AAPEX and SEMA Show attendance tops 107,000

More than 107,000 "business professionals" attended AAPEX and the SEMA Show during Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week in Las Vegas in November, according to show owners.

The total 2008 attendance figures reflect a decrease of 9%.

"The final attendance numbers reflect the buzz we heard on the AAPEX show floor that while the traffic might have been down slightly, the quality of buyers were there in force," says Kathleen Schmatz, CEO and president of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).

"In fact, two-thirds of the more than 9,000 international buyers at AAPEX were decision makers, while more than half of the more than 30,000 domestic buyers were decision makers."

AAIA jointly sponsored AAPEX (Automotive Aftermarket Parts and Equipment Expo) along with the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association.

"We have heard very positive comments from our members, the leading North American aftermarket suppliers, about the amount of booth traffic and productive customer meetings at AAPEX 2008," says Steve Handschuh, president and COO of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA).

"We were pleased to have so many global aftermarket professionals in attendance at the Overseas Automotive Council (OAC)/AAIW International Reception again this year.”

"The 2008 SEMA Show is a great example of this industry's strength and perseverance," says Chris Kersting, CEO and president of SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association).

"One of the factors that makes this market unique is that it is made up of people with positive, can-do attitudes who are looking for opportunities. The high number of leaders and decision makers who attended the SEMA Show underscores that fact, and makes the event even more noteworthy and valuable."

Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week will be held in Las Vegas from Nov. 3 through Nov. 6 in 2009.