LAS VEGAS — Registration is open for the "Virtual AAPEX Experience," which will be held virtually Nov. 3-5 in lieu of the annual in-person AAPEX event in Las Vegas.
Registered participants can attend technical and management training, view new product and equipment demos and conduct business with exhibitors during pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings.
While the training and demos will be held in November, attendees may begin setting up business meetings with exhibitors starting in early October, organizers said.
To register at no cost, visit aapexshow.com/register.
The technical and management online classes are geared toward shop owners, technicians and service advisors. Several classes are accredited toward the Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) and Master Automotive Aftermarket Professional (MAAP) designations.
Management sessions on the schedule include:
- "Strategies for Effective Leadership," by Bill Haas, president of Haas Performance Consulting;
- "Perpetual Business Your Ultimate Objective," by Bob Ward, president of Perpetual Business;
- "Diagnosing and Repairing Your Business," by Cecil Bullard, CEO of Institute for Automotive Business Excellence;
- "Breaking the Mold — Getting out of the Price-based Model and into the Value-based Model," by Murray Voth, president of RPM Training;
- "Social Media from Concept to Engagement," by Sara Fraser, creative director for Haas Performance Consulting;
- "Creating a Business Culture that Employees Embrace," by Haas Performance Consulting;
- "Next Generation Diagnostic Sales Skills," by Jeremy Oneal of Advisorfix;
- "How to Attract Top Talent," by Rick White, president of 180BIZ; and
- "Introduction to Going Multi-Location," by Greg Bunch, owner of Aspen Auto Clinic.
Technical sessions will cover a variety of topics, including diagnostics, calibration, ADAS, CAN and power-steering service.
Several companies will conduct additional training and new product and equipment demonstrations in the new virtual Repair Shop HQ, including Autel, Bolt On Technology, Bosch, Garage Gurus/DRiV, Hunter Engineering Co., Kukui and NAPA Auto Care.
The Virtual AAPEX Experience will include New Product and New Packaging Showcases and ceremonies to honor recipients of the AAPEX Service and Repair awards and the Women in Auto Care awards.
The in-person AAPEX 2020, co-owned by the Auto Care Association and the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association, the light vehicle aftermarket division of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association, was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns and state health restrictions on public gatherings.
AAPEX 2021 is slated for Nov. 2-4, 2021, at the Sands Expo and Caesars Forum Conference Center in Las Vegas.
Historically, AAPEX, a trade-only event, features approximately 2,500 exhibiting companies serving the automotive aftermarket industry.
AAPEX attendees include automotive service and repair professionals, auto parts retailers, independent warehouse distributors, program groups, service chains, automotive dealers, fleet buyers and engine builders.