The automotive aftermarket came together at the Venetian Expo & AAPEX Forum in Las Vegas Tuesday, November 3, for the opening day of AAPEX 2026. The opening brought together parts retailers, distributors, manufacturers and automotive service professionals for three days of industry education, networking and business development.

The day began with the AAPEX Keynote Breakfast featuring legendary basketball coach Mike “Coach K” Krzyzewski. With more than 1,200 career wins, five NCAA championships and three Olympic gold medals as head coach of Team USA, Coach K sat down for his discussion on “Victory through Teamwork and Leadership,” focused on lessons in navigating change, building trust and creating winning teams- topics that resonate with businesses facing an evolving automotive landscape.

The opening program also featured AAPEX’s State of the Industry presentation, setting the stage for conversations about the challenges and opportunities facing the aftermarket- the key focus was analyzing, and addressing uncertainty in the current climate.

Beyond the keynotes, the first day offered a full schedule of educational opportunities geared toward helping shop owners and industry professionals strengthen their businesses. Sessions covered topics including leadership, customer reviews and reputation management, artificial intelligence and its impact on online search, technician recruitment, and evolving parts purchasing decisions.

The newly introduced iFLEX at AAPEX, developed in partnership with the Preventative Automotive Maintenance Association (PAMA), also brought additional education and networking opportunities to the show. Opening-day programming included a state-of-the-industry update for the oil and lube segment, business management discussions and sessions on cybersecurity and customer retention.

This year’s AAPEX also boasts show floor enhancement and major growth throughout the venue. Our team strongly recommends reviewing the show floor maps and planning your schedule accordingly to streamline and maximize your visit!

Part of this year’s redesigned show floor, the AAPEX Forum was a new focal point. The Forum features the Undercar and Accessories & Lighting sections, a curated Product Showcase, education stages and special guest appearances.
Tuesday’s featured celebrity guest was actor, producer and entrepreneur Mark Wahlberg, who participated in a discussion focusing on leadership, motivation, and challenges of running a business today.

Networking events, including AIA’s well-received Canada Night, continued across the board into the evening, connecting industry friends and colleagues.

With a combination of business-focused education, new experiences and opportunities to connect with industry peers, AAPEX 2026 opened with a strong emphasis on the people and ideas moving the automotive aftermarket forward.

AAPEX continues November 4-5 at the Venetian Expo and AAPEX Forum in Las Vegas.

Stay tuned for individual product innovations and press releases from AAPEX 2026.