LAS VEGAS – The Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) has announced that hockey legend Wayne Gretzky will headline the AAPEX 2025 Keynote Breakfast, moderated by Dr. Kent MacDonald, President of Northwood University. The event, titled “Getting into the Hall of Fame: What it Takes,” promises to blend lessons from professional sports with insights for navigating the rapidly evolving automotive aftermarket industry.
Dr. MacDonald will lead a discussion exploring Gretzky’s approach to success, particularly his renowned ability to “skate to where the puck is going.” That mindset, which emphasizes anticipation and strategy over brute strength, has become a powerful metaphor for leadership and innovation. In today’s uncertain aftermarket landscape, those lessons are more relevant than ever.
The global automotive aftermarket, valued at $2.3 trillion worldwide and $435 billion in the U.S. continues to face challenges ranging from labor shortages and supply chain disruptions to the growing complexity of vehicle technology. As Auto Care Association CEO Bill Hanvey noted, “Some modern vehicles have more lines of software code than a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.” The era of “computers on wheels” demands forward-thinking leadership, precisely the kind Gretzky’s philosophy embodies.
Dr. MacDonald brings his own story of resilience and innovation to the stage. Under his leadership, Northwood University has achieved enrollment growth despite the dual challenges of the global pandemic and a devastating campus flood. A notable feat amid widespread declines in higher education. The Michigan-based university has long-standing ties to the automotive sector, offering specialized programs such as Automotive Aftermarket Management and the Automotive & Mobility MBA, along with its renowned University of the Aftermarket professional education center.
Northwood’s relationship with AAPEX runs deep. The university annually sends students to participate in the AAPEX Student Program, giving future industry leaders hands-on experience through training, networking, and direct engagement with exhibitors. The school also produces its own celebrated automotive showcase, the Northwood University International Auto Show (NUIAS) now in its 62nd year. Which is entirely student-run and widely recognized for fostering real-world leadership and innovation.
The AAPEX 2025 show will take place November 4–6, 2025, at the Venetian Expo & Caesars Forum in Las Vegas. The Keynote Breakfast is scheduled for Tuesday, November 4, from 6:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. in the Palazzo Ballroom of The Venetian Hotel. Individual tickets are priced at $200, with table reservations for 10 available at $2,000. AAPEX advises attendees to book accommodations early through its official housing partner, onPeak.
Members of the media may apply for complimentary show and limited breakfast passes.
For more information on AAPEX 2025, visit AAPEXshow.com or contact info@aapexshow.com. Follow the conversation on social media using #AAPEX25.
About AAPEX:
AAPEX unites the global automotive aftermarket industry, bringing together more than 2,600 exhibitors and tens of thousands of professionals from around the world. The event showcases the latest in aftermarket innovation, education, and technology, earning recognition as one of the Trade Show Executive’s Fastest-Growing Gold 100 Transportation Shows for two consecutive years. AAPEX is co-owned by the Auto Care Association and MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers and remains a trade-only event closed to the general public.
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