Following its debut this year, Automechanika Birmingham has set its dates for 2017 and confirmed it will be doubling in size for its next edition.
Taking place 6th-8th June 2017, the exhibition will have a revamped hall format due in part to co-locating with REIFEN, the global fair for the tyre sector.
Covering hall 6 & 17-20 at the NEC, the show will split over 3 dedicated zones; Aftermarket Zone, Supply Chain Zone and REIFEN. The show organisers said that the designated areas will allow for ease of navigation and drive the right visitors to exhibitors. Just over two months into booking exhibitor stands for the 2017 event, 90% of 2016 exhibitors have already secured their location, leaving less than 20% of space remaining in the aftermarket halls.
Event Director Simon Albert said: “In the interest of 2017 exhibitors, the change in layout, increase of hall space and three discrete zones will help us to attract the right type of visitors to Automechanika Birmingham. We are working on an intensive marketing campaign with specific promotional messaging to focus on attracting more independent garage owners and technicians in 2017. As well as this, the show will house an aftermarket focused theatre offering seminars and demonstrations attracting more aftermarket visitors and therefore ensuring the buyer footfall is kept to an outstanding level for exhibitors.”
In 2016, Automechanika Birmingham attracted senior aftermarket buyers from Halfords, Kwik Fit, Groupauto, Motaquip, Andrew Page, UAN, GSF Car Parts, The Parts Alliance, Euro Car Parts who networked with exhibitors and attended key seminars. Jemma Billings, Procurement Manager at Halfords Auto Centre said: “Automechanika Birmingham is the showcase of the future; I’m here to see trends and learn the movements in the industry from both exhibitors from OEM and the aftermarket” After the resounding success of Automechanika Birmingham 2016, key feedback from exhibitors and visitors demanded a clearer hall layout to meet the senior aftermarket buyers again as well as the need to meet even more independent workshops and garages.
The Aftermarket Theatre, located in hall 19, will offer educational content covering the latest trends, industry developments, business advice and technology showcases shaping the future of the industry. Offering keynote lectures and engaging discussion topics, the Aftermarket Theatre is a great pull of attraction to garages, motor factors and dealers in the industry.
Read Torque’s report from this year’s debut event here.