The Automotive Experience Alliance (AEA), a coalition of auto shows with a shared interest in driving innovation and standardization throughout the auto show industry, announced the appointment of its 2026-27 board of directors, including new officers and three new board members.
“We are excited for a terrific 2026-27 auto show season led by our new board,” said Ahmad Halawi, newly appointed chairman of the AEA and executive director of the Greater Charlotte Automobile Dealers Association. “For 2026-2027, the AEA will continue its important mission of helping to support auto shows and the overall automotive industry with a host of new, innovative initiatives.”
As chair, Halawi will oversee AEA initiatives, working closely with other board members, member shows and affiliates, organization officials stated in a press release.
The new board includes:
- Ahmad Halawi, Greater Charlotte Automobile Dealers Association – AEA chairman
- Jennifer Morand, Chicago Automobile Trade Association – vice chairperson
- Mike Gempp, Auto Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia – treasurer
- RoShelle Salinas, Houston Automobile Dealers Association – secretary
- Pam Crail, San Antonio Auto Dealers – vice president
- Scott Webb, New Car Dealers of San Diego County – vice president
- Jeff Fishback, Oregon Auto Dealers Association – vice president
- John Capano, The Ev&Ex Agency, executive director
Salinas, Webb and Fishback are all newly seated board members.
“I am excited to turn the Chairperson reins over to Ahmad,” said Morand, outgoing chairperson and president of the Chicago Automobile Trade Association. “Ahmad is an energetic leader and a forward-thinker. There is no one better to lead our association into this next season.”
AEA Key Initiatives
The AEA will continue its core initiatives, including Auto Show Attendance Auditing, Consumer Research, and Industry Benchmarking. For 2026-27, it will also launch new initiatives aimed at helping shows implement production best practices, standardizing data collection and reporting across the industry, and working more closely with OEMs on developing effective consumer engagement strategies.