If your business is based in the automotive aftermarket industry, you need to be at AAPEX 2026.
Otherwise, you risk missing out on meeting the industry’s key people and discovering the latest trends in automotive technology.
This event will give you unprecedented exposure to the best minds, training, and products.
You’ll not only gain pivotal industry insights, but you’ll build valuable relationships with senior stakeholders, accelerate pipeline growth, and gain maximum ROI.
AAPEX is where innovation takes center stage, and our article explains:
- What this innovation will look like.
- Why you need to attend this year’s event.
- How we’ll help you stand out from the crowd.
What does AAPEX stand for?
AAPEX stands for the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo.
This event represents the global automotive aftermarket industry, covering everything from replacement parts and diagnostics to repair technologies and emerging innovations.
Who attends AAPEX?
Key decision-makers and qualified buyers with serious purchasing power.
A whopping 99% of AAPEX attendees make or influence buying decisions, so AAPEX is where you go to get deals done.
Everyone from the biggest names in the business to niche, specialty brands will be at AAPEX 2026.
Typical attendees include:
- Top retailers.
- Independent repair shops.
- Warehouse distributors.
- Service and repair professionals.
- Program groups.
- International buyers.
In total, around 45,000 participants from 128 different countries attend AAPEX each year. The show floor garners more than 2,600 manufacturers and suppliers across 557,800 square feet of exhibit space.
Whether your number one goal is business opportunities, access to new and innovative products, or valuable long-term connections, you’ll achieve it by attending AAPEX.
You can check out which companies were at last year’s show here.
Where and when is AAPEX 2026?
AAPEX 2026 will take place from November 3-5, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada, across two major venues:
The Venetian Expo, at 201 Sands Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89109
Caesars Forum, 3911 S Koval Ln, Las Vegas, NV 89109
These venues are around a 15-20 minute walking distance apart from one another and within walking distance of many hotels.
Attendee registration is located at the Venetian Expo, level 1 lobby; and at Caesars Forum, Entrance Lobby.
Exhibitor registration is located at the Venetian Expo, Room 301, and Caesars Forum, Entrance Lobby.
[H3] What are the trade show floor hours at AAPEX 2026?
Exhibit hours are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Tuesday, November 3 through Thursday, November 5, 2026.
How much does AAPEX cost?
The cost of attending AAPEX 2026 varies depending on timing and attendee category.
Here is a complete breakdown of the different fees:
- Attendee registration online (up to June 27, 2026): $50
- Attendee registration online (up to September 26, 2026): $75
- Attendee registration online (from September 27, 2026) or onsite: $100
- Financial investment services (i.e., bankers, brokers, advisors): $399
- Non-exhibiting companies (i.e., companies qualified to exhibit, but not currently exhibiting at this year’s show): $399
Exhibitor costs depend on booth size, location, and membership status.
These are as follows:
- Auto Care Association, MEMA members, NARSA* and/or PAMA** members: $34 per sq. ft
- Non-members: $59 per sq. ft
- Corner linear/standard/inline booth (*Corners are not guaranteed, and charges will be applied after booths are assigned): $750 additional charge
- Peninsula booth (minimum 20’ x 20’): $2,800 additional charge
- Island booth (minimum 20’ x 20’): $5,800 additional charge
How do I get from AAPEX to SEMA?
If you’re also planning on being at the SEMA Show, which takes place during the same week in Las Vegas, it’s easy for you to attend both events.
Complimentary shuttle buses will run between AAPEX venues, official hotels, and SEMA locations and will be available every morning and afternoon, running throughout the day. This allows exhibitors and attendees to move between shows efficiently.
You can find out more here.
What to expect at AAPEX 2026
AAPEX is known for combining business opportunities with hands-on learning experiences.
Exhibitors and attendees can expect:
- Thousands of product launches and live demonstrations.
- Extensive networking with buyers and decision-makers.
- Technical training sessions and education programs.
- Interactive experiences like Joe’s Garage, featuring real vehicles and equipment.
- A global audience representing the full automotive aftermarket supply chain.
In 2026, the event is expanding further with new partnerships and enhanced sections of the show floor, creating even more opportunities for exhibitors to reach targeted audiences.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jaq_lIk_M7k
At the time of writing, AAPEX is calling for sessions at the next show. These sessions should be geared toward business management or technical training for independent auto repair shops and owners. The deadline for submission is March 18, 2026.
A post-show survey of attendees who participated in a training session at AAPEX in 2025 gave the training good grades. More than 9 in 10 (93%) said the training met (53%) or exceeded (40%) their expectations.
The pitfalls of not exhibiting at AAPEX 2026
To reiterate what we wrote in the introductory paragraph, choosing not to exhibit at AAPEX can come with significant missed opportunities.
Your competitors will be:
- Launching new products directly to buyers.
- Gaining exclusive access to qualified, senior decision-makers.
- Building relationships with distributors and partners.
- Strengthening their brand’s visibility in a saturated market.
Meanwhile, you risk losing sales opportunities, market share, and momentum in a fast-moving industry.
Put simply—if you’re in the business of keeping cars running, you can’t afford not to attend AAPEX 2026.
How we’ll help you stand out at AAPEX 2026
If you’re planning on exhibiting at AAPEX 2026 and you’re going to be face-to-face with market leaders, then you need an attention-grabbing exhibit strategy that cuts through the noise on the show floor and converts booth traffic into qualified leads.
That is exactly what we will give to you if you choose us as your strategic trade show partner.
At The Trade Group, we’ve helped businesses like yours bring their products and services to life since 1986.
We know that the stakes are high when you attend a trade show, and you can’t afford to spend big bucks just to blend in with the crowd.
That’s why we don’t just create booths—we create immersive, engaging, storytelling assets that bring your business to life and capture the finer nuances of your offering.
You can check out six examples of the exhibits we’ve created for our clients here.
Whether you need a fully custom exhibit, rental solutions, or strategic event support, our team will ensure that you make your presence felt at AAPEX and achieve measurable business impact.
Whatever your requirements, reach out to us here or call us at (800) 343-2005.
