AM MAGAZINE SHELL - Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine

AAAA REPORTAugust 2008Andrew SchramPresidentStuart CharityExecutive DirectorRaising the barAustralian Auto Aftermarket and Collision Repair Expo 2009 to set a new industry benchmarkWith the official trade medialaunch only weeks away I wanted totake the opportunity to update youon preparations for the 2009Australian Auto Aftermarket andCollision Repair Expo which will beheld at the Sydney ExhibitionCentre Darling Harbour from April2-4, 2009.Space sales for the AutoAftermarket Expo have exceeded allexpectations and with 8 monthsuntil the show launch we have over320 contracted exhibitors and lessthan 20 stands still available.Confirmed exhibitors include mostof the major manufacturers,importers and resellers ofautomotive parts and accessories,workshop tools and equipment inAustralia. In addition, majormanufacturers from Thailand,Taiwan, Malaysia and China will befeatured on a number ofinternational pavilions. With acomplete sell out of the 18,000sqmof available space now assured the2009 Auto Expo will be the largestand most comprehensive showcaseof aftermarket product ever held inAustralia.We are pleased to announce thatfor the first time ever, the Expo willbe offering all trade visitors freeparking via a “Park and Ride”service which will operate fromHarold Park Paceway in Glebe. Thiswill enable show visitors to park in asecure facility and avoid the trafficand high parking costs of CBDSydney. Courtesy buses will run ashuttle service between Harold Parkand the Exhibition Centre every fewminutes. In addition the Auto Expowill feature the Sachs Masters SkillsCompetition, which will provide theunique opportunity for teams ofexperienced automotive techniciansto showcase their skills in acompetitive environment. Teamsfrom across Australia will competeon a purpose built stage over the 3days of the Expo where they will berequired to service, diagnose andrepair various aspects of a numberof late model vehicles in a limitedtime (2 ½ hours).The Auto Expo will once againbe held in conjunction with the2009 Collision Repair Expo, whichwill include the major players in theAustralian collision repair industry.With around 75 percent of space inthis event now allocated, the 2009Collision Repair Expo will featurethe very latest in paint products &applications, chemicals & surfacepreparation products, collisionrepair tools & equipment,replacement panels, parts &frames, computer software &hardware, training & technology.The Expo will include a LowbakeSpray Booth featuring livedemonstrations by top supplierssuch as PPG Industries, AkzoNobel, De Beer, and 3M, as well asan international seminar series toupdate attendees on the latesttrends and developments in thesector.A comprehensive visitormarketing program consisting oftrade publication and radioadvertising, public relationssupport, telemarketing, direct mailand email reminders will commencein September with the target ofattracting over 10,000 trade visitorsduring the three days. Dedicatedcampaigns focusing on attractingworkshop owners from regionalNSW, interstate and New Zealand,combined with a range ofcompetitions and industry functionsand activities taking place in andaround the show will complimentthe trade exhibition. Expo exhibitormarketing briefings will be held inSydney and Melbourne duringNovember and will be designed toensure that all exhibitors are wellprepared and able to leverage offthis coordinated and comprehensivepromotional program.The Expo will once again providethe opportunity to showcase AAAAmember companies to the widerindustry by participation in theAAAA Awards to Industry Programand via a range of sponsorshipopportunities. Further informationwill be forwarded to members overthe coming months. We will alsohave access to a range of meetingrooms at the Sydney ExhibitionCentre during the Expo so you mayconsider running an eventconcurrently. Rooms will beallocated on a first-in-first-servedbasis.For further information on how tomake the most from your Expoparticipation please contactMichelle Vizzutti in the NationalOffice on 03 9561 7044.AAAASuite 5 622 Ferntree Gully RoadMulgrave Vic 3170Ph: 03 9561 7044 Fax: 03 9561 7066email: info@aaaa.com.auwww.aaaa.com.auNSW OfficeBox 693 Penrith BCPenrith NSW 2751Ph: 0407 866 671 Fax: 02 4731 5671Email: grahame@aaaa.com.auStuart CharityExecutive Directorexecdir@aaaa.com.auPRESIDENT Mr Andrew Schram (VIC) – Burson Automotive P/LPh: 03 9914 5555 Fax: 03 9914 5544VICE PRESIDENT Mr Peter Hein (VIC) – NGK Spark Plug (Australia) Pty LtdPh: 03 9730 4900 Fax: 03 9730 4990SECRETARY Mr Greg Barker (VIC) – RSP Australia Pty LtdPh: 03 9305 4000 Fax: 03 9305 3520TREASURER Mr Peter Martin (VIC) – Hella Australia Pty LtdPh: 03 9581 9333 Fax: 03 9584 1741DIRECTORSMr Peter Armstrong (NSW) – Independent Brake Supplies P/LPh: 02 9892 4004 Fax: 02 9892 2897Mr David Fraser (WA) – Capricorn SocietyPh: 08 6250 9500 Fax: 08 6250 9576COMMITTEEMr Wayne Bryant (VIC) - Repco Pty LtdPh: 03 9566 5444 Fax: 03 9562 5227Mr David Duncan (VIC) – Dayco Australia Pty LtdPh: 03 9796 4044 Fax: 03 9796 4731Mr Roger Lassen (SA) – TennecoPh: 08 8374 5222 Fax: 08 8276 1653Mr Bob Pattison (VIC) – GUD Automotive Pty LtdPh: 03 9243 3333 Fax: 03 9243 3366Mr Geoff Rosenbaum (NSW) – Motospecs - DrivetechPh: 02 9847 5724 Fax: 02 9847 5757Mr Graham Scudamore-Smith (QLD) – Fulcrum SuspensionsPh: 07 3892 9000 Fax: 07 3892 15264 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E AU G U ST 2 0 0 8 www.aaaa.com.au