Automotive Aftermarket

2026 key industry events to save in your calendar

New year, new opportunities. 2026 is set to be jam packed with huge events and excellent opportunities to connect with the wider industry. Take a look at the upcoming events you need to jot down in your diary:

Retromobile 2026

• 📍Expo Porte de Versailles, Paris, France
• 📅 28 January – 1 February 2026

A prestigious automotive exhibition celebrating 50 years of automotive heritage, craftsmanship, and innovation. Retromobile is one of the most revered events in the classic car calendar, attracting traders and enthusiasts from all over.

Exhibitors are set to receive unparalleled opportunities to display rare vehicles, restoration services, and automotive parts while connecting with a heavily invested audience.

Autotechnica

• 📍 Brussels Expo, Belgium
• 📅 29-31 March 2026

Set with the backdrop of Brussels, AutoTechnica is the ultimate hub for bringing the automotive sector together. Exhibitors have the privilege of reaching their target audiences, seeking new, innovative technologies and solutions.

With an extensive program of demonstrations and knowledge-sharing sessions, the Belgian event provides the platform for business to stand out and make a lasting impact with each of their audiences.

Retro Classics Essen 2026

• 📍 Messe Essen, Germany
• 📅 8-12 April 2026

This April, Essen provides the stage for Retro Classics 2026, providing a brilliant platform for exhibitors to present their exclusive collections of automotive products for a dedicated audience of collectors and professionals.

With its lively mix of exhibitions, sales areas, and networking spaces, Retro Classics Essen is the ideal event to engage with both enthusiasts and trade visitors.

Vehicle Tech Week Europe

• 📍 Messe Stuttgart, Germany
• 📅 23-25 June 2026

Frankfurt provides yet another automotive showcase in Europe’s Vehicle Tech Week. From testing and validation to autonomy, software-defined vehicles, and next-generation user experiences. The event offers a complete range of possibilities for both exhibitors and visitors.

Automotive Europe 2026

• 📍 Frankfurt, Germany
• 📅 30 June – 1 July 2026

As the European automotive market dives into its unknown future, Automotive Europe 2026 promotes strategic partnerships between all areas of the industry, gathering OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, solution providers and policymakers to shape the future of European mobility.

UK Garage & Bodyshop Event 2026

• 📍 NEC Birmingham, UK
• 📅 3–4 June 2026

2026 sees the UK Garage & Bodyshop Event 2026 return to Birmingham’s NEC. Visitors can enjoy live demonstrations and gain valuable insight from leading figures, while getting the latest deals on resources designed to achieve business growth.

The Reunion Show 2026

• 📍 Staffordshire Showground, UK
• 📅 12 July 2026

From aftermarket parts and styling products to clothing brands, detailing supplies, media, and lifestyle, The Reunion Show welcome a wide range of traders to the Staffordshire Showground, putting businesses face to face with the UK’s extensive modified car community.

Automechanika Frankfurt 2026

• 📍 Messe Frankfurt, Germany
• 📅 8–12 September, 2026

Returning to Messe Frankfurt for 2026, Automechanika has always proved an international meeting place for the automotive industry, no matter where it’s held. a major platform for business and technological knowledge transfer, through face-to-face interaction and live experiences.

IAAF Conference and Dinner 2026

• 📍 Birmingham, UK
• 📅 3 December 2026

IAAF’s Conference and Annual Awards Dinner returns yet again for 2026, celebrating the very best the automotive aftermarket has to offer. Moving from Milton Keynes to Birmingham, plenty of announcements are still to come for both guest speakers and evening entertainment.

Mark these dates on your calendar and prepare for yet another year of fantastic trade shows!