The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers/New Jersey (AASP/NJ) is making the final tweaks to its upcoming virtual NORTHEAST Automotive Services Show, which is scheduled for 21 to 23 August 2020. The virtual show is a result of the association being forced to postpone, then ultimately cancel, the in-person version of the 2020 show because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are still disappointed that we were forced to cancel the actual NORTHEAST show,” said Jerry McNee, President of the AASP/NJ. “But we are very excited to be able to bring some semblance of the experience to our exhibitors and attendees through the virtual show starting next weekend.”
The AASP/NJ virtual NORTHEAST 2020 is a free event and will enable attendees to visit exhibitors’ virtual ‘booth’ pages online, view product information and videos, and schedule virtual meetings with vendors. This can be done by visiting the NORTHEAST website which can be found here and then clicking on a dedicated link that will be available from 5 PM US EST on 21 August.
The show hours will proceed as originally scheduled (all US EST):
- Friday, 21 August, 5 to 10 PM
- Saturday, 22 August, 10 AM to 5 PM
- Sunday, 23 August, 10 AM to 3 PM
Organisers say tuition-based Collision P.R.E.P. educational sessions (presented by the Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association) will also be available in conjunction with virtual NORTHEAST 2020, and will be available for registration during the show dates.
The AASP/NJ says it is looking at the virtual show as a courtesy and an optimistic return to some normality during these chaotic times.
“As excited as we are, we know nothing can take the place of an actual in-person NORTHEAST trade show, and we aren’t expecting nor trying to duplicate the unique experience that our vendors and attendees have come to know over the last five decades,” said McNee. “But we live in a different world right now, and as hopeful and optimistic as we are for the future, right now we are doing everything we can to help those who have supported us all these years. The virtual show is our way of showing our appreciation, of showing that we aren’t just going to let 2020 go by without a NORTHEAST presence. Hopefully, everyone will get something out of it and build on that for NORTHEAST 2021.”