Top 7 Must-Attend Auto Accessories Trade Shows for License Plate Frame Brands & B2B Sourcing

Q: What are the must-attend automotive consumer goods trade shows for B2B exhibitors?
A:
For companies in the automotive accessories sector—especially those involved in car license plate frames, car décor, and aftermarket add-ons—participating in the right trade shows is key to expanding B2B channels, finding OEM/ODM partners, and connecting with global buyers. Some of the most essential exhibitions span North America, Europe, and Asia, offering a variety of platforms for branding, networking, and sales. Below are the top must-attend auto accessories trade shows categorized by market focus and value to B2B exhibitors.

1.AAPEX – Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (USA)
📍 Las Vegas, USA | 🗓 Every November

AAPEX is North America’s premier automotive aftermarket trade show. In 2024, the show attracted over 2,000 exhibitors and more than 130,000 professional attendees. It focuses heavily on B2B distribution, replacement parts, and retail buyers. The event provides a vast space of over 1.3 million square feet of exhibition area. For companies selling license plate frames, automotive gadgets, and accessories looking for long-term distribution partners in the U.S., AAPEX is a top-tier choice.

Key features:

• Strong presence of global automotive brands, with buyers from major companies like AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts regularly attending
• Buyers from the U.S., Canada, and Latin America, covering more than 120 countries globally
• Ideal for showcasing standardized, high-quality, or certified products, as it has a rigorous product review process to ensure the quality of exhibits

2.SEMA Show (USA)
📍 Las Vegas, USA | 🗓 Every November

Held concurrently with AAPEX, the SEMA Show is a global hub for automotive specialty products. In 2024, SEMA featured 2,400+ exhibitors and welcomed around 70,000 domestic and 20,000 international buyers. If your products are creative, customized, or serve the car enthusiast market (e.g., decorative license plate frames, chromed accessories), SEMA offers unmatched exposure. The exhibition space exceeds 1 million net square feet.

Key features:

• Focus on tuning, modification, and design, with numerous awards and showcases highlighting innovative products
• Excellent for launching new, innovative auto consumer products, as it attracts media attention from over 700 media outlets
• Attracts buyers from across the aftermarket, retail, and online sectors, including big names like Amazon and eBay

3.Automechanika Frankfurt (Germany)
📍 Frankfurt, Germany | 🗓 Every two years (September)2026.09

One of the most influential automotive trade fairs globally, Automechanika Frankfurt covers every aspect of the auto industry, including accessories. In the 2022 edition, the show spanned 325,000 square meters of exhibition space and hosted 2,800 exhibitors from 63 countries. It welcomed 130,000 trade visitors from 180 countries. It’s a great entry point for European market penetration and long-term B2B relationships.

Key features:

• Europe’s largest aftermarket event, with strong representation from major European automotive markets like Germany, France, and the UK
• International buyer attendance, creating opportunities for global business expansion
• Strong in OEM/OES sourcing and export-oriented deals, with many high – profile business meetings and partnerships forged

4.Automechanika Shanghai (China)
📍 Shanghai, China | 🗓 Every November/December

This is Asia’s largest automotive trade show. In 2023, Automechanika Shanghai attracted 6,284 exhibitors and a total of 142,594 professional visitors from 142 countries and regions. The exhibition area reached 360,000 square meters. From aftermarket to OE parts and accessories, this event is crucial for manufacturers and exporters of car license plate frames and related goods.

Key features:

• Huge presence of OEM manufacturers, many of which are key suppliers to major global automotive brands
• A hotspot for sourcing agents and international distributors, with a large number of business matchmaking activities
• Often used to launch B2B brands targeting Asia and beyond, as it provides insights into the fast – growing Asian market trends

5.CIAACE Guangzhou – China International Auto Accessories Expo
📍 Guangzhou, China | 🗓 Every August

This show is a staple for anyone dealing in automotive accessories. In 2024, CIAACE Guangzhou had over 3,000 exhibitors and attracted more than 100,000 professional visitors. It’s tailored for consumer-facing products like interior trims, perfumes, decorative license plate frames, and gadgets.

Key features:

• Best platform for car décor and fast-moving aftermarket goods, with a wide range of product categories on display
• Strong attendance from Chinese and overseas importers, especially from Southeast Asia and the Middle East
• Good for identifying trends and testing new product concepts, as it reflects the latest demands in the Chinese and Asian markets

Looking to Source or Procure? These Exhibitions Deserve Extra Attention
If you’re a B2B buyer looking for manufacturers of car license plate frames or other accessories, consider the following shows where cost-effective, fast-delivery suppliers are common:

6.AAG – Auto Aftermarket Guangzhou
📍 Guangzhou, China | 🗓 Every August

AAG is ideal for buyers interested in serious B2B procurement—especially OEM-quality accessories, tools, and export-grade components. In 2024, the show occupied an exhibition area of 100,000 square meters and gathered over 1,500 exhibitors.

Why attend:

• High-density supplier base, with a large number of manufacturers from the Pearl River Delta region
• Best for private-label, OEM, and bulk purchasing, as many suppliers offer flexible customization options
• Efficient venue to screen and compare factories, with on-site product demonstrations and quality inspections

7.Yiwu Auto Supplies Show
📍 Yiwu, China | 🗓 Every September

Known for fast-turnaround goods and competitive pricing, the Yiwu show is great for sourcing quick-moving products like low-cost license plate frames and accessory bundles. In the 2024 May edition, the show had 1,200 exhibitors and attracted 50,000 professional buyers.

Why attend:

• Low MOQs and quick lead times, making it suitable for small and medium-sized businesses
• Suited for ecommerce, Amazon, or volume resale, with many products designed for online sales
• Ideal for product scouting and price discovery, as it reflects the most competitive prices in the Chinese market

✅ Final Thoughts
No matter whether you’re a supplier looking to expand your international B2B footprint or a buyer in search of the next big product in automotive consumer goods, these trade shows offer unmatched value. From innovation-driven showcases like SEMA to procurement-focused events like AAG and Yiwu, there’s a perfect platform for every business model in the auto accessories industry.

Have you participated in any of these trade shows? We’d love to hear about your experiences, insights, or any questions you might have. Share your thoughts in the comments below!