SOPHISTICATION and creativity are what will set the eighth edition of Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW) apart from those of past years.
Held this year from Nov. 2-5 in Las Vegas, AAIW is now the largest automotive aftermarket trade-only show in the world. More than 3,000 exhibitors and about 80,000 attendees will descend on the city to preview new products and solidify deals for 2000.
The show sold out of exhibitor space in its two venues, the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) and the Sands Expo Center (SEC).
Eight years ago, the U.S. could boast that it had about half the vehicles in the world. At that time, show attendance primarily came from the U.S. But times have changed. Currently there are about 700 million vehicles in the world and the U.S. has about 210 million vehicles.
And, AAIW has turned into an international show. There have been huge increases in attendees from foreign countries in the past few years and this year's registration will see even more foreign visitors.
Changes in the show this year include the newly created Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), which is actually a new association formed by the consolidation of the Automotive Parts & Accessories Association (APAA) and the Automotive Service Industry Association (ASIA).
The AAIA and the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) will be housed in the SEC. The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and the International Tire Expo (ITE) will be located in the LVCC.
For the convenience of show attendees, buses will operate between each venue, leaving every five minutes. They will also pickup and drop off from selected hotels in the morning and afternoon.
The associations also sponsor a wide range of educational seminars and workshops for attendees. Most are free, with some requiring a fee. Attendees should check over the schedule and see what topics fit their business the best. Monday, Nov. 1, is slated as an education day, but there are seminars, workshops and panel discussions scheduled throughout the remainder of the week.
The show floor has been sectioned so that attendees can find exhibitors and located specific sections of interest. For instance, the SEC has the Tools and Equipment section, Heavy Duty Truck Parts section and the Paint and Body Equipment section, while the LVCC has the Restoration Marketplace, Street Rod Alley and Racing and Performance. Attendees can check the information desks or use on site maps as reference tools when locating areas of specific interest.
There also is the Official Aftermarket Business Show Pocket Planner & Guide available for free when you register. It includes a floor map of both the LVCC and SEC locations. And you can drop by the Aftermarket Business booth, SEC 4013, and say hello to the staff.
There are numerous services that show attendees can use, such as an E-mail Access Center, International Business Centers, Language Translations and UPS pickups, which can help make the show a profitable business experience for you.
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