International Buyer Delegations from around the world are actively promoting and recruiting buyers to attend AAPEX 2019 for the opportunity to meet new suppliers, see new products and network with industry leaders. AAPEX represents the more than $1 trillion global automotive aftermarket industry and will take place Tuesday, Nov. 5, through Thursday, Nov. 7 at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas.

The International Buyer Delegations to AAPEX are organized by specialists from the U.S. Commercial Service – the export promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce – and international trade associations. So far, the delegations represent buyers from Australia, Brazil, the Caribbean region, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Kuwait, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Slovak Republic, South Africa, Spain and The Netherlands. 

Central America promotes AAPEX as a regional initiative and is one of the original delegations, and collectively also one of the largest delegations to attend. “AAPEX is the best opportunity for our international buyers searching for quality auto parts and services, and it provides an environment where the buyers feel as they are at home. The U.S. Commercial Service supports connecting international buyers with AAPEX exhibitors that will be a good fit as partners and suppliers. Our delegates have the chance to interact in matchmaking meetings with U.S. companies that always result in business successes for each party,” said Sandra Hernández, commercial assistant, U.S. Commercial Service San Salvador. 

The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) also has supported AAPEX for many years by bringing a buying delegation of their members. “It is the ‘must attend’ event on the international automotive calendar for everyone who wants to learn how to adapt, survive and thrive in an industry that is undergoing significant transformation,” said Stuart Charity, the association’s CEO. 

To maximize buyers’ experience, AAPEX provides an International Buyer Center (Casanova Room 501, The Venetian) with meeting rooms, translation services, refreshments and AAPEX staff to answer questions. An advanced search feature on the AAPEX website helps buyers identify U.S. exhibiting companies that export. On the show floor, multi-lingual “We Export” signs will be displayed in booths of U.S. exporters. In the AAPEX Buyer’s Guide, the “We Export” icon will be included in exhibitor listings.

For the first time, AAPEXedu sessions will be translated in Spanish and Chinese. Sessions will address global issues including “Trade, Regulation and Other Policies Impacting Your Business” and “Doing Business in China 2.0.” 

AAPEX co-owners – the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) and the Auto Care Association – will offer networking events for international buyers. 

AASA and the Overseas Automotive Council (OAC) will host the OAC Global Reception at Madame Tussauds on Nov. 5. The Auto Care Association’s Import Vehicle Community will host its Fabulous Networking Reception at The Venetian on Nov. 5.

The Auto Care Association also will offer the International Matchmaking Program at AAPEX that is part of the Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) award it received from the U.S. Department of Commerce to help the automotive aftermarket industry increase its exports.

The OAC will provide tours of the AAPEX show floor, including visits to leading exporters’ exhibits and meetings with key company contacts, and the opportunity to participate in the OAC “Passport” program with top exporters. OAC also will offer introductions to aftermarket media representatives covering the global aftermarket. 

For more information on participating in the International Buyer Delegation Program, contact Judy Novak, AAPEX Event Management, [email protected].