Where North America has but a hall in the annual SEMA Show and the biennial Tire Dealers Association of Canada convention and trade show, the European tire industry welcomes the world to a pair of premier events, the famed Essen Show in Germany and Autopromotec in Bologna, Italy.
Both are biennial events, held on alternating years. The 2009 Autopromotec is slated for May 20-24 and the Bologna Trade Fair Center will host hundreds of exhibitors from across the entire aftermarket spectrum, not the least of which are tire, retreading and associated equipment companies.
Despite economic conditions, Renzo Servadei, managing director of Autopromotec, and Brenno Benaglia, who doubles as Marangoni’s sales and marketing director and Bipaver’s president, expect a full house.
Autopromotec has become a truly international event, Benaglia said. They noted that overall attendance for the 2007 event was up 6.8%, with overseas attendance jumping 7.9% to nearly 17,000 people. The 2007 show saw 1,404 exhibitors, they said, 195 or 14% of which came from outside of Europe.
This year’s Autopromotec – the 23rd – will focus particularly on strategic trends in transportation and how emerging fuel-efficiency technologies might impact tires and vehicle service.
The four-day conference and trade fair will include a number of technical sessions, many of which will deal directly with future fuel sources and “green” trends and how they may spur business opportunities at every level of the aftermarket.
In addition, Autopromotec will host a green vehicle showcase where attendees can see the latest in fuel efficient cars and “test green systems and vehicles,” according to organizers.
Toward that “green” end, organizer Promotec SpA has invited carmakers, research centers and suppliers to demonstrate their hybrid technologies, alternative fuel and power sources and service networks, and conversion systems and equipment.
Overall, Autopromotec will hold more than a dozen technical sessions and seminars, hosted by local or regional trade groups.
Autopromotec managing director Renzo Servadei leads a delegation on a tour of the 2007 show floor.
Autopromotec exhibits will cover more than 1.17 million square feet of space over 11 exhibit areas indoors and outdoors, with exhibitors representing virtually every sector of the automotive aftermarket: car service and repair, collision repair, electronics installation, car washes and tire retailers and retreaders. On display will be a wide range of parts and components, equipment and tools, and, of course, new tires and tire service equipment and tools.
As a fully international show, Autopromotec will attract exhibitors and visitors from dozens of countries, including the U.S., Canada, Arab Emirates, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, The Netherlands, Turkey, United Kingdom and Venezuela.
For the 2007 Autopromotec, nearly 100,000 attended the event, organizers said, and a like number is expected this year. Servadei said that “personal invitations” have already been extended to past attendees and that booth space is practically full.
The 2007 edition also saw Autopromotec achieve U.S. Trade Fair Certification, meaning it will enjoy a boost in trade promotion for the event. Certification, said organizers, is given to those trade events that provide the best value in information and participation.
For more information about Autopromotec and travel arrangements, visit www.autopromotec.it or contact Promotec SpA at [email protected].
