AAPEX 2025 attendees point to supply chain disruptions, tariffs, and attracting qualified employees; meanwhile, exhibitors worry about attracting customers, tariffs and market positioning

LAS VEGAS – March 17, 2026 – AAPEX polled attendees and, separately, exhibitors after AAPEX 2025. The poll, which was conducted in December 2025, revealed what each cohort sees as the top challenges facing the industry headed into 2026.

Many attendees come to the show seeking new products and innovations. While purchasing authority varies among attendees, the audience reflects a broad cross-section of the automotive aftermarket, including service and repair professionals, retailers, warehouse distributors, media, students, and others who influence or support the industry.

Attracting customers ranked among the top challenges reported by exhibitors. Events like AAPEX help address this challenge by bringing together a broad mix of aftermarket professionals, giving exhibitors the opportunity to connect with current customers, potential new customers, and others who influence purchasing decisions across the industry.

Attendees’ top aftermarket challenges

Attendees (N = 906) indicated that supply chain disruptions, tariffs, and attracting qualified employees are the top challenges facing the aftermarket headed into 2026.

The top ten answers from attendees are as follows:

• 34% said supply chain disruptions
• 31% said tariffs
• 27% said attracting qualified employees
• 22% said market position and marketing
• 21% said inventory management
• 21% said retaining and training qualified employees
• 17% said the speed of technological advancements
• 16% said international factors
• 14% said environmental and other government regulations, and
• 13% said the role of e-commerce.

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Exhibitors’ top aftermarket challenges

Exhibitors (N = 110) at the 2025 show had a different take on this question. Among the top challenges facing exhibitors were attracting customers, tariffs and market positioning.

The top ten answers from exhibitors are as follows:

• 45% said attracting customers
• 40% said tariffs
• 36% said market position and marketing
• 26% said supply chain disruptions
• 26% said international factors
• 19% said retaining customers
• 15% said inventory management
• 14% said the role of e-commerce
• 14% said consolidation within the industry, and
• 12% said operational and administrative efficiencies.

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AAPEX 2026 will be held from November 3–5, 2026, in Las Vegas, NV at The Venetian Expo & Caesars Forum. See the exhibitor prospectus for exhibiting details. Complimentary passes are available to the media; email: [email protected]. 

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