The 2013 Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) officially opened on Tuesday, Nov. 5, to the beat of the Basic High School Wolfpack Regiment Drumline, a patriotic Color Guard presentation and a spirited Gold Rush by members of the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA). AAPEX is taking place Nov. 5 through Thursday, Nov. 7, at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas.
The championship drumline from Henderson, Nev. and under the direction of Billy (William) Skembos opened the ceremony with a musical performance by 14 students ranging from sophomores to seniors.
Members from the Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines, Las Vegas, led the Color Guard presentation following the drumline performance. The Marine Color Guard also was on hand to raise awareness of the 2013 U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign. During AAPEX, Federated Auto Parts will be collecting donations for the Toys for Tots campaign to bring joy to less fortunate children during the Christmas holiday season.
To conclude the opening ceremony, one of the key buyer categories at AAPEX – the warehouse distributors (WDs) – showed their pride and readiness to grow their business at AAPEX by wearing Michigan bold maize shirts promoting AWDA and their individual program group to create a Gold Rush. Following the Gold Rush, the doors of the AAPEX exhibit hall officially opened welcoming attendees from approximately 130 countries.
The 2013 AAPEX features nearly 2,400 exhibitors, 5,000 booths and a Learning Forum with approximately 40 complimentary education sessions on the latest industry trends and technologies. The event also includes a designated Remanufacturing Section, a Tool and Equipment Section and the International Heat Transfer Association (NARSA) Heat Transfer and Mobile AC Pavilion.
AAPEX represents the $477 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, please visit www.aapexshow.com or e-mail: [email protected].
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