FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 28, 2026

CONTACT
Stacey Miller, Auto Care Association/AWDA, stacey.miller@autocare.org, (240) 333-1017
Katie Thomas, MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, kthomas@mema.org, (586) 909-8025
Grace Nowakowski, CVSN, gnowakowski@cvsn.org, (989) 390-0039

Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week 2026 Brings the Industry Together

With a sold-out Product Expo and expansive networking opportunities, HDAW is again the place for distributors and suppliers to connect 

MOKENA, Ill. (Jan. 28, 2026) — Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW), North America’s premier gathering of heavy duty aftermarket professionals, celebrated another year of product innovations, meaningful connections and thought leadership in 2026. Over four days at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, HDAW’26 brought together nearly 3,000 executives and managers from various industry sectors — including more than 800 distributors — reaffirming its position as the unparalleled meeting spot for distributors, suppliers, service providers and manufacturers. This year, the industry was proud to honor William A. Nolan III, President and CEO of PBS Truck Parts, as the 2026 Heavy Duty Aftermarket Hall of Fame inductee, Truck Equipment Inc as the Distributor of the Year and Shelley Sheagley, Senior Vice President of Product & Pricing at Aurora Parts & Accessories, LLC, as the second-ever Women in Leadership Award recipient. 

Themed “Eyes on the Road,” HDAW’26 emphasized how aftermarket companies are leveraging analytics, AI, product data and forecasting tools to adapt and lead through change. With a sold-out show floor exceeding 143,000 square feet and nearly 330 exhibitors, the event showcased an industry committed to staying ahead in a fast-changing landscape. A record number of entries in the New Product Showcases further illustrated the sector’s growth and dedication to innovation. 

Matt Wolfe, President Americas at SAF-HOLLAND and HDAW’26 supplier co-chair, commended his peers for a great year, stating, “HDAW’s continued momentum highlights the dedication of heavy duty aftermarket professionals. The level of innovation and collaboration evident across educational sessions, the show floor and networking events at HDAW’26 was especially impressive.” 

HDAW’26 again featured the industry’s leading One-on-One Business Meetings program, with more than 2,200 meetings pre-scheduled between distributors and suppliers. This popular program continues to expand each year and to foster an environment for distributors and suppliers to engage in meaningful connections and make the most of face-to-face deal-solidifying opportunities. 

Nick Seidel, Vice President at Action Truck Parts and HDAW’26 distributor co-chair, stated, “HDAW’s One-on-One Business Meetings program delivers a truly unique opportunity for heavy duty aftermarket professionals to connect and do business in real time. There is no other event—or time of year—where so many of the industry’s leading operators come together to collaborate, strengthen partnerships and align strategies for the year ahead.” 

Attendees actively engaged in a wide range of networking programs: The Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) program brought emerging professionals together to connect and collaborate, helping cultivate the industry’s next generation of leaders. The crowd was wall-to-wall at the Welcome Reception on Monday as arriving distributors and suppliers gathered and made plans for the week. The HDAWomen Reception offered a vibrant forum for professionals to support women in the heavy duty aftermarket, build meaningful connections, exchange insights, and explore ways to inspire confidence in future generations. The Wild West Wednesday Reception, held on-site at the Gaylord, was a high-energy, record-breaking closing event for HDAW’26. 

The education program opened with an inspiring keynote session presented by Noelle Russell, an award-winning technologist and leading voice in applied AI. She focused on how the industry is evolving due to the implementation of generative and applied AI technologies; she also attended the HDAWomen Reception and signed copies of her book, “Scaling Responsible AI: From Enthusiasm to Execution.” Wednesday’s education session, led by David Garza, Founder and CEO of COMPASS Human Capital Advisors, shifted to how distributors and suppliers can strengthen their businesses, today and into the future, through strategic people leadership. Throughout the week, free AI consulting sessions were also offered to all in attendance as a follow up to last year’s Wednesday education session, courtesy of HDAW 2025 speaker, Lauren McCullough. 

HDAW’27 is scheduled to take place January 18-21, 2027. Next year’s event will be the final HDAW in Grapevine, Texas before the event moves to Kansas City in 2028 and Charlotte in 2029. For more information, visit www.hdaw.org and connect with HDAW online on Facebook and LinkedIn.  

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About HDAW 

Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW) is a business-to-business, executive conference owned and operated by Auto Care Association, Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network (CVSN) and MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, and presented by a joint operating committee of distinguished industry associations: Association of Diesel Specialists (ADS), HDA Truck Pride, APRA’s Heavy Duty Remanufacturing Group (HDRG), International Truck Parts Association (ITPA), Power Heavy Duty and VIPAR Heavy Duty.

For more information, visit www.hdaw.org or contact W.T. Glasgow, conference management, at 708.226.1300. Find us on social media #HDAW26