More than 12,000 people passed through the Pacific Coliseum and PNE Agrodome April 8–9 as Lordco Auto Parts staged its 36th annual tradeshow in Vancouver, underscoring the continued pull of in-person buying and networking across Western Canada’s automotive aftermarket.
Close to 400 vendors filled the floor with tools, equipment and new product lines, including additions from TMI, AlphaRexx, WIX Filters, SIDEM and Mishimoto Automotive, now available through the distributor’s network.
The show leaned on hands-on demonstrations and direct supplier access, with shop owners and technicians moving booth to booth to test products and lock in orders. Event-only red sheet specials drove traffic, offering pricing not available outside the two-day window.
Crowds also gathered around appearances by Mike Hall and Cassidy McEown, known from Rust Valley Restorers. The pair signed autographs, posed for photos and handed out hundreds of T-shirts.
“Our annual trade show brings customers, vendors, and partners together under one roof,” said Sarah Durant, vice-president of marketing at Lordco Auto Parts. “It’s an opportunity to showcase the strength of our industry, highlight new innovations, and provide real value through hands-on experiences and exclusive savings.”
The scale of the event reflects both the company’s footprint and the aftermarket’s reliance on face-to-face sales, even as online channels expand.
Lordco Auto Parts operates 86 retail locations and 19 truck centres which are supported by a centralized distribution network and a 500-vehicle delivery fleet across B.C. and Alberta.
