AAPEX is accepting session proposals for Joe’s Garage Training Program to be presented during this year’s event, Tuesday, Nov. 5 through Thursday, Nov. 7, at The Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum in Las Vegas.

Proposals should focus on business management and technical topics and be geared toward technicians, service professionals and shop owners. 

Session proposals are due by Friday, March 15, 2024, and may be submitted on the AAPEX website, aapexshow.com/call-for-session-proposals. Sales pitches will not be considered or accepted, and applicants must be available to implement their session(s) during AAPEX. 

Proposals will be evaluated by a panel of independent repair shop owners and technicians using a review process and scoring system. Selection criteria includes: relevance to the independent repair community, quality of proposed content and achievable learning outcomes, trainer qualifications, and relevance to attendees’ daily work and/or career. For questions, contact: education@autocare.org.  

AAPEX will announce the final selection of training sessions in mid-April. 
 
The Joe’s Garage Training Program at last year’s event focused on essential, timely and relevant topics including Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) calibration, battery electric vehicle (BEV) and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) services, electronification of the chassis and EVAP diagnostics. Business management topics included AI ChatGPT, dealing with overwhelm, executing successful acquisitions, superior service advising, understanding Gen Z, and attracting, hiring and retaining employees. 

AAPEX also offers additional training for service professionals in the one-of-a-kind, built-out shop located within Joe’s Garage. The shop has 10 service bays equipped with working lifts and running vehicles for hands-on training, as well as product and equipment demonstrations. 

Joe’s Garage occupies an entire floor (Level 1) of The Venetian Expo and is dedicated to meeting the needs of service and repair professionals. It also features several dedicated sections, including Tool & Equipment, EV (Electric Vehicle) Experience, Diagnostics/Telematics/Shop Management Solutions, Tire Servicing and Transmission Supplier. 

New this year, ATRA’s Powertrain Expo, an international show with exhibitors and transmission repair specialists from around the globe, will be held in Joe’s Garage during AAPEX.  

About AAPEX

AAPEX unites the more than $1.8 trillion global automotive aftermarket industry and historically draws approximately 2,500 exhibiting companies from around the globe that display innovative products, services and technologies that keep the world’s 1.5 billion vehicles on the road. AAPEX 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 was honored by Trade Show Executive (TSE) as one of the 50 fastest-growing trade shows in 2022.  AAPEX is a trade-only event and closed to the general public.