AAPEX Show Compressed to Three Days for 2006

The Annual Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX), held in Las Vegas in November, will be compressed to three days, eliminating Friday, according to the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) and Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). “A compressed three-day AAPEX is the latest in a series of enhancements to North America’s largest aftermarket trade-only event,” said Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA president and CEO. “Exhibitors provided valuable input into our decision and many told us that the amount of business they complete with existing and potential customers the first three days of AAPEX is the most productive three days of the year,” said MEMA president and CEO Bob McKenna, adding “by compressing AAPEX into three days, we have a chance to save AAPEX exhibitors considerable expenses while not impacting the significant amount of business performed during the week.” AAPEX 2005 experienced the highest number of exhibitors ever with 2,067, up 95 from 2004. New exhibitors totaled 590, up 56. AAPEX is the annual business-to-business trade show representing the $250 billion North American retail and service aftermarket, and features more than 2,000 exhibitors. AAPEX is jointly sponsored by the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) and the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). The SEMA show, also held during Industry Week in Las Vegas, is unchanged.