Despite rising energy prices and an overall sluggish economy, the aftermarket industry is still bullish on its annual trade show – the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX), November 4-6 the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, NV. Show organizers report strong exhibitor registrations, slightly exceeding the same time last year.

To date, 1,101 exhibitors have registered for AAPEX 2008, compared with 1,096 at the same time last year. Total booths are down only 3.3 percent. Approximately 11,000 buyers are already registered to attend.

“The value proposition we most often hear about AAPEX is that it’s the trade show that offers all the products and all the people in the aftermarket in one place at one time,” said Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA president and CEO. “When buyers and sellers can see clients and colleagues in a single trip rather than many trips across the country, it is a definite cost and time savings, especially in the current economic climate.”

“AAPEX is more than our industry’s annual trade show – it is the time that all parties in the automotive aftermarket supply chain meet to network and learn about the latest trends and products in the industry,” said Steve Handschuh, president and COO of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA). “As can be seen by the strong numbers of exhibitors and buyers expected during these challenging economic times, AAPEX’s value to the automotive aftermarket industry is indisputable.”

AAPEX is the annual business-to-business trade show representing the global automotive aftermarket and features more than 2,000 exhibitors. AAPEX is jointly sponsored by the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) and the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). For more information, visit www.aapexshow.com