AAPEX Issues Intellectual Property Policy Statement to Help Protect Exhibitors’ Rights

MOKENA, Ill. – Oct. 17, 2013 – The organizers of the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) have issued a new policy statement, “Protecting Your Intellectual Property Rights at AAPEX,” for exhibitors at this year’s event. AAPEX is slated for Tuesday, Nov. 5 through Thursday, Nov. 7, at the Sands Expo Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

AAPEX organizers have a zero tolerance policy toward intellectual property (IP) infringement and will work with exhibitors to resolve legitimate violation claims. Violating exhibitors face potentially severe consequences, which may include closing an exhibitor’s booth and a ban from future AAPEX shows, as well as the loss of seniority privileges.

The Intellectual Property Statement includes a general background of AAPEX and intellectual property issues at the event. This policy also provides an overview of the IP Review Process, a mechanism by which exhibitors can issue complaints regarding potential infringement with AAPEX Management.

AAPEX Management and its IP Counsel will be available during AAPEX from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., starting Monday, Nov. 4 through Nov. 7 to receive and investigate intellectual property complaints at AAPEX. AAPEX welcomes any exhibitor concerned about a potential infringement to make use of this exhibitor service.

AAPEX Management urges all AAPEX exhibitors to develop year-round protection and enforcement programs for their Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) and to utilize the IP Review Process to protect their intellectual property during AAPEX. AAPEX also recommends that exhibitors consult with an attorney experienced in the field of preserving and protecting IPRs.

To review the AAPEX Intellectual Property Statement, please visit http://www.aapexshow.com/2013/public/Content.aspx?ID=3089&sortMenu=103007.

AAPEX represents the $477 billion global motor vehicle aftermarket, and is jointly sponsored by the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) and the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). For more information, please visit www.aapexshow.com or e-mail: info@aapexshow.com.

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AAPEX Learning Forum to Spotlight Industry Trends and Issues

The Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) 2013 Learning Forum will feature six sessions that focus on current industry trends and issues, including the popular “Aftermarket Outlook” session, presented by NPD, and “Five Trends in Five Minutes: Trends Affecting the Aftermarket Environment,” presented by Polk. AAPEX is set for Tuesday, Nov. 5 through Thursday, Nov. 7, at the Sands Expo Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

In addition, the Learning Forum will offer the following sessions on industry trends and issues:

• Aftermarket Dynamics and the Road Ahead

• California's Chemical Management Rules

• Navigating the Regulatory Minefield for International Trade in Auto Parts

• Aftermarket Telematics: Separating Fact from Friction

Due to its popularity, the 2014 Aftermarket Outlook session will be offered twice during AAPEX on Nov. 5 from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and on Wednesday, Nov. 6 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

This year’s Learning Forum will feature nearly 40 free sessions, the highest number ever offered at AAPEX. Sessions will begin on Monday, Nov. 4 – the day before the official start of AAPEX – and continue through Nov. 7. Attendees are encouraged to make their travel plans accordingly.

All sessions are accredited by the University of the Aftermarket toward the Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) and Master Automotive Aftermarket Professional (MAAP) designations. Sessions will be held at the Venetian Hotel, on the Venetian/Palazzo Congress Center Level 1, Marco Polo Rooms 701-707. Since the sessions are free-of-charge, seating is first come, first served.

For a list of topics, speakers, session descriptions and a schedule, visit the AAPEX Learning Forum, www.aapexshow.com/education.

AAPEX represents the $477 billion global motor vehicle aftermarket and is jointly sponsored by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) and the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA). For more information, please visit www.aapexshow.com or e-mail: info@aapexshow.com.

AAPEX Buyers to Vote on Product Showcase Entries

Pre-registered buyers now have the opportunity to vote for the best products in this year’s Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) Product Showcase. Voting will end Friday, Oct. 25 and the winning entries will be announced during AAPEX, slated for Tuesday, Nov. 5 through Thursday, Nov. 7, at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas.

Pre-registered buyers have been sent voting instructions and a link to the online 2013 AAPEX Product Extra in which the entries are displayed. The online AAPEX Product Extra also will be sent to more than 63,000 automotive aftermarket professionals two weeks before AAPEX. A printed version of the publication will be mailed on Wednesday, Oct. 9, and additional copies will be distributed during AAPEX. 

This year’s Product Showcase entries are displayed in 13 categories: Accessories, Automotive Lighting, Business Tools, Chemicals, Lubricants and Filters, Electrical, General Merchandise, Hard Parts, Innovation, Mobile Electronics, Paint, Body and Equipment, Safety, Tires and Wheels, and Tool and Equipment. All buyers who vote will be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card.

In addition to using the AAPEX Product Extra to vote, buyers also can use the publication to identify new products to add to their current lines and ultimately, grow their business at AAPEX. In turn, exhibitors’ products in the showcase receive additional exposure to thousands of buyers before AAPEX, giving them the opportunity to grow their bottom line. All entries in the 2013 Product Showcase also will be on display at AAPEX.

AAPEX represents the $477 billion global motor vehicle aftermarket, and is jointly sponsored by the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) and the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). For more information, please visit www.aapexshow.com or e-mail: info@aapexshow.com.

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New Widget Lets Buyers Access AAPEX Information From Exhibitor Websites

A new eBooth Promotion Widget lets buyers use an exhibitor’s website to quickly and easily access information about the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX), as well as view the exhibitor’s eBooth profile and add the exhibitor to their event expo plan. AAPEX is set for Tuesday, Nov. 5 – Thursday, Nov. 7, at the Sands Expo Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

Buyers also can view their personalized event expo plan and even register for AAPEX with a single click from an exhibitor’s website. In turn, exhibitors can use the widget to engage their prospects, build a pre-event lead list and promote their participation in AAPEX. The widget is bundled with a powerful dashboard that helps exhibitors monitor and evaluate their ROI from the widget.

There is no cost for using the eBooth Promotion Widget. To install the widget, exhibitors should log in to the AAPEX website, navigate to the eBooth Promotion Widget screen, select the widget code, copy it and embed it in their website. The widget should be placed in a prominent location on the exhibitor’s website, especially on the pages popular with buyers, and preferably above the fold so visitors can view the widget without scrolling down.

AAPEX represents the $477 billion global motor vehicle aftermarket and is jointly sponsored by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) and the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA). For more information, please visit www.aapexshow.com or e-mail: info@aapexshow.com.

AAPEX Debuts “Joe” and New Full-Service Stations

AAPEX Debuts “Joe” and New Full-Service Stations

“Joe” may be an ordinary guy, but not at this year’s Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) where he’ll be delivering exceptional customer service to attendees, either in the new full-service stations or on the show floor. AAPEX is set for Tuesday, Nov. 5 through Thursday, Nov. 7, at the Sands Expo Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

Joe and the full-service stations reflect AAPEX’s commitment to ensure attendees get the information they need in a format that best suits them. Some attendees prefer one-on-one assistance, which Joe and the full-serve stations will provide, while others enjoy the self-serve stations. The stations allow attendees to do a multitude of things, including searching for exhibitors and products and printing the results.

To further assist attendees with questions, AAPEX is adding attendants to the show floor who will be dressed in automotive technician shirts with the words “Ask Joe”

on the back. The shirts, sponsored by Red Kap, Booth 656, pay homage to the thousands of technicians who repair consumers’ vehicles everyday and are the go-to-person for information.

AAPEX also has created two new pocket guides for attendees who prefer printed literature. One is a road map for them to navigate the million square foot Sands Expo Center, including restaurants and other food options available within the Sands and Venetian/Palazzo resort. The other printed piece is a complete schedule of the seminars offered with topic descriptions and speaker information.

AAPEX represents the $477 billion global motor vehicle aftermarket and is jointly sponsored by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) and the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA). For more information, please visit www.aapexshow.com or e-mail: info@aapexshow.com.