Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW / AAPEX)

The networking highlights of OAC's year is the AAIW/OAC International Reception held during Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW) in Las Vegas. More than 800 international industry executives from around the world attended the 2006 reception, co-sponsored by the association sponsors of AAIW/AAPEX.

As always, the OAC provides complete service to OAC members during AAIW. To save members from the hassle of going through the Las Vegas Housing Bureau, OAC makes their hotel reservations at the Treasure Island Hotel (the Council's headquarters hotel) at special member rate negotiated by OAC. At the hotel, there are special registration lines for members and their guests. Council management also arranges to have member's show registration badges waiting for them at the OAC AAIW registration desk at the hotel, along with reception and banquet tickets - no waiting in the long lines to get credentials for admission into the Show. The registration desk is open before AAIW begins, giving members and guest the opportunity to focus on other matters prior to the Show opening. During the Show at the Sands Expo Center, OAC international and domestic members are invited to relax at OAC's lounge - the perfect place to meet at AAIW/AAPEX.

Programs and Publications

OAC members received a wealth of information from programs, market research, and publications from both OAC and MEMA. They receive preferential rates and discounts for industry trade show exhibits, and gain important industry contacts to help them in their businesses. OAC members have access, at no charge or for small fees, to many of the publications of OAC's parent organization, the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA).

OAC members receive the World Automotive Market Report as a membership benefit ( US$300 value).  This report is produced annually and provides vehicle production and assembly statistics; vehicle census summary; U.S. automotive parts trade; world trade in new vehicles statistics; and world motor vehicle markets statistics.

Other OAC communication vehicles include the biennially published International Buyers Guide.

OAC members are represented, even when they can’t be present, at trade shows by the OAC staff whose mission at these shows is to inform the industry about the organization's advantages and the benefits of doing business with OAC members.

OAC members can attend any or all of the four to five meetings each year to meet other members and hear presentations about current market subjects. These meetings give members the opportunity to discuss industry conditions, review common problems, share ideas, and network.

International Trade Shows

OAC puts major emphasis on international trade shows as a tool to help members increase the export of North American made products. The Council co-sponsors U.S. pavilions at Automechanika in Frankfurt, Germany. OAC informs members regarding trade shows that span the globe. They have a vast network arena throughout the world with associations, promoters, and foreign members who keep them abreast of shows tuned specifically to the aftermarket arena.

The Council is a founding co-sponsor of the Pan American Automotive Component/Accessories Expo PAACE Automechanika Mexico, the fastest-growing aftermarket show in Mexico.  OAC members are informed about industry shows endorsed by the Council, such as PAACE Automechanika (Mexico), Automechanika (Germany), ExpoPartes (Colombia), Expo CANIDRA (Venezuela), and the AAAA Trade Show, (Australia).

OAC Members qualify for special, reduced rates for space at the shows co-sponsored by the Council and for other special considerations at other shows.