Final Report:  Automechanika Canada
Toronto, September 26-28, 2007

Automechanika Canada Debuts as Canada’s Only Comprehensive Aftermarket Trade Show

With 202 exhibitors from 16 countries, Automechanika Canada debuted as Canada’s only international trade show dedicated to all facets of the automotive aftermarket.

Attendees came from 20countries to survey the diverse mix of products on display, with exhibitors commenting on the high quality of buyers in attendance.

The show’s premiere edition connected suppliers, manufacturers, retailers, shop owners and installers with Canada’s escalating automotive aftermarket.

Automechanika Canada debuted on September 26-28, 2007 at the International Centre in Toronto, ON, as the only tradeshow in Canada dedicated to all facets of the automotive market.

The premiere edition of the exhibition drew 2907 participants to experience the products, services and technologies of the show’s 202 exhibitors from 16 countries. In addition, an informative seminar and workshop program coupled with a diverse line up of onsite events were met with enthusiasm by the qualified buyers attending from 20 countries.

Automechanika Canada provided a platform for international suppliers to enter the Canadian marketplace and grow existing business in Canada. Manufacturers displayed products from around the world with representation from Brazil, China, Germany, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Portugal, South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the U.S.

David Audrain, president of Messe Frankfurt, Inc. stated, “We were pleased to be able to deliver such a high quality event to the growing Canadian market this year. Automechanika Canada enabled aftermarket professionals to source new products from around the world and enhance their business in Canada.”

As exhibitor Joe McDonald of Jasper Engines & Transmissions told the show’s organizers, “With our interest in the Canadian market, the Automechanika Canada show was a nice springboard for obtaining new contacts and discussing our program with potential buyers.”

From large distributors to small shops and service repair providers, Automechanika Canada was the meeting place for key industry professionals this September. Thousands of service and repair owners, technicians, retailers, distributors, installers, jobbers, manufacturers, media and industry professionals attended this year’s event.

Nissan Canada, Inc.’s technical specialist, John Evers, shared his appreciation with organizers:  “Thank you for allowing me to attend such an excellent show. There was very good representation of technology and information. I hope that Automechanika Canada becomes an annual event and continues to grow.”

Buyers from the vehicle manufacturers, replacement parts, off-road, rescue and other sectors were able to see for themselves the innovations emerging from the supplier segment. “The show was great for us,” said Eddie Basile, regional sales manager with Valeo. “We exhibited with three of our divisions – clutch, wiper/blade and heating & cooling. The outcome was phenomenal and we picked up a handful of very strong prospects at Automechanika Canada.”

Other exhibitors shared their impressions of this first-ever exhibition:

Reinaldo Ribeiro, export manager with GAUSS Industria Comercio Autopecas:  “Automechanika Canada was a great show and we made quality contacts, including important distributors in the market. We only had one customer in Canada coming into the show and we are now planning a visit back to Canada soon to follow up with our new contacts from the show.”

Bruce Ruff, director of operations at Ross-Tech:  “The show allowed us to get our Canadian distributors hyped up and talking to trade professionals. Overall, we saw quality attendance from the owners of shops to distributors to technicians – the right people!”

Fred Havers, owner of Ever-Wear Canada:  “The show was excellent for us. We met single-location opportunities that were not being serviced. Automechanika Canada provided a venue for those individuals to source products and for us to develop new business.”

In addition to sourcing the latest products, attendees engaged in educational and networking opportunities designed to enhance their Automechanika Canada experience. “Our goal is to become the industry forum for education, discussion, learning and sharing of knowledge and opinions,” stated Carol Bell-LeNoury, general manager of Business Information Group, joint producer of the show with Messe Frankfurt USA.

Some special events and feature highlights included:

• Automechanika Canada’s Seminar & Workshop Program, supported by the show’s partnering associations, featured 16 seminars and workshops presented by industry specialists.
  
  
• The Pit Stop Challenge, sponsored by Castrol, put more than 150 people through the timed tire-changing challenge. From suits to overalls, everyone enjoyed the excitement and fun. Participants walked away with pride and prizes from Hunter Engineering and Castrol.
  
  
• The Castrol Cars – the Pontiac Solstice and the Acurabot, unique high-performance machines were admired and appreciated by everyone.
  
  
• The New Product Showcase, displaying more than 30 of the hottest new product innovations. Unique, different, unconventional and currently hitting the market, these products were of high interest to attendees.
  
  
• The American Express Buyers Lounge had a steady stream of exhibitors and clients doing business in the meeting rooms and lounges. Open to all registered attendees exhibitors for networking – the American Express Buyers Lounge was the place to be.
  
  
• SEMA’s (Specialty Equipment Market Association) “tricked-out” specialty performance car exhibit drew thousands of attendees to observe the awesome aspects of these vehicles.
  

For further information, please visit  www.AutomechanikaCanada.ca 

Automechanika Events Around the Globe
St. Petersburg, October 24-28, 2007
Shanghai, December 5-7, 2007
Rome, January 31-February 3, 2008
Moscow, March 4-6, 2008
Bangkok, March 6-9, 2008
Dubai, June 1-3, 2008
Mexico City, July 9-11, 2008
Frankfurt am Main, September 16-21, 2008
Buenos Aires, November 12-15, 2008
Kuala Lumpur, March 25-28, 2009
Istanbul, April 2009

Press Contact:
Kristen Woodburn
Messe Frankfurt, Inc.
770-984-8016 ext 421
kristen.woodburn@usa.messefrankfurt.com

Carol Bell-LeNoury
Business Information Group
416-510-5197
Cbell-lenoury@bizinfogroup.ca

International Press Contact:
Dr. Ann-Katrin Nolte
Messe Frankfurt Exhibitions GmbH
+49 69 75 75-56 21
ann-katrin.nolte@messefrankfurt.com

Messe Frankfurt, Inc.
1600 Parkwood Circle
Suite 615
Atlanta, GA 30339
Tel 770-984-8016 Fax -8023
www.usa.messefrankfurt.com
www.AutomechanikaCanada.ca