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.
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“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.
