Autopromotec 2011: Organisers expect ‘excellent attendance by foreign exhibitors’

Just six months before the next edition Autopromotec, which will be held at the Bologna Exhibition Centre from 25 – 29 May 2011, the organisers are saying that the numbers of foreign exhibitors and buyer/dealer delegations confirmed so far are a “clear sign that the Bologna event is in pretty good health.”

To date, the number of exhibitors confirmed for Autopromotec 2011 remains at the record level seen at the last show in 2009, with an outstanding 35 per cent of foreign companies to highlight the increasing internationalisation aspect of the event. The increase in exhibition space seems to demonstrate that those who were there last time will be back. Only this time they are said to be booking larger spaces to increase their visibility in the professional automotive aftermarket sector. Indicators of this type, in a period which cannot be referred to as one of economic stability, are seen as ways the organisation committee has channelled efforts in the right direction.

A number of agreements have been fundamental milestones for the increase in international exhibitors. The agreement between the Ministry of Economic Development, the Institute for Foreign Trade and AICA; the agreement with the Italian Chamber of Commerce for Germany, as well as the promotion road shows organised this year in a number of  different cities around the world, from Japan to South and North America, with  presentations of the event and its specific features to major national associations and key local media are seen as key developments.

In addition to the major European markets (as signified by a road show in London), Autopromotec 2011 will also focus on the Mediterranean area and its growing market. Autopromotec launched in Casablanca on 10 March during a meeting organized in cooperation with the local office of the Italian Trade Commission. Many professionals from all the automotive aftermarket sectors and the association AMICA were said to have participated with the Moroccan media also in attendance. Morocco is one of the countries that is part of a sector agreement signed by the association AICA, the Ministry of the Economic Development and the Italian Trade Commission. In Madrid Autopromotec was presented to the most important Spanish automotive magazines on 16 March. 12 journalists together with the ANCERA association participated.

Autopromotec reports that is also providing assistance in relation to the participation and consequent meetings between buyers and dealers from Argentina, Brazil, Egypt and Poland. The final round of international roadshows was held between February and March 2011 in some cities such as Casablanca, Cairo, Istanbul and Beirut.

Autopromotec 2011 will also include a brand new major project called Autopromotec Edu: an arena where a series of topics will be approached during the exhibition, in order to provide business tools for the professionals operating in this sector. Topics will range from maintenance to unconventional marketing, security and insights related to regulations and future market trends in Europe.

The third edition of the European aftermarket EAAS11 symposium entitled “Future opportunities for the automotive aftermarket in Europe” will be held within this highly international context, with the participation of experts and international operators in this sector.

Autopromotec Industrial Vehicles Service will be another of the important innovations in 2011: a special section dedicated to professionals operating in the industrial truck sector. A special logo will identify the exhibitors of equipment, components and spare parts for trucks.

AutopromotecEDU makes its debut

The new AutopromotecEDU concept is described by the show’s organisers as “absolutely innovative…even with respect to other international initiatives in this sector.” The idea is for this part of the overall event to foment a melting pot of experiences and professional skills, with the purpose of helping operators in their daily automotive after-sales.

According to the people behind the show Promotec SPA, it is not going to be a drawing room for niceties, but a unique opportunity for debating and widening the sector-related issues, involving all actors of the automotive business, and neglecting no category and element of the chain. From maintenance to nonconventional marketing, to safety and widening related to regulations and future market trends, all of this shall be dealt with, always with an international approach.

The series of AutopromotoecEDU meetings will be opened by the traditional inaugural convention on 25 May. Topics under discussion include: maintenance, safety and overhauls. Two by-now regular Autopromotec rendezvous follow: GIPA prizes (on Wednesday 25 May 25 at 18:00), where prizes will be awarded to individuals and businesses, which have especially distinguished themselves in the after-sales service; the European Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (EAAS) on Thursday 26 May 26 at 10:00, which will be joined by international experts and operators in this sector, on the issue “Future opportunities of the automotive aftermarket in Europe”.

EAAS 2011, together with the Figiefa meeting and other chances for widening being organized during the event, is a confirmation of the extent to which Autopromotec has become the reference for institutions and associations internationally – a fact which is also confirmed by the numbers of the last edition, with regard to the increase in foreign exhibitors and visitors.

Lastly, an important conference on the world of road transport will be organized to support the Autopromotec Industrial Vehicles Service initiative, taking the business of truck repair and service to the exhibition for the first time, with a dedicated course.

Trucks are protagonists at Autopromotec 2011

Another feature of Autopromotec 2011 will be a further new initiative called Autopromotec Industrial Vehicles Service. Including an exhibition dedicated to trucks, including a tour designed exclusively for exhibitors in the maintenance and service sector and road transport vehicles; a special logo to identify exhibitors of equipment, components and spare parts for trucks within the pavilions of Autopromotec.

Other new elements related to Autopromotec Industrial Vehicles Service will include a dedicated area to promote trade relations and arrange meetings for operators, manufacturers and suppliers of trucks and a important conference on issues related to operating costs of road transport and maintenance of commercial vehicles, which will involve the main national and international manufacturers and associations of this sector.

Of the 1,443 exhibitors at Autopromotec 2009, many of them offered products (such as tyres and parts) and customer service for commercial vehicles. Autopromotec 2011 is set to keep a hall-by-hall focus to allow visitors to plan their visit according to their own specific needs and professional interests.

Related news:

• Autopromotec 2011 Organisers: ‘Excellent Attendance by Foreign Exhibitors and Buyers’

• Autopromotec Brings Industrial Vehicles to Fore at 2011 Show

• Autopromotec Show Targets “UK Aftermarket Decision Makers”