Keystone Recaps Annual BIG Show

Keystone Automotive Operations recapped its annual customer event, the Keystone BIG Show, which it hosted at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center in Aurora, Colorado earlier this month.

The industry-only experience included exhibiter displays, show vehicles, and product education along with show-only sales and promotions, the distributor said.

“As an important component of our business, The BIG Show is our opportunity for us to connect in person with our customers; the installers, customizers and dealers who count on us to deliver every day,” said Keystone Automotive Operations President, Bill Rogers. “In addition to being able to offer great deals and showcase popular new products from our suppliers, it is our chance to spend some time together and show our genuine appreciation for these customers who choose Keystone to meet their automotive aftermarket parts and accessory needs.”

Activities began Friday afternoon with The BIG Show’s presentation of the SEMA Battle of the Builders Panel and Discussion. The panel, moderated by automotive television host Chris Jacobs, brought together the SEMA 2022 Battle of the Builders category and overall winners including the Ringbrothers, Mike and Jim Ring, TJ Russell, and Josh Michels, along with SEMA Vice President of Marketing, RJ de Vera to share their experiences and perspectives along with how, competing in and being recognized for their accomplishments in the world’s premier automotive competition has impacted their businesses, the company said. Attendees were then invited to the show floor for an opening night preview with the evening’s New Products Reception. A live concert presented by Weather Guard closed the day’s events.

“We’ve all developed connections with our customers and suppliers over the years that have expanded into much more than business relationships, they have become our friends,” added Rogers. “Throughout the year, there’s buying, selling, and negotiating, but these moments that we have at the BIG Show, though the meals, casual conversations and entertainment events, solidify the fact that we are doing business with people who we truly enjoy spending time with and getting to know.”

The show floor included an array of supplier showcases and upfitted vehicles including the Overlanding exhibit Presented by Dometic, the company said, and featured accessories such as rooftop tents, awnings, refrigeration, vehicle recovery, survival and camping gear. While the previous evening’s panelists visited with guests on the show floor accompanied by several of their award-winning vehicles, builder Chip Foose made an appearance on Saturday courtesy of Magnaflow. As activities on the show floor wound down, attendees headed to the Gaylord Rockies Grand Lodge to take part in the closing reception sponsored by Truck Hero.

“We know our customer’s time is valuable, so it is important for us that we provide a first-class event that combines informative presentations, engaging showcases, featured exhibits, exposure to new products and entertainment for the complete BIG Show experience,” said Rogers. “Working alongside the wonderful management at the Gaylord Rockies, our staff, events team, and suppliers collectively executed what we believe was an event that was second to none. We are grateful to everyone who played a part in putting the show together and most of all, to our customers and suppliers who joined us in Colorado.”