Enginetech recently attended the annual AAPEX and SEMA shows in Las Vegas. AAPEX 2024, was held November 5-7, at The Venetian Expo and Caesar’s Forum in Las Vegas. SEMA, the companion event, was held November 5-8 at the nearby Las Vegas Convention center, and covers 1.2 million net square feet of exhibitor space spanning both indoor and outdoor areas. Targeting gear heads of every variety, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, SEMA, show features 1,500 feature vehicles, and more than 3,000 products in the New Products Showcase. With over 135,000 total attendees, including manufacturers, supplier companies, and buyers, there is always a lot happening in Las Vegas during AAPEX and SEMA show week!
The Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo, or AAPEX, show represents the over $1.8 trillion global automotive aftermarket industry, comprising of 130 countries, and is why Enginetech travels to Las Vegas each year to meet with many of our amazing customers.
AAPEX and SEMA Show Highlights:
The SEMA show consistently offers surprises and fresh experiences for everyone, whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer.
- Hundreds of unique, customized vehicles! Impossible to choose a favorite one.
- The outdoor drifting experience at the SEMA show! We heard the cars and smelled the tires before we even saw the track. These drivers tore up the outdoor skills track, leaving the area filled with tire smoke.
- SEMA is overall, a celebration of car culture that transcends language and continues to exceed expectations as the largest car show in the world.
The AAPEX show offers an excellent opportunity to connect with hundreds of business owners and fully immerse yourself in the automotive aftermarket industry. Walking the AAPEX show floor is an exploration of vehicle innovations, trends, and remanufacturing practices.
- Always seeking to provide the best client support, Enginetech visits face to face with our customers during the show.
- Enginetech visited the OAC Global Reception at AAPEX this year. The Overseas Automotive Council hosted over 500 International buyers, distributors, and suppliers.
- November 6th was Women in Autocare Wednesday at AAPEX! The Women in Auto Care community is committed to its mission of connecting, empowering, and mentoring women in the automotive industry. We love this!
- Check out this year’s Shop Owner Spotlights at https://www.aapexshow.com/shop-owner-spotlight/
Key Takeaways:
These events are 4.5 million sq. ft. of opportunity. We seek to understand our customers through meaningful conversations, collaborating with them on new ways to meet their business needs. We know that success of our customers is success for Enginetech, and face to face discussions are invaluable to our management team. Every year, AAPEX and SEMA provide the perfect venue for these important exchanges.
Another takeaway from this year’s show was the over 1,400 trending vehicles on display. Seeing these new vehicle trends is not only fascinating but provides insight into where the automotive industry is heading, as well as possible new prospects for aftermarket part suppliers.
Our AAPEX and SEMA Attendee Experience:
Nicholas Mabry, General Manager, had the following to thoughts during the show:
Our experience at AAPEX this year strengthened our commitment to expanding our customer-centric approach, blending service and innovation while expanding our global presence. As we continue to reach new markets, this years show showcased what sets Enginetech apart: our unwavering focus on providing personalized solutions and exceptional service to our customers and business partners.
Tony Gaona, Team Leader of Sales, shared the following;
AAPEX/SEMA presents a chance to finally connect a face and a voice to the emails and phone calls we’ve exchanged over the years, whether they are nearby or on the other side of the globe. This event has fostered many friendships and adds a personal touch to what is often a transactional industry.
Dan Qualls, VP of Business development, had the following to say about his time spent at the event:
We recently attended the SEMA and AAPEX shows, and we had an incredible experience. The vibrant energy, groundbreaking innovations, and industry expertise on display truly inspired us. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals in our profession.
Cody Meeks, Team Leader of Engineering, provided the following reflections about his experience at the event:
This year’s AAPEX has seen a significant increase in attendance, making it a bustling and dynamic event. It has been a fantastic platform for reconnecting with existing vendors and customers while also engaging with potential new partners”.
Cameron Missaghy, Team Leader of Materials Management, Shared his thoughts while at the show:
APPEX has become an incredibly valuable show for Enginetech to attend, thanks to the extreme diversity of products and services offered by different suppliers. These partnerships have allowed us to diversify into new product lines and even expand our offerings from our current suppliers. We’re committed to making our customers happy, and meetings like these at APPEX are crucial in achieving that goal.
Claire McBeath, Brand Manager, expressed the following sentiment;
The diverse crowd at these shows creates a good mix of thoughts and viewpoints. We meet with large brands as well as small repair shops, and we get to hear about the triumphs and struggles of both types of customers. I enjoy seeing the power of community when people from both types of businesses come together, sharing a similar passion for what they do.
AAPEX and SEMA are commonly referred to as the “Super Bowl of the Automotive Industry”. It’s a week thousands of repair shop owners and car enthusiasts look forward to all year long.
This year, we felt the absence of some of our esteemed customers and partners in the southeastern United States, who were unable to attend this year’s shows due to the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. We wish them all the best as they recover, and we hope to see them at next year’s events.
Enginetech gains a wealth of insights and camaraderie by attending these shows every year. Seeing our customers and sharing stories and understandings of our industry is something we greatly value. The 2024 AAPEX and SEMA shows were incredible, and we already can’t wait to attend next year’s show!
