Participation at the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) 2011 in key target buyer categories – auto parts retailers, independent repair garages, program groups and warehouse distributors (WDs) – increased significantly compared to 2010, according to event owner associations Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) and Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). AAPEX 2011 was held Nov. 1 through Nov. 3 at the Sands Expo Center, Las Vegas, NV.

Auto parts retailer attendance increased 24 percent, while the number of independent repair garages was up 38.5 percent. Attendance by program groups increased 60 percent over last year, largely due to the pre-AAPEX marketing efforts of the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA). WDs participation was up 15.25 percent.

In addition to these AAPEX target buyer categories, participation also increased in many of the other 49 buyer categories tracked for the event.

Overall, buyer attendance during Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW), which includes both AAPEX and the SEMA show, increased by 17 percent over 2010.

AAPEX 2011 had 2,292 exhibitors, 230 more than in 2010. Both floors of the Sands Expo Center were filled with a total of 4,984 booths, 540 more than in 2010.

AAPEX 2012 will take place Tuesday, Oct. 30 through Thursday, Nov. 1 at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas.

AAPEX represents the $395 billion global motor vehicle aftermarket and is jointly sponsored by the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) and the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). For more information, visit www.aapexshow.com or e-mail [email protected].