AAPEX Seeks Speakers, Trainers for 2026 Event
The Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) is seeking speakers and trainers to lead sessions at its annual trade show, Nov. 3-5 in Las Vegas, Nev. Sessions should focus on business management or technical training for independent auto repair shops and owners. The deadline to apply is March 18.
“Last year, AAPEX hosted more than 100 training sessions and product demonstrations as part of our dedicated programming for service and repair professionals, including activations in Joe’s Garage,” said Liz Goad, vice president of events with MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, which co-produces AAPEX. “Access to training and exposure to new product innovations are consistently among the top reasons people say they attend AAPEX in our polling.”
Select interactive training sessions will take place in Joe’s Garage, a hallmark of AAPEX. Located on the show floor, Joe’s Garage is a full-service center featuring 10 fully operational vehicle lifts. The space is designed for hands-on training and real-world demonstrations — often showcasing new parts, tools and service equipment. Additional training sessions will be conveniently located around the show floor, near Joe’s Garage.
How to apply to speak at AAPEX
All proposals will be evaluated by a panel of independent repair shop owners and technicians. Proposals will be chosen based on relevance to the independent repair community, quality of proposed content, achievable learning outcomes, trainer or presenter qualifications and applicability to a service shop’s daily work or career. Sales pitches and sessions that are promotional will not be considered.
Prospective speakers can submit proposed sessions here. New speakers will be prompted to set up an account, while returning speakers will be invited to log back in.
Each speaker may submit up to six different session proposals by the deadline. Questions may be sent to [email protected].
The selected sessions will be announced to applicants by mid-April.
Presenters whose sessions are selected will receive complimentary access to the show, a $500 honorarium per session and a $750 stipend for travel and expenses. The $500 honorarium is paid per session (not per speaker) and remains at a flat rate regardless of the number of speakers in any given session.