Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo

What Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo does

Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) is North America's largest trade show for the automotive aftermarket industry, co-owned by the Auto Care Association and MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers and operated by W.T. Glasgow Inc. from Mokena, Illinois. The annual three-day event, held in Las Vegas across the Venetian Expo, Caesars Forum, and the new AAPEX Forum, draws more than 45,000 attendees, 2,500+ exhibitors, 1,400+ product categories, and 128 countries, with the show floor spanning 550,000 square feet. The buyer base spans the full aftermarket supply chain — from independent repair shops and service chains to major retailers (AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, O'Reilly, Pep Boys, Walmart) and warehouse distributors (NAPA/Genuine Parts, Uni-Select).

AAPEX generates revenue from three streams: exhibitor booth rentals priced at $34-$59 per square foot (with member discounts and corner/peninsula/island premiums), tiered attendee registration fees ranging from $50 (early bird) to $399 (non-exhibiting companies and financial investors), and multi-tier sponsorship packages covering signage, digital screens, and venue visibility. Go-to-market is event-driven and seasonal — booth contracts are multi-year, registration opens months in advance, and the November event anchors the annual revenue cycle. Distribution runs through online self-registration (xpressreg.net), direct exhibitor sales (W.T. Glasgow), and international delegation partnerships.

The product surface extends beyond the core show floor to include Joe's Garage (a 10-bay live-vehicle service and repair experience), the Joe's Garage Online Education Series (year-round Babcox-partnered webinars), ASE-eligible training sessions, the iFlex @ AAPEX quick-lube section (added in 2026 via a PAMA partnership), the Student Program and Engine Assembly Competition, a Digital Content Creator Ambassador Program, and a keynote breakfast series. The underlying technology is conventional event-management infrastructure (registration platforms, MapShow digital floor plans, standard CMS website) rather than a proprietary technology platform.

Name

Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo

Legal name

Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo

Website

https://aapexshow.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2026

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AAPEX is the largest North American automotive aftermarket trade show, co-owned by the Auto Care Association and MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers. It runs annually in Las Vegas, connecting 2,500+ exhibitors with 45,000+ buyers, distributors, retailers, and service professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Aftermarket Trade Shows

NAICS

Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers (441)

SIC

Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013)

akta.pro primary industry

Automotive Parts, Tires & Workshop Supplies Marketplaces (CRAFAHAD)

Keywords

• Automotive aftermarket trade show
• B2B exhibition services
• Automotive parts expo
• Industry networking events
• Trade convention management

Headquarters

HQ city

Las Vegas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Exhibitor Booth Fees: Exhibitors pay booth space rental fees based on square footage. Members of Auto Care Association, MEMA, NARSA, and PAMA receive discounted rates at $34.00 per sq. ft. Non-members pay $59.00 per sq. ft. Additional charges apply for corner booths ($750), peninsula booths ($2,800), and island booths ($5,800).
2. Attendee Registration Fees: Attendees pay registration fees with tiered pricing based on when they register. Early bird registration (through June 26) costs $50, mid-range (June 27-September 25) costs $75, and late/on-site registration costs $100. Non-Exhibiting Companies and Financial Investment Services pay $399.
3. Sponsorship Revenue: Companies can purchase sponsorship packages that include digital screens, venue signage, attendee resources, and visibility throughout the event experience from registration to show floor.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

AAPEX is North America's largest automotive aftermarket trade show, co-owned by the Auto Care Association and MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers. It operates an annual three-day exhibition at the Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum in Las Vegas, connecting 2,500+ exhibitors with 45,000+ attendees across 1,400+ product categories in 550,000 square feet. The event combines product showcases, hands-on technical training, education sessions, and dedicated industry networking for automotive aftermarket professionals.

Product overview

AAPEX (Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo) is North America's largest automotive aftermarket trade show, co-owned by MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers and the Auto Care Association. The event features the core AAPEX Trade Show with over 2,500 exhibitors across 1,400+ product categories in 550,000 square feet, alongside specialized sections including Joe's Garage (hands-on service/repair experience with 10 bays), iFlex at AAPEX (quick lube/ preventative maintenance area via PAMA partnership), and 12+ other product category sections. Supporting offerings include Joe's Garage Online Education Series (remote webinars), AAPEX Training Sessions (ASE-eligible technical training), Keynote Breakfast, Product Showcase, Student Program, and Student Engine Assembly Competition. The show runs November 3-5, 2026 in Las Vegas with 45,000+ attendees.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Joe's Garage: An immersive, real-world service and repair experience featuring live vehicle demonstrations across service bays at AAPEX.
• iFlex @ AAPEX

Products and services

• AAPEX Trade Show North America's largest automotive aftermarket trade show, co-owned by MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers and the Auto Care Association, featuring over 2,500 exhibitors and 45,000+ attendees across three days in Las Vegas.
• Joe's Garage An immersive service and repair experience with 10 working service bays featuring real vehicles, lifts, and running electric vehicles, including live demonstrations, hands-on training, and expert-led sessions for hands-on learning.
• iFlex at AAPEX A dedicated quick lube and preventative maintenance section within the Oil/Lube/Waxes & Chemicals area, created through partnership with PAMA, expanding representation of the quick lube industry.
• Joe's Garage Online Education Series Remote technical and business management training sessions presented twice monthly from April through September, covering AI tools, technician workforce, ADAS calibration, digital inspections, EV battery service, cybersecurity, and shop management topics.
• AAPEX Training Sessions Hands-on technical training eligible toward ASE certification, business management seminars, and general sessions covering topics like ADAS, EV, technical diagnostics, shop management, and leadership.
• Product Showcase (Product Plus+) A central location in the Venetian Expo showcasing must-have, category-defining products from exhibitors, with featured products listed in the AAPEX Show Guide.
• AAPEX Keynote Breakfast Ticketed keynote event featuring prominent speakers such as Coach K (Mike Krzyzewski) who shares insights on leadership, team building, and creating winning culture.
• AAPEX Student Program Program connecting students with industry leaders offering complimentary registration for approved student groups up to 15 students, curated networking, and exclusive sessions for career exploration.
• Student Engine Assembly Competition High-stakes competition where technical school teams dismantle and reassemble small block V8 engines live on the show floor while racing against the clock, with prizes including professional tools and gift cards.
• AAPEX Floor Plans Interactive digital floor plans via MapShow platform showing exhibit hall layouts, product sections, and venue navigation for both Venetian Expo and AAPEX Forum locations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 93% of attendees rated training as meeting or exceeding expectations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Preventive Automotive Maintenance Association (PAMA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 January 2026PAMA has partnered with AAPEX to bring quick lube operators from the International Fast Lube Expo (iFlex) to AAPEX 2026, creating a dedicated 'iFLEX at AAPEX' section within the event. This partnership aligns the quick lube industry with a broader aftermarket show where major suppliers like Mobil 1 and Valvoline exhibit, responding to growth opportunities as the average age of U.S. vehicles reaches 12.8 years.
• Auto Care AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAPEX is co-owned by the Auto Care Association, one of the two major industry associations representing the automotive aftermarket. The Auto Care Association provides industry leadership, standards, and member services to the aftermarket.
• MEMA Aftermarket SupplierscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAPEX is co-owned by MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers (the Vehicle Suppliers Association), one of the two major industry associations representing vehicle parts suppliers in the automotive aftermarket.
• International Fast Lube Expo (iFlex)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe International Fast Lube Expo (iFlex) is being brought under the AAPEX umbrella through the PAMA partnership, creating 'iFLEX at AAPEX' as a dedicated quick lube presence at the show. Previously operated under The Car Wash Show, this shift better serves the preventative maintenance market.
• BabcoxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBabcox is AAPEX's partner for the Joe's Garage Online education series, providing content development and presentation support for year-round remote training webinars.
• onPeakminorGTM or Marketing PartneronPeak is AAPEX's official hotel partner and housing service, managing hotel reservations and providing discounted rates starting as low as $90 per night for attendees.
• FreemanminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFreeman serves as AAPEX's official exhibitor services provider, handling furnishings, carpet, graphics, material handling, freight, and audio-visual services for the event.
• ValvolineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerValvoline is a major exhibitor and sponsor at AAPEX, representing the quick lube and automotive maintenance segment. Valvoline's $625 million acquisition of Breeze Autocare in December 2025 is noted as significant M&A activity in the sector.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Car Wash Show: The Car Wash Show is the leading trade event for the car wash and quick lube industry in North America, operated under the same Auto Care Association family. It overlaps with AAPEX's iFLEX at AAPEX initiative and serves adjacent segments of the vehicle service ecosystem.
• SEMA Show: The Specialty Equipment Market Association Show is held concurrently with AAPEX in Las Vegas, with shared badge access across both events. It is the closest direct peer — covering the performance and specialty automotive aftermarket with overlapping exhibitors and a complementary (rather than competing) buyer base.
• Equip Auto (Comexposium): Equip Auto is a major European automotive aftermarket trade show held in Paris and organized by Comexposium Group. It is a direct competitor in the regional aftermarket trade show space, serving similar distributors, retailers, and repair professionals across EMEA.
• Automechanika (Messe Frankfurt): Automechanika is the world's largest automotive aftermarket trade show brand, organized by Messe Frankfurt across multiple cities (Frankfurt, Shanghai, Istanbul, etc.). It is the most direct global competitor to AAPEX, serving the same buyer-seller community across the international aftermarket.

Broad incumbents

• Informa plc: Informa is one of the world's largest B2B event organizers, operating major trade shows across automotive, technology, and industrial sectors. It represents a scaled institutional peer in the trade show organizing space, with capabilities and international reach that AAPEX could only aspire to.
• RX Global (Reed Exhibitions): RX Global (Reed Exhibitions) is a top-tier global B2B event organizer and operates numerous automotive-related exhibitions worldwide. It serves as a broad incumbent comparable in scale, operational sophistication, and event portfolio breadth relative to AAPEX's single-event focus.
• Messe Frankfurt: Messe Frankfurt is a major German trade fair organizer and the parent of the Automechanika brand globally. As the operator of AAPEX's largest direct global competitor, Messe Frankfurt represents both a peer (event organizer) and a competitor (via Automechanika).

Others

• Auto Care Association: Auto Care Association is one of AAPEX's two parent/co-owner organizations and the largest trade association representing the U.S. automotive aftermarket. As the governing body that co-owns AAPEX, it is a related party and structural peer for association-owned event businesses, even though it is not itself a competing show operator.
• MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers: MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers is the second co-owner of AAPEX and the leading trade association for vehicle parts suppliers in North America. As a peer owner and a co-organizer of the show, MEMA sits adjacent to AAPEX's structure and represents the supplier-side governance entity within the ecosystem.

Regional players

• Tokyo Auto Salon: Tokyo Auto Salon is Asia's largest aftermarket and tuning trade show, covering similar themes to AAPEX's performance and accessories categories. It serves Japanese and broader Asian markets, making it a regional rather than direct global competitor but a meaningful peer in the aftermarket shows landscape.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aapexshow
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@aapexshow
• Facebookfacebook.com/aapexshow
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aapex
• Instagraminstagram.com/aapexshow
• TikToktiktok.com/@aapexshow

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo