It seems that, if covid-19 loosens its grip, as is expected and hoped, Autopromotec 2022 will provide the sector with a unique opportunity for international meetings and discussions on current and vital issues. In this edition, the first after the outbreak of the pandemic, Autopromotec seems to have shifted into high gear, proposing itself not only as a specialized fair, but also as a privileged venue for meetings and conferences at international level.
Access to data and free competition, future MOT inspections, spare parts and distribution in the era of energy transition, tires and sustainability, "digital" body shops and more are the topics that stand out in the programme more or less covering all activities in the automotive aftermarket sector. Perhaps it is no coincidence that such a rich and comprehensive program has been put together this year: 2022, in fact, represents a restart, at least as far as trade fairs in the sector are concerned. In 2022 all major European trade fairs, which alternated every two years since 2019, will resume together: Autopromotec in Bologna in May, Automechanika in Frankfurt in September and Equip'Auto in Paris in October, just to mention the most popular ones. What counts, however, are the contents, this seems to be the thought that led the organizers of Autopromotec to involve the major European and international trade associations: Egea for equipment, Figefa for independent spare parts, Auto Care USA for the overseas aftermarket, Cita for Inspections, Clepa for equipment supplies, are among the international associations whose top managers will take part in the conferences. But what is even more important is that the intention is to host, in addition to key figures in the sector, also European and national authorities responsible for regulations, laws particularly relevant for the sector. Autopromotec has always made specialization its strength and the results over the years have proved the organizers right: continuous and uninterrupted growth since 1965, even in less favourable years, ensured by the quality of the exhibitors and visitors. But will this still be the case? No one knows what will happen at the restart, but everyone wants to finally come back and meet and hang out: at the end of the day people will become aware of the "new normal" and the new market needs.
