Brake Parts Inc has been announced as the official sponsor of the AAPEX 2018 International Buyer Center, the central meeting place for attendees from around the globe to do business while at this year’s event in Las Vegas. AAPEX represents the $740 billion global automotive aftermarket industry and will take place Tuesday, Oct. 30 through Thursday, Nov. 1, at the Sands Expo.

“We are very proud to sponsor the AAPEX International Buyer Center so attendees from all over the world can feel at home while attending the show,” said Kristin Grons, marketing manager, Brake Parts Inc. “This sponsorship not only allows us to showcase our flagship Raybestos, Remy and Maval brands, but it gives us the opportunity to meet and interact with delegations and industry members from countries across the globe.”

For international visitors, the center offers translators and staff members to answer questions, computer stations, private meeting rooms, and light drinks and refreshments.

It is located in The Venetian, Casanova Room 501, within close proximity to the AAPEX exhibit halls and International Registration.

The center serves as a meeting place for delegates traveling to AAPEX as part of official buying delegations. In 2017, AAPEX welcomed 19 delegations, many which were led by specialists from the U.S. Commercial Service, the export promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

In addition to providing the International Buyer Center, AAPEX event organizers take extra steps to ensure international attendees maximize their time at AAPEX. The AAPEX website, aapexshow.com, is offered in Chinese, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and English. AAPEX also works closely with the U.S. Commercial Service to help buyers connect with the more than 300 exhibiting companies that identify themselves as exporters. On the show floor, AAPEX provides “We Export” signs in exhibitors’ booths.

The International Buyer Center also serves as the location for the Auto Care Association’s International Matchmaking Program at AAPEX, which connects buyers with U.S. suppliers for prearranged one-on-one meetings.

The Overseas Automotive Council (OAC), the international aftermarket council of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), offers scheduled tours of the AAPEX show floor, including visits to leading exporters’ exhibits and meetings with key company contacts.

International buyers also are welcomed at two key networking events during AAPEX: the OAC Global Reception and the Import Vehicle Community Fabulous Networking Reception, both taking place on Oct. 30.

AAPEX 2018 will feature more than 2,500 exhibiting companies displaying the latest products, services and technologies. More than 47,000 targeted buyers are expected to attend, and approximately 162,000 automotive aftermarket professionals from 135 countries are projected to be in Las Vegas during AAPEX 2018.

AAPEX is a trade-only event and is not open to the general public.