Here’s what to do at AAPEX and SEMA

Heading to AAPEX and SEMA in Las Vegas this year? Do you have your calendar planned out? If not, here are some highlights to get you going.

Keynotes

AAPEX and SEAM each will have special keynotes, though at different times.

NFL sportscaster Erin Andrews will headline the opening keynote at AAPEX on Nov. 5. Starting at , she will be joined on stage by automotive aftermarket industry leader Kathleen Callahan, owner of Xpertech Auto Repair for a fireside chat

Then, Andrews will moderate a panel discussion with automotive aftermarket leaders who will share observations and perspectives on the industry. The industry titans participating in the discussion are: 

• Ashlee Arnold, vice president, Arnold Oil Company
• Brad Beckham, CEO, O’Reilly Auto Parts
• Randy Breaux, group president, GPC North America
• Philip Daniele, president and CEO, AutoZone
• Shane O’Kelly, president and CEO, Advance Auto Parts

The breakfast, which goes from 6:30-8:45 a.m., requires a separate ticket from the show. Contact, Chris Kalousek from AAPEX Event Management at chris.kalousek@aapexshow.com to inquire.

Over at SEMA, there will be a kickoff breakfast from 7-8:45 a.m. at the Paradise Event Center in the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.

Bear Grylls, host of Man vs. Wild, Running Wild With Bear Grylls and You vs. Wild, will be the event’s keynote speaker at 2 p.m. on Nov. 7. He will speak about the experiences that have shaped him and the lessons he has learned along the way.

Education

Both SEMA and AAPEX have a wide range of education seminars geared towards automotive service professionals. Session topics range from marketing to sales to business strategy and technical training.

You can view the full list of educational session from SEMA here and filter by track.

AAPEX is bringing back Joe’s Garage, which will have live demonstrations daily. Otherwise, you can go here and choose the type of training you want, based on job role, content level or session type.

Industry trends

There will be several sessions focused on where the industry is expected to go.

At AAPEX, two general sessions will be held. Trends Impacting the North American Aftermarket Todd Campau, aftermarket practice leader at S&P Global Mobility, will kick off with his annual overview of key industry trends impacting the North American aftermarket and new insights affecting the global aftermarket. You can catch this session will be held on Nov. 5, from 11 a.m. to noon, at The Venetian, Level 1, Galileo Room 901.

He will also make the same presentation at SEMA at W311 from 11 a.m. to noon on Nov. 7.

At the Aftermarket Outlook 2025 session, Circana’s executive director and industry analyst, Nathan Shipley, will cover trends observed in general retail and the aftermarket over the past two years. This session will take place on Nov. 6, from 11 a.m. to noon, at The Venetian, Level 1, Galileo Room 901.

Joint EV Trends and Outlook Forecast and the Joint E-Commerce Trends and Outlook Forecast will provide EV sales forecasts, market trends and post-warranty EV part opportunities at 1:45 p.m. on Nov. 5. Then, from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m., Jefferies will present the 2024 Joint E-commerce Trends and Outlook Forecast, offering a view of aftermarket e-commerce growth through 2026. Both take place at the EV Experience Stage on Level 1.

showcase new forecasts for growth in electric vehicle sales, the share of vehicles in operation, and predictions for select EV-related parts categories. This session will take place on Nov. 5, from 1:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.

At SEMA, 2025 Economic and Job Market Outlook With Smart Ideas to Solve for Workforce Shortages will be hosted by Jeff Korzenik, chief economist at Fifth Third Bank. He will look at external factors and trends that may impact your business in W311 on Nov. 5 from 3-4 p.m.

On Nov. 6 from 1-2 p.m., Gavin Knapp, market research director at SEMA, will present SEMA State of the Industry: Where We Are, Where We’re Going. He will look at the trends driving the market and influences on the specialty equipment sector.

Canada Night

What’s Industry Week without Canada Night? The Automotive Industries Association of Canada’s anticipated networking event provides Canadian businesses from the entire auto care industry an opportunity to connect with top leaders and experts from the Canadian automotive aftermarket.

It will be in a new location — the Palazzo Pool Deck at The Venetian on Nov. 5 from 5:30-8:30

Canada Night requires a separate ticket available to industry individuals or companies. Business attendees must currently have an office in Canada or a representative who works in the Canadian market. U.S.-based companies with a strong Canadian presence are also welcome.

You can purchase tickets here.

SEMA Fest

While AAPEX wraps up on Nov. 7, SEMA will continue into Nov. 8 and wrap up with the return of SEMA Fest.

A live music and automotive event will feature performances by Cage the Elephant, Sublime, Fitz and the Tantrums and Petey.

The event is open to the public as well as industry professionals, taking place at a new outdoor venue right at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), adjacent to the South Hall.

Separate tickets are required, starting at $49. They are available at www.semafest.com.

ATRA Powertrain Expo

The Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association has joined forces with AAPEX to bring its annual Expo to the Industry Week.

What was once a separate event can now be found on Level 1 of the Venetian this year and for every AAPEX following. All ATRA Expo vendors will be featured in the dedicated Transmission area, near Joe’s Garage.

Training opportunities can be found here, while additional details about the expo can be found at www.powertrainexpo.com.