AAPEX – More For International Visitors

SOUTHFIELD, MI -- AAPEX is expanding its services and resources available to the thousands of international visitors attending the Oct. 30 to Nov. 2 event at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas. This comes at a time, according to AAIA Vice President of Government Affairs and International Trade Lee Kadrich, when international attendance at the show is growing on a yearly basis. "Just a few years ago, we only had a few hundred international visitors representing a half-dozen countries," Kadrich explained. "Last year, we attracted more than 8,600 international buyers from 120 countries. We expect this phenomenal growth to continue, and we're doing everything possible to ensure that the time these visitors spend with us is valuable and productive." The foundation of these services will be AAPEX's expanded Center for International Commerce (CIC). Here, attendees will be provided with facilities to help them conduct business away from home such as telephone, fax, e-mail and Internet access. Interpreters also will be available. Helping visitors find their way around the show easily and quickly is a key aspect in helping AAPEX exhibitors expand their business overseas, said Brian Duggan, director of international programs for the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). "The automotive market has exploded on a global scale, and North American suppliers are reaching out to the important markets in Europe, Latin America and Asia," Duggan explained. "These are the growth areas, not just for vehicle manufacturers, but for aftermarket products as well. That's why AAPEX is working hard to assist exhibitors in developing their international business at the show." To help match international buyers with exhibitors, computer-based kiosks are planned in various locations. These kiosks are designed to help visitors locate specific exhibitors and product areas by product category, company name, booth number or country of origin. In addition, to help visitors find exhibitors with export programs, special multilingual "We Export" signs will be displayed. These signs, together with the AAPEX Export Directory, are being planned to help international buyers locate the exhibitors who export. Complimentary meeting rooms and a lounge area with refreshments will be available to offer privacy and comfort to executives. And, seminars are being planned to interest international guests. These include: * The Brazilian market today; * Charged for the future: Debut of the 42-volt system; * Aftermarket news in Mexico; * Understanding the current status of European Union aftermarket regulations; * The emerging ASEAN marketplace: Export & investment opportunities; and * Understanding global product information exchange standards. Other events of special interest to international guests will be the Overseas Automotive Council (OAC) International Reception on Tuesday, Oct. 30 at the Mirage Hotel, and the first-time Society of Automotive Analysts meeting held on the same day at the Venetian Hotel. Complete details on all seminars and events can be found at www.aapexshow.com.