What to see and do at SEMA, AAPEX

The industry’s biggest events in North America is coming up and here’s a guide to getting ready.

Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week will be from Nov. 4-7 and includes the AAPEX and SEMA shows in Las Vegas.

Here’s a guide to keep track of all that’s happening. A shuttle will be available to take attendees between venues. A PDF with schedules is available here. If more events are announced, we’ll try to update this list.

AAPEX

AAPEX 2025 will be held at the Venetian Expo and at Caesars Forum. The exhibit hall is open to registered attendees from Nov. 4-6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The full show schedule is available here. There will also be presentations and demos at the EV Experience Stage and ADAS Stage. You can view what sessions and presentations will be taking place here.

Highlight events include:

AWDA General Session and Reception, Nov. 2, 6-8:15 

The AWDA Conference is inviting all members and conference registrants to the AWDA Sunday General Session, highlighting the year’s accomplishments and future outlook. An awards ceremony will recognize key industry executives, followed by a networking reception.

It will be held in the Titian and Veronese Ballrooms. 

AAPEX Reception, Nov. 3, 6-7:30 p.m.

AAPEX will kick off with a welcome party at The Venetian Expo in the Level 2 lobby. It’s open to all registered attendees.

AAPEX Keynote Breakfast, Nov. 4, 6:30-8:45 a.m.

Wayne Gretzky will be the featured speaker during the show’s opening keynote. He will share his insights on achieving peak performance and adapting to evolving landscapes, drawing parallels to the automotive aftermarket industry.

There will also be the annual State of the Industry address, presented by Bill Hanvey from Auto Care and Paul McCarthy from MEMA, whose organizations co-own AAPEX.

This is a ticketed event

Joe’s Garage, daily, Level 1

Joe’s Garage is where attendees can get up close with the latest technology hitting shops and get live demos. Exhibitors here include those from the tire servicing, tools and equipment, diagnostics, telematics, shop management software and electric vehicle markets.

A full schedule of demos is available here.

A Beers and Gears networking reception will be held Nov. 4 from 4-6 p.m. It’s a casual meet-up for service and repair professionals and industry partners. No RSVP needed.

General Sessions, Nov. 4 and 5, 11 a.m.-Noon

Two general sessions will be held in Galileo 905-907 on Level 2.

First will be S&P Global Mobility’s Scott Huston’s Trends Impacting the North American Aftermarket on Nov. 4. He will share the annual overview of key industry trends and new insight affecting the global aftermarket.

On Nov 5, Nathan Shiplpey from Circana will present Aftermarket Outlook 2026. He will cover the trends observed both in general retail and the aftermarket over the last two years and why understanding what drove sales performance during that time is critical for predicting what the near-term future might look like for the industry.

Booth Crawls, daily, 3-5 p.m.

Attendees can explore booths offering happy hours, giveaways and more. 

AIA Canada Night, Nov. 4, 5:30-8:30

Canada Night offers Canadian attendees to gather and network with key players and leaders from across the country.

It will be held at HaSalon at The Venetian Resort. This is a ticketed event. Members of the YPA are being asked to gather at 6:15 for a group photo.

YANG Regional Meet-Up

The biggest meet up of the Young Auto Care Network Group (YANG) will be held in Las Vegas. The community of under-40 industry professionals will gather at from 8-10 p.m. at the 1923 Prohibition Bar, located in the Grand Canal Shoppes of The Venetian Resort, a hidden speakeasy lounge nestled discreetly above the gondola canals.

The YANG Reception at AAPEX is open to all registered YANG community members, mentors, ambassadors and sponsors but registration is required.

Women in Auto Care Awards Ceremony Breakfast, Nov. 5, 7-8:45 a.m.

Held in the Titian Ballroom on Level 2, the Women in Auto Care’s annual networking breakfast gives AAPEX attendees a chance to connect and will include the presentation of the annual Women of the Year Awards. This is a ticketed event.

Then join Women in Auto Care and their allies for a networking reception in the same ballroom from 5-6 p.m. It is open to all AAPEX attendees.

SEMA Show

Held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the SEMA Show covers six halls, an international pavilion plus events outside.

There will be plenty of education opportunities at SEMA, ranging from business management to technical. Free education sessions will include looks at building your brand, trends impacting the aftermarket and various panels. Go here to see the full education options.

There will be numerous celebrities at SEMA. You can see who will be attending here.

Show features include:

Kickoff Breakfast, Nov. 5, 7-8:45 a.m.

The Paradise Event Center at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino will play host to the SEMA Show Kickoff Breakfast.

Attendees can network with the global automotive community before sitting down with a plated breakfast, celebrity keynote and special presentations. This is a ticketed event.

New Products Showcase, Lower South Hall, Booth #41271

The New Products Showcase, the SEMA Show’s most popular exhibit, is set to return to the South Hall, serving as the industry’s epicenter for innovation. This year, the showcase will again boast thousands of the newest and most exciting products hitting the aftermarket, making it a must-see destination for global buyers, media, and content creators.

SEMA FutureTech Studio, Central Hall, Booth #24401

The SEMA Show is launching an immersive exhibit dedicated to advanced technologies under the banner “Edge of Innovation.” This area is designed to bring the most cutting-edge advancements in EVs, automation, future propulsion and smart manufacturing into sharp focus.

Beyond exploring visionary builds and next-gen materials, attendees can gather at the FutureTech Live Education Stage. This dedicated stage will host high impact, microlearning sessions, featuring leading technology minds who will share insights on the breakthrough systems that are poised to redefine the future of the automotive and aftermarket industries.

SEMA Battle Of The Builders. North Hall, Booth #10168

The annual SEMA Battle of the Builders will once again showcase the world’s most influential vehicle builders.

Launched in 2014, the competition recognizes proven builders and products across all market categories, helping attendees and online followers spot the latest trends and techniques. The selection process involves expert judges narrowing the field, but the builders themselves cast the final votes to select the overall winner.

Attendees can follow the progress at the BOTB stage, where the Top 40 finalists will be introduced on Nov. 4, at 1:30 p.m. The Top 12 finalists will be announced at 3 p.m. on Nov. 5. The Top 4 finalists will be announced Nov. 6, at 3:30 p.m., with the final winner announced on Nov. 7, at 3:30 p.m.

Feature Vehicle Displays, Silver Drive, Silver Lot, Diamond Lot, Blue Lot and hall lobbies

Innovative feature vehicles will once again be displayed across the Las Vegas Convention Center. Representing every industry niche, from cars and trucks to powersports, these vehicles offer attendees a crucial, in-person look at the real-life applications of the aftermarket’s latest and most exciting parts and accessories.

Functioning as extensions of exhibitor booths, these displays are strategically located throughout the show floor.

ADAS Feature, South Hall Upper, Booth #31255

The SEMA Show is dedicating a feature area to the rapidly evolving world of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), providing attendees with access to dedicated exhibits and thought leaders.

The program is designed to help builders, restylers and repair professionals learn how ADAS impacts vehicle modifications and to discover the latest calibration tools and technologies. Sessions will offer hands-on insights from top manufacturers and trainers, enabling professionals to stay ahead in safely and effectively adapting vehicles in the ADAS era.

SEMA Central, LVCC Grand Lobby

SEMA Central is expanding this year to offer show participants a more immersive industry experience. Traditionally acting as the Show’s hub for content and connections, the renewed SEMA Central will now feature top-tier vehicle builds and host center-stage interviews with iconic personalities from across the automotive aftermarket.

Attendees are encouraged to visit the area to engage with the industry’s biggest names and latest trends.