HDAW organizers announced Tuesday that a record-breaking number of exhibiting suppliers and independent heavy-duty distributors participated in the 12th annual HDAW last month in Las Vegas.
More than 2,530 aftermarket industry leaders attended the conference, including HDAW all-time record numbers of over 1,600 supplier and 630 distributor executives, a 15 percent increase over 2016’s distributor attendance. Organizers says all available booth space for exhibitors in both exhibit halls during the HDAW Product Expo was sold out more than two months prior to the start of the event. Additionally, 1,809 one-on-one meetings were held throughout the four-day conference, another record.
“It was exciting to be a part of such a successful and record-breaking Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week, says Carl Mesker, vice president, Aftermarket Americas of SAF Holland and HDAW ’17 co-chair. “I believe the new HDAW supplier show special program and an education program focused on solutions focused helped to draw the record number of distributors to the conference.”
“Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week is an incredible opportunity for suppliers and independent distributors to come together to network, learn and grow our businesses,” adds Don Purcell , partner at Stone Truck Parts and HDAW ’17 co-chair. “It was fantastic to walk to the Product Expo floor and see so many people talking and doing business. It was a great experience to be an HDAW co-chair with Carl, and I am proud to say I have made a good friend during the process of the planning over the last 9 months.”
HDAW kicked off with an All-Industry Reception on Monday, Jan. 23, 2017, and officially opened Tuesday morning in the Terry Fator Theater with a USMC Color Guard, both the US and Canadian National Anthems and two major industry awards. Gary Smalley, the retired CEO of Dayton Parts LLC was inducted in to the HD Industry Hall of Fame by IHS Markit; and Blaine Brothers of Minneapolis was awarded the 15th annual Distributor of the Year Award, presented by Truck Parts & Service.
This was followed immediately by the entertaining keynote speaker, television and media star Jeffrey Hayzlett, who discussed “How Companies Reinvent Themselves to Keep Up with Their Customers.”
Other presentations during the week were “Shift Happens – How to win at Business Model Warfare” by strategy consultant Rick Funston, of Funston Advisory Services, a cyber-security presentation by Mark Lanterman and Brian Hill of Computer Forensic Services, “Leveraging Your Independent Advantage”, by former DTNA and Volvo executive Rich Ferguson, and “Aftermarket Briefings,” a TED Talk-inspired set of three, highly targeted presentations focused on adapting to new technologies in business and e-commerce. Speakers were David Seewack, CEO of FinditParts.com; Dana Nevins of Web Shop Manager and Shriram Rajagopal of e-Emphasis.
The 2017 annual All-Industry Reception and Pinewood Challenge, sponsored by Minimizer, proved again to be an exciting event for all 27 race participants.
HDAW organizers say winners of the Pinewood race were:
- 1st place – Triangle Suspension
- 2nd place – Dorman RamRod
- 3rd place – Dorman Duct Tape Dynamo
Winners of the Concours D’elegance (Best designed and best looking trucks):
- 1st place – Fleet Equipment – Iron Bullet
- 2nd place – Wyakin Warrior
- 3rd place – CVSN – White Lightning
Organizers say planning is now underway for HDAW 2017, which will be held Jan. 22-25 at the Mirage in Las Vegas.
