MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE USE

Date of issue: July 4, 2007

Australian Auto Trade Fair takes the initiative in

testing new markets
Queensland event attracts quality local and interstate buyers

By staging its first-ever Queensland showcase, the 2007 Australian Auto Trade Fair (AATF)
reinforced its commitment to the future of the national automotive industry by testing a
new market.

The m ove north w a s m a d e in resp onse to d em a nd from the loc a l ind ustry w hic h ha d
never hosted a m a jor a uto tra d e event of its ow n, sa id Ga ry Fitz-Roy, CEO of Expertise
Events, organiser of the show.

We felt it w a s just a s im p orta nt to ta ke the initia tive a nd g o to a n em erg ing m a rket tha t
has long-term potential and service the needs of a sector of the industry that might not
norm a lly ha ve the op p ortunity to a ttend the Fa ir, he sa id .

The inaugural Queensland Fair, held at the Brisbane Exhibition Centre, South Bank,
attracted a strong representation of interstate and New Zealand auto repairers while
buyers from the host state accounted for 76 per cent of Fair visitors.

Ma ny ind ustry m em b ers m a d e their first d irec t c onta c t w ith sup p liers a t the event,
said Mr Fitz-Roy.

The Motor Trades Association of Queensland and the Institute of Automotive Mechanical
Engineers were key supporters of the event. Mr Aviars Blums, Chief Executive Officer of the
MTAQ opened the Fair on Friday, June 15.

We rec eived a g rea t level of sup p ort a nd enthusia sm from the Queensla nd a utom otive
repair industry for the Brisb a ne event, sa id Mr Fitz-Roy.

Prelim ina ry exhib itor feed b a c k sug g ests a sig nific a nt level of b usiness w a s w ritten d uring
the Fair, which also attests to the q ua lity of a ttend ees this yea r, he sa id . Som e exhib itors
immediately booked for Syd ney s AATF in 2008.

The Fa ir w a s very suc c essful for us. The p eop le w ho c a m e w ere in the market for our new
tools

a nd they a c tua lly b oug ht. We re looking forw a rd to Syd ney in 2008.

Carlo

Tartaglia, Paintmax

We ha d p retty g ood sa les off the stand and there have been pretty good follow-up sales,
too. We ha ve b ooked for Syd ney in 2008.

Srecko Kralj, Toptul Australia

"We met so many great people who were genuinely interested in safety in their workplace,
and had fun with them all with our Brea tha lyser g ivea w a y c om p etition. We ve ha d a
positive response to our post-event e-mail follow-up with many attendees booking safety
a ud its. - David Dunster, Advanced Safety Systems Australia

The Fair was a showcase of the latest local and international trends with exhibitors
displaying products and services for crash repair, under car, workshop equipment and
services, performance equipment and services, after-market parts and workshop software.

Local exhibitors were complemented by international representation from China,

Taiwan, Singapore, Italy, New Zealand and the USA.

Education proved to be a popular component of the Fair with visitors keen to take
advantage of the series of Industry Insight talks and sessions at the Product Demo Theatre.

The Industry Insight seminars focused on skills development and the latest innovations in
automotive repair. Industry members could engage in discussion with their peers and
discover better solutions to streamline workshop and business efficiency, ultimately
increasing profits. The presentations included:
Modern Engine Management Technology - Andrew Martin, Regional Technical
Specialist, Bosch Australia;
Trends and New Innovations in Performance Engine Management Re-tuning -Lachlan
Riddel, Technical Director, ChipTorque Performance; and
Collision Energy Management - Learn the changing technologies and emerging
products in collision repair by Richard Pratt, I-Car Australia.

Visitors seized the opportunity to network with industry colleagues at the Friday night drinks
event held for the first time this year. The chance to win a trip to the Lexmark Indy 300 was
an added incentive to visit the Fair and the lucky winner is looking forward to watching the
pure power of the Champ Cars in October this year.

There is really no better way to assess new auto technology than at a venue full of
custom-made displays where you can compare the competition and learn about new
d evelop m ents in the rig ht environm ent, sa id Mr Fitz-Roy.

Expertise is now turning its attention to the 2008 event which will be held at the Sydney
Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, June 13-15. It w ill b e the only a uto tra d e exhib ition
held in Austra lia next yea r so w e a ntic ip a te it w ill b e one of our b ig g est show s ever, sa id
Mr Fitz-Roy. For more information, please contact AATF Exhibition Managers, Ross Hannan,
tel: 9542 7516 or Claudia Steiner, tel: 02 9542 7514.
- ends -

MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Maggie McPhillips Jacka
Media & Public Relations Consultant

p:
02 9452 7575
d:
02 9452 7580
f:
02 9975 3707
e:
maggiej@expertiseevents.com.au
www.expertiseevents.com.au