SEMA Media Release: AWDA Joins Industry Week in 2002 for its Business/Education Conference
For immediate release January 17, 2002 AAIW PR 01-02 For more information, contact Jim Eady, AWDA 816-523-8693 e-mail: jeady@awda.org Neal Zipser, MEMA 919-406-8811 e-mail: nzipser@mema.org Rich White, AAIA 301-654-6664 ext. 1030 e-mail: rich.white@aftermarket.org Rosemarie Kitchin, SEMA 909-396-0289, ext. 104 e-mail: rosemariek@sema.org AWDA Joins Industry Week in 2002 for its Business/Education Conference Research Triangle Park, N.C. - The Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) will hold its 55th annual Business/Education Conference at the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW) set for Tuesday through Friday, Nov. 5-8, 2002, in Las Vegas, Nev. The AWDA Business/Education Conference is known for its one-on-one, private meetings between warehouse distributors and suppliers. Adding AWDA’s conference to Industry Week events is a perfect fit, according to the automotive trade associations involved in the move. AAIW consists of Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) and the SEMA Show, which is sponsored by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) and the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) co- sponsor AAPEX. "Our Business/Education Conference’s one-on-one meetings are the ‘crown jewel’ of AWDA - one of AWDA’s most valuable member services," said Gary Kremer, AAP, AWDA chairman and senior vice president of Uni- Select, USA Inc., St. Paul, Minn. "Adding the conference to the AAIW lineup brings the right people together at the right time." According to all three sponsoring associations, the synergies of bringing buyers and manufacturers together enhances the value of AAIW for all participants. "Bringing AWDA to AAPEX has been a major priority for the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association," said John Doddridge, chairman of MEMA and chairman and CEO, Intermet Corp., Troy, Mich. "Not only does it add value to both the AWDA Conference and AAIW, it is sensitive to corporate travel and trade show budgets by combining two major industry events into one. Maximizing buying and selling opportunities and strengthening or creating relationships is what Industry Week is all about." "We are delighted that AWDA will again be a part of AAPEX in Las Vegas during Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week," said Marc Graham, chairman of the AAIA board of directors and president of Jiffy Lube International. "This renewed relationship is mutually beneficial. AWDA members will realize expanded business, networking and professional development opportunities unique to AAPEX, while a solid AWDA presence will further reinforce our product expositions’ stature as the world's largest trade-only automotive aftermarket trade show." The AWDA Conference during Industry Week is of particular interest to AAPEX attendees and exhibitors who can maximize the week by meeting more of their customers. SEMA is also happy to see AWDA return to AAIW because the additional buyers present will be able to see that market’s new products. "Although the majority of their business is concentrated in the maintenance and service market, the AWDA distributors purchase specialty equipment products," said Nate Shelton, SEMA chairman of the board of directors, and a director of K&N Engineering, Inc., Riverside, Calif. "We will be pleased to see them again walking the aisles of our newly expanded show this fall." Founded in 1947, AWDA is the oldest organized group of warehouse distributors and their respective suppliers of parts, accessories, tools and other supplies for the automotive aftermarket. Currently, the membership of AWDA consists of more than 150 warehouse distributors, approximately 150 manufacturers, in addition to affiliate, marketing association, manufacturer representative and media members. The distributors are engaged in the distribution of passenger car and light truck parts from the manufacturer, on to the jobber, and finally to dealers and service stations. Nearly 70,000 trade visitors from around the world attended Industry Week in 2001. AAPEX is the annual trade show representing the $250 billion North American retail and service aftermarket and features nearly 1,700 exhibitors. For more information, visit www.AAPEXShow.com. The SEMA Show, held concurrently with AAPEX, represents the $25 billion American specialty equipment market and incorporates the International Tire Expo. It is also the occasion for new car and truck model introductions by the original equipment carmakers. For more information, visit www.SEMAShow.com. ============================== If you do not wish to receive e-mail from SEMA, please reply to this message and tell us to delete you from the list.