The Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) announced several new activations for attendees at this year’s show, Nov. 3-5 at The Venetian Expo & AAPEX Forum in Las Vegas. These interactive exhibits were created to encourage participation, add an element of entertainment and improve the overall experience for show-goers, AAPEX officials said in a press release.
“These activations are part of our efforts to evolve the show and keep it fresh every year,” said Mark Bogdansky, Auto Care Association vice president of trade shows and community engagement. “We’ve made a lot of changes to the show to facilitate the business side of the event; these activations add fun to the mix and keep attendees engaged on the show floor.”
Daily Prize Giveaways
On Tuesday and Wednesday of the show, one winner can choose from one of three prize offerings: a Rolex luxury watch package or two tickets to either Super Bowl LXI, the Masters Tournament or a premier European football match. The tickets include airfare and hotel.
On Thursday, the show is giving away a brand-new Ford F-150.
Winners will be selected at random and announced through the AAPEX mobile app at 6 p.m. local time each day. To enter the daily drawing, attendees must scan their conference badge each day at the Roadside Attractions vignette in the AAPEX Forum.
Roadside Attractions Lounge & Celebrity Meet-and-Greets
The Roadside Attractions vignette is a multipurpose area featuring lounge seating, coffee and massage chairs. This area is also where attendees can queue to meet the show’s previously announced celebrity guests, who have scheduled time for photo ops and signing autographs.
NASCAR Driving Simulator Challenge
Attendees can test their driving skills in a NASCAR simulator. The best-performing race time each day of the conference will win two tickets to any NASCAR event of their choosing. The simulator will be located in the AAPEX Forum.
Live Illustrations of Show Floor Education Sessions
AAPEX has commissioned graphic artists to illustrate the mini sessions presented on two AAPEX show floor stages as they happen. These illustrations will be hung later in the Illustration Intake area near the stages. This creates a unique space where attendees can review the information presented in those sessions and network.
Famous Movie & TV Cars on Display
About a half-dozen cars, which were featured in major films or television programs, will be on display throughout the show. Some of the vehicles attendees will find on the show floor are:
- Pontiac Firebird Trans Am named “KITT” from the TV series “Knight Rider”
- Ford Gran Torino from “Starsky and Hutch”
- Pink Chevy Corvette from the movie “Barbie”
- DeLorean from “Back to the Future”
- Mercury Cougar XR-7 from “From Dusk Till Dawn”
- Dodge Charger R/T from “The Fast and the Furious”
- AMC Pacer from “Wayne’s World”
Automotive-Themed Escape Rooms
Two different automotive-themed escape rooms will be located near Joe’s Garage. One escape room will have a repair shop theme where players must diagnose the vehicle and select the proper replacement part. The second escape room theme is an auto parts factory, where players must use their knowledge of the automotive supply chain to solve puzzles.
Each escape room can accommodate a team of up to five people. Each challenge lasts about 10 minutes. The facilitator, a Joe’s Garage “employee” named “Sparky,” will be present to assist teams that get stuck.
Optimum Shop Repair Business Simulation Game
This “edutainment” style game will challenge attendees to keep their game-based auto repair shop well supplied. Participants will have to attend to customers, order supplies and keep an eye on their shop’s cash flow. As in the real world, supply chain disruptions are likely to emerge as participants play the game to keep it challenging.
A public leaderboard will be on display to foster healthy competition, the release noted. This game will be located at The Venetian Expo, near AAPEX Stage 3.
Part Art Lounge Benefits the University of the Aftermarket Foundation
Two professional artists will race against the clock to create mixed-media murals out of donated auto parts. AAPEX will later auction the art, with proceeds going to the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, which provides aspiring aftermarket professionals with financial support for their education and training. The Part Art Lounge will be located at the footbridge that connects the AAPEX Forum with The Venetian.
Returning AAPEX Fan Favorites
Along with the new activations, attendee favorites will return, including the daily exhibitor booth crawl, automotive-themed flash tattoos at Beers & Gears, networking opportunities and themed Food Truck Rest Stops, all on the expo floor. Attendees can also enjoy automotive artwork in the Scenic Overlook Art Gallery and hear from industry subject matter experts across five show floor stages featuring demonstrations, training and market insights, forecasts and trends.
“AAPEX 2026 is going to look and feel different, and I think attendees will notice that the moment they walk through the doors,” said Liz Goad, MEMA aftermarket suppliers vice president of events. “We’ve put a lot of thought into creating an exciting and engaging environment that offers something for everyone. At its heart, AAPEX is about bringing our industry together to learn, discover new opportunities, build relationships and do business, while celebrating the people and connections that make the aftermarket such a special community.”