Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) co-owner associations have announced the new Service Professionals Program for the 2014 event, slated for Tuesday, Nov. 4, through Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas.
"Service professionals attend AAPEX each year for the opportunity to see the newest products and latest technology, gain valuable industry knowledge and management tips, and network with industry leaders," says Bill Long, president and chief operating officer of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the light vehicle aftermarket division of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). "We've joined with our partner association, the Auto Care Association, to provide additional value to this important AAPEX constituency."
"AAPEX has evolved far beyond a traditional trade show to a premier industry event, known for its quality educational opportunities for repair and store owners and managers, jobbers, WD's and professional technicians," says Kathleen Schmatz, Auto Care Association president and CEO.
"As auto care industry professionals find the demands on their time to attend trade shows, conferences and events on the rise, the AAPEX business model is gaining traction for busy businesspeople at all levels," says Schmatz. "Recent focus groups of service and repair professionals resulted in requests for more education and training, which we are delivering."
Attendee evaluations consistently rank the return on investmentI of AAPEX for being the one annual venue where all the education, training and networking and all the products and people from around the world convene at one place at one time during the year, according to the Auto Care Association and the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association.
AAPEX 2014 will feature a customized program specifically designed for service professionals. The 2014 AAPEX Service Professional Program will include:
* Expanded AAPEXedu education track sessions including branding, mobile apps, and relationship and digital marketing.
* Management training to increase repair shop profits.
* Best practices for mobile diagnostics in the shop and diagnostics for connected cars
* Facilitated roundtable discussions: dialogues on common challenges and best practices
* Networking and peer problem solving
In addition, in-booth technical demonstrations on the AAPEX trade show floor will focus on new products, diagnostics and new vehicle technologies. Shop owners and managers also will have the opportunity to attend unique events hosted by leading aftermarket companies and network with the industry's leaders during AAPEX.
