AAPEX 2018 has added political strategist Karl Rove to its speaker lineup during the grand opening keynote session “Breakfast with John King and Karl Rove: How Trade and the Elections Could Impact the Aftermarket.”

AAPEX represents the $740 billion global automotive aftermarket industry and will take place Tuesday, Oct. 30 through Thursday, Nov. 1, at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas.

The grand opening keynote session is a ticketed event and will be held Oct. 30, from 7 a.m. – 8:45 a.m., PDT, in The Venetian, Palazzo Ballroom, 5^th Floor.

During his keynote address, Rove will focus on the global impact of President Donald Trump’s imposed and proposed tariffs, as well as how tariffs potentially levied by foreign countries may impact U.S. businesses.

Karl Rove

Rove served as senior advisor to President George W. Bush from 2000 – 2007 and deputy chief of staff from 2004 – 2007. At the White House, he oversaw the Offices of Strategic Initiatives, Political Affairs, Public Liaison and Intergovernmental Affairs, and coordinated the White House policy-making process.

Rove writes a weekly op-ed for the Wall Street Journal and is a Fox News Channel contributor. He is the author of the New York Times best seller, Courage and Consequence. His latest book is The Triumph of William McKinley: Why the Election of 1886 Still Matters.

Rove’s address will be preceded by John King, CNN’s chief national correspondent and anchor of Inside Politics, who will discuss the upcoming mid-term elections and the impact the various outcomes could have on Washington, D.C. King is an award-winning journalist who has covered the past eight presidential elections and reported from all 50 states and more than 70 countries.

The grand opening keynote session will begin with a State of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry presentation by Bill Hanvey, president and CEO of the Auto Care Association, and Bill Long, president and chief operating officer of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA).

To reserve a table for the event, contact AAPEX Event Management, Chris Kalousek, CEM, chris.kalousek@aapexshow.com.

AAPEX 2018 will feature more than 2,500 exhibiting companies displaying the latest products, services and technologies. More than 47,000 targeted buyers are expected to attend, and approximately 162,000 automotive aftermarket professionals from 135 countries are projected to be in Las Vegas during AAPEX 2018.

AAPEX is a trade-only event and is not open to the general public.