With a record 1,420 companies from 47 countries and 150,000 square metres of exhibition space, Autopromotec 2009 opened on 20 May. The trade exhibition is the most specialized international trade fair for automotive products and services and lasts at the Bologna Exhibition Centre to 24 May 2009.
 
Noting greater success with each edition, Autopromotec has now established itself as a recognized international event not only in the automotive sector, but in the entire trade fair panorama. 460 foreign exhibitors from 46 countries came to Autopromotec 2009, with Germany accounting for the largest contingent of foreign exhibitors.
 
Almost 100,000 (99,182) visitors visited the 130,000 sq.m. exhibition space spread across eleven exhibition halls and an open air area of 20,000 sq.m.
 
Confirming the international flair of the event is the growing number of foreign visitors in attendance. Autopromotec 2009 also hosted 90 delegates from 16 countries: Argentina, Brazil, China, Greece, India, Iran, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Turkey, USA and Vietnam as part of the agreement sealed between the Institute for Foreign Trade, Ministry for Economic Development and the AICA, the Italian Automotive Service Equipment Manufacturers Association. Thanks to the intense efforts of the offices involved, 215 B2B meetings took place between Italian exhibitors and international delegates for the purpose of maximizing promotional and marketing activities.
 
At the 2009 edition, Autopromotec accentuates its role as a first-rate international platform offering within a group of specialized technological exhibitions the complete showcase of the most advanced product innovations serving the automotive industry. The exhibition includes the technological excellence of equipment for auto repair garages and body shops, new and retreaded tyres, rims, car services, replacement parts and components for vehicles, car washes, tools and accessories, engine reconditioning and new forms of motorization.
 
 
Of the many conferences held during the fair, one had a special international resonance: the EAAS09, the second European Automotive Aftermarket Symposium. The conference, featuring contributions from industry experts and international industry members, shed light on the current situation and on the prospects for auto repair in technological and ecological terms, and in view of future European standards.