Once again made the trip to Las Vegas for the 2025 SEMA/AAPEX Convention - here is what I saw!
First day I came in late Tuesday morning so went straight to AAPEX for a noon appointment. The center was packed with people and company booths. It was the busiest I have seen it since Covid years. The AAPEX show purpose is for companies to sell bulk products or services to large chain stores, service centers or WDs! We used to call it the hard parts convention but it has transformed far beyond that in today's industry. Everything from OEM part replacement to fluids, batteries and materials you will find the many companies who manufacture these products. In fact I see many companies who used to display at SEMA now displaying at AAPEX or they do both shows.
If you love the automotive industry it is worth visiting the AAPEX Show which is all business to business with office dress attire. At AAPEX there are no vehicle displays or celebrity appearances, it is all industry business.
SEMA on the other hand has become the industry's largest car/truck show with all kinds of entertainment provided along with parts and automotive service suppliers. The SEMA show started out as a industry trade show but it has changed along with the industry in the country. The SEMA show is now attended by celebrities, influencers and top names in the auto custom building industry along with many admirers of that trade. SEMA has brought in entertainment to add to the show with displays and music. It tends to attract more of the youth which is what our industry needs.
This year the construction on the Las Vegas Convention Center seem to hurt the show a little and made it almost impossible to get into the show. I think at times there was more people outside of the show than there was inside the show. However the manufacturers reported a successful show with many meetings. SEMA has faced many roadblocks since Covid but continue to put on a quality show that is worth attending.
The quality of the custom builds and displays outside and at the manufacturers booths did not disappoint. I saw a few new products but most are just trying to keep up with existing inventories with the tariff wars still going on in the industry. Yes, there was fewer US manufacturer booths and more foreign displays added to the mix, but the show was easy to navigate and talk to people at the booths.
The old line - "Oh the times are a changin" - comes to mind! Some good and some bad but I enjoyed the show as usual and will return next year.
Where else can we see so many people in the industry at one location along with some great custom builds!
Someone asked me do you know everybody here? lol Almost! I have been coming a lot of years and have done business with most of them.
Photo Link:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=DIESELMotorsports.US&set=a.1252827233545389
