Messe Frankfurt Announces Automechanika Chicago in April 2015

Messe Frankfurt, producer of Automechanika and Advanstar Communications will join forces to launch Automechanika Chicago. The show will be the 14th Automechanika event around the globe, and will take place April 24-26, 2015, at McCormick Place.

Automechanika Chicago will showcase the newest tools, equipment and products in the market and will be the largest U.S. trade show dedicated to high-end technical training and management classes for automotive technicians and shop owners. The event will leverage the world’s most-trusted show brand – Automechanika – with Advanstar’s leading automotive publications for the service repair and collision repair segments, Motor Age and Auto Body Repair Network (ABRN).

The launch of Automechanika Chicago was announced by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel during a press conference. Chicago was chosen as an ideal location for the venture because it is centrally located in the U.S. and easily accessible for drive-in attendees and air travel. McCormick Place will serve as home to Automechanika Chicago on a biannual basis starting next year.

“We are excited about our partnership with Advanstar. Our combined experience in launching successful events only strengthens our ability to service this untapped niche within the automotive aftermarket industry,” said Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt.

Positioning

The U.S. automotive aftermarket has maintained steady growth of more than 3.4 per cent annually, fueled by an aging vehicle population where the average vehice age is 11.4 years. These trends along with an explosion of new technology means technicians must keep pace. 

Michael Johannes, brand manager of Automechanika, said the show’s shop-friendly environment “will allow visitors, from technicians to shop owners, to really get a feel for the new product offerings through the various demonstrations, management seminars and technical training sessions. With the number of diverse product categories exhibiting at this one event, attendees can experience the latest advancements in a very efficient manner.”

Advanstar Communications

Headquartered in California with offices across the United States and abroad, Advanstar Communications has a portfolio of more than 50 trade shows, 100 conferences, 30 publications, and 200 electronic products and websites, including auto industry brands Aftermarket Business World, ABRN, Motor Age and SearchAutoParts.com.

“Anyone who has attended any Automechanika show around the world knows the power of that brand in the automotive industry,” said Joe Loggia, Advanstar CEO. “Teaming with them on Automechanika Chicago gives us a chance to share our expertise as trade show producers by utilizing the Advanstar Automotive Group’s ability to connect daily with hundreds of thousands of shop owners and technicians. This partnership is a perfect way for us to engage those readers and draw them to Chicago for a one-of-a-kind event.”

Chris DeMoulin, Advanstar Auto Group’s executive vice president, said, “Automechanika Chicago will be designed specifically for shop owners and technicians as we seek to make it the largest training event ever produced in the U.S. marketplace. Attendees will find a show floor packed with the latest products and innovations for independent shop owners and technicians and get top-notch classroom and hands-on training.”

Automechanika Worldwide

The Automechanika Brand continues to experience record exhibitor and visitor numbers, indicating that these trade shows are truly fulfilling the needs of the industry through this global business platform. The global event and original show Automechanika Frankfurt, that took place for the first time in 1971, is on track for a full success coming September, 16-20. 90 percent of the space is booked already. In 2012 more than 4,500 exhibitors attended the show in Frankfurt and approximately 148,000 visitors from 176 countries. The growth and satisfaction remains a trend throughout all the Automechanika shows worldwide, confirming a positive outlook for the future of the industry.

To learn more about Automechanika Chicago, visit

www.AutomechanikaChicago.com.