Gallery: Sights from the 2023 AAPEX Show

Lights, camera, action! The 20223 AAPEX Show took place last week with a full show floor, awards ceremonies and a myriad of education sessions for attendees. During the day, a packed show floor played host to product demonstrations and announcements. At night, Las Vegas was abuzz with aftermarket professionals reacquainting, mixing and mingling.

According to the Auto Care Association and MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, this year’s show experienced an 86% increase in total exhibiting companies and an attendee crowd that included more than 40,000 targeted buyers.

With so much to see and do, you can’t hit everything at AAPEX. So, take a look at the sights, ceremonies and cocktail parties you might have missed.

Ashlee Arnold, AWDA chair and vice president of Arnold Oil Co. of Austin, cuts the ribbon opening the AAPEX Show on Monday, Oct. 30.

The opening reception at AAPEX gave a chance for exhibitors to mingle and catch up with industry peers.

Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr. served as the keynote speaker in kicking off the 2023 AAPEX Show. During the show, it was announced that Johnson was the fourth athlete to earn “billionaire” status thanks to his investments and business deals. Read more about Johnson’s keynote here.

During his speech, Magic Johnson told his stories, answered questions and chest-bumped members of the crowd.

Seven industry executives were honored with the Northwood University Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Award, developed in partnership with the Auto Care Association, Aftermarket Warehouse Distributors Association and MEMA. Honorees from left:

Dr. Donald James, CEO, Solero Technologies, Rochester Hills
Brian Norko, senior vice president, commercial business operations, Niterra North America, Inc. (formerly NGK Spark Plugs), Wixom, Michigan
Randy Buller, CEO, Parts Authority,
Chris Williams, president and CEO, NA Williams, Atlanta, Georgia
Arthur “Bo” Fisher III, CEO/owner, Fisher Auto Parts, Staunton, Virginia
Michael C. Buzzard, partner, Schwartz Advisors, La Jolla, California
Aaron Shaffer, director of marketing services, Standard Motor Products, Long Island City, New York.

Shop owner Bob Mattliano of Shore Point Auto in Brick, New Jersey, won a Richard Petty Z06 Corvette as part of MAHLE’s “Choice of Champions” promotion.

Dana Inc.’s training team conducted a seminar on axle gearing during the recent AAPEX Show. The course was designed to provide attendees with the knowledge they need to perform a gear ratio change on one of Dana Aftermarket’s performance axles, the Ultimate Dana 44 and Ultimate Dana 60.

Randy Shambro (second from left) was named “Counter Professional of the Year,” presented by WIX Filters, by Counterman magazine, an AMN sister publication Shambro, an assistant store manager with O’Reilly Auto Parts in Chicago, has 45 years of experience in the industry. He is pictured with Kurk Wilks, president and CEO of MANN+HUMMEL (far left), Brad Beckham, co-president of O’Reilly Auto Parts, and Josh Cable, Counterman editor.

Jessica Toliuszis, chair of Women in Auto Care and vice president of major accounts for Highline Warren, inspires the crowd at the Women in Auto Care Breakfast on Nov. 1 at AAPEX.

Kathleen Long, CRO at RepairPal (left) interviewed members of this year’s Women of Excellence Class at the Women in Auto Care Breakfast. Those included Susan Starnes, vice president of emerging markets for GPC (second from left); Ashlee Arnold, vice president of Arnold Oil Co. of Austin, and Tanya Hunt, commercial project manager at BBB Industries.

The Auto Care Association and MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers presented their Joint EV Trends Forecast and Outlook at the EV Experience Stage in Joe’s Garage at the AAPEX Show.

Brembo North America won a Best Booth Award for Best Large Island (800 sq. ft. or more) during the AAPEX Best Booth Awards. To see the full list of awards, click here.

Highline Warren, LLC was presented with the marketing award as part of the AAPEX New Packaging Showcase. Highline Warren won the award for its Rain-X label and packaging updates. To see a full list of New Product and Packaging Award winners, click here.

The Import Vehicle Community named Julian Hentze, president, Global Parts Distributors, LLC, Person of the Year at the annual Import Vehicle Community People Awards. The full list of award recipients can be found here.

Grace Hovis, YANG chair and marketing and training director at Hovis Auto & Truck Supply, with Mitchell Dust of Dust & Son Auto Supply at the YANG Reception at the Palazzo Pool Deck.

AAPEX attendees mingled at the “Sustainabili-TEA & Coffee” event co-hosted by the Auto Care Association’s Sustainability Committee and MEMA’s Center for Sustainability.

Four TPMS companies – Continental, Bartec, Schrader and ATEQ – hosted a joint press conference at AAPEX to spread the word about frequest TPMS tool updates for repair shops.