Exciting Changes are Coming to AAPEX in 2025
To ensure AAPEX remains THE premier automotive aftermarket event, we conducted a Futurescaping Project, interviewing key stakeholders including exhibitors, attendees, media, and international participants. This project highlighted two main priorities for AAPEX:
- Increase exhibitor value (not just lower prices, but better value)
- Continuously enhance the attendee experience
Two key Changes
Starting in 2024, you’ll notice some enhancements — but we want to share two significant changes set for 2025 that will help achieve these primary goals:
- Instead of basing booth selection solely on seniority, it will now be based on a Priority Point System. This system includes seniority as well as company participation at AAPEX.
- The exhibit floor will be organized into broad product and service segments.
FAQs
In the past, AAPEX allowed companies to skip a year of exhibiting while retaining their seniority. Under this system, if my company skips a year, do I lose all my points?
If a company decides not to exhibit in any given year, it will lose all Seniority Points. However, the company will retain any applicable Show Points earned for booth size and/or sponsorships.
Does this mean I will not have the same location I’ve had in the past?
We cannot guarantee the availability of your current booth space because the show floor will be reorganized each year, or a company with more Priority Points may select the space first. If your current booth space is available at the time of your selection, you may choose it.
How do mergers/acquisitions work?
If two (or more) exhibiting companies merge or are acquired, the higher number of Priority Points will be given to the remaining company.
How will the priority point system contribute to ROI?
Exhibitors frequently ask how to enhance their booth location and overall value at AAPEX. After thorough research into best practices for booth selection, we’ve adopted a new, modern model that is widely used by trade shows. This approach not only helps exhibitors improve their company’s position but also rewards those who consistently invest in AAPEX. Additionally, it ensures that buyers have a fresh experience each year, which is key to their satisfaction, engagement and regular attendance at the event.
Exhibit Floor Segmentation
Level 2 of Venetian Expo will be divided into broad product and service sections:
- Under Hood
- Under Car
- Oil, Lube, Waxes, & Chemical
- Accessories/Front Room/Business Services/E-Commerce
- Paint & Body
- Tool & Equipment
- Mobile Heating & Air (in continued partnership with NARSA)
- Remanufacturing
Joe’s Garage will continue to be home to its current segments:
- Diagnostics/Telematics/Shop Management Systems
- Electric Vehicle/Alternative Fuel
- Tire Servicing
- Powertrain Expo (co-located at AAPEX in partnership with ATRA)
- Industry Podcasts
When you submit your AAPEX 2025 Booth Contract, you will select the section you would like to exhibit in. When it is your turn, you will be able to select your space within your chosen section. Please note that you will not be allowed to exhibit in a segment that is not appropriate for your products.
Each year, sections will rotate (except Mobile Heating and Air) to ensure no one area permanently occupies the best spot. This will also keep AAPEX fresh and engaging for attendees.
FAQ
How does booth selection within a section work with the Priority Point System?
Following Priority Point order, companies will choose a booth space in their selected section.
Can I see the floor plan before selecting my section?
No, the floor plan will be created based on the sections selected in the contract.
My company has multiple products and would qualify for more than one section —how will that work?
Exhibitors who have products that fall into multiple segments must choose a primary segment and/or may secure a booth in multiple segments.
Can I change my section every year?
No. Once a company has selected a section, it will remain there unless it has a new product that is a better fit for a different section. For example, if a company that previously exhibited in the Remanufacturing section came out with a new diagnostic system, it could switch to that appropriate section in Joe’s Garage, with AAPEX approval.
When will I know my place in the AAPEX 2025 order?
AAPEX will begin assigning booths in the spring of 2025.
How will Exhibit Floor Segmentation help enhance the attendee experience?
This shift to a segmented exhibit model, already used by major automotive aftermarket trade shows like SEMA, Automechanika, and Autopromotec, is designed to address the needs of our attendees and enhance AAPEX’s efficiency.
By organizing the show into specialized sections, we enable buyers to concentrate on the areas that offer the products and services they’re interested in, thereby boosting their productivity.
For exhibitors, this means engaging with more targeted attendees who are actively seeking to discover — and purchase — their offerings.