AAPEX Las Vegas 2026: Complete Guide for Automotive Aftermarket Attendees

AAPEX — Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo — is one of the largest automotive trade shows in the world, held annually at the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas. If you're attending AAPEX 2026, here's your complete guide to hotels, registration and the show.

AAPEX Las Vegas 2026: Key Facts

AAPEX (the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo) returns to the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas on November 3–5, 2026. It is one of the two anchor events of automotive aftermarket week, drawing roughly 48,000 attendees — manufacturers, distributors, service professionals, and buyers — from more than 130 countries. The show runs in parallel with SEMA, held a mile away at the Las Vegas Convention Center, and together the two events represent the largest gathering of the global automotive aftermarket each year.

• Dates: November 3–5, 2026 (Tuesday–Thursday)
• Venue: Venetian Expo (formerly Sands Expo), east Strip
• Attendance: ~48,000 industry professionals
• Focus: Auto parts, tools, diagnostics, repair, and service technology
• Runs alongside: SEMA Show at the LVCC (same week)
• Access: Industry-only (no public admission)

Best Hotels for AAPEX Las Vegas 2026

AAPEX takes place at the Venetian Expo, on the east side of the Strip. The single most important decision for an AAPEX attendee is whether you are also doing SEMA the same week at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) — the two venues sit roughly one mile apart, and the right hotel changes depending on whether you need fast access to one venue or to both. The recommendations below are ranked by proximity to the show floor and by how well they serve the AAPEX-plus-SEMA double, not by commission. Because AAPEX and SEMA fill the city in the same week, rooms near both venues are the first to sell out — booking 6 to 8 weeks ahead is the difference between a five-minute walk and a 40-minute rideshare each morning.

1. The Venetian Resort & Venetian Expo

Best for AAPEX-only attendees. The Venetian is physically connected to the Venetian Expo, so your commute to the AAPEX show floor is an indoor walk of a few minutes — no rideshare, no weather, no parking. Suites are large (the property is all-suite), which matters if you are taking buyer meetings in your room. Rates climb sharply during AAPEX/SEMA week, so this is the option to lock first if proximity is your priority. Expect premium pricing; book early for the best availability.

COMPARE VENETIAN RATES FOR AAPEX WEEK →

2. Westgate Las Vegas Resort

Best for the AAPEX + SEMA double. Westgate sits directly behind the LVCC and is a short monorail hop or rideshare from the Venetian Expo, which makes it the most practical base if your week splits between both shows. It is connected to the Las Vegas Monorail, giving you a traffic-free route down the Strip during the busiest convention week of the fall. Rooms tend to be more reasonably priced than the Strip-center resorts, and the on-site sportsbook and dining make late evenings easy after a long day on the floor.

3. Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel

Best for a quiet, no-casino stay near the Expo. The Renaissance is one of the few non-gaming, non-smoking hotels close to the Venetian Expo, which appeals to attendees who want to skip the casino floor and get a solid night's sleep before a 7 a.m. exhibit day. It is walkable to the Expo and a quick ride to the LVCC. A favorite of business travelers who prioritize rest and a clean, professional environment over Strip spectacle.

CHECK HOTELS NEAR THE VENETIAN EXPO →

4. Wynn & Encore Las Vegas

Best for premium comfort within walking distance. Directly across from the Venetian Expo, Wynn and Encore offer the highest-end rooms in the immediate AAPEX area. For C-suite attendees, OEM executives, or anyone hosting clients, the combination of proximity and luxury is hard to beat — you can walk to the show and entertain at night without leaving the property. Premium rates, but unmatched for convenience plus quality on the east Strip.

5. Harrah's or The LINQ (value pick)

Best for budget-conscious attendees. Mid-Strip properties like Harrah's and The LINQ put you a short rideshare from both the Venetian Expo and the LVCC at a meaningfully lower nightly rate than the connected resorts. The trade-off is a daily commute during peak convention traffic, so factor in extra time each morning. A sensible choice if you are self-funding the trip or attending solo and want to keep total cost down.

FIND VALUE HOTELS FOR AAPEX 2026 →

Comparing specific hotels? See our full AAPEX hotel guide near The Venetian Expo for hotel-by-hotel picks and booking tips.

AAPEX vs SEMA: Should You Attend Both?

AAPEX and SEMA run simultaneously during the first week of November. They serve different audiences:

• AAPEX — focused on the aftermarket supply chain: parts, tools, equipment, shop supplies. Primarily for distributors, retailers and repair professionals.
• SEMA — focused on specialty automotive products: performance parts, accessories, custom builds. Primarily for manufacturers, retailers and media.

Many professionals attend both. The venues are about 1.5 miles apart — plan for rideshare travel between them. See our complete SEMA Show Las Vegas guide for SEMA-specific tips.

When to Book Your AAPEX Hotel

AAPEX week is the single hardest week of the fall to find a well-located Las Vegas hotel, because AAPEX and SEMA fill the city at the same time — a combined audience well into six figures competing for the same rooms. The practical booking window is 6 to 8 weeks out: by early-to-mid September, the hotels within walking distance of the Venetian Expo and the LVCC begin to sell out or spike in price. If you wait until October, you are usually choosing between a far-Strip property with a long daily commute or a premium rate for what is left near the venues.

The actionable rule: decide your venue priority first (AAPEX-only, SEMA-only, or both), then lock a refundable rate early. Most major booking sites let you reserve with free cancellation, so booking early costs nothing and protects you against the inevitable price climb as the show approaches.

LOCK A REFUNDABLE AAPEX RATE NOW →

Plan Your Full Las Vegas Trip

Beyond the room, AAPEX attendees typically need two more things sorted before arrival: ground transportation and a plan for the evenings. Harry Reid International Airport is about 15 minutes from the Venetian Expo, but rideshare surge pricing during convention week can be steep — a pre-booked airport transfer or a rental car often works out cheaper and more predictable. If you are staying off-Strip or splitting time between AAPEX and SEMA, a rental car gives you flexibility the monorail and rideshare cannot.

For evenings, AAPEX week is prime time for industry dinners and networking, so reserve restaurants and any shows well ahead — the same demand that fills hotels fills the best tables. A little planning here turns a hectic trade-show week into a productive one.

AAPEX 2026: What's New

Recent AAPEX editions have leaned hard into the technology shaping the modern aftermarket: advanced vehicle diagnostics, EV service and repair, connected-car data, and the training programs that help independent shops keep pace with rapidly changing vehicle systems. The show floor increasingly pairs traditional parts and tools exhibitors with technology and software vendors, reflecting how the repair business itself is changing.

For 2026, expect the same dual emphasis: a deep hall of aftermarket products alongside expanded programming on EV readiness, shop management technology, and workforce training. If you are attending to evaluate suppliers, build your schedule before you arrive — with 48,000 attendees, the most valuable booths and sessions fill quickly, and the AAPEX-plus-SEMA overlap means your time on the ground is tighter than it looks.

AAPEX Registration

• Who can attend: AAPEX is a trade-only show. You must be a professional in the automotive aftermarket industry — retailer, distributor, repair shop owner, manufacturer, or related service.
• Registration cost: Expo pass is typically free for qualified trade attendees. Conference sessions are priced separately.
• Register early: The official AAPEX website opens registration 6-8 months before the show. Early registration avoids on-site processing delays.
• Badges: Collect your badge at the Venetian Expo registration area. Arrive early the first morning — lines can be long at opening.

Navigating AAPEX + SEMA Week

November is the busiest week in Las Vegas for automotive professionals. Most serious attendees combine AAPEX at the Venetian Expo with SEMA at the Las Vegas Convention Center — about 1.5 miles apart. Logistics tips:

• Day split: Many attendees spend mornings at one show and afternoons at the other. Decide which is your primary show and prioritize accordingly.
• Rideshare between venues: 5-10 minutes by Uber/Lyft, $8-15 each way. Budget for 2-3 trips per day if doing both shows.
• Evening networking events: Both AAPEX and SEMA have extensive evening events — manufacturer dinners, product launches, networking receptions. Your email inbox before the show will tell you which ones you're invited to.

See our complete SEMA Show Las Vegas guide | Trade show budget guide | Airport transport options

FAQ — AAPEX Las Vegas

Can the public attend AAPEX Las Vegas?

No. AAPEX is strictly trade-only. Attendees must work in the automotive aftermarket industry and provide proof of trade credentials during registration. Consumer-facing auto shows like SEMA's public day (Friday) are different — AAPEX has no public day.

How do AAPEX and SEMA differ?

AAPEX focuses on the supply chain — parts, tools, lubricants, shop equipment for the repair and distribution trade. SEMA focuses on performance and specialty automotive products — custom builds, accessories, appearance products. Many professionals attend both since they run simultaneously at venues 1.5 miles apart. See our SEMA Show Las Vegas guide for SEMA-specific tips.

Accommodation Options for AAPEX Week

AAPEX week (early November) is one of the busiest periods in Las Vegas alongside SEMA. Standard Strip hotel rates can increase 50-100% over normal pricing. Book 6+ months in advance for the best rates near the Venetian Expo. For attendees doing both AAPEX and SEMA, a hotel between the two venues — around the LVCC area or mid-Strip — minimizes daily commute time. See our hotel guide for LVCC trade shows for proximity rankings.

🏨 Book your hotel for this show: Compare rates on Compare Rates, Hotels.com, or Expedia. Car rental: EconomyBookings.

🏨 Off-Strip Alternative: Station Casinos offers great value hotels away from the Strip — ideal for trade show professionals watching their budget.

🎭 Shows & Entertainment: Book Las Vegas shows and attractions via Caesars — from world-class concerts to comedy and magic, perfect for evenings during your trade show trip.

Planning your full AAPEX trip: Las Vegas trade show budget guide | 15 trade show survival tips | How to network at Las Vegas trade shows

🗺️ Viator — tours and experiences in Las Vegas. 🚗 Carla — car rental comparison for Las Vegas trade show attendees.

📍 Related: Looking for the complete picture? Check our complete LVCC hotel guide with all 25+ hotels ranked by walking distance to the LVCC, real trade show prices, and insider booking tips.

How We Research and Verify This Guide

LasVegasTrade.com is an independent resource. We are not owned by any hotel, casino, or booking platform, and no venue pays to be featured.

Show details. Dates, venues, and hours are verified against each event's official website before publication, never copied from other blogs. When a detail can change, such as pricing, we say so and point to the official source.

Hotel rates. We run LVT Price Watch, our own tracker that records real advertised nightly rates from major booking platforms twice a week ahead of each major Las Vegas convention. This lets us show how prices actually move as a show approaches, instead of repeating generic estimates.

Distances and logistics. Walk times to the LVCC, Venetian Expo, and Mandalay Bay, plus Monorail and Vegas Loop access, are checked against mapping tools and official venue information.

How we make money. Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This never changes which hotels we recommend or the rate you pay. Our picks are based on location, value, and suitability for trade show attendees.

Last reviewed: September 27, 2026.