MEMA Vision: A Look Back (Photos)

The MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers Vision 2026 Conference packed a week’s worth of content into a single workday.

The conference, held at The Henry Hotel in Dearborn, Michigan, yesterday, had one noticeable theme throughout: the aftermarket's top suppliers and distributors are those that adapt to technology fast, invest in people, and stay ahead of customer expectations.

Here are some of the many highlights from the day:

Technician training and software technology adoption are no longer optional. Teams that understand evolving vehicle systems and that can integrate software into their workflow win. (Voice of the End Customer)

There’s a misalignment between leaders and those they manage. The fix? Trust and autonomy, clear priorities and direction, and communication and transparency. (MIX Reverse Mentorship)

MEMA's Government Affairs seemed encouraged about the progress of right to repair. They spoke candidly about the impact of tariffs and the conflict in Iran on the industry, while humorously fielding a question of whether President Trump would back right to repair. (Advocacy Town Hall)

AI adoption should be embraced now, not later. "Don't wait for perfect." Technology readiness is becoming a differentiator, and hesitation is a luxury suppliers can no longer afford. (Leading with Courage in an AI World)

PwC Strategy& presented the 2026 Landmark Study: Evolution of the U.S. Automotive Aftermarket to 2035, on the aftermarket's future, which depends on “investing in high-tech components, supporting increasingly complex repairs, and building stronger relationships across the professional repair ecosystem.” (MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers 2026 Landmark Study Results)

The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation honored Automotive Parts Headquarters, Inc. with the AACF Humanitarian Award.