CLAYTON, Victoria, Australia – The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) has revised and expanded its biennial aftermarket industry awards program to recognize companies and individuals who set the benchmark for excellence in the aftermarket industry.
Run in conjunction with the Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo, taking place April 16-18, 2015, in Melbourne, applications for the awards program are now open for entries from organizations and individuals, across a wide variety of marketing, manufacturing, product and service award categories.
AAAA Executive Director Stuart Charity said the awards program was revised following research conducted during the last awards event in 2013. “While we learned that the AAAA Awards were highly regarded, we did learn from the industry input and have streamlined the entry process and expanded the program,” said Stuart Charity.
AAAA members engaged in manufacturing, remanufacturing, wholesaling, distribution, mechanical repair and modification services, and retailing of all vehicle parts, accessories, tools, equipment and services, excluding products exclusively used in the manufacture of original equipment, are invited to apply for the awards. Entries may be submitted for an organization or an employee.
For the first time, entries in the Most Innovative New Product category are welcomed from companies not exhibiting at the Expo. However, to cover administration costs, non-exhibitors are charged a $500 fee to submit two product award entries. There is no fee for Expo exhibitors.
“The objectives of the Australian Auto Aftermarket Awards are to foster excellence and innovation within the industry. In today’s challenging automotive business environment, this expanded awards program is an important part of the AAAA’s commitment to promoting a sustainable future for Australia’s automotive parts, accessories, tools and equipment industry,” Charity said.
Charity added that the AAAA Awards are unique because this is the only Awards program specifically recognizing excellence in service and innovation in the Australian automotive aftermarket. As the biennial Awards are run in tandem with the Expo, the next chance to score a win will be in 2017.
“We encourage all members to visit the dedicated Awards website at www.aftermarketawards.com.au and submit their entry before Friday, Feb. 20, 2015. The Australian Auto Aftermarket Innovation Awards will be presented at a breakfast on Thursday, April 16, 2015, and the Australian Auto Aftermarket Excellence Awards will be presented at a Gala Banquet that evening.
“With more than 1,000 industry representatives attending the combined events, these award presentations will be the pinnacle of the 2015 Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo,” Charity said.
Monroe Australia returns for the third time as major sponsor of the Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo. “We are delighted to return once again and be the major sponsor of the 2015 Expo,” said Monroe Australia Aftermarket Director Roger Lassen. “This is such a key industry event and Monroe’s leading status in the aftermarket is re-affirmed strongly to our customers by taking on the major sponsorship of this trade show.
“No event in our region compares to the size and success enjoyed by exhibitors at the Expo and we look forward to showcasing more of our world-class ride performance products along with having the valuable opportunity to meet face-to-face with our trade customers at the show,” Lassen added.
At the 2015 event, Monroe Australia will offer attendees a chance to win a real racing helmet worn by Monroe Safety Ambassador and V8 Supercar front-runner, Mark Winterbottom.
