More than 460 Auto-Wares customers and employees headed to Las Vegas, Nevada to join 2,000 other Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper member attending AAPEX and the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance’s Jackpot Convention. The Aftermarket Jackpot Convention was held November 1-3,2022 at the Mirage Hotel and Convention Center and included two full days of convention attendees visiting the AAPEX show floor, three days of giveaways – including more than a dozen trips to Hawaii – and the crowning of the 2022 Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper Technician of the Year for the United States, Canada, and Latin America.
Wednesday morning, a panel discussion led by JC Washbish, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Alliance, featured industry leaders – Chris Pruitt, president and CEO of East Penn Manufacturing; Corey Bartlett, President and CEO of Automotive Parts Headquarters, and Eric Sills, president and CEO of Standard Motor Products; as well as comedian, podcast and TV personality, Adam Carolla.
Adding Aftermarket Jackpot to Industry Week brings the best technicians, shop owners, store owners and warehouse distributors together to develop our skills and strengthen relationships throughout the supply chain.
Corey Bartlett, President and CEO of Automotive Parts Headquarters
Following the panel discussion, showgirls, Elvis stilt-walkers, bagpipers, and drumline musicians lead the Grand Parade for the one-mile trek over to AAPEX, crossing Las Vegas Boulevard, closed down by Las Vegas police.
On the AAPEX show floor, attendees could earn entries to win a Hawaiian vacation of a lifetime, exclusive training, UTVs, E-bikes, Beach Cruiser Bikes, Smoker Grill, and more, simply by visiting channel partner booths.
Jackpot co-hosts JC Washbish and Jim Holik, Director of Marketing for the Alliance also introduced the Auto Value and Bumper Technician of the Year finalists for the United States. These 11 technicians were highlighted each evening. Also present was Tim Zilke, President and CEO of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.
As a shop owner, AAPEX and the Aftermarket Jackpot Convention serve as the Super Bowl of the aftermarket industry. The hands-on training and face to face interaction with the name brands we install is invaluable. We’re grateful to Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper for creating this unique opportunity!
Bill Nalu, President of Interstate Auto Care, an Auto Value Certified Service Center out of Madison Heights, MI
Thursday included a second full day at AAPEX and the evening’s entertainment included an Elvis impersonator, a live band, and a Las Vegas strip mainstay: The Twins – Dueling Pianos Show.
In the closing moments of the Aftermarket Jackpot Thursday evening finale, the stage was packed with the final round of grand prize winners. With envelopes in hand, the attendees simultaneously opened their envelopes to reveal Hawaii trips from Channel Partner suppliers. As the prizes were announced, pyrotechnics and confetti filled the stage. And that’s why they call it Jackpot!
Jackpot Convention Entertainment highlights:
- Wednesday morning, Nellis Air Force Base Honor Guard presented the Nation’s colors.
- Las Vegas anthem singer Jennifer Lear sang the national anthems for Canada and the United States.
- Sand artist Teresa Herrick created patriotic images of both nations with sand. while Lear sang.
- Jackpot Convention had kicked off with a Polynesian troupe of hula girls, Hawaiian drummers, and fire dancers.
- Josh Blue of America’s Got Talent and Last Comic Standing fame, headlined on November 1.
- Comedian Adam Carolla headlined on November 2nd.
- Photon Krew, LED-suited light dancers performed at dinner Wednesday.
- Las Vegas strip mainstay: The Twins – Dueling Pianos Show performed Thursday night.
- Big Money Giveaways nightly.
- Jackpot Grand Finale on Thursday evening.
