The Australian Auto Aftermarket and Collision Repair Expo attracted record-breaking trade visitors.
Across three days at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, 13,282 visitors participated in the combined Expo.
“The vibe was electric in the packed halls, and feedback from visitors has been off the charts. The number and quality of exhibitors were amazing, as was the popularity of our expanded training programs and features,” said Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) chief executive Stuart Charity.
The Expo was officially opened on April 11 by Dr Andrew Leigh MP, joined by Charity; Wayne Bryant – AAAA Board Chairman; Bill Hanvey – CEO of Auto Care Association (USA); and Gino Ricciuti – APMEC Chairman.
With more than 400 exhibitors representing the entire automotive aftermarket supply chain, attendees were treated to a showcase of the latest tools, technology, parts, and services.
Exhibitors presented their offerings through captivating stands while engaging with trade visitors, fostering networking opportunities, and cultivating business relationships.
“The tradeshow floor encompassed renowned brands, sought-after training, and career and business advancement avenues. 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 key measurables, and the feedback we have received has been positive,” said Charity.
The Expo Electrified Zone and ADAS Technology Zones proved valuable additions. With all scheduled training sessions for each zone fully booked ahead of the event, it demonstrated the industry’s hunger for these emerging areas of the automotive aftermarket.
Melissa Horne MP, Victorian Minister For Roads And Road Safety, officially opened the Expo Electrified Zone on the first day of the Expo.
Training was a central feature of the 2024 Expo, delivering world-class, comprehensive training sessions covering advanced diagnostics, EV training, business management, collision repair and more.
In an Australian first, an in-depth Technical Training Program led by international diagnostics experts Danny Versluis from the Diagnose Dan YouTube channel and Sean Tipping from the Automotive Diagnostic Podcast gave automotive technicians a unique opportunity to remain at the forefront of vehicle diagnosis across key themed sessions.
The Business Education Program covered the most important automotive business topics, led by many of Australia’s leading aftermarket voices, respected subject matter experts, and Auto Care Association USA president and chief executive Bill Hanvey. Subjects covered the latest aftermarket trends, how to address the industry skills shortage, marketing, and sessions were filled.
The international flavour of the Expo continued with an exclusive Collision Repair Training Program. U.S-based EV expert Dirk Fuchs, CEO of Electric Mobility Consulting, held multiple sessions covering EV service, repair and workshop fundamentals.
U.K.-based business coach Robert Snook hosted business improvement sessions. At the same time, Bud Center, Director of Technical Products and Curriculum at I-CAR USA, tackled advanced collision repair techniques and strategies.
The networking event held on the show floor on Friday afternoon allowed visitors and exhibitors to connect with peers.
The Flying Spanners competition was introduced to the Expo to encourage and promote the next generation of automotive technicians. The competition involved teams of automotive students from different Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) competing against each other to rebuild an engine faster than the opposing team, using only hand tools. The competition was a massive success for everyone involved.
The best and brightest of the automotive aftermarket industry were celebrated and formally recognised at the Auto Aftermarket Innovation Awards breakfast and the Australian Auto Aftermarket Excellence Awards Banquet.
“I want to thank all of our exhibitors, our speakers who came from across the globe and around Australia, and the record number of visitors taking time out of their businesses to attend – the passion and dedication shown by everyone has been brilliant,” said Charity.
“I’d like to express my gratitude for the support of Auto Aftermarket Expo Major Sponsor Repco, Collision Repair Expo Major Sponsor SAPE Group, and our valued partners and sponsors who helped us deliver this industry event.
“I’d also like to thank the AAAA Board, the AAAA team, and the MSE events team for their work in bringing this event to life. We are now looking forward to Autocare in Brisbane in 2025.”
The following Australian Auto Aftermarket and Collision Repair Expo will occur in 2026.
