AAPEX 2014 Reports Attendance Increase in Target Buyer Categories

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Dec. 15, 2014 – Buyer attendance at the 2014 Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW) in Las Vegas increased in key target buyer categories identified by the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX), with independent repair garages leading the way with the largest growth at 12 percent. Attendance also increased in AAPEX’s target buyer categories of auto retailers, warehouse distributors (WD) - heavy-duty truck, and tool and equipment dealers. AAPEX and The SEMA Show make up AAIW.

Additional highlights from this year’s event include:

• The number of domestic buyers was up more than 2,000 from last year for a total of 46,267 for AAIW.
• International buyers grew to 15,243. Exhibitors and buyers attended from 141 foreign countries.
• AAPEX exhibitors totaled 2,364 with 5,343 booths. This year, AAPEX had 580 new exhibitors.
• Education and professional development continued to expand this year with 3,348 industry professionals attending 50 sessions offered through AAPEXedu.

“AAPEX 2014 was one of the best, if not the best AAPEX ever, for so many reasons,” said Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO, Auto Care Association. “From the quantity and quality of key attendees and record participation at education sessions to hitting a homerun with the new general session featuring Steve Forbes and other successful activities, the AAPEX experience for was an industry-wide win. We are already working exciting new plans and enhancements for AAPEX 2015.”

“This year’s heightened energy level and positive feedback regarding the outstanding quality of educational and business meetings and the number of genuine new-business leads demonstrates that AAPEX 2014 was a valuable catalyst to help attendees and exhibitors alike in growing their business,” said Bill Long, president and chief operating officer of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the light vehicle aftermarket division of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association. “The AAPEXedu sessions were expanded to meet the increasing need of education and technical training within our industry. Most notable was the Service Professionals Program, sponsored by MAHLE Service Solutions, which included ‘in-booth’ demonstrations on the latest product, services and repair techniques by full service aftermarket suppliers.”

AAPEX was held Tuesday, Nov. 4 through Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Nev.

AAPEX 2015 dates are: Education - Monday, Nov. 2 through Thursday, Nov. 5; Exhibits - Tuesday, Nov. 3 through Nov. 5, at the Sands Expo Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

AAPEX represents the $477 billion global aftermarket auto parts industry, and is co-owned by the Auto Care Association and the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the light vehicle aftermarket division of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). For more information, please visit www.aapexshow.com or e-mail: info@aapexshow.com.

AAPEXedu Sets New Records

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Dec. 10, 2014 – The AAPEXedu set two new records at the 2014  Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) by having the highest attendance ever and offering the largest number of sessions in AAPEX history. Attendance increased by 8 percent over 2013 and a total of 51 free sessions were part of the 2014 AAPEXedu. 

The 2014 AAPEXedu also offered an all-new, free General Session featuring a keynote address by Steve Forbes, chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media. Forbes delivered his address to more than 1,200 AAPEX attendees and spoke of a new business-friendly environment for the aftermarket due to recent election results.

In addition, the AAPEXedu featured three new customized conferences, including the new Service Professionals Program, sponsored by MAHLE Service Solutions. The program featured more than 20 education sessions, facilitated roundtable discussions, and in-booth technical demonstrations and networking on the AAPEX exhibit floor.

The Recruiting and Retaining Conference sessions focused on establishing relationships with colleges, developing internships, and attracting and keeping high performance talent. The conference featured a panel of millennial leaders talking about their experience in the auto care industry.

The new REMANedu Conference featured valuable remanufacturing sessions, an engine remanufacturing panel discussion, and remarks by representatives of the Motor & Equipment Remanufacturers Association (MERA), the remanufacturing division of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), and the Auto Care Association.

Specific AAPEXedu sessions that hit the mark with attendees included the “2015 Aftermarket Outlook” by David Portalatin, NPD Group, and “Five Trends in Five Minutes” by Mark Seng, IHS Automotive. Other popular sessions covered industry trends, marketing via websites and social media, creating a world-class organization and coaching the sale to become the greatest sales manager in the world. 

AAPEX was held Tuesday, Nov. 4 through Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Nev.

AAPEX 2015 dates are: Education - Monday, Nov. 2 through Thursday, Nov. 5; Exhibits - Tuesday, Nov. 3 through Nov. 5, at the Sands Expo Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

AAPEX represents the $477 billion global aftermarket auto parts industry, and is co-owned by the Auto Care Association and the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the light vehicle aftermarket division of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). For more information, please visit www.aapexshow.com or e-mail: info@aapexshow.com.

Steve Forbes Tells 1,200 AAPEX Attendees: Aftermarket Can Impact Change

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Dec. 2, 2014 – During his keynote address at the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX), Steve Forbes, chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media, connected with attendees as he spoke of a new business-friendly environment for the aftermarket due to recent election results. Forbes delivered his address to more than 1,200 attendees during the all-new, free AAPEX General Session on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at The Venetian, Palazzo Ballroom, in Las Vegas.

During his address, “The Next Four Years: Navigating the Economy for Business Growth and Success,” Forbes shared his thoughts and wisdom about the economy, monetary policy and health care reform.

He told attendees that as a result of the recent elections on Nov. 4, the newly elected Republican majority in the U.S. Congress will be able to affect real change, including meaningful reform to the U.S. tax structure.

“In this new business-friendly environment, the aftermarket and other manufacturers also can have a great impact on legislative and regulatory reform,” said Forbes.

The message he conveyed throughout his keynote address was that positive things will happen when there is the realization of the need for a different approach.

A former presidential candidate in 1996 and 2000, Forbes continues to lead the most successful business news magazine in America. Throughout his tenure, his keen ability to provide economic insights on the big issues of the day has been trusted by business leaders around the world. He also is the author of a new book, Money: How the Destruction of the Dollar Threatens the Global Economy and What We Can Do About it.

VIP Experience sponsors of the AAPEX General Session were: Robert Bosch LLC; UCI FRAM AutoBrands; and ZF Services LLC. These exhibitors enjoyed breakfast with Steve Forbes, tickets to a VIP seating area, complimentary copies of Forbes’ new book, a VIP book signing and many other sponsorship benefits. 

Concierge Experience sponsors were: Brake Parts Inc; Dayco Products LLC; East Penn Mfg. Co., Inc.; SKF; and TASCO. Concierge Experience sponsor benefits included tickets to a reserved seating area, complimentary copies of Forbes’ new book and exclusive entrance to the General Session.

AAPEX was held Tuesday, Nov. 4 through Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Nev. The event featured approximately 2,400 exhibitors, 5,000 booths and nearly 50 AAPEXedu sessions.

AAPEX 2015 dates are Education: Monday, Nov. 2 through Thursday, Nov. 5; Exhibits: Tuesday, Nov. 3 through Nov. 5, at the Sands Expo Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

AAPEX represents the $477 billion global aftermarket auto parts industry, and is co-owned by the Auto Care Association and the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the light vehicle aftermarket division of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). For more information, please visit www.aapexshow.com or e-mail: info@aapexshow.com.