Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW) kicks off Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, in Las Vegas. Comprised of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show, which includes the Tire Industry Association (TIA) Tires, Wheels & Equipment (TWE) section, and the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX), AAIW will include more than 4,000 U.S. and international exhibits. The AAIW expects more than 100,000 attendees who will get a chance to preview more than 7,500 new products.
“With the economy showing signs of recovery, smart businesspeople will take advantage of extraordinary opportunities like the SEMA Show to prepare for the future,” says Roy Littlefield, TIA’s executive vice president.
“Many of our members who attended last year’s show have told us that they were able to get a tremendous amount of business accomplished, and we fully expect that trend to continue with this year’s show.”
The SEMA Show will be held in the Las Vegas Convention Center. It will have 11 miles of aisles showcasing products for niches including, light truck, street rod, wheel/tire, restoration, on-board technology, street performance, off-road, restyling, racing, mobile electronics and import/sport compact performance.
AAPEX will be held in the Sands Expo Center, and is geared toward the do-it-yourself retail aftermarket and the “professionally installed” aftermarket. AAPEX will cover more than one million square feet of space with parts, accessories and service equipment.
Special show sections include machine shop; paint, body and equipment; tool and equipment; medium and heavy-duty truck; SUV; vehicle technology; mobile electronics/e-commerce and auto international.
For more information or to register for the show, see these Web sites: www.tireindustry.org, www.semashow.com, www.aapexshow.com and www.aaiwshow.com.
You also can call TIA at (800) 876-8372, ext. 104.
For qualified buyers before Oct. 9, the registration fee is $25 online and $50 via FAX or mail.
TIA’s host hotel is Caesars Palace. Be sure to mention you are with TIA when placing your reservation to receive a discounted rate.
Tires, Wheels & Equipment
TIA once again will be offering its popular “Tires at Two” seminars, which feature a panel discussion by top independent tire dealers and updates on the latest tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) equipment. The seminars will be held in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s South Hall. Here’s the schedule.
TUESDAY, NOV. 3 — 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
“Successful Tire Dealers Share Their Secrets”
TIA will be offering you a glimpse into the lives of several successful tire dealers as they share their secrets on business success. You’ll get tips and advice on getting your business on the road to success. This session will feature a panel of top tire dealers who have volunteered to participate in the seminar and answer questions on business practices. Each panel participant has been in business more than 20 years, TIA notes. The seminar will be hosted this year by Tom Wright and Dennis Bucher.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 4 — 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
“Effectively Communicating TPMS Training/Developments to Techs” (sponsored by Bartec USA).
TIA’s Director of Automotive Training Development, Sean MacKinnon, will discuss developments of tire pressure monitoring systems. This seminar will focus on how this technology can be communicated effectively to tire technicians and also provide a comprehensive snapshot of where TPMS is, and where it is heading, TIA reports. Attendees also will gain insight on training techniques and other TPMS information.
THURSDAY, NOV. 5 — 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
“TPMS Repair Tool Manufacturer Update” (sponsored by Bartec USA).
Manufacturers of TPMS diagnostic and learn tools will show you what their products can do, and how they can make your shops more productive and profitable.
In addition to its seminars, TIA will be hosting special events, including the new “Tire Industry Honors” function created to honor influential industry members.
[PAGEBREAK]TIA ANNUAL MEETING
Monday, Nov. 2 — Noon-1 p.m.
Caesars Palace. Open to TIA members.
WINE & CHEESE SOCIAL
Monday, Nov. 2 — 5 p.m.-6 p.m.
TIA has eliminated the Breakfast with the President, and replaced it with this event (and Tire Industry Honors). The social will offer you the chance to network with other tire industry members while you enjoy fine wines and cheeses from around the world.
Caesars Palace. Open to all attendees at no charge.
TIRE INDUSTRY HONORS
Monday, Nov. 2 — 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Tire Industry Honors has been created to honor the legends — both current and past — of the tire industry, TIA reports. The association will recognize the Tire Industry Hall of Fame inductees, and Modern Tire Dealer will honor current TIA President Dan Beach as he passes the torch to the incoming President, Wayne Croswell.
Caesars Palace. Open to all attendees at no charge — RSVP required.
TIA WELCOME RECEPTION
Monday, Nov. 2 — 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
TIA says this is the tire industry networking event of the week. The reception will afford you the chance to make important business contacts, exchange ideas, and catch up with friends and colleagues as you enjoy fine Italian food, drinks and entertainment.
Rao’s, Caesars Palace. Tickets: $50.
INTERNATIONAL ROUNDTABLE
Wednesday, Nov. 3 — 3 p.m.-5 p.m.
This is the first year for this event. Tire industry attendees from around the world are invited to attend and participate by sharing their best practices on any or all of the following categories: Tire Service, Retreading & Repairing and Commercial Tire Service. This event will be hosted by TIA and will feature Harvey Brodsky, managing director of the Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau (TRIB), as the moderator.
Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall. Open to all attendees at no charge — RSVP required.
SEMA Show
In addition to the Tires, Wheels & Equipment section sponsored by TIA, SEMA is offering 11 other display sections at the show. They are:
• Business Services,
• Hot Rod Alley,
• Mobile Electronics & Technology,
• Paint, Body & Equipment,
• Powersports & Utility Vehicles,
• Racing & Performance,
• Restoration Marketplace,
• Restyling & Car Care Accessories,
• Tools & Equipment,
• Trucks, SUVs & Off-Road and
• OEM.
[PAGEBREAK]
A New Products Showcase also will be featured. Last year the showcase included nearly 2,000 newly introduced parts, tools and components, SEMA says.
Additionally, the SEMA Show features an educational program with seminars available to all attendees at no additional charge. They will be held in the North Hall meeting rooms of the Las Vegas Convention Center and cover:
• Technology Briefing Super-Sessions,
• Business Efficiency 101,
• Service and Sales Solutions,
• Industry Trends & Forecasts,
• Legal and Public Policy,
• Marketing,
• Online Marketing, and
• Small Business Management.
Here is a small sampling of what will be offered. For a full list, visit www.sema-show.com.
• Boost Your Profits with Customer-Centered Selling
• Simple & Effective Marketing That Will Turbo Charge Your Sales
• Never Lose Another Customer
• How You and Your Warehouse Distributor Can Thrive in These Challenging Times
• Hidden Treasures and Lurking Lawsuits: How to Increase Profits and Stem Losses Without Getting Sued in Troubled Economic Times
• Marketing to the Gen Y Customer
• Jumpstart Your Internet Marketing
• Social Networking to Make $$$
Other SEMA Show highlights include:
• The Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving will have drivers at the Motor Trend Proving Ground, where they will host driving demonstrations on a 51,000-square-foot track.
• Comedian Bill Engvall, who will be the featured entertainer at the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, Thursday, Nov. 5. Tickets to the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet are available to those registered for the SEMA Show and cost $50 per individual or $500 to reserve a table for 10.
SEMA Show exhibit hours:
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 4, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 5, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 6, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
AAPEX Show
A new “Inside Track” learning forum will offer 24 education seminars over a three-day period in the Venetian Hotel during AAPEX.
The seminars will be free for those registered for the AAPEX show. They will be conducted from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, through Thursday, Nov. 5, and will cover aftermarket industry trends, regulatory issues, sales management and technology trends, best practices and more. All seminars will be held in Marco Polo Rooms 701-706 in the Venetian Hotel. For a full list, see www.aapexshow.com. ■
[PAGEBREAK]MONDAY, NOV. 2
9 a.m.-Noon -- State Association Executive Meeting*
Noon-1 p.m. -- Tire Industry Association (TIA) Annual Meeting (open to all members)*
1 p.m.-2 p.m. -- TIA Appreciation Lunch with State Executives (by invitation only)*
2 p.m.-5 p.m. --State Association Executive Meeting (continued)*
5 p.m.-6 p.m. -- Wine & Cheese Social (open to all show attendees at no charge — an RSVP is required)*
6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. -- Tire Industry Honors (open to all Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show attendees at no charge)*
7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m -- Welcome Reception (ticketed event — open to all attendees)*
TUESDAY, NOV. 3
9 a.m.-5 p.m. -- Tires, Wheels & Equipment/SEMA Show+
Noon-1:30 p.m. -- TIA Past Presidents Luncheon (attendance by invitation only)^
2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. -- “Tires at Two” Seminar — “Successful Tire Dealers Share Their Secrets”+
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 4
9 a.m.-5 p.m. -- Tires, Wheels & Equipment/SEMA Show+
2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. -- “Tires at Two” Seminar (Sponsored by Bartec USA) — “Effectively Communicating Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Training/Developments to Technicians”+
3 p.m.-5 p.m. -- International Roundtable — Best Practices in the Tire Industry & International Review of Industry Regulations (open to all at no charge — an RSVP is required)+
THURSDAY, NOV. 5
9 a.m.-5 p.m. -- Tires, Wheels & Equipment/SEMA Show+
2 p.m.-3:30 p.m -- “Tires at Two” Seminar (Sponsored by Bartec USA) — “TPMS Repair Tool Manufacturer Update”+
FRIDAY, NOV. 6
9 a.m.-4 p.m. -- Tires, Wheels & Equipment/SEMA Show+
Event locations:
* Caesars Palace
+ Las Vegas Convention Center - South Hall
^ Las Vegas Country Club
