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Automotive Aftermarket Reaches its AAPEX

29 April 2000

AAPEX Show Offers Aftermarket's Best During Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week, Oct. 31 - Nov. 3

    DETROIT - The Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) is the new name 
for the MEMA/AAIA show during Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW), 
Tuesday through Friday, Oct. 31-Nov. 3, at the Sands Expo Center adjoining the 
Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada.

    AAPEX is sponsored jointly by the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers
Association (MEMA) and the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).
The associations and William T. Glasgow Inc., the show management firm,
announced the new name at a news conference today.

    In his comments, AAPEX Show Manager Bill Glasgow, Sr., of William T.
Glasgow Inc., said, "We have selected the name AAPEX because this show
represents the pinnacle -- the apex -- of automotive aftermarket shows.
Through our promotional efforts, AAPEX will come to be synonymous with the
very best products, programs, and services from the global automotive
aftermarket."

    Glasgow noted that AAPEX's promotional efforts this year include a major
redesign and enhancement of the expo's Web site, http://www.aapexexpo.com .

    MEMA President Robert R. Miller said, "Since 1992, the sponsoring
associations have shared credit for this show, which has given us seven
different names in as many years.  By adopting this new name, the show now has
a permanent identity which will simplify the associations' joint promotional
efforts this year and in the future.  AAPEX will gain name recognition as the
leading global exhibition in North America for the mainstream automotive
aftermarket industry."

    AAIA President Gene Gardner said, "This new name speaks to the diversity
of our industry.  AAPEX will be identified with the many segments of the
automotive aftermarket: accessories, replacement parts, tools, heavy duty,
paint and body equipment, and chemicals, as well as the services which help
the sector's businesses run."

    Fragmented trade show activities among the aftermarket associations were
consolidated into one comprehensive market-segment education and show week in
early November 1992.  The first show was co-sponsored by MEMA, the former
Automotive Parts & Accessories Association (APAA), and the former Automotive
Service Industry Association (ASIA).  APAA and ASIA consolidated July 1, 1999
to form AAIA.

    Attendance at the first AAIW - which included both the MEMA/APAA/ASIA show
and the SEMA*ITE show -- was 41,327.  AAIW '99 drew 82,366 attendees.  The
first MEMA/APAA/ASIA show attracted 1,001 exhibitors and 2,932 booths.  The
1999 MEMA/AAIA show featured 1,938 exhibitors and 5,121 booths.