Expo Attracts 11,000 Visitors
The high quality of exhibitors’ stands and the business improvement focus of the seminar program attracted almost 11,000 industry visitors to the Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo and the co-located Collision Repair Expo held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre in April.
Presented biennially by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA), the Expos offered visitors the chance to experience thousands of products and services demonstrated on 437 stands, learn new ways to make their businesses perform better during the two day seminar program, and provided unprecedented networking opportunities for sharing ideas with industry colleagues.
AAAA Executive Director Stuart Charity praised the performance of the exhibitors for presenting a show of international standard as well as the engagement of the visitors for embracing the “build a better auto business” show theme.
“There are about 25,000 workshops in the auto aftermarket across Australia. To attract visitors from around a third of these businesses to the Expos in Melbourne is a fantastic result,” he said.
One amazing Expo statistic relates to the seminars. The “improve your auto business’ themes and topics for the Seminar Program attracted 2,500 delegates. “The standard of presentations and discussion was exemplary. We thank all those that contributed to this important learning and sharing experience,” said Stuart Charity.
The AAAA launched the next phase in its continuing Choice of Repairer campaign at the Expo. This step reaches out to consumers with information kits given free to independent service and repair workshops that are AAAA members.
Stuart Charity said this kit correctly presents the customers’ legal position with respect to new car servicing by independent workshops. “The consumer brochure will help independent workshop staff explain to customers that log book servicing undertaken by qualified staff in accordance with the manufacturers specifications will not impact the owners’ new car warranty,” he said.
“This customer information kit makes it clear that there is no requirement under Australian Consumer Law for a vehicle to be serviced by an authorised dealer or need to fit ‘genuine’ parts in order for the consumer guarantees to apply.
“This new Truth about new car servicing kit is comprehensive and self explanatory. All information has been verified by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
“Each kit includes in-store merchandising to capture customers’ attention, a stock of educational brochures to provide car owners with the facts and information to help business owners answer their customers’ questions,” said Stuart Charity. Visit https://www.aaaa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/NCS-DL-Digital-final.pdf
Autocare 2018 Convention and 2019 location for the Expos
At Expo the AAAA also announced a new major education and information exchange event for the aftermarket parts, service and repair sector.
Titled the Autocare 2018, this new convention will address the theme Disruption, Innovation, Rejuvenation. World class Australian and international speakers will cover the topics that matter to the future of all businesses and professionals in the automotive industry.
Stuart Charity said this event will be held at the new state of the art International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour, Sydney on 4 and 5 May 2018.
.“The plan is to hold the Autocare 2018 Convention in Sydney in 2018 and the hugely successful Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo and Collision Repair Expo at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre from Thursday 4 April to Saturday 6 April 2019.
