Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW) last week concluded its 2025 event with record-breaking success.
Over four days at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, HDAW brought together more than 2,900 executives and managers from various industry sectors, reaffirming its position as the unrivaled meeting ground for distributors, suppliers, service providers and thought leaders.
This year, the industry was proud to honor Dominic Grote, president and CEO of Grote Industries, as the 2025 Heavy Duty Aftermarket Hall of Fame inductee, Vander Haag’s Inc. as the Trucks, Parts, Service Distributor of the Year and Toni Nastali, owner of Spring-Align, as the inaugural Women in Leadership Award recipient.
Themed “Brake New Ground,” HDAW embraced the industry’s forward-thinking perspective in a rapidly advancing environment. The sold-out show floor — with extended hours this year upon request — spanned 143,000 sq.-ft., and hosted 330+ exhibitors, underscoring the industry’s dedication to leading in a swiftly evolving business landscape. This growth was further evidenced by a notable 40 first-time exhibitors, showcasing the industry’s vibrant expansion and steadfast commitment to innovation, HDAW states.
Michael Keller, vice president of category management and sourcing at FleetPride and HDAW’25 distributor co-chair, expressed his satisfaction, stating, “The continuing success of HDAW, marked by another year of record-breaking growth, showcases the commitment of these heavy-duty aftermarket professionals. It’s exciting to see the innovation and collaboration displayed in the sessions, on the show floor and in the networking events at HDAW 2025.”
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HDAW featured the industry’s leading One-on-One Business Meetings program, hosting nearly 2,000 sessions with distributors and suppliers over the course of the show. This popular program continues to expand each year and to foster an environment for distributors and suppliers to engage in meaningful connections and seize deal-making opportunities.
Jean Gregoire, president of Marmon Heavy Duty Brakes Group and HDAW’25 supplier co-chair, adds, “HDAW’s One-on-One Business Meetings program is a truly unique opportunity for heavy duty aftermarket professionals to come together and make connections and deals in real time. There’s no other place or time of year when so many of the industry’s best operators can collaborate to solidify meaningful partnerships and prepare for the full year ahead.”
Attendees actively participated in many of the diverse networking programs, enhancing their HDAW experience. The Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) program provided a platform for emerging professionals to connect and collaborate, fostering the industry’s next generation of leaders. The HDAWomen Reception created a dynamic space for professionals to support women in the heavy duty aftermarket industry to build meaningful connections, share insights and discuss how to inspire confidence in younger generations. The Wednesday Night Heavy Hitter Reception at Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers, brought together industry professionals in a vibrant and celebratory atmosphere, continuing the high energy and excitement of HDAW.
HDAW adds the education program highlighted critical developments that continue to shape the industry as well as actionable steps to secure its overall health and viability. Attendees walked away with the most recent updates on topics including AI and its practical application, recruitment and retention, and other featured innovations. The all-new Innovation Intersection offered resources to learn more about heavy duty training and certification. The newly-expanded Student Program welcomed its largest cohort yet with 27 students from 5 different universities. Additionally, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and fighter pilot Kim “KC” Campbell took the stage for a keynote address, sharing her inspiring experience in the Air Force and speaking about how adversity can either hold us back or drive us forward toward growth and transformation — if we learn to harness it effectively.
Planning for HDAW 2026 is already well underway, with the event scheduled to take place Jan. 19-22, 2026, in Grapevine, Texas.
