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AAPEX features more than 600 U.S.-based manufacturers, including many of the top brands, and a total of more than 2,300 exhibitors. In addition, AAPEX provides an exceptional opportunity to meet in person with manufacturers and suppliers, and network with colleagues from around the world. In 2012, buyers traveled from approximately 130 countries to attend AAPEX.
The largest delegation of buyers at AAPEX 2012 was from Central America, which has been promoting and registering buyers to AAPEX for more than 15 years, according to Cecilia de Avila, commercial assistant, U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Embassy San Salvador. “AAPEX is important to furthering the National Export Initiative (NEI) since it is a trade show that represents a good number of U.S. exporters that have the opportunity to meet with buyers from different parts of the world and evaluate increasing exports by reaching new markets,” says de Avila. “The event also presents a variety of U.S. exhibitors who can offer our buyers what they seek.”
The Central America delegation members report that one of the greatest advantages of attending AAPEX is that the event facilitates meetings with their suppliers and new prospects in three scenarios. First, they’re able to meet new suppliers while walking the exhibition area and observing the new trends and products that are showcased. Second, meetings with their own suppliers generally take place through a short visit to the booth, but also via pre-arranged appointments at the International Commerce Center and other venues. These meetings are more personalized and focus on discussions about the strategic planning to market the products in the upcoming year. At times, these meetings serve to secure the introduction of a new line into the mix of products. Lastly, delegation members are able to meet with new partners during networking receptions and/or off-hour seminars.
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“We look forward to our continued participation in what has become one of the best events in the Commercial Service (CS) annual trade promotional calendar,” says Ireas Cook, regional commercial counselor for Central America, U.S. Commercial Service, Embassy of the United States of America, San Salvador, El Salvador.
For information on official buying delegations to AAPEX 2013, please contact Judy Novak at: [email protected].
Buyers are reminded that they also can locate U.S. exporters using the Find Products and Exhibitors search on the AAPEX website, www.aapexshow.com, and on the AAPEX Mobile Compass App, tiny.cc/aapex_apps. Buyers should select the Product Search option, “We are a U.S. company” before searching. The website and app both offer the opportunity to search by brand name.
AAPEX represents the $395 billion global motor vehicle aftermarket and is jointly sponsored by the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) and the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).
For more information, visit the AAPEX Web site, www.aapexshow.com, or e-mail: [email protected]. Buyers also are encouraged to follow AAPEX on social media sites: www.facebook.com/AAPEXShow, www.twitter.com/AAPEXShow, and within the AAPEX Show Group on LinkedIn, tiny.cc/aapexlinkedin.
