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Events are one of the most effective ways automotive brands showcase cutting-edge technology and engage consumers.
85% of customers are more inclined to buy a product or service after attending a live marketing event, according to Event Marketer.
These events are more than exhibitions for experiential marketers. They’re opportunities to connect with audiences and capture quality leads.
There are many automotive events, from large-scale events like the LA Autoshow to smaller regional events. Where events should your brand have a presence in?
In this blog, we highlight the top 15 automotive events for 2025 and explore why they’re essential for your event marketing strategy. We'll also share examples of standout campaigns from previous years to inspire your approach.
1. CES 2025
Date: January 7-10, 2025
Location: Las Vegas, NV
CES has evolved into a global stage for automotive innovation, showcasing EVs, autonomous tech, and cutting-edge connectivity.
It’s an unconventional event for automotive marketers because it’s focused on showcasing innovation rather than engaging potential customers. But that also means an opportunity to engage tech-forward audiences with immersive experiences.
It also positions your brand as a leader in automotive technology. For example, in 2023, Mercedes-Benz had a booth that featured an interactive AR driving experience, allowing attendees to test their future tech virtually.
2. NADA Show
Date: January 23-26, 2025
Location: New Orleans, LA
The NADA Show represents over 16,000 dealers. This event is critical for connecting with the retail side of the automotive industry. It’s a good opportunity to showcase solutions that enhance dealer operations and strengthen those relationships.
In 2024, Ford’s dealer-focused presentation spotlighted dealer tools to improve customer experience and drive loyalty.
3. Chicago Auto Show
Date: February 8-17, 2025
Location: Chicago, IL
The Chicago Auto Show is one of the longest-running auto shows in the U.S., dating back to 1901. You’ll see manufacturers highlight various vehicles like convertibles, electric, sports cars, luxury and concept cars.
It offers a massive platform for automotive marketers to connect with a broad audience. You’ll gain exposure to consumers and media while demonstrating real-life applications of your products.
A great example is Toyota’s 2023 "Hybrid House" booth, which demonstrated how hybrid technology integrates seamlessly into everyday life.
4. Electrify Expo
Date: Multiple Locations (e.g., Miami, Austin, Los Angeles)
Electrify Expo is North America’s largest EV-focused event, combining test drives, consumer panels, and hands-on experiences. You can expect the top automotive brands with electric vehicles to exhibit, including Lucid, BMW, Tesla, and more.
This event gives marketers direct interaction with EV enthusiasts, creating memorable experiences that convert into sales. It’s one event that our team frequently attends since the attendees are so engaged.
5. Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction
Date: January 12-20, 2025
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Traditionally focused on classic cars, the Barrett-Jackson Collection Car Auction now attracts luxury and performance EV brands. You can expect numerous classic automotive brands to exhibit at this show, such as Toyota, Dodge, and Chevrolet.
If your company aims to tap into a luxury audience and position your brand as a premium player in the automotive space. For example, Porsche’s exclusive showcase of their Taycan models during the 2023 event captured the attention of high-net-worth collectors.
6. Canadian International AutoShow (CIAS)
Date: February 14-23, 2025
Location: Toronto, Canada
The Canadian International AutoShow is Canada’s largest auto show, attracting top-tier automotive brands. Not to mention, it does have a fast-growing electric vehicle audience.
If your company wants to build a brand presence in Canada, then this is the automotive event you need to plan for. You can build brand recognition in the Canadian market and connect with environmentally conscious consumers.
As en example, Hyundai Canada’s immersive EV showcase in 2024 featured interactive screens to educate attendees about their IONIQ lineup.
7. Atlanta International Auto Show
Date: TBD
Location: Atlanta, GA
The Atlanta International Auto Show is a regional favorite, drawing significant interest from Southeastern U.S. consumers. You can capture attention in a market often underserved by national campaigns and highlight regional-specific features of your brand.
8. New York International Auto Show
Date: April 18-27, 2025
Location: New York, NY
The New York International Auto Show attracts media, consumers, and industry leaders in one of the largest U.S. metropolitan areas. In 2025, it’ll mark the 125th anniversary of the event. There’ll be over 700+ vehicles on display across 1 million square feet of exhibition space.
This is a must-attend event if your brand wants to access one of the largest automotive event audiences.
Automotive brands go all-out with their demo drives and exhibitions. For example, Jeep’s 2023 "Camp Jeep" allowed attendees to test their vehicles' off-road capabilities on-site. This allowed consumers to test Camp Jeep’s traction, stability and handling.
9. Detroit Auto Show
Date: January 10-20, 2025
Location: Detroit, MI
As the heart of the American automotive industry, the Detroit Auto Show features iconic reveals and innovations. Establish your brand as a pioneer in the industry and showcase groundbreaking innovations.
This is an important event to exhibit if your brand is making a push on your electric vehicles. They have an indoor EV experience allowing consumers to ride various electric vehicles.
Many brands have made a big buzz at this event in previous years. For example, Chevrolet’s 2024 reveal of their EV Silverado generated viral buzz through their experiential "Factory of the Future" booth.
10. EV Tech Expo
Date: October 6-9, 2025
Location: Detroit, MI
EV Tech Expo is unlike other automotive events. It’s a B2B-focused event for EV components and infrastructure, ideal for marketing to the EV supply chain. As a marketer, this event is an opportunity to connect with decision-makers in the EV manufacturing and infrastructure sectors.
11. Texas Auto Show
Date: August-September
Location: Dallas, TX
The Texas Auto Show is hosted during the State Fair of Texas, which blends family-friendly activities with automotive innovation. Brands often showcase different automobiles, especially in the truck zone.
It’s a great event to capture consumer interest in a laid-back, family-friendly environment.
In previous years, Ram Trucks’ had an interactive "Built to Serve" campaign that engaged attendees with hands-on vehicle experiences.
12. Miami International Auto Show
Date: October 11-19, 2025
Location: Miami, FL
The Miami International Auto Show is a vibrant event and has showcased automotive innovation for the past 50 years. The show highlights sustainable transportation with an indoor EV test track. It also provides attendees the chance to experience cutting-edge electric vehicle technology firsthand.
It’s an unmatched opportunity to exhibit at the Miami International Auto Show. You can showcase your brand to a diverse and engaged audience, especially those interested in the future of sustainable transportation.
13. American Automotive Summit
Date: October 21-22, 2025
Location: Detroit, MI
The American Automotive Summit is an annual event for automotive professionals to connect, network and learn from their peers. The main topics at this event explore themes such as manufacturing optimization, digital transformation, quality assurance, and cutting-edge design.
As an attendee, you can gain valuable insights through workshops, speaker sessions, and networking activities that address key trends shaping the automotive industry.
14. SEMA Show
Date: November 4-7, 2025
Location: Las Vegas, NV
The SEMA Show specializes in automotive specialty products, aftermarket innovations, and performance vehicles. If you’re interested in getting your brand infront of thousands of qualified buyers, this is the event for you.
This is a great event to highlight your products within the specialty equipment industry. Whether you're an established brand or aiming to transition from garage to global, showcasing at SEMA is the most valuable investment for achieving your brand objectives.
15. LA Auto Show
Date: November 21-30, 2025
Location: Los Angeles, CA
The LA Auto Show is the premier event that brings together the latest vehicles in the heart of the largest car-buying and EV market in the U.S. Hosted at the Los Angeles Convention Center; this show is ideal for amplifying brand presence during press and consumer days.
Exhibiting at the LA Auto Show allows marketers to connect directly with one of the most influential automotive audiences in the U.S. There are a handful of ways to engage consumers, such as brand activations, immersive experiences, exhibits, or a large display in the main hall.
Your brand can create immersive experiences that maximize visibility and engagement in this key vehicle market.
How to Stand Out at These Events
Once you’ve planned the top automotive events that your marketing team will exhibit in 2025, it’s time to think about your experiential marketing strategy. With many brands competing for attention, marketers need strategies to differentiate themselves.
1. Create immersive experiences
Attendees remember experiences that go beyond static displays.
Brands like Mercedes-Benz and Jeep have excelled at automotive events by offering interactive exhibits, such as AR driving simulators or on-site test tracks.
To stand out, create activations that let attendees experience your product firsthand. Whether it’s a virtual EV road trip, a hands-on test drive of your latest technology, or a fully branded environment that tells your story.
Immersive experiences drive deeper connections and lasting impressions.
2. Optimize lead capture and follow-up
Standing out isn’t just about drawing crowds—it’s about converting interest into actionable leads.
Use digital lead capture tools to collect attendee information and track real-time engagement metrics efficiently. Follow up quickly with personalized communications tailored to each visitor’s interaction at your booth.
Brands that master the art of seamless lead capture and timely follow-ups make an impression and turn event attendance into measurable ROI.
3. Leverage sponsorship opportunities
Sponsorships give your brand the ability to claim premium visibility across event touchpoints.
From branded lounges and networking spaces to hosting key sessions or workshops, sponsorships position your brand as a thought leader.
At events like AutoMobility LA or the American Automotive Summit, sponsoring panels on EV innovation or automotive manufacturing trends can reinforce your authority in the industry while creating buzz among key decision-makers and media.
How Limelight can help automotive marketers
At Limelight, we empower automotive brands like BMW, Volvo, Lucid and more to maximize their impact at automotive events with tools that simplify and enhance event execution.
Our solutions help you:
- Capture data seamlessly: Collect attendee information effortlessly with customizable lead capture tools, ensuring no missed opportunity.
- Track ROI effectively: Gain real-time insights into your event’s performance with analytics that measure engagement, lead quality, and ROI.
- Engage audiences dynamically: Create personalized, data-driven experiences that captivate attendees and turn interest into long-term loyalty.
With Limelight, you can get actionable data from the results of your event and optimize it for your next event.
Plan for event success in 2025
Exhibiting at these automotive events in 2025 can elevate your brand, generate leads, and build lasting relationships. Whether you're unveiling innovative EV technologies, engaging with dealers, or building relationships with industry leaders, these events are key for brand visibility.
Your brand can stand out in highly competitive environments by leveraging best practices like creating immersive experiences, optimizing lead capture, and exploring sponsorship opportunities.
Start planning to secure your spot and ensure your experiential marketing campaigns leave a lasting impression.
Ready to make your next automotive event a success? Schedule a customized demo of Limelight.
