AAPEX Exhibitor Webinar to Focus on Real-World Branding for Profit

MOKENA, Ill. – May 27, 2014 – The AAPEXedu Webinar Series will present, “Real-World Branding for Profit,” a free exhibitor webinar on Tuesday, June 10, at 4 p.m., EST. The webinar will show how branding is a strategic and tactical tool that can help businesses cut through the clutter in today’s world of “sameness” and commoditization of features and benefits. The 2014 Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) is slated for Tuesday, Nov. 4 through Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Nev., with AAPEXedu sessions starting on Monday, Nov. 3.

The webinar will focus on how good branding helps businesses communicate with customers in ways that matter to them and to their business. While most businesses fail to connect branding to actual results, participants in this webinar will learn how it can be done successfully.

The new, monthly AAPEXedu Webinar Series is designed to help ensure exhibitors grow their businesses and get the most out of their participation in the 2014 AAPEX. Additional exhibitor webinars will cover “Direct Response Marketing” (July), “Referral Marketing” (August), “Copywriting” (September) and “Boothmanship for AAPEX” (October).

Steve Miller, strategic marketing expert, is leading the new exhibitor webinars for AAPEX.

To register for “Real-World Branding for Profit” or to watch a previous webinar in the AAPEXedu Video Learning Library, visit: www.aapexshow.com/exhibitor/webinar.

The 2014 AAPEX is expected to feature more than 2,400 exhibitors, 5,000 booths, nearly 40 AAPEXedu sessions and 39,000 targeted buyers. More than 130,000 automotive aftermarket professionals from nearly 125 countries are projected to be in Las Vegas during AAPEX.

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

AAPEX 2014 Opens Attendee Online Registration

One Badge for Two Events: AAPEX and the SEMA Show

MOKENA, Ill. – May 14, 2014 – Attendees interested in growing their business should register online now for the 2014 Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) at: www.aapexshow.com/register. AAPEX is slated for Tuesday, Nov. 4 through Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Nev., with AAPEXedu sessions starting on Monday, Nov. 3.

By registering, attendees will be able to attend to two global events – AAPEX and the SEMA Show – for one low price. The online registration fee is only $25 (U.S.) through Saturday, Oct. 18. The fee for AAPEX registration via fax or mail is $50 (U.S.) through Oct. 18, and $75 (U.S.) starting Sunday, Oct. 19 and onsite at the Sands Expo Center.

Attendees will receive their badge and badge holder in the mail if online registration is done no later than Sept. 17, 2014, for international registration and Oct. 18, 2014, for domestic registration. By having the AAPEX badge prior to the event, attendees will have everything they need to walk in and start doing business at AAPEX the minute the exhibit halls open on Nov. 4.

In addition to registering online, attendees are reminded to make their hotel accommodations for AAPEX as soon as possible as some Las Vegas hotels are already sold out. Hotel accommodations can be made online on the AAPEX website, www.aapexshow.com/housing, using Travel Planners, the only official housing vendor for AAPEX.

The 2014 AAPEX is expected to feature more than 2,400 exhibitors, 5,000 booths, nearly 40 AAPEXedu sessions and 39,000 targeted buyers. Several programs and conferences will take place during this year’s event, including the all-new Service Professionals program, new Remanufacturing sessions and One-on-One meetings, a new Recruiting and Retaining Employees program and the AVI Technical Training Conference. More than 130,000 automotive aftermarket professionals from nearly 125 countries are projected to be in Las Vegas during AAPEX.

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

Excitement Runs High for 2,400 Companies Participating in AAPEX Space Draw

MOKENA, Ill. – May 12, 2014 – As companies vied for the top spots in the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) Space Draw on Tuesday, April 29, Bar’s Products, Inc., Holly, Mich., was the “top draft pick” in this year’s draw. By following strict Space Draw procedures and getting the No. 1 spot, Bar’s Products will be the first company to select and confirm their booth location for the 2014 AAPEX. AAPEX is slated for Tuesday, Nov. 4 through Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Nev., with AAPEXedu sessions starting on Monday, Nov. 3. 

“We are so excited to be the first company pulled in the AAPEX 2014 booth spacing drawing!” says Shelly Gascoigne, sales and marketing coordinator for Bar’s Products, parent company of well-known performance chemical brands Rislone and Bar’s Leaks. “We loved having booth #3616 at AAPEX 2013 and are thrilled that being drawn first means that we can keep the same space to once again greet customers in this high-profile location right inside the main Sands Avenue entrance. We are looking forward to another successful year exhibiting at AAPEX. We have participated in the show for 58 years. It’s a wonderful opportunity to introduce new products and meet with customers from around the world."

More than 2,400 companies participated in the AAPEX Space Draw, representing 520,000 net square feet of exhibit space. AAPEX 2014 increased by approximately eight percent compared to 2013 as exhibitors reserved more space for this year’s event.

Based on the large number of companies participating in the Space Draw, the event’s specific sections are exceeding expectations for the 2014 AAPEX, including Tool & Equipment, Remanufacturing, Paint & Body, the International Heat Transfer Association (NARSA), the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) and Auto International.

The Space Draw took place at the AAPEX Event Management office of WT Glasgow, Mokena, Ill., under the supervision of the auditing firm of CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP, Oak Brook, Ill.  

With the Space Draw complete, exhibitors are now in the process of selecting and confirming their booth location for the 2014 AAPEX. Exhibitors are given a date and time when AAPEX Event Management will call them to select their booth location. During the selection process, which began Tuesday, May 6, exhibitors have the opportunity to view an online floor plan that is updated in real-time.

In addition to reserving their booth space, exhibitors are reminded to make their hotel accommodations for AAPEX as soon as possible as some Las Vegas hotels are already sold out. Hotel accommodations can be made online on the AAPEX website, www.aapexshow.com/housing.

The 2014 AAPEX is expected to feature more than 2,400 exhibitors, 5,000 booths and 39,000 targeted buyers. More than 130,000 automotive aftermarket professionals from nearly 125 countries are projected to be in Las Vegas during AAPEX. To register, visit: www.aapexshow.com/register. 

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

AAPEXedu Debuts New Service Professionals Program

AAPEXedu Debuts New Service Professionals Program at 2014 Event Customized Program Enhances Value for AAPEX’s Growing Audience of Shop Owners and Repair Professionals

MOKENA, Ill. April 30, 2014
In response to the increase in the number of service and repair professionals and independent shop and store owners participating in the annual Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX), the co-owner associations today announced the new Service Professionals Program for the 2014 event, slated for Monday Nov. 3  through Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Sands Expo Center.

“Service professionals attend AAPEX each year for the opportunity to see the newest products and latest technology, gain valuable industry knowledge and management tips, and network with industry leaders,” 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 (MEMA). “We’ve joined with our partner association, the Auto Care Association, to provide additional value to this important AAPEX constituency.”

“AAPEX has evolved far beyond a traditional trade show to a premier industry event, known for its quality educational opportunities for repair and store owners and managers, jobbers, WD’s and professional technicians,” said Kathleen Schmatz, Auto Care Association president and CEO.
“As auto care industry professionals find the demands on their time to attend trade shows, conferences and events on the rise, the AAPEX business model is gaining traction for busy businesspeople at all levels,” said Schmatz. “Recent focus groups of service and repair professionals resulted in requests for more education and training, which we are delivering.”

Attendee evaluations consistently rank the ROI of AAPEX for being the one annual venue where all the education, training and networking and all the products and people from around the world convene at one place at one time during the year, according to the Auto Care Association and the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association.

AAPEXedu 2014 will feature a customized program specifically designed for service professionals. The 2014 AAPEX Service Professional Program will include:

• Expanded AAPEXedu education track sessions including:
• Branding, mobile apps, and relationship and digital marketing
• Management training to increase repair shop profits
• Best practices for mobile diagnostics in the shop and diagnostics for connected cars
• Facilitated roundtable discussions:
• Dialogues on common challenges and best practices
• Networking and peer problem solving

In addition, in-booth technical demonstrations on the AAPEX tradeshow floor will focus on new products, diagnostics and new vehicle technologies. Shop owners and managers also will have the opportunity to attend unique events hosted by leading aftermarket companies and network with the industry’s leaders during AAPEX. 

AAPEX will partner again in 2014 with the AVI Training Conference, set for Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 3 - 4, during the event. The 2014 AVI Conference will feature more than 20 high-end technical classes and management classes, all designed to give attendees a competitive edge. For more information, or a full list of classes and instructors, visit the AVI Conference website at www.aviconference.com or contact AVI directly at 800-718-7246.

AAPEX 2014 is expected to feature more than 2,400 exhibitors, 5,000 booths and 39,000 targeted buyers. More than 130,000 automotive aftermarket professionals from nearly 125 countries are projected to be in Las Vegas during AAPEX. To register for AAPEX, visit: www.aapexshow.com/register.

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

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AAPEX Attendee Webinar to Show How to Use Content Marketing

MOKENA, Ill. – April 24, 2014 – A free AAPEXedu attendee webinar, “Content Marketing: Your Newest Secret Weapon?,” is slated for Wednesday, May 7, at 4 p.m., EST. The webinar will focus on using content marketing to establish credibility via expert status, as a sales tools, and to maximize search engine optimization (SEO). The 2014 Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) is set for Tuesday, Nov. 4 through Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Nev.

According to the Content Marketing Institute, content marketing is the marketing and business process for creating and distributing relevant and valuable content to attract, acquire, and engage a clearly defined and understood target audience – with the objective of driving profitable customer action. That's a formal way of saying that by sharing good content (with no strings attached), prospects and clients will be educated enough to be influenced – most commonly, to make a buying decision.

The webinar is part of the new, monthly AAPEXedu Webinar Series to help ensure attendees grow their business and get the most out of their participation in the 2014 AAPEX. Additional attendee webinars will cover “Branding” (June), “Direct Response Marketing” (July), “Referral Marketing” (August), “Copywriting” (September) and “How to Get the Most Out of AAPEX” (October).

Steve Miller, strategic marketing expert, is leading the new AAPEX attendee webinars.

To register for “Content Marketing: Your Newest Secret Weapon?” or to watch a previous webinar in the AAPEXedu Video Learning Library, visit: www.aapexshow.com/attendee/webinar.

The 2014 AAPEX is expected to feature more than 2,400 exhibitors, 5,000 booths and 39,000 targeted buyers. More than 130,000 automotive aftermarket professionals from nearly 125 countries are projected to be in Las Vegas during AAPEX.

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

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