LA Auto Show 2026: A Playbook for Local Small Businesses

For ten days this November, one of the largest consumer crowds of the year gathers in downtown Los Angeles. The 2026 Los Angeles Auto Show runs Nov. 20 to 29 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, with AutoMobility LA, the industry and media day, on Nov. 19. The show is open every day of that stretch, including Thanksgiving, and fills West Hall, South Hall, Petree Hall, Concourse Hall and Kentia Hall.

You do not need to sell cars to benefit. Here is how LA founders, creators, service businesses and neighborhood shops can think about the week.

The basics

According to the show's Oct. 15 announcement, nearly two dozen automotive brands are taking part, with a mix of gas, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric vehicles. Organizers describe nearly one million square feet of exhibits, outdoor street drives through downtown, an LADWP test track for electric and hybrid models outside South Hall, and off-road ride courses. A dedicated area called The Underground showcases custom car culture, from lowriders to tuner builds.

Public hours, per the Convention Center listing, generally run 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and shorter on weekdays, with an early close on Thanksgiving. All purchases inside are cashless.

AutoMobility LA: the one day for B2B

If your company sells into the auto, mobility, energy or transportation-tech world, Nov. 19 is the day that matters. The AutoMobility LA FAQ describes it as a gathering of automakers, tech companies, designers, developers, startups, investors, dealers, government officials and analysts. Professionals in the technology sector, including startups, can apply for credentials, and applications are reviewed by show management.

A few practical notes from the FAQ: credentials are non-transferable, each attendee must register individually, and they are valid only during AutoMobility LA hours, not on public days. Plan your meetings in advance; a day of keynotes and reveals leaves little room for cold introductions.

Exhibiting and sponsorship options

The show's exhibitor page lists packages well beyond full-floor automaker displays:

• Atriums and South Terrace, which organizers pitch to startups, performance brands, technology companies and lifestyle partners looking for high-traffic placements between halls.
• The Underground, aimed at builders, artists and custom-car communities, and the content creators who follow them.
• Exterior spaces such as Gilbert Lindsay Plaza and North Plaza for outdoor displays and live demos.
• Event hosting, test-drive and activation sponsorships, plus digital placements on the show's app and website.

Pricing is not posted publicly; the show directs inquiries to its sales team at sales@laautoshow.com. With the show three weeks away, larger builds are likely locked, but smaller activations or partner placements may still be worth asking about.

Opportunities around the show, not just inside it

For most small businesses, the bigger opportunity is the foot traffic around the Convention Center and South Park over ten days:

• Restaurants, bars and cafes near LA Live and South Park can plan for heavier lunch and evening traffic, especially on the two weekends and the Friday after Thanksgiving. Staff up, simplify menus and promote quick options.
• Hotels, short-term rental hosts and parking operators will see out-of-town visitors around the industry day and the holiday weekend.
• Detailers, wrap shops, customizers and aftermarket parts businesses can time promotions and social content to the show, since many visitors arrive actively shopping for a new vehicle or upgrades.
• Photographers, videographers and creators can pitch content packages to exhibitors who need daily footage across the run.
• Event staffing, catering and logistics firms can reach out to exhibitors directly; brand activations need hands for setup, hospitality and teardown.

Keep your marketing on the right side of the line

The LA Auto Show name and logo are trademarks, and so are the automaker brands on the floor. Unless you are an official partner, it is safer to say your promotion is "during auto show week" or "near the Convention Center" than to suggest an affiliation. Do not use the show's logo or brand photography in ads without permission.

A two-week prep list

1. Decide whether your goal is B2B meetings, consumer sales or content, and pick the matching day or days.
2. If you are going to AutoMobility LA, apply for credentials now and book meetings ahead of time.
3. If you are near downtown, set holiday-week staffing and hours, including Thanksgiving and Black Friday.
4. Prepare a simple offer and social posts timed to the opening weekend, Nov. 20 to 22.
5. If you want to exhibit or sponsor, contact the sales team this week and ask what smaller options remain.

Auto show week lands right before the holiday shopping rush. For Los Angeles businesses with any link to cars, design, travel, food or content, it is a well-timed reason to get in front of new customers.