LAS VEGAS — I've been with Motor Age for a little more than 5 years, and Industry Week in Las Vegas was my very first major trade event.
Actually, two events - SEMA (primarily for the collision guys) and AAPEX (for the rest of us). Stepping on to the trade show floor was awe-inspiring with literally thousands of square feet of exhibits representing nearly every major player in the auto industry.
But as my first (and subsequent) visits to AAPEX continued and I walked aisle after aisle of exhibits, I couldn't help but feel that this show was not for me - not as a technician anyway. There were few exhibits that offered hands-on experiences or tooling I'd be interested in, and while there was some training offered, it was primarily aimed at those involved in the manufacturing and distribution side of things.
Except for one event.
And that's the AVI Conference, a two-day training event with techs and shop owners in mind. And this year is no exception. Held in the Sands Expo Center on the lower level, it allows techs and shop owners to gain some training and still experience the industry's largest event firsthand.
