AAPEX to Feature New General Session Open to All Attendees

The Town Hall breakfast, hosted by the Auto Care Association, and the Executive Breakfast, hosted by the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the light aftermarket division of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), are both being replaced by a combined new free General Session slated for Wednesday, Nov. 5, during AAPEX in Las Vegas.

The keynote speaker for the General Session will be Steve Forbes, chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media, and author of a new book, Money: How the Destruction of the Dollar Threatens the Global Economy and What We Can Do About it.

 “We are responding to event fatigue that is experienced by our members and others throughout the industry, as time has become a more precious commodity,” said Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO, Auto Care Association. “Every product has a life cycle and we had a great run with our Town Hall breakfast. But it’s time for a fresh event that can accommodate more AAPEX attendees.”

“AASA and the Auto Care Association are consolidating their traditional AAPEX events – the AASA Executive Breakfast and the former AAIA Town Hall – to provide attendees a unified industry General Session event,” said Bill Long, president and chief operating officer, AASA. “Steve Forbes’ expertise on the global economy is particularly timely, as our industry is in the midst of its largest global growth ever. The new AAPEX General Session, expanded custom programs for the thousands of repair professionals attending the show, and many other enhancements this year are designed to maximize the experience, value and time together in growing our industry and that of our attendees.”

The General Session will be held from 8 a.m. to 8:50 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5, in The Venetian Palazzo Ballroom. Plans are being developed and more details will be announced soon, including a VIP pre-General Session “meet and greet” and book signing with Forbes and premier seating sponsorship packages.

The 2014 AAPEX is expected to feature more than 2,400 exhibitors, 5,000 booths and attendance by more than 140,000 aftermarket industry professionals. To register, visit www.aapexshow.com/register.