ORLAND PARK, Ill., and DIAMOND BAR, Calif. – Registration is now open for the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX), slated for Tuesday, Nov. 3, through Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Sands Expo Center, Las Vegas. The online forms and more details about AAPEX 2009 are available at www.aapexshow.com.

“This year’s event promises to be the most energetic one to date, with a live, mulitmedia AAPEX Demo area on the show floor, electronic interactive ‘You Are Here’ kiosks, a record number of seminars and many more new additions,” said Steve Handschuh, president and COO of show co-organizer Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA). “We urge aftermarket suppliers to make sure they have their booth reservations ready for the space drawing in early May and encourage their channel partners to register online.”

“The AAPEX slogan: ‘All the Products, All the People, One Place, One Time’ rings truer than ever in today’s challenging economy,” said Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA president and CEO.  “Because companies are tightening their belts and scrutinizing travel and other expenditures it makes sound business sense to make AAPEX a must-attend event in 2009.”
 
Exhibitors and buyers also will benefit from substantially discounted hotel room rates, the lowest in six years, at nearly all Las Vegas hotels. Show organizers of AAPEX and the SEMA Show have negotiated rates that are 25 to 45 percent lower than last year. Show organizers plan to announce and publish specific hotel room rates soon.

Registration for the 2009 SEMA Show, the world’s premier automotive accessories trade show taking place Tuesday-Friday, November 3-6, in Las Vegas, is also now open at www.SEMAShow.com.

Buyers, installers, retailers, dealers and media from all over the world attend the SEMA Show to discover new products, trends and profit opportunities. The annual event has evolved over its 40-plus year history and today offers a number of services to help attendees navigate more than 1-million square-feet of exhibit space, and to hone in on the products, people and information that are most relevant to their businesses. 2009 SEMA Show attendees will enjoy a dedicated new-products showcase area, a sectionalized floorplan, personalized matchmaking programs and electronic scanning devices that deliver product details directly to one’s e-mailbox.

“The SEMA Show provides attendees with everything they need to strengthen and build their core business – particularly for when the economy turns around,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of events and communications.

Improved technology is also being used to make it easier for buyers and manufacturers to connect with one another – not just at the show, but before and after as well. MacGillivray emphasizes the idea of connecting buyers and sellers. That’s because the SEMA Show gives the industry an opportunity to connect with thousands of businesses face-to-face, all in one single location.

Last year’s event featured more than 2,000 exhibitors, all showcasing products that help improve and personalize a vehicle’s appearance, safety, comfort, performance and convenience. The event also includes educational seminars, networking receptions and events targeted to segmented niches.