
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
