This morning the organizers of AAPEX and SEMA Announced that they will require proof of vaccination or a Negative COVID Test to enter the AAPEX portion of the annual automotive aftermarket industry’s trade shows at the Venetian.
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM AAPEX SEMA
AAPEX and the SEMA Show, the two events that make up the automotive aftermarket industry’s premier trade gathering during the first week in November, have released information regarding health and safety measures for their respective events in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- AAPEX (November 2-4, Venetian Expo & Caesars Forum): The co-owners of AAPEX – the Auto Care Association and the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) – will require proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID PCR test administered prior to arrival in order to attend the 2021 event. AAPEX co-owners also are evaluating the potential for onsite testing for those unable to be vaccinated or to obtain a negative PCR test prior to the show. These measures will be administered through a third-party verification platform and on-site screening. Additionally, while subject to change, as of July 30, 2021, Nevada is requiring masks for all indoor events in Las Vegas. AAPEX will announce more details in the near future.
- SEMA Show (November 2-5, Las Vegas Convention Center) organizers are taking into account that the COVID-19 landscape is changing week to week. The SEMA Show is working with state and local health authorities to announce more in the coming weeks concerning safety measures that will be required in November. While subject to change, as of July 30, 2021, Nevada is requiring masks for all indoor events in Las Vegas.
Thousands of Exhibitors and Attendees Threaten to Pull Out of SEMA
While AAPEX may be able to get away with pushing the draconian mandates — that side of the show attracts more salespeople and vendors than actual car guys — SEMA will likely go down in flames if they push this on their attendees. Our sources at SEMA say there is a huge fight going on inside of SEMA, as thousands of companies and car exhibitors who come to Vegas to show off their cars have threatened pull out if the mask mandates and proof of vaccination mandates are in place when the show starts at the Las Vegas Convention Center in November.
