OTTAWA, Ontario — The Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada has canceled its Canada Night event that was to be held during the Automotive Aftermarket Parts Exposition (AAPEX) in Las Vegas out of "concerns for the health and safety of participants."
"This has been a hard year for the aftermarket — one where we've all had to make difficult choices," AIA Canada President J.F. Champagne said.
"Canceling Canada Night is not a decision we took lightly. But at the end of the day, we have to do what is best for the health and safety of our members and our industry."
The event had been scheduled for Nov. 3. AAPEX 2020 is scheduled for Nov. 3-5 at the Sands Expo Center.
Citing uncertainty around cross-border travel restrictions as well as concerns about the ability to maintain social distancing both while traveling and while attending a gathering of this size, AIA Canada said it decided the best course of action was to cancel the event.
The need for many companies to reassess travel expenses and sponsorship dollars in the wake of the financial cost of measures to control COVID-19 also played a part in the decision.
Canada Night is an annual celebration of the Canadian automotive aftermarket, hosted by AIA Canada. It has been a highlight of the aftermarket's social calendar since 1971, offering attendees an unmatched opportunity to connect, network and socialize with industry peers from across Canada and around the world.
Despite this decision, AIA Canada said plans are already in the works for Canada Night's return to AAPEX in 2021.