AAPEX: Hotels & Where to Stay
3 Nov – 5 Nov 2026 The Venetian Expo 45,151 attendees
- Lock today's hotel rate
- Pay over up to 16 weeks
- Business invoices
- Free cancellation rooms
AAPEX (the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo) is one of the world's largest trade events for the automotive aftermarket, held each November at the Venetian Expo on the Las Vegas Strip, typically the same week as the co-located SEMA Show. It gathers parts manufacturers, distributors, service-chain buyers, tool and equipment makers and technology providers from around the world. For a hotel-booking traveller, the venue's Strip location is a major convenience: the Venetian Expo is attached to The Venetian and Palazzo resorts, so staying in or beside them lets you walk to the show and avoid Strip transit and taxi lines. Harry Reid International Airport is just a few miles away, a short taxi or ride-hail. Because AAPEX overlaps SEMA, demand across the Strip is intense and rates surge, so booking early both locks in a walkable base and helps manage pricing during one of Las Vegas's busiest convention weeks.
Popular areas for attendees: The Strip (Venetian/Palazzo) · Convention Center District · Downtown Las Vegas.
- The Venetian Expo is attached to The Venetian and Palazzo, so an on-site stay means you walk to the show.
- AAPEX overlaps the co-located SEMA Show, so Strip demand is intense and rooms sell out early.
- Harry Reid Airport is just a few miles away for a short transfer to the Strip.
- Booking early manages surging November rates and secures a walkable base.
Event at a glance
- Dates
- 3 Nov – 5 Nov 2026
- Venue
- The Venetian Expo
- City
- Las Vegas, United States
- Airport
- LAS
- Attendance
- 45,151
Recommended Hotels for Business Travellers
Lock today's hotel rate
Reserve early and spread payments over up to 16 weeks.
Business invoices
Add company details during checkout.
Stay close to the venue
Hotels ranked by walking distance.
Flexible bookings
Pay Weekly available on free cancellation rooms.
Rates shown for the event window, Mon, Nov 2 → Fri, Nov 6 (arrive the day before, leave the day after) — or choose your own dates above.
Hotel rates near major event venues rise as the dates approach and the closest hotels sell out first. Booking a free-cancellation rate early locks the price with no downside.
On the map
The venue, your hotel options and where to eat — all in one view. Tap the map to explore it full screen.
Free AAPEX Insider Guide
Do AAPEX the easy way. Get our curated guide — plus first access to near-venue rooms before they sell out.
- The best hotels within walking distance of the venue
- Where to host clients for dinner near the halls
- How to beat the sold-out fair-week rooms
We'll email your guide and occasional AAPEX hotel deals. Unsubscribe anytime.
Need to expense this trip? Business invoices available at checkout.
Where to eat during AAPEX
CES dinners book out weeks ahead — the good rooms near the Convention Center go first. These are the spots Vegas regulars actually take clients: reserve before you fly, and keep one casual back-up for the nights the schedule slips.
Piero's Italian Cuisine
Italian · old-school Vegas
Convention Center Dr — 5 min walk from LVCC
The CES institution — directly across from the Convention Center, dark booths, osso buco, and half the industry in the room during show week.
Tip: Book weeks ahead for CES week; ask for a booth for client dinners.
Open in Google Maps
Golden Steer Steakhouse
Steakhouse · since 1958
W Sahara Ave — 6 min drive
Vegas's oldest steakhouse — Sinatra's booth is still there. Tableside Caesar, dry-aged steaks, and the kind of room that closes deals.
Tip: CES week reservations open ~60 days out and vanish — set a reminder.
Open in Google Maps
Lotus of Siam
Northern Thai
E Flamingo Rd — 10 min drive
Repeatedly called the best Thai restaurant in America — khao soi and crispy duck worth leaving the Strip for, with a deep Riesling list.
Tip: Order the Northern Thai specials, not the standard menu.
Open in Google Maps
Raku
Japanese izakaya · robata
Chinatown, Spring Mountain Rd — 15 min drive
Where Strip chefs eat after service — charcoal-grilled skewers and house-made tofu until 2am. Perfect for the night the show runs late.
Tip: Open till 2am — ideal for a post-booth-teardown dinner.
Open in Google Maps
Esther's Kitchen
Italian · pasta & natural wine
Arts District — 12 min drive
The Arts District favourite — house pastas and sourdough that locals queue for. A relaxed team dinner away from convention crowds.
Open in Google Maps
Joël Robuchon
French fine dining
MGM Grand — 14 min drive
The only three-Michelin-star room in Las Vegas — the deal-closing dinner when the contract is big enough to justify it. Jacket recommended.
Tip: Tasting menus only — plan 3 hours and book the moment your dates lock.
Open in Google Maps
Bazaar Meat by José Andrés
Steak · Spanish
Sahara Las Vegas — 5 min drive from LVCC
José Andrés does carnivore theatre — wood-fired steaks and Spanish plates minutes from the Convention Center. The impress-a-client room closest to CES.
Tip: Closest fine dining to LVCC — the CES-week table everyone fights for.
Open in Google Maps
Vesta Coffee Roasters
Specialty coffee · café
Arts District — 12 min drive
Las Vegas's best specialty roaster — proper flat whites and quiet tables for the morning email triage before the halls open.
Open in Google Maps
Peppermill Fireside Lounge
American diner · 24 hours
Las Vegas Blvd — 4 min drive from LVCC
The neon-lit 1972 institution — open 24 hours, giant breakfasts, and booths that have hosted more informal CES meetings than most suites.
Tip: Open all night — the fallback when the only slot a contact has is 7am.
Open in Google MapsAfter the halls close: Las Vegas
Client dinner, team night out or a free day after AAPEX — bookable experiences in Las Vegas, same account, same checkout.
While you're in Las Vegas
Vegas runs on spectacle — if your fair dates line up, few cities give a client a bigger night out.
Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix
A night race straight down the Strip — the hottest corporate-hospitality ticket in the city.
Find ticketsLas Vegas Raiders (NFL)
Home games at Allegiant Stadium — an easy add-on if your trip hits a game weekend.
Find ticketsVegas Golden Knights (NHL)
One of the best live-sport atmospheres in the city, at T-Mobile Arena on the Strip.
Find ticketsSphere & Strip residencies
Marquee residencies and the Sphere give you a headline show most weeks of the year.
Find ticketsFixtures recur each season; exact dates for your fair week are confirmed at ticket search.
Getting there
From Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
- Harry Reid International is about 4.5-6 miles from The Venetian Expo, roughly a 10-20 minute drive.
- A taxi runs about 8-15 minutes, while ride-hail (Uber/Lyft) uses designated airport pickup areas.
- Expect longer times during Strip congestion on busy convention days.
Getting to the venue on the Strip
- The Las Vegas Monorail stops at Harrah's/The LINQ, a short walk from The Venetian.
- Staying in or beside The Venetian/Palazzo lets you walk straight to the attached Expo.
- Ride-hail and taxis drop at the resort entrances; allow extra time at peak hours.
Getting around during AAPEX
Monorail and walking
- The Las Vegas Monorail runs along the east side of the Strip with a stop near The Venetian.
- Indoor skybridges and walkways connect several Strip resorts out of the heat and traffic.
- Staying on-site avoids Strip transit and taxi queues entirely.
Taxis and ride-hailing
- Metered taxis and ride-hail are abundant at Harry Reid, with rideshare using dedicated lots.
- Expect surge pricing and queues around the venue at show open and close.
- Ride-hail can be quicker than the taxi line during arrival peaks.
Visa & entry
Visa Waiver Program / ESTA
- Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries can visit the US for short business stays with an approved ESTA obtained online before travel.
- Apply for ESTA well ahead of departure and confirm your passport meets program requirements.
- Carry proof of onward travel and business purpose for entry.
Advance B-1 visa
- Travellers not eligible for the Visa Waiver Program must obtain a US B-1 business visitor visa in advance from a US embassy or consulate.
- Apply early, as interview wait times can be long in some countries.
- A show invitation, hotel and flight bookings support the application.
Entry rules change; confirm current requirements with the United States embassy or official immigration site before booking travel.
First time at AAPEX?
- Stay in or beside The Venetian or Palazzo to walk straight to the attached Expo.
- AAPEX is trade-only, so register in advance and bring business credentials.
- Use ride-hail over the taxi line at LAS during the arrival crush.
- Book flights and hotels months ahead, as AAPEX week overlaps SEMA at peak convention season.
Insider tips from repeat attendees
- An on-site or adjacent Venetian/Palazzo stay avoids Strip transit and taxi queues.
- Because AAPEX and SEMA share the week, plan meetings tightly across both shows.
- Use indoor skybridges and walkways to move between resorts efficiently.
- Rates surge during the week, so early booking is the main way to manage cost.
AAPEX travel FAQs
Where should I stay for AAPEX?
Stay in or immediately beside The Venetian or Palazzo, since the Venetian Expo is attached, letting you walk to the show. Other central Strip resorts are convenient by short walk, monorail or ride-hail.
How much do hotels cost during AAPEX?
Rates surge during AAPEX, which overlaps the co-located SEMA Show at peak convention season. Staying on-site is most convenient but commands a premium; booking months ahead helps manage cost.
How early should I book hotels for AAPEX?
Book months ahead. AAPEX week overlaps SEMA and rates surge across the Strip, so early reservations secure both a walkable base and better pricing.
Which airport do I fly into for AAPEX?
Fly into Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), just a few miles from The Venetian Expo, a 10-20 minute taxi or ride-hail; there is no rail from the airport.
How do I get around the Strip during AAPEX?
Most movement is by walking between resorts, taxi or ride-hail. The Las Vegas Monorail stops near The Venetian, and staying on-site lets you avoid Strip transit altogether.
EventEscapes is an independent travel platform and is not affiliated with AAPEX or its organizers. Dates and venues can change — verify with the official event site before booking travel.