The new Student Sponsorship Program is off to a strong start by providing students with a complimentary package to attend AAPEX and learn first-hand about the benefits and career opportunities in the automotive aftermarket industry.

AAPEX will take place Tuesday, Nov. 1 through Thursday, Nov. 3, at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas. 

AAPEX launched the program in June 2022 to help increase and retain the talent pool for the industry. Exhibiting companies Denso (booth A2224) and Delphi Technologies/BorgWarner (booth A5027) are the top program sponsors. The sponsored students are enrolled in service and repair, engineering and business education programs in California, Michigan and Illinois. 

The program will run on Tuesday and Wednesday during AAPEX. Students will attend the Keynote Session and visit the TechForce STEM Mobile Career Center located in Repair Shop HQ. 

The TechForce Foundation helps students explore the technician career, pursue technical education, and find resources, apprenticeships and jobs in the industry. 

The Mobile Career Center is a 2,000 square foot, pop-up exhibit that provides a hands-on experience and offers immersive games and activities that present the correlation between STEM subjects and auto/diesel technology. Students also will visit exhibitors offering a wide array of training, games and celebrities in their booths, participate in training sessions, and attend OAC Global and YANG receptions. On Wednesday, they will spend the morning with their exhibitor sponsor learning about the company and attend additional training sessions in the afternoon.

The program is part of an industry-wide effort that will be in the spotlight during this year’s event. AAPEX extends its gratitude to TechForce for bringing more than 45 local students to the 2022 event. In addition, AAPEX will continue to work closely with Northwood University, the University of the Aftermarket Foundation and other schools and programs, including the “Give Me 10” Internship Program, to expand the aftermarket’s reach to the younger generation. 

For more program information or to sponsor or attend as a student in 2023, contact AAPEX co-owner associations: Liz Goad, CMP, DES, Sr. Director, Programs, Events & Operations, Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association; and Jessica Finnerty, CEM, Manager, Meetings & Events, Auto Care Association. 

AAPEX represents the more than $1.8 trillion global automotive aftermarket industry and historically features 2,500 exhibiting companies that display innovative products, services and technologies that keep the world’s 1.5 billion vehicles on the road. AAPEX also provides advanced technical and business management training for professionals to maintain excellence and take their businesses to the next level. Industry buyers include automotive service and repair professionals, auto parts retailers, independent warehouse distributors, program groups, service chains, automotive dealers, fleet buyers and engine builders.

AAPEX is a trade-only event and is closed to the general public.

AAPEX is co-owned by the Auto Care Association and the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the light vehicle aftermarket division of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). For more information, visit www.aapexshow.com