Leah Pritchett Open Wheel debut

October 12, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Despite a shortened main event, Leah Pritchett’s open wheel debut proved to be a great experience for the NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel dragster driver this weekend at the Spring Mountain Motorsports Resort Ranch and Country Club during the VARA Racing “Shootout at the Ranch.”

The veteran drag racer had a smooth transition from her 325-miles per hour, nitro-burning dragster to the open-wheel vintage Formula Ford racecar at the Nevada racing facility. Impressive practice sessions on the 3.4-mile, 30-turn permanent road circuit helped Pritchett improved throughout the weekend behind the wheel of her 1979 Gumout Van Dieman racer.

After qualifying for a fourth row start in the event, Pritchett’s road racing feature was cut short with a car issue. The 27-year-old California native was forced to start from pit lane in the 30-minute main event.

“My first official open-wheel race is in the books,” said Leah. “But wasn’t without some adversity and a less than desired result. A car issue resulting in me missing the rolling start. We got the car fired and I had to begin from pit lane while the field took the green at over 100mph, leaving me to hit the track from the back of the field. But I still wanted to run the race and gain experience.

This meant Leah would be taking the green flag in last position, and would not get the advantage of the rolling start. She didn’t let this discourage her, as Leah quickly went to work and gained three positions, looking comfortable behind the wheel of the open-wheeler.

Unfortunately, Pritchett was forced to park her Formula Ford racer early in the event when car issues continued to plague her Gumout open-wheeler. After such a promising start, the Avon, Ind., driver finished the race watching from the pit area for the rest of the Formula Ford event. Though she had problems, Pritchett views her open wheel debut a success.

“I passed three cars in the first lap, but our Formula Ford had a problem later and I couldn’t finish the race. You gotta love racecars sometimes. But overall, I had a great experience in working with a variety of nice people who really helped me with the transition to road racing. While we didn’t finish as we wanted, I would love to give it a try in the near future again.”

Pritchett, driving for Dote Racing, enjoyed her career best Top Fuel qualifying performance recently at Maple Grove Raceway by take the second position in the NHRA Keystone Nationals. Earlier this season, she was the Top Fuel runner-up in the NHRA Southern Nationals race. Pritchett continues to improve, looking for her first Top Fuel victory in an ultra-competitive class.

Leah is scheduled to return with her Gumout Top Fuel dragster at the NHRA Toyota Nationals at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway “Strip” on Oct. 30-Nov. 1. Qualifying will take place Friday (Oct. 30) and Saturday (Oct. 31) with final eliminations set for Sunday (Nov. 1).

Featured Racer: Tiana Berkeley

October 11, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Racing has always been a part of Tiana Berkeley’s family life. She spent her childhood years at the racetrack watching her father race, and he grew up much the same watching his father race before him. But when she grew a little older, she surprised her father by not only taking an interest in the sport, but jumping behind the wheel and getting down and dirty.

“I have not had any [formal] training, my dad has been my coach but I taught myself how to get around the track. It was a learning experience and basically trial and error for me.”

A Colville, Washington native, Tiana Berkeley has been racing for 5 years, starting in the four cylinder ranks in 2011. She earned Rookie of the Year at Northport Raceway in the class, and went on to become the first female to win a championship in the Four Cylinder class for 2012. In 2013, she again would win the championship in the Four Cylinder class, this time at Eagle Track Raceway in Republic, WA.

After 3 years dominating the four cylinder class, Tiana Berkeley would move up to the Modified ranks, competing under the No. 45 in purple IMCA a-mod she says is a tribute to her late grandfathers.

“My car number is 45, because that is the number my Grandpa Jerry used to run when he raced. Most of the car is purple because that is the color for pancreatic cancer awareness and my Grandpa Brad passed away from it. They both passed in 2006 and I wanted the car to be a tribute to them due to the fact that they both loved racing.”

She would place third in her first year at Eagle Track Raceway in 2014 and go on to win the championship this season, remaining the first and only female to have won the championship in track history.

For Tiana, her last 5 years have filled with great experiences with the family. She graduated high school one year early to work in the family owned business, Colville Printing as a Graphic Designer. With her dad handling all of the mechanical aspects of the car (‘he’s the best mechanic a girl could ask for’ she says), Tiana is able to focus on driving, learning the ropes quickly as she moves up the ranks. But she wasn’t as well received by all of her fellow racers, adding that she encountered some unexpected animosity.

“People I have known for my entire life have treated me differently since I have began racing with and against them, and beating them makes it even worse. That has been tough since I am a very caring person and I wouldn’t expect it from them.”

Tiana Berkeley says she’s dealt with lots of tough criticism from those who believe that women should be behind the wheel of a racecar. But Tiana doesn’t want to be viewed any differently than any other driver.

“I always treat everyone the same. I use sportsmanship and hope that they will eventually accept that I won’t be knocked down due to their criticism.”

Her toughest critic though has always been herself. Wanting to improve and do better, she tends to beat herself up a lot, and can be very hard on herself after a tough event. But for Tiana, she knows that no matter the situation, she has to persevere.

“I learned that someone is always going to have something negative to say, no matter what the situation. Don’t let it get to your head. Keep pushing through and strive to reach your goals. Let the negativity be your motivation to always be the best that you can be. Racing is not just a male dominate sport, women can be successful too.”

Tiana plans to travel with the car and learn from other great drivers around the northwest, and is looking forward to learning how to drive on different surfaces and track conditions with more cars.

Dina Parise IHRA Pro Mod Champ

October 10, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Dina Parise is the new 2015 IHRA Crower Pro Mod World Champion

IHRA Pro Mod competitor Dina Parise sealed up the 2015 IHRA Crower Pro Mod World Championship at the final race of the season, the IHRA World Finals in Memphis, TN. The popular Nitro Jam standout debuted her Cadillac CTSV Pro Mod named ‘Stella’ at the season opener, encountering new car bugs for the first half of the Crower Pro Mod season. After struggling with dialing in the new car and getting comfortable behind the wheel, Dina was able to push through the difficult times and secured the points lead going into the final race. Once there, it was a battle between her and Bill Lutz, but the former figure skating pro would end up sealing up the championship during eliminations.

Congratulations to Dina Parise and team on their new championship!

Women’s Helmet Review

October 8, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

We all know that when it comes to protective safety wear, being in a male-dominated sport can have its disadvantages as a woman. These items are typically designed for men, and there isn’t much information out there on how each of them actually fit and function for women. After the success of our Women’s Fire Suit Review, we decided to continue the series onto the next critical component common to racers: Women’s Helmet Review.

We again reached out to our network of fellow female racers and women in motorsports for their feedback on Women’s Racing Helmets. Each woman provided her input on their helmet’s weight, comfort, quality, and overall satisfaction on a scale from 1-5, with 1 being completely dissatisfied and 5 being completely satisfied.

Bell

Helmet: Bell RS7 | Snell SA2010 and FIA8858-2010 certified

Reviewed by: Renee Dupuis | NASCAR Modifieds Driver

WEIGHT: COMFORT: QUALITY: OVERALL:

Renee’s Comments: “Fabulous helmet – Bell fits me better than other brands, so I’ve used them exclusively for years.”

Helmet: Bell Moto 9 | DOT Snell M2015

Reviewed by: Sara Price | Professional Motocross Supercross Racer

WEIGHT: COMFORT: QUALITY: OVERALL:

Sara’s Comments: “Bell having a long track record with safety on their product, I would never hesitate to choose any of their product! I mainly use the Moto 9 but when I have to use a Auto specific helmet I happily choose the BR1! They are build very well and high end and feel safe with my brain inside one!”

Helmet: Bell RS7 Carbon | Snell SA2010 and FIA8858-2010 certified

Reviewed by: McKenna Haase | Dirt Sprint Car Driver

WEIGHT: COMFORT: QUALITY: OVERALL:

McKenna’s Comments: “When I first received my RS7, I felt it was uncomfortable due to the pressure it applied to my forehead. However, I talked to the employees at Bell, and they had me send it back so they could work on it. Within two days, they had reshaped my helmet perfectly and it has fit great ever since. I recently flipped my sprint car violently five times end over end and walked away without any brain injury.”

G-Force

Helmet: G-Force Pro Eliminator | Snell SA2010

Reviewed by: Tarra Springstroh | Asphalt Circle track driver

WEIGHT: COMFORT: QUALITY: OVERALL:

Tarra’s Comments: “Love my gforce helmet! Got a new one for 2016 which is the carbon fiber!”

Helmet: G-Force Pro Eliminator | Snell SA2010

Reviewed by: Krista Elyse | NMRA Drag Racing Driver

WEIGHT: COMFORT: QUALITY: OVERALL:

Krista’s Comments: “This helmet saved me from severe head trauma during my crash this season that totaled my race car. I walked away with a minor concussion instead of something worse, due to smacking my head so hard on the front of the 10 point roll cage. I am extremely satisfied and would purchase the helmet again. Proof that you don’t have to buy an $800 helmet to be sufficiently protected.”

Impact

Helmet: Impact Super Sport | Snell SA2010

Reviewed by: Sunny Hobbs | Road/Sport/Stockcar Racer

WEIGHT: COMFORT: QUALITY: OVERALL:

Sunny’s Comments: “This helmet fits the bill for me. It’s snug and comfortable, and works well with my Hans. The padding around my face is firm which gives it a good fit, but the fabric is still soft and pliable. My peripheral vision is great. The chin strap rings tend to twist sometimes which is cumbersome,but overall it’s a good quality helmet.”

Simpson

Helmet: Simpson Carbon Drag Bandit | Snell SA2010

Reviewed by: Elaine Larsen | IHRA Jet Drag Racer

WEIGHT: COMFORT: QUALITY:

OVERALL:

Elaine’s Comments: “Simpson is the best when it comes to fitting women in Motor Sports. They go the extra mile to make sure that the fit is perfect as we don’t fit regular sizes. They do this at no extra charge to the customer. I have had extra padding installed in my helmets as my face is thinner than a man and the strap able to be pulled tighter. They make safety and comfort their first priority. They also make sure you look really good wearing their products.”

Helmet: Simpson Outlaw Bandit | Snell SA2010

Reviewed by: Janette Thornley | Nitro Harley Drag Racer

WEIGHT: COMFORT: QUALITY: OVERALL:

Janette’s Comments: “In motorcycle drag racing, it’s important to have a larger opening to see through above the eyes. This helmet is sufficient to get the job done but another 1/2″ would be even better. The fit is perfect and feels good when wearing it but again, once on the motorcycle and in the stage position, I have to push the chin part of the helmet up some in order to see the staging tree. At that point, the back of the helmet can pinch my ponytail but once the adjustment is complete I’m set and the helmet is not a distraction and I’ve never had an issue.”

Helmet: Simpson Bandit| Snell SA2015

Reviewed by: Carly Jo Ellingson | Super Pro Drag Racer

WEIGHT: COMFORT: QUALITY:

OVERALL:

Carly Jo’s Comments: “I love my Simpson Bandit helmet! I feel that it was a very smart choice and I’m happy I made the switch a number of years ago, after making the decision to move up through the ranks of NHRA drag racing! My only complaint would be that after several years of use in the scorching heat of our summer race seasons, I noticed that the padding adhesive was actually seeping through the padding. With that being said, I still recommend the Simpson Bandit to other racers, and I am thankful for its strong build! That helmet saved my life during a rollover accident in 2013, so I will definitely stand by it and represent it as living proof of its excellent quality!

Stilo

Helmet: Stilo ST4 GT | Snell SA2010

Reviewed by: Cindi Lux | Road Racer/Instructor

WEIGHT: COMFORT: QUALITY: OVERALL:

Cindi’s Comments: “I have worn many different types of helmets over my career. This Stilo is one of the best in all areas. Comfort, safety and features.”

Do you have Comments/Notes to add to this discussion? Make sure you comment below and give us your feedback!

Enders on Jay Leno’s Garage

October 7, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Erica Enders and Jay Leno — Story/Photos via NHRA.com

Look for reigning Mello Yello Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders and Elite Motorsports team owner Richard Freeman on the premier episode of Jay Leno’s Garage, Wednesday night at 10 p.m. Eastern on CNBC. Enders will be showing the talk-show host/comedian and car enthusiast the ropes on how to drive a drag racing car.

“It will be a great way to introduce the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series to a new audience,” Enders said. “That was a great experience and a neat opportunity. I grew up watching Jay Leno and always enjoyed him throughout my life, so it was cool to be able to work with him. He shares the same passion for automobiles that we do, and that was pretty evident.”

Leno has a well-known private collection of automobiles, and Enders and Freeman will get the tour of his prized collection when NHRA returns to California for the season-finale in November.

Jay Leno’s Garage began as a YouTube series about cars and motorcycles with a one-hour special airing on CNBC last year, but its popularity has spurned a primetime weekly show that begins this Wednesday.

Enders and Freeman joined Leno after her Bristol win to film the show at Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, Calif. They used the Super Comp car of Division 7 racer Eddie Fischle, along with the support of Frank Hawley.

Enders and Leno cruised around in a new Chevrolet Camaro SS, and the two chatted about their respective careers to begin the show.

“It was fun to be able to drive him around in the Camaro,” Enders said. “We talked a little bit about his life and a little bit about my career. Then we spent the rest of the day teaching him to drive, so it was a neat deal.”

Enders is the perfect choice for driving coach, as she recently set an NHRA record by winning three consecutive final rounds on holeshots.

“It was a neat chance to be able to teach him how to drive a Super Comp car with Frank Hawley,” Enders said. “I ended up getting to make a pass in my buddy Eddie Fischle’s car, and he supplied us the cars for us to teach Jay to drive.”

Leno wanted to make more passes in the car at the end of the day, clearly enjoying his lessons behind the wheel.

“That goes to show how much he enjoyed it,” Enders said.

How do you think Jay will fair behind the wheel of a Super Comp car? Comment below!

13 female racers Drive for Diversity

October 7, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

13 female racers will have three days to compete for a spot in the top driver development program, NASCAR Drive for Diversity (D4D), taking place at Langley Speedway in Hampton, Va., Oct. 19-21, 2015. In total, 22 drivers were selected to take part in the combine.

The D4D program, currently in its 12th year, invites promising ethnically diverse and female drivers, ages 14 to 26, from across North America to test their skills over a three-day period in an annual combine order to select the newest members of the program for the following year. Drivers are evaluated on their driving skills and strength and agility exercises. Those identified during the combine will take part in the diversity program for 2016.

“Finding and developing diverse athletes who will represent the future of NASCAR is at the core of our organization’s mission,” said NASCAR Senior Vice President of Racing Operations Jim Cassidy. “Every year, the bar is raised with talented applicants who have the potential and determination to succeed. We’re proud to watch our graduates in the national series and develop more diverse talent to join them in the years to come.”

Rev Racing, the Max Siegel-owned race team, partners with the D4D program to offer racing opportunities in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (NKPSE) and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series (NWAAS) for one full season, providing drivers with equipment, mentoring, and competition experience.

“We could not be more excited about this year’s NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine to select the 2016 Class of Rev Racing drivers,” said team CEO Max Siegel. “Coming off of our 6th consecutive multiple race winning season, we are focused on continuing to make our program and approach world-class, as we prepare these young drivers to advance into the national series.”

This year, 13 female racers Drive for Diversity, including the youngest combine participant ever at 14 years old, Macy Causey.

Fans can follow the Combine live on Twitter at @NASCARDiversity and @RevRacing.

Women of the 12th annual NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine

Hannah Adair, 21 Tusla, OK
Kayli Barker, 18 Las Vegas, NV
Nicole Behar, 17 Otis Orchards, WA
Macy Causey, 14 Yorktown, VA
Madeline Crane, 17 Meansville, GA
Claire Decker, 20 Eagle River, WI
Natalie Decker, 18 Eagle River, WI
Ali Kern, 22 Fremont, OH
Mariah McGriff, 20 Vail, AZ
Becca Monopoli, 26 Lakeland, FL
Erika Newcome, 20 Pickerington, OH
Hannah Newhouse, 18 Twin Falls, ID
Vanessa Robinson, 25 Las Cruces, NM

Best of luck to each of these ladies as they attempt to make the 2016 Drive for Diversity Program!

Women of Motorsports Girls Night Out

October 7, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Motorsports Marketing and Sponsorship coach Annamarie Malfitana-Strawhand of Marketing at Full Speed, just announced an upcoming Women of Motorsports Girls Night Out online event on Google Hangout for Women in Racing.

The special free livestreaming event will be held next Wednesday, October 14, 7:00 PM EDT – 9:00 PM EDT to give women involved in racing a chance to connect and empower one another. The Women in Motorsports Girls Night Out is a kickoff event for a new program being launched by Marketing at Full Speed entitled “A Season for Success, Horsepowerment for Women In Racing”.

Annamarie will host the hangout, and will be discussing some success strategies for women in motorsports, with Q&A session and live chat after. She encourages female racers, racing moms, sisters, daughters, spouses and women working or aspiring to work in the sport to attend, and adds that it’s a great opportunity to connect, share, mentor and support fellow women in the sport.

There will even be some prizes awarded to lucky attendees- Simpson Safety gear, Amazon, Dunkin Donut gift cards and more.

To attend, simply fill out this signup form.

# Women Racing Hashtags #

October 7, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

#ALLTHEHASHTAGS

It might seem like a silly practice, but how you are tagging your social media posts is important for your visibility and growing your fanbase. Hashtags have become critical to social media interaction. They are how new followers are introduced to your account, how cross-marketing platforms begin, and how sneaky search engines are finding your content in the social mash-up.

Choosing good Women Racing Hashtags for Growth

Hashtags can be an easy way to drive new traffic interested in your activities. But what are the best terms to use? Because each of them are very specific search terms, there could be thousands of similar hashtags that fit your audience. The problem with that is, it waters down the chances that you will be seen greatly. Because #WomenRacing and #WomeninRacing are two different terms, you may be missing the mark with the terms you choose. Do your research! See what tags are already out there and popular, and tag accordingly.

I polled a few women in racing to see what terms they used most. There doesn’t seem to be much consistency in the terms used to tag women in motorsports activities. These are a few of the more popular terms I’ve found #WomenRacing #WomeninRacing #WomeninMotorsports #WomenOfMotorsports #femaledrivers #FemaleRacers #RacerGirls #CarChix #WomenWhoRace #GirlsWhoRace #GirlPower – the list could go on and on.

In general, its best to keep it simple, short and most importantly- consistent. Long tags won’t be very commonly used or search-friendly. Although it can be tempting to be thorough and list all variations and varieties of tags with your message, a laundry list of tags will quickly be ignored and your message will be drowned in the pool of tags. Test out your hashtags and monitor which ones seem to get the most visibility through insights or analytics. Once you’ve determined which ones do best, refine your list to include those only most relevant to your efforts.

Categories of Women Racing Hashtags

Event Tags– Check to see if the event you are participating has an official event tag, and make sure you use it. That will help you connect with fans at the event, and keep everyone updated on your activities if you post real-time trackside updates. #USNats #Indy500 #Daytona500 are a few examples of event terms. Going to a tradeshow? Those are some of the best ways to connect and find out show-related happenings! Don’t forget to tag and follow along with the show’s main hashtag. #SEMA #PRI #NAIAS
Racing Series Tags– Tagging your posts with your sanction is another way to engage fans in your genre of motorsport. #ARCA #NHRA #IndyCar
Racing Genre Tags– Try using a more generalized tag to attract less familiar fans. #DragRacing #OpenWheel #RoadRacing #OffRoad #StockCar #Rally
Location Tags– What facility are you racing at? What city or landmark are you visiting? Be sure to use the location tools to let people know where you’re at. Checking into your favorite restaurants on the road gives an interesting perspective to fans trying to get to know you beyond the track.
Movement Tags– Supporting a cause or aligning with a particular movement? Don’t forget to tag with terms of the movement #FightLikeAGirl #LikeAGirl #EndCancer
Current Event Tags– Trending live current event happenings and global conversations that you take part in are great ways to be part of a larger discussion. Often used to announce breaking news, these type conversations could be sensitive and urgent conversations such as natural disasters #HurricaneKatrina or maybe just of national interest like #IndependenceDay or the #ElectionDay results. A great way to see what is current is to check trending topics on each of the social networks.
Create Your Own Tags– Want to interact with your fans? Encourage them to use a custom-created tag that matches your initiative. Hosting a fun Q&A social session with fans? Indy racer Pippa Mann often encourages fans to #AskPippa on Twitter for a cool interactive twist. You can even help bring more value to your sponsors with traffic and metrics by creating a special promotion or contest tag for your sponsors #WinWithAerospace
Social Tags– Play along with long-standing Hashtag Socials like the Follow Friday Twitter tag. #FF is used to recommend some of your favorite twitter users, and allows reciprocal following and connecting. #Followback and #photooftheday are other examples.

Following and Monitoring

Hashtagging isn’t a one-way road. You can also search and monitor terms to use it to your advantage. If you’re at an event and monitor the event’s hashtag, you may discover some neat happenings in other areas you maybe wouldn’t have been aware of otherwise. You can also use it to find new fans to interact with by following others that post the same hashtag interests.

What hashtags do YOU post and follow? Let us know in the comments below!

Event: CarChix Ladies Only Drag Race

October 6, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

CarChix.com is hosting their final Ladies Only Drag Race of the year this Saturday, October 10th at Sikeston Raceway.

Open to all levels of women- from beginner to Pro, the Ladies Only Drag Racing is divided into two 1/8th mile bracket race classes: Street (7.40 & Slower) and Pro (7.39 & Quicker). All cars must pass NHRA tech inspection, and no electronics are permitted (must be covered).

Ladies wanting to compete in the event pay the $15 gate fee (for entrance into the track) and an additional $30 Ladies Only Drag Race registration (at the CarChix tent prior to the start of the race).

Prizes including a cash prizes paid out to 1st and 2nd place racers in each class, and Coach purses to the winners in each class are up for grabs. A PINK VP Racing Fuel Jug will be raffled off to one lucky Car Chix Ladies Only Drag Race entrant, and trophies/awards will be given for Hottest Ride, Best Burnout, Fastest MPH, and Best Reaction Time.

The event is sponsored by JEGS, and all entrants receive a free JEGS Baseball Cap and decal set (while supplies last – first come, first serve).

Ladies Only Drag Race Details

Gates open at: 12pm
Car Chix Driver’s Meeting at PINK Car Chix Booth: 1pm

Open Time Runs Start at: 3 – 4pm
Qualifying Starts at: 4pm
2 Rounds of Qualifying, Eliminations to follow

Spectator Gate Fee: $15.00
Kids Ages12 & Under: FREE

More information is available online at Ladies Only Drag Race Facebook Event or Carchix.com Event Page

SEMA Women’s Events 2015

October 6, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Going to the SEMA show? Don’t miss these SEMA Women’s Events geared especially for women in the industry!

Gear Up Girl Networking Event – Powered by SBN

For: SEMA Attendees, WOMEN ONLY
Date: November 2, 2015 – 3:30pm – 5:00pm
Location: Las Vegas Convention Center, Upper North Hall, N264

The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) is hosting their annual Gear Up Girl Networking event for female automotive professionals. The event began in 2011 as part of the SEMA education student program to connect female students to leading female industry mentors. This is a great mixer and a relaxed social setting for women in the industry to connect and learn from several different generations of women in the automotive industry.

The event is FREE to registered SEMA Attendees.

Women in Business: Shattering the Glass Ceiling – Powered by SBN & TIA

For: SEMA Attendees, WOMEN ONLY
Date: November 4, 2015 – 1:00pm – 2:30pm
Location: Las Vegas Convention Center, Upper North Hall, N262

A special, female only networking & education event: This event focuses on insight from a panel of successful women automotive industry leaders on helping to break down the glass ceiling for women in automotive by recognizing the value women bring to the workplace, the impact they make on organizational bottom line, and the contribution to the economy at large. Industry policy makers and leaders are changing to support women’s engagement in the workforce, and ascension into positions of greater influence, but this on its own is not enough. Presented by Tire Industry Association President, Freda Pratt-Boyer and Auto Trader Director of Automotive Relations, Michelle Krebs, participants can exchange open dialogue on the qualities it takes to excel in business.

The event is FREE to registered SEMA Attendees.

Leveraging Differences to Drive Success: 5 Best Practices for Building a Diverse Workforce, Powered by SBN

For: All SEMA Attendees
Date: November 3, 2015 – 11:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Las Vegas Convention Center, Upper North Hall, N256

To be profitable in a diverse, globalized marketplace, savvy companies are making efforts to look more like the community around them. If you employ only those who identify with a small portion of the market, you just don’t have access to the insights, experiences and worldviews of the full marketplace.

When planning to expand your staff, make an effort to recruit a diverse set of employees to help your company. Learn five best practices for building a diverse workforce.

Presented by: Michelle Krebs, Director of Automotive Relations, Auto Trader

The event is FREE to registered SEMA Attendees.

Communication Roadmap for Men and Women, Powered by SBN

For: All SEMA Attendees
Date: November 2, 2015 – 10:30am – 11:30am
Location: Las Vegas Convention Center, Upper North Hall, N254

Wall Street Journal author Joanne Lipman joins the SEMA Show to discuss the demystifying of women in the workplace and sharing advice for the men who work with them.

The event is FREE to registered SEMA Attendees.

Keynote & Coffee: How Expectations Are Changing the Sales Experience for Millennial Women, Powered by SBN

For: All SEMA Attendees
Date: November 4, 2015 – 8:00am – 9:00am
Location: Las Vegas Convention Center, Upper North Hall, N258

Bridget Brennan, CEO, Female Factor will deliver a special keynote on the most powerful techniques for reaching Millennial women, the influential generation of consumers who were born between 1980 and 2000. Brennan will be providing insights on this crucial target audience, who are already the newest generation of mothers. Millennial women are a prime target audience for everything from cars to furniture to financial services. As a generation that’s come of age with social media and technology, what’s the best way to reach them? Brennan explores how the Millennial generation’s unique perception of the world (and themselves) impact brand preferences, marketing responses and choice of sales channel. Attendees will learn the cultural forces that have shaped Millennial women, and how to apply this knowledge to marketing and sales efforts. Topics include:

How the mass documentation of Millennials’ lives impacts brand choice
What kind of parenting style is already being exhibited by the new generation of mothers, and what this means to consumer purchasing
Why inspiration is a crucial component for this age group
How expectations for the sales experience are changing

The event is FREE to registered SEMA Attendees.

NHRA SEMA Breakfast – Highlighting Women in Drag Racing

For: All SEMA Attendees
Date: November 4, 2015 — 7:30 am – 9:30am
Location: Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino (formerly the Las Vegas Hotel and Casino), Paradise Events Center South

The 2015 NHRA Breakfast at the SEMA Show will celebrate the success of women in drag racing. The event will bring together some of the most successful women in the sport to share their memories and legacies in the world’s most diverse motorsport. Drivers Erica Enders, Courtney Force, Alexis DeJoria, Leah Pritchett, and legendary Shirley Muldowney will all participate in the panel, moderated by longtime NHRA announcer Bob Frey.

The event is FREE to registered SEMA Attendees, but an advance ticket is required. To order your event ticket or register for the show, visit www.SEMAShow.com/register and click Add Event Tickets.