AAAE: Record attendance at Melbourne Expo
BY MATT BROGAN | 15th Apr 2024
UPDATED 15/04/24 with attendance figures
THE Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo (AAAE) attracted a record crowd of more than 13,000 automotive professionals from across the country – and beyond – to Melbourne last week, where over 400 exhibitors from both local and international brands showcased the latest in technology, tools, accessories, parts, and equipment.
Positivity around the 2024 AAAE has given optimism to the biennial event’s organiser, the Australian Auto Aftermarket Association (AAAA) which is already preparing for the next Expo in 2026.
AAAA chief executive officer Stuart Charity told GoAuto that the post-pandemic crowd was a return to form for the event.
“In 2022 we had a few challenges, obviously. We were only just coming out of lockdown and isolation rules were still having an impact on the numbers of visitors who could get into Melbourne,” he explained.
“We also still had closed international borders, so we didn’t have the great representation of international visitors that we do this time around.
“Add to that the clash with the Grand Prix and it’s fair to say the event was more compact – and a considerable challenge for many involved.”
From adversity, Mr Charity said the industry has rebounded strongly showing greater advancement in technology that it was in turn keen to exhibit in Melbourne.
“But from that (adversity) has come a terrific turnout – reflecting the fact that the automotive aftermarket business is in pretty good shape overall,” he told GoAuto.
“We found that our exhibitors really doubled down on their efforts to get behind this year’s Expo, and that the new activities and training sessions we have put on are being very well supported.”
The 2024 event was the largest held by the AAAA with a record-breaking 13,282 trade visitors attending the four-day Expo.
“I am incredibly excited about the success of the 2024 Auto Aftermarket Expo and Collision Repair Expo,” said Mr Charity.
“The vibe was electric in the packed halls, and feedback from visitors has been off the charts.
“The number and quality of exhibitors was amazing, as was the popularity of our expanded training programs and features. Expo ’24 was a truly remarkable and extremely valuable trade event.
“Our objective was to show visitors how incredible our industry is and give them access to new skills, products, equipment, experts, offers and opportunities - all under one roof. The tradeshow floor encompassed renowned brands, sought-after training, and avenues for career and business advancement.
“This is a fundamental role of the AAAA, and we are very proud of our contribution to fostering industry growth through this event. The Expo has exceeded expectations across all our key measurables and the feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly positive.”
Co-hosted with the Collision Repair Expo, the AAAE also provided the opportunity for automotive technicians, workshop owners, parts suppliers, retailers, service providers, and product manufacturers to take part in curated discussions on a range of emerging technologies.
Diagnostics, business education, electric vehicle servicing, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) training sessions – hosted by renowned Australian and overseas experts – gave patrons the opportunity to discover the latest advances in the field.
The ADAS Technology Zone proved to be a particularly enlightening training session for attendees who seemed interested in understanding the latest advances, and equipment and calibration techniques.
“Almost every passenger vehicle sold in Australia today has some form of ADAS,” said ADAS Technology Zone presenter and director of ADAS Solutions Australia Adrian Parkes.
“As such, it is vitally important that the automotive and collision repair industry understands the systems and components commonly used by manufacturers, and what these systems and components are designed to do, as well as the repair requirements and processes of the ADAS’ commonly found on passenger vehicles today.
“(The sessions) covered ADAS fundamentals, components, calibration and provided live demonstrations with ADAS technicians to provide attendees with the chance to improve their knowledge base, ask questions and discuss real-world issues and scenarios they face in the industry.”
The AAAE also hosted the keenly-anticipated Australian Auto Aftermarket Award Banquet – now a staple of the event – a dedicated new-product showcase, display vehicles, and the revamped 4WD Innovation Zone.
Reflective of compelling changes unfolding in the industry, the Expo Electrified Zone and ADAS Technology Zones proved to be valuable additions to the Expo. With all scheduled training sessions for each zone fully booked ahead of the event, it demonstrated the hunger the industry has for these emerging and critical areas of the automotive aftermarket.
“I want to sincerely thank all of our incredible exhibitors, our world-class speakers who came from across the globe and around Australia, and the record number of visitors who showed their commitment to the future of our industry by taking time out of their businesses to attend – the passion and dedication shown by everyone involved has been brilliant,” added Mr Charity.
“I would like to acknowledge and express my gratitude for the support of Auto Aftermarket Expo Major Sponsor Repco, and Collision Repair Expo Major Sponsor SAPE Group, and all of our valued partners and sponsors who helped us to deliver this amazing industry event.
“I’d also like to thank the AAAA Board, the amazing AAAA team and the MSE events team for their relentless work bringing this incredible event to life. We are now looking forward to Autocare in Brisbane in 2025.”
The next Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo and Collision Repair Expo will take place in 2026.
