United States. The global automotive aftermarket came together at AAPEX 2023 for a sold-out trade show that included nearly 2600 manufacturers and suppliers showcasing thousands of products, innovations, and technologies in the more than $1.8 trillion industry.
The exhibiting companies occupied 5,146 stands and represented 42 countries.
AAPEX 2023 attracted 46,551 registered target buyers, including service and repair professionals, auto parts retailers, and warehouse distributors who came ready to do business, network, and learn new skills with the shared goal of keeping the world's 1.5 billion vehicles on the roads.
Buyers represented 130 countries, a 13% increase over last year's event. More than 150,000 industry professionals were in Las Vegas during Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week.
"Visiting the AAPEX trade show really brings everyone together in one room. It's a really good opportunity to expand our business," said assistant Mike Johnson, J5 Custom.
Throughout the event, attendees were encouraged to chart their future and embrace changes in the industry, including the increased adoption of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) that is transforming the automotive aftermarket and will have implications for parts manufacturers, service providers and warehouse distributors.
This year's new EV Experience highlighted the products at the show and included 20 sessions to equip attendees with the essential skills to service and repair these vehicles. In addition, the Auto Care Association and MEMA's aftermarket suppliers discussed the findings of their joint forecast of EV trends and outlook for 2023 before a crowded, standing-room-only crowd.
The event featured more than 100 training sessions and the exclusive Joe's Garage, an entire floor of The Venetian Expo dedicated to service and repair professionals.
The fully equipped 10-bay shop inside Joe's Garage provided hands-on training and product and equipment demonstrations on vehicle technologies, including Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) calibration, as well as shop management software to improve productivity.
New this year, the Service Bay was used to repair and service a 2013 Ford Edge that was gifted to an deserving Veteran through the Progressive Keys to Progress Veterans Vehicle Giveaway Program.
This year's main session included an inspirational message about the victory from NBA legend-turned-entrepreneur Earvin "Magic" Johnson.
"You have to understand your customer base and deliver more to them. Then they become ambassadors for their brand," Johnson said.
"When you treat your customer well, they'll tell 100 people. They'll tell everyone that their vehicle is working fine because you took care of them," he added.
His speech was preceded by a presentation on the automotive aftermarket by Paul McCarthy, president and CEO of MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, and Bill Hanvey, president and CEO of the Auto Care Association.
His message focused on the right to repair, one of the most critical challenges facing the auto aftermarket, and how it is vital to ensuring a prosperous future for the industry.
"AAPEX is really mind-blowing," said assistant William Brown of Grease Monkey International. "... Every year, there are new things, new innovations and new opportunities," he said.
AAPEX also continued to strengthen its commitment to reducing the event's impact on the environment by implementing new initiatives, including the Exhibitor Sustainability Pledge. More than 43 exhibiting companies took the Pledge and took practical steps to decrease their carbon footprint, divert waste from landfills, conserve water and energy, and make more sustainable procurement decisions.
AAPEX 2024 will be held from Tuesday, November 5 to Thursday, November 7. In addition to taking place at The Venetian Expo, the 2024 event will expand to Caesars Forum in Las Vegas to accommodate exhibitor growth.
Applications for exhibiting spaces will be available from Monday, January 1, 2024. Accommodation is now open and attendee registration will open in early May 2024.
