The inaugural Automotive Aftermarket International Trade Fair, AAITF Bangkok 2015, will take place Dec. 9-11, 2015, at the world-class IMPACT Forum Exhibition Centre, Bangkok. The three-day B2B event, which is free to attend for trade visitors, is organized by Tarsus Group Ltd., an international media company, and co-located and partnered with the organizers of the Thailand International Motor Expo, which annually attracts more than 1.38 million visitors.
Thailand is the largest production base in the ASEAN and the nerve center of the supply chain for the automotive aftermarket in the region. AAITF Bangkok 2015 will provide a much-needed B2B platform for buyers from one of the world’s fastest-growing aftermarkets to source new products, which can enhance their business, show organizers say.
“Thanks to its location within Southeast Asia’s trading and transport hub, AAITF Bangkok offers unrivalled opportunity to make new commercial contacts across some of the world’s fastest developing automotive aftermarkets,” said Peter Massey, the event director. “The inaugural event will feature over 200 international and local brands, showcasing new and innovative products at the forefront of the industry. Global thought leaders such as Meguiar’s, Little Trees, RUPES S.p.A, Sussex Autoparts and Bosch have already shown their support in anticipation of making new commercial connections with 5,000-plus buyers from Thailand and across Southeast Asia.”
“Meanwhile, visitor pre-registrations are strong thanks to innovative hosted buyers and content programs featuring novel trends such as electronic retailing for the aftermarket and 3-D printing, as well as an event partnership with Thailand’s leading consumer motor show, The Thailand International Motor Expo,” Massey continued.
Exhibitor profile and brands Demonstrating the internationality of the show, exhibiting countries include Germany, Thailand, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Italy, Australia, India, China, Taiwan and the United States. Key brands bringing their most innovative products to the show include Meguiar’s, Sussex Autoparts RUPES S.p.A, Mchanix, Connects2, Modern Technic Lock Co. Ltd., Autocar India, Patanayont Import-Export Co. Ltd., Liang Fei Industry Co. Ltd., T.R.R. Auto Part Co. Ltd., Oxford Business Group, Setech Co., Ltd. (Formula Group), Picolink, Kunming Songcheng Automobile Repairing Equipment Co. Ltd. and Aupart Suspension, to name a few.
Pre-registration for the show is on track for an expected minimum of 5,000 B2B Southeast Asian and international buyers. The buyers include aftermarket retailers, aftermarket distributors and agents, independent modification shops/garages, car dealerships and service centers and OEM manufacturers. Executive Forum AAITF Bangkok will host a pan-Asian, high-level, one-day conference program for senior-level executive on Dec. 9.
The AAITF Executive Forum is billed as a meeting place for the aftermarket leaders in the ASEAN. The event will consist of eight sessions for key individuals from the leading retailers, buyers, distributors and agents in the region and will be covering trends, issues and challenges, products and innovations in the automotive aftermarket in Thailand and Asia Pacific.
A leading company at each level of the supply chain will make a presentation on a specific topic. The day will end with a panel session composed of the AAITF Executive Advisory Board, whereby key topics will be discussed as well as there being a chance for a Q&A session from the audience. The AAITF Executive Forum will act not only as an information source, but a veritable marketplace for these key industry players to network and do business. Technical seminar and workshop program B2B visitors at AAITF Bangkok 2015 will have exclusive, free access to a two-day innovative technical workshop and seminar program on Dec. 10 and 11.
The program is set to cover the most up-to-date topics in the Southeast Asian automotive aftermarket. Uli Kaiser, Thai Autobook and TEBA president, will present the keynote session on Dec. 10, looking at “Aftermarket Ecommerce: Global Opportunities.” Ben Bartlett, director of Mercury PM and former senior manager of the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA), will cover “Access to technical and diagnostic information for the average trade workshop” and “The impact LPG/CNG has on engines and what the trade should be aware of and how to rectify the issues.”
In addition, Jason Rose, global training manager at RUPES S.p.A, will present a live product training class on “Random Orbital Polishing Techniques.” Meguiar’s and Sussex Autoparts also will host live product demonstrations and training workshops onsite. For more information on who will be presenting during the seminar and workshop program, visit www.aaitf.com/bangkok/. VIP Executive Club In order to bring together the most influential individuals and key industry players in the automotive aftermarket, AAITF Bangkok has developed the AAITF VIP Executive Club.
The exclusive networking group is for high-level trade buyers and industry professionals with the greatest influence and purchasing power in the industry. Pre-registered individuals can apply to be in the group, others will be chosen carefully by the organizers. Members of the group will receive a variety of benefits, including access to the Executive Forum, a VIP goody bag, access to the VIP networking area, a free industry report worth $280 from the Oxford Business Group and much more.
Association and media partner support AAITF Bangkok 2015 has received support from associations such as TEBA (Thai European Business Association), TCEB (Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau), Oxford Business Group, Thai Auto Parts Aftermarket Association (TAPAA), Thai Exhibition Association (TEA), The Union Motors Repairing Association of Thailand, Thailand Automotive Institute and The CVTA (Connected Vehicle Trade Association). Through the support of TCEB, the organizers of AAITF Bangkok are able to offer all visiting associations $100 per delegate who have three business meetings through the “Connected Business Campaign” and the president of each association two nights’ hotel stay through the “Be My Guest” campaign.
There is more information on the visit section of the website and how to apply. Not only has the show received huge support from local and international associations, AAITF Bangkok has more than 25 confirmed local and international media partners with a combined readership of more than 2 million. Media partners include the likes of Counterman magazine (Babcox Media), Autocar India, Autocar Professional, Motor Trader Malaysia, Overdrive India and 9tro Alliance allowing the show to reach a truly global targeted audience.
For more information on AAITF Bangkok 2015, visit: www.aaitf.com/bangkok/
