The largest trade show dedicated to the automotive aftermarket industry and high-end technical training has arrived in the United States. Automechanika Chicago, which took place from April 24-26 at McCormick Place West, opened its doors to a successful turnout with a diverse group of exhibiting companies and nearly 6,000 attendees. More than 450 exhibitors from 23 countries showcased the newest tools, equipment and products for the automotive aftermarket industry. The event was also declared as the biggest platform for industry training, hosting over 100 seminars and workshops with more than 2,000 shop owners and technicians attending the sessions.
"Our passion for the industry and the opportunity to bring the aftermarket manufacturers and suppliers together with the shop owners and technicians has fulfilled a dream," remarked Dennis Smith, President Messe Frankfurt North America. "We appreciate the support of the industry in making this a reality and we look forward to an even more successful event in 2017."
Messe Frankfurt, producer of Automechanika, the leading international brand in the automotive trade and aftermarket arena, and UBM Advanstar, one of the largest tradeshow organizers in the U.S., joined forces to launch Automechanika Chicago. The show was the 14th Automechanika event around the globe, and the first-ever in the United States. The next show is scheduled for Spring 2017.
“As a global brand, we are happy to introduce Automechanika to the United States. We found the right focus for the show and partnered with the right organization to bring a unique platform that includes high level training to shop owners and technicians,” Michael Johannes, Brand Manager, Automechanika.
The three-day event was characterized by a compelling opening ceremony with remarks from Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt GmbH, Don Welsh, CEO/President of Choose Chicago and Chris DeMoulin, Executive Vice President for Automotive, UBM Advanstar.
“Chicago was selected because of its central location and easy access for attendees. It was the tens of thousands of service and collision repair shop owners, managers, techs and mechanics who communicated their need for an event designed especially for them, which in many ways brought about this dynamic event. We are excited to bring their desires to fruition,” stated DeMoulin.
The trade show was focused on three main areas: Innovation, Education and Inspiration. In addition to new products and advanced technologies being presented, show floor demonstrations and training seminars allowed shop owners and technicians to meet various suppliers and vendors from around the world and to learn about the latest trends and techniques.
One of the international exhibitors, Finn Scheneefeldt from Jensendiesel, explains the value of being at Automechanika Chicago, “This show was good – I traveled from Europe to participate in the launch as I was looking for quality attendees from the U.S. market and an opportunity to connect on a personal level. I have visited other Automechanika shows and I am impressed with the new show.”
Automotive celebrities at Automechanika Chicago took the energy and excitement on the show floor to the next level. Industry luminaries such as Jared Zimmerman of Velocity TV’s “Car Fix”, metal fabricator and racing driver Jessi Combs, and Eric, “the Car Guy” and the famous Ring brothers with their 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle, “Recoil,” were all eager to meet and greet with attendees as they signed autographs and discussed the hottest automotive trends.
Automechanika Worldwide
The Automechanika Brand as a whole continues to experience record exhibitor and visitor numbers, indicating that these trade shows are truly fulfilling the needs of the industry through this global business platform. The growth and satisfaction remains a trend throughout all the Automechanika shows worldwide, confirming a positive outlook for the future of the industry.
To learn more about Automechanika Chicago, visit www.AutomechanikaChicago.com.
About UBM Advanstar Automotive Group
The UBM Advanstar Automotive Group is THE leading provider of integrated media solutions to the automotive aftermarket and collision repair industry. With a multi-platform approach and a dynamic, wide-reaching portfolio of B2B brands and products, the UBM Advanstar Automotive Group provides unrivaled industry news coverage, in-depth business analysis, world-class research, nationally recognized training resources and the nation’s largest website for automotive professionals (www.SearchAutoparts.com).
Our premier brands: Motor Age, Auto Body Repair Network (ABRN), Aftermarket Business World and SearchAutoparts.com serve the largest automotive audiences in the industry with numerous print and digital products. Reaching hundreds of thousands of service & collision repair professionals, technicians, original equipment and aftermarket manufacturers, distributors, jobbers and retailers, every day we drive insightful analysis and discussion of all of the news and issues impacting our audience’s businesses – keeping them passionate, competitive, and connected.
Background information on Messe Frankfurt
Messe Frankfurt is one of the world's leading trade fair organizers, generating around € 550* million in sales and employing more than 2,200* people worldwide. The Messe Frankfurt Group has a global network of 28 subsidiaries and around 50 international Sales Partners, allowing it to serve its customers on location in more than 160 countries. Messe Frankfurt events take place at more than 30 locations around the globe.
In 2014, Messe Frankfurt organized 120* trade fairs, of which more than half took place outside Germany. Comprising an area of 578,000 square metres, Messe Frankfurt’s exhibition grounds are home to ten exhibition halls. The company also operates two congress centres. The company is publicly owned, with the City of Frankfurt holding 60 percent and the State of Hesse 40 percent. For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com
* preliminary figures (2014)
The North American headquarters in Atlanta is currently producing ten trade shows in the USA, Canada and Mexico across various industries. For more information about Messe Frankfurt, please visit our web site at www.MesseFrankfurt.us.
Automechanika Events Around the Globe
Johannesburg, May 6 – 9, 2015
Dubai, June 2 – 4, 2015
Mexico City, July 15 – 17, 2015
Moscow, August 24 – 27, 2015
Shanghai, December 2 – 5, 2015
Jeddah, January 26 – 28, 2016
St. Petersburg, March 2016
Istanbul, April 7 – 10 2016
Frankfurt am Main, September 13 – 17, 2016
Buenos Aires, November 9 – 12 2016
New Delhi, March 16 – 18 2017
Madrid, March 3 – April 1 2017
Kuala Lumpur, March 2017