SEMA, AAPEX ready for Vegas takeover

LAS VEGAS

The 2022 SEMA Show and Automotive Aftermarket Parts Expo (AAPEX) kick off the first week of November in Las Vegas, and, as always, those attending will have no shortage of educational and marketing opportunities, alongside the product innovations, custom vehicles and iconic exhibits the show is known for.

Independent tire and auto repair shop owners attending the SEMA Show — set for Nov. 1-4 at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) — can access educational opportunities offered by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and its councils, including the Wheel & Tire Council (WTC), as well as the Tire Industry Association (TIA).

The concurrent AAPEX is set for Nov. 1-3 at the The Venetian Convention and Expo Center (formerly the Sands Expo). AAPEX is co-owned by the Auto Care Association (ACA) and the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the light vehicle aftermarket division of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA).

The SEMA Show runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 1-3, and 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Nov. 4. The kick-off breakfast is set for 7:30 a.m. Nov. 1 at the Westgate Paradise Event Center and the event concludes Nov. 4 with the SEMA Cruise and SEMA Ignited afterparty.

According to SEMA, the industry-only trade show typically attracts more than 161,000 people and 2,400 exhibitors. The show is spread across 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space and an additional 1 million square feet of features and attractions in outdoor venues around the LVCC grounds. It also features more than 3,000 products in the new product showcase and 1,500 vehicles.

AAPEX, also a trade-only event, typically draws about 2,500 exhibiting companies and industry buyers that include automotive service and repair professionals, parts retailers, independent warehouse distributors, program groups, service chains, automotive dealers, fleet buyers and engine builders.

Unlike last year, Las Vegas no longer has government-mandated mask requirements or other pandemic-related restrictions.

TIA hosts the Global Tire Expo, a segment of the SEMA Show in the LVCC South Hall, where nearly all the tire, wheel, undercar service and associated service exhibitors are gathered.

Pre-show programs hosted by TIA will begin Oct. 31, and be held at Bally's Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. Those programs include:

The annual membership meeting and press conference at noon to 12:30 p.m.; the Tire Industry Honors cocktail reception from 5 to 6:30 p.m.; and the Tire Industry Honors award ceremony from 6:30 to 8 p.m., during which Tire Business will present the annual Tire Dealer Humanitarian Award.

During SEMA, TIA programs will be held in the LVCC in the upper and lower South Hall. The Global Tire Expo/TIA offerings include:

Nov. 1:
TPMS at 10: TPMS Activation Tool and Sensor Platforms — 10-11 a.m. in room S226. Moderated by Shawn Pease, TIA director of automotive tire service. This panel explores how TPMS activation tool technology can be used to ensure TPMS operation and make system relearns and sensor replacements a more streamlined process.

Truck Tires at 10: OSHA Compliance Training for Commercial Dealers — 10-11 a.m. in room S227. Moderated by Kevin Rohlwing, TIA senior vice president of training. A panel of health and safety experts will discuss the different types of instructions necessary and when it must take place for new and experienced technicians.

Tires at 2: Successful Tire Dealers Share Their Secrets — 2-3 p.m. in room S226. Moderated by Rohlwing. Some of the industry's top award recipients, including the Tire Business Tire Dealer Humanitarian Award winner, will make brief presentations on what makes them successful and then hold a question-and-answer session with the audience.

Nov. 2:

TPMS at 10: The State of TPMS Sensors — 10-11 a.m. in room S226. Moderated by Matthew White, TIA director of tire service. In this session, a panel of TPMS manufacturers will discuss the state of TPMS sensors, giving participants a better understanding of what is available, what to expect and how to train technicians.

Truck Tires at 10: Jacking and Lifting Safety — 10-11 a.m. in room S227. Moderated by Rohlwing. According to TIA, fatal vehicle lifting accidents represent more than half of maintenance- and service-related fatalities. In this panel, industry experts will talk about the equipment needed to safely secure the axles of commercial vehicles during service as well as practices that must be followed to ensure hazards are minimized.

Management at 2: How to Investigate an Accident — 2-3:30 p.m. in room S226. Moderated by Rohlwing. A panel of health and safety experts with firsthand experience in serious and fatal accident investigations offer their thoughts on how to protect a business and prevent future accidents.

The WTC has scheduled three events: a members reception on Nov. 1 at its booth (#48179) in the LVCC's South Hall, starting at 5 p.m.; a "Coffee & Conversation" hour Nov. 2 in the LVCC South Hall's lobby, starting at 8 a.m.; and a happy hour reception that same day in the WTC booth, starting at 5 p.m.

The educational portion of the SEMA Show begins on Oct. 31, a day before the trade show opens officially, starting at 9 a.m. This year, SEMA is offering three new education tracks for attendees.

The Inside the Shop Track is aimed at aspiring builders, service technicians and shop owners and includes insights from leading builders in the hot-rod, restoration, truck, off-road and restyling markets. It also prepares shop owners for the latest technology vehicles, including electric vehicles (EVs).

The Enthusiast Track, held on Nov. 4, features industry legends and celebrities with education about building cars, getting sponsors and protecting your automotive freedoms.

The Keynote Track — SEMA's "Main Stage Experience" — aims to deliver an immersive learning experience. The track features iconic industry personalities, innovators, entertainers and "world-renowned leaders," according to SEMA, which will offer fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to grow and strengthen attendee's business strategy.

The AAPEX 2022 exhibit hall will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The show will expand the Repair Shop HQ introduced last year. Located on Level One of the Venetian Expo, the HQ this year includes a transmission supplier section alongside dedicated diagnostics/telematics, alternative fuel, tire servicing and tool/equipment sections.

"Joe's Garage" at the center of the HQ also will expand to 10 demo service bays from eight to include more product and equipment demonstrations.

Level Two of the Expo will have an enhanced Automotive Aftermarket Central. The area features a new E-Commerce Distribution section and a relocated mobile heat transfer/heating/air conditioning section.

The show kicks off with the keynote address on Nov. 1, 6:45-8:45 a.m. in the Palazzo Ballroom. James Carville and Karl Rove will share the stage for "Differing Opinions Discuss the 2022 Midterms and Beyond."

Carville, a Democratic political consultant, and Rove, a Republican political strategist, will offer points and counterpoints "in a moderated conversation about where to look for trends across the country and the impact of the elections on the United States and the world," AAPEX said.

AAPEX includes numerous training and educational opportunities. Highlights include:

Nov. 1:
Five Automotive Trends Impacting the North American Aftermarket, 11 a.m. to noon in Marco Polo 701. Todd Campau, associate director, aftermarket solutions at S&P Global Mobility will will share an annual overview of key industry trends and new insight affecting the global aftermarket.

Presidents' Update: Joint EV and Ecommerce Forecasts and the 2022 Joint Electrification Forecast. The ecommerce outlook provides the auto care industry with needed insights to navigate the rapidly evolving industry and analyzes consumer trends driving ecommerce growth. The Electrification Forecast provides insights into the rapidly evolving industry and projects future growth of new EV sales and vehicles in operation (VIO).

Nov. 2:
Aftermarket Outlook 2023, 11 a.m. to noon, in Marco Polo 701. Nathan Shipley, executive director and industry analyst for NPD Group, will discuss trends in general retail and the aftermarket over the last two years and why that is critical in predicting what the near-term future might look like. The presentation also will provide perspective on how macro trends might play into future results.

For a complete schedule, visit aapexshow.com.