
Automotive Design & In-Cabin Expo 2026
Event Date
October 27–29, 2026
Location
Novi, MI
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe Automotive Design & In-Cabin Expo is a B2B trade show and conference held in Novi, Michigan, positioned as North America's hub for automotive design, in-cabin innovation, and vehicle development. Formerly known as Automotive Interiors Expo, it now sits within the broader Vehicle Tech Week North America ecosystem, reflecting how modern vehicle design has expanded beyond interiors to encompass exterior form, vehicle architecture, software platforms, and systems integration.
The expo brings together the people, technologies, and solutions redefining the complete human experience of the vehicle, both inside and out — spanning exterior design, lighting, and aerodynamics as well as digital cockpits, HMI, materials, seating, and human factors. It is built for professionals actively defining how next-generation vehicles are delivered across design, engineering, UX, materials, lighting, and systems integration.
It is a trade-only event aimed at senior OEM and Tier-1 decision-makers, including VP Interior Engineering, Head of Interior Design, Design Directors, Exterior Design leads, HMI Directors, UX Leads, and Digital Cockpit Program Managers. Attendees can engage directly with tools, materials, and platforms already shaping real-world vehicle programs, while accessing an expert-led conference program across four co-located events.
Show Highlights
Key features of the Automotive Design & In-Cabin Expo include:
- 100+ innovative industry solutions on display from suppliers operating at the intersection of design, engineering, UX, and sustainability.
- 80+ industry-leading speakers delivering expert-led conference sessions.
- A four-track content program running as part of Vehicle Tech Week North America, with voices drawn from OEMs, Tier 1s, and leading technology providers.
- Four co-located expos under one roof, allowing visitors to move seamlessly between disciplines across the full vehicle lifecycle.
- Focus areas including software-defined vehicles, digital cockpits, HMI and UX, intelligent lighting, advanced materials, seating, smart surfaces, sustainability, and human factors.
- Networking opportunities, including an official drinks reception and numerous break-out sessions.
The full content program and speaker line-up are published on the official website in the run-up to the event.
Attendance
The organizer promotes the event as drawing 3,000+ industry professionals and field experts. The audience is composed of automotive industry professionals only, with a strong representation of senior OEM and Tier-1 decision-makers across design, engineering, UX, materials, and human factors disciplines.
Registration
Attendee passes can be booked online through the official website's registration page. Key points:
- Register for an attendee (expo) pass via the 'Register Now' link on the event website.
- The event is trade-only and open to individuals aged 16 or older; there are no specific accreditation criteria to attend.
- Access to the expo also includes the conference content program running across four dedicated tracks as part of Vehicle Tech Week North America.
- Organizations wishing to exhibit or sponsor can submit an inquiry via the 'Exhibit or Sponsor' form.
International visitors requiring a visa invitation letter must first complete the registration form; visa letters are processed starting 16 weeks before the event.
History
The event is the successor to the Automotive Interiors Expo, which for years served as a focal point for the materials, technologies, and expertise shaping in-cabin innovation. Recognizing that interior decisions can no longer be separated from exterior form, vehicle architecture, software platforms, and systems integration, the organizer rebranded and broadened the show's scope into the Automotive Design & In-Cabin Expo. It is now an integral part of the newly launched Vehicle Tech Week North America, a broader ecosystem of four co-located events. The show is organized by UKi Media & Events, a division of CloserStill Media.
Venue & Travel
Venue
Vibe Credit Union Showplace
46100 Grand River Ave.
The Vibe Credit Union Showplace (formerly the Suburban Collection Showplace) is a large exhibition and conference complex in Novi, Michigan. The facility features two large divisible ballrooms, three exposition halls, multiple meeting and conference rooms, and an attached Hyatt Place Hotel; a newer Events Center added over 185,000 square feet — including nearly 90,000 square feet of exposition space, much of it column-free with 40-foot clear ceilings — connected with the existing 215,000 square feet of exposition space, plus 14 additional meeting and banquet rooms and a second-story ballroom. The halls are on the ground floor and the venue is accessible for wheelchair users. The conference exhibit hall, keynotes, and educational sessions are all held within this single venue for a seamless attendee experience.
Parking
On-site parking is available in the venue's lot at 46100 Grand River Avenue. The Suburban Collection Showplace parking lot is open 24 hours a day, and some events offer free parking for attendees. Note that parking rates vary by event and are often charged per vehicle, per day. Recent event guides cite visitor parking at around $10.00 per car, per day, with a pass allowing in-and-out privileges throughout the day. Exhibitors may purchase a parking pass (recently cited around $25 per vehicle per day) for unlimited access to the venue's lot. Advance parking can typically be reserved through the venue.
Getting There
- By air: The nearest major airport is Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) at 11050 W G Rogell Dr, Detroit, MI 48242, roughly 31 miles from the venue.
- By car: The facility can be accessed from I-96 at the Novi and Beck Road exits. Travelers should allow extra time for potential I-96 construction and lane closures in the area.
- Shuttles: Partner hotels (Four Points by Sheraton and Hampton Inn & Suites) offer shuttle service to and from the venue for guests booking through the ITEC links.
- Rideshare/local travel: Rideshare and additional ground transportation options to and from DTW are available; the ITEC travel page links to Detroit-area travel resources.
Nearby Hotels
- Hyatt Place — attached directly to the venue, the most convenient on-site option. The Suburban Collection Showplace includes an attached Hyatt Place Hotel.
- Four Points by Sheraton (Novi) — located in Novi, about 3 miles from the venue, offering a free shuttle for attendees who book through the ITEC link plus complimentary breakfast, with rates starting at $155 per night.
- Hampton Inn & Suites (Wixom) — about 3 miles from the venue in the opposite direction, offering a scheduled shuttle to and from the venue, with rates starting at $132 per night.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where does the Automotive Design & In-Cabin Expo take place?
The next edition takes place October 27–29, 2026, at the Vibe Credit Union Showplace, 46100 Grand River Avenue, Novi, Michigan, USA. Opening hours are 09:00–17:00 on Tuesday and Wednesday and 09:00–15:00 on Thursday.
Who should attend the expo?
It is a trade-only event for automotive industry professionals aged 16 and over. The target audience includes VP Interior Engineering, Head of Interior Design, Design Directors, Exterior Design, HMI Directors, UX Leads, and Digital Cockpit Program Managers.
How do I register, and is there a cost?
You can register for an attendee expo pass through the official website's registration page. There are no specific accreditation criteria to attend, and registration provides access to the expo and its conference content program.
What makes the show worth attending?
The expo features 100+ industry solutions and 80+ speakers, connecting attendees with senior OEM and Tier-1 decision-makers. As part of Vehicle Tech Week North America, it offers a four-track content program spanning design, UX, digital cockpits, materials, lighting, and systems integration across four co-located events.
Where should I stay and how do I get there?
The attached Hyatt Place Detroit/Novi is the most convenient hotel, and nine major-brand hotels with over 2,000 rooms sit within three miles; the official housing bureau is FHTGlobal. Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) is about 25 miles away, and the venue is off I-96 at Novi Road with ample on-site parking.
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