AAPEX & SEMA 2025 updates

It’s Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week and the Auto Service World team is in Las Vegas to bring you the happenings from AAPEX and the SEMA Show

It’s always a busy and exciting week. We’ll try to keep the page updated with news, highlights, information, photos and other happenings we come across. Many companies have announced they will be unveiling new products and innovations during the show — we’ll do our best to highlight those.

There is also plenty of training taking place be it from the management or the technical side. You can check out our preview of both shows for some of the highlights of what’s taking place.

We’ll update as best we can here on this page — it’s a busy time with a lot happening so there may be delays.

You can also head to our Instagram page. Give us a follow there for more highlights straight to your feed.

Monday, Nov. 3

AAPEX kicked off with an annual reception in the main lobby. It was an opportunity for those freshly into town or those who’ve been here through the weekend for AWDA meetings to mix and mingle. It was essentially a chance to unwind before the doors open in the morning for the show.

Tuesday, Nov. 4

The AAPEX show kicked off with Paul McCarthy from MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers and Bill Hannvey welcoming attendees and giving their annual state of the aftermarket address. They touched on right to repair and key industry industry issues.

Wayne Gretzky was the featured guest and took part in a fireside style chat, talking about his career and his experiences playing alongside and being around his idol Gordie Howe. He gave insights on leadership and working with teams and treating everyone equally and with respect.

“Each and every person you have around you becomes imperative to the success [of your business],” he told the audience of working with people. “You check your ego at the door.”

He also touched on the importance of mentorship and soaking in knowledge from those who have experiences.

“Respect elders, respect people who have done it before,” he advised, adding that those who have the experience should also do their part to pass their knowledge “on to the next generation.”

His advice to young pros was to love what you do — love for doing what you do goes a long way in success. He also advised to put in the effort and time to your job out of respect for the people you work with.

“If you’re there early, it goes a long way; it doesn’t go unnoticed,” he said. “You show people respect that you’re ready and willing to put in the work.”

The breakfast also honoured its AAPEX Service & Repair Award winners, which recognize exemplary performance among independent repair shop owners, service advisors and repair technicians. The winners were:

Shop Owner of the Year: Tom Palermo of Preferred Automotive Specialists
Service Advisor of the Year: Katlyn French of Hillside Auto Repair
Technician of the Year: Tony Martinez of Silver Lake Auto & Tire Centers

The awards will be presented to winners during the Beers and Gears Reception.

At 9 am, doors opened and attendees flooded the AAPEX show floor.

In the first general session, Kirsten Von Busch and Mike Dixon from Experian presented Trends Impacting the Automotive Aftermarket. They explored vehicle trends, electric vehicle trends, purchasing trends and a look at how to hit your target marketing audience.

Canadians packed HaSalon for Canada Night. The annual event saw hundreds of guests network, reconnect with old colleagues and make new connections.

The Young Auto Care Networking Group held its annual — and biggest — meet-up at the 1923 Prohibition Bar. With a 1920s theme, the industry’s young pros mixed and mingled for the night.

Wednesday, Nov. 5

The day kicked off with two big events.
Women in Auto Care hosted its annual breakfast and handed out awards.

The winners of the 2025 Women in Auto Care Awards are:

Lifetime Achievement: Courtney Pedler, CEO, Autology Data Management
Outstanding Achievement: Olivia Droney-Newton, senior vice president, category management and customer insights, NA Williams
Female Shop Owner of the Year: Shari Pheasant, co-CEO, A Master Mechanic
Women of Excellence: Heather Antrim, commercial category manager, AutoZone
Women of Excellence: Lauren Briggs, director, sales and marketing, NAPA Auto Care
Women of Excellence: Tracy Capriotto, director of content, producer, Remarkable Results Radio
Women of Excellence: Cass Tomac, senior manager, strategic sourcing, Highline Warren
Company Ally of the Year: Highline Warren
Women in Auto Care Champion of the Year: Amy Steele, vice president, Nexa Motion Group (NMG)

WIAC hosted a reception for its members and allies after the show ended for the day.

MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers hosted media members for its annual breakfast. President Paul McCarthy spoke on right to repair, tariffs, technology and challenges suppliers have been facing.

”It’s been a hell of a year,” he said bluntly, noting members have faced challenges throughout the year yet continue to deliver for the motoring public.

”That is an incredible achievement,” McCarthy said.

Ana Meuwissen, senior vice president of Government Affairs for MEMA, touched on the USMCA, explaining that it has been an “overwhelming success” and that “it’s working the way it was intended.” There will be public hearings on the agreement in mid-November.

Nathan Shipley from Circana gave his outlook for the aftermarket, examining changes in consumer spending and purchasing habits but pointed out that the underlying health of aftermarket remains strong as consumers choose to not pull back on spending in vehicle maintenance and repair.

The 2025 Import Vehicle Community People Award winners were handed out. The winners were:

Hall of Fame Award: Stephen (Steve) Bearden, President, H.B. International Marketing Services, Inc.
Industry Impact Award: Kevin Evoy, Consultant, Product/Category Management, Parts Authority
Person of the Year Award: Mike Mohler, Executive Vice President and Chief Purchasing Officer, The Automotive Parts Services Group, LLC
Young Executive of the Year: Mallory Long, Director of Vendor Relations & Marketing, SSF Imported Auto Parts LLC

The Auto Care Association and MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers released the 2025 Joint E-commerce Trends and Outlook Forecast report, providing updated insights into consumer purchase of automotive parts and accessories via the online channel. The report provides in-depth analysis and forecasts to support the industry’s continued adaptation to consumer behaviour for research and purchase of automotive parts and accessories.

Research and analysis for the 2025 Joint E-commerce Trends and Outlook Forecast were led by Jefferies, with a team of leading industry collaborators.