‘The Great One’ will headline AAPEX

Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky will give the keynote breakfast address at AAPEX this fall.

Since retiring, the Brantford, Ontario, native has been a TV personality, head coach and philanthropist. He will share his insights on achieving peak performance and adapting to evolving landscapes, drawing parallels to the automotive aftermarket industry.

Gretzky, though losing his record of career goals scored this season to Alexander Ovechkin, still holds many professional hockey records. He will participate in a moderated discussion, “Getting into the Hall of Fame: What it Takes.” The conversation is expected to delve into the principles of flexibility, innovation, and overcoming fear — elements that the aftermarket can leverage to enhance its competitiveness in a rapidly changing environment.

“The pace of change in the automotive aftermarket means training and professional development are increasingly important to stay ahead,” said Bill Hanvey, president and CEO of the Auto Care Association, which co-owns AAPEX along with MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers. “When I think about the change the industry has experienced over the last 40 years, Mr. Gretzky’s message seems exceptionally well-timed for the aftermarket community.”

“One way to put the pace of change into perspective is the complexity of the supply chain: There are 300 million privately owned vehicles in the U.S., each composed of an estimated 45,000 different parts,” said Paul McCarthy, president of MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers. “Couple that with the fact that the average vehicle is more than 12 years old, and you can begin to see that professional development in the aftermarket is linked to the overall economy.”

AAPEX 2025 is scheduled to take place at the Venetian Expo & Caesars Forum in Las Vegas from November 4-6, 2025. The keynote breakfast will be a ticketed event held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, from 6:30-8:45 a.m. at The Venetian Hotel’s Palazzo Ballroom.

Registration for AAPEX 2025 is expected to open later this spring.