For the first time in the conference’s history, next month’s event at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas, will be flanked by not one, not two, but three other aftermarket-specific gatherings that have gravitated to the final week of January to position themselves on the days surrounding HDAW.
Two of these events, Heavy Duty Aftermarket Dialogue (HDAD) — organized by the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) and MacKay & Company — and Service Opportunities Learning Days (SOLD), have filled the days preceding HDAW for the last several years.
But for the first time ever, those events also will be joined next month by the 2020 Association of Diesel Specialists (ADS) International Convention & Tradeshow. As the world’s leading trade association dedicated to the manufacturing and service of diesel fuel injection and related systems, ADS announced at its 2019 convention in July the decision to move its event to the weekend before HDAW to expose its members to the increased business and educational opportunities the larger event provides.
In making the announcement at the organization’s 2019 convention, ADS President Laura Rountree with Industrial Diesel was thrilled and encouraged by the opportunity to pair ADS with the constantly expanding HDAW.
“We look forward to full participation at the Gaylord Texan in January — the venue provides ADS with ample space to hold our membership meetings, including committee meetings, technical sessions and a great HDAW program for our members to improve their businesses.”
HDAW organizers were equally enthusiastic.
HDMA President and Chief Operating Officer Tim Kraus stated: “The owners of HDAW [HDMA, Auto Care, Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network] see significant industry value from further engagement in the event with ADS deciding to hold their annual membership meeting as part of HDAW.”
He added, “Our expanded space and flexibility offered with the new venue of the Gaylord Texan will greatly enhance everyone’s HDAW experience; ADS joining into the week is a positive thing for the independent aftermarket.”
In many ways, the inclusion of the ADS event within the HDAW timetable is just the next step in the event’s growth.
Since its inception in 2006, HDAW’s organizers have worked to make the event a platform for industry groups and associations to collaborate on a common week of similar events in one main location while preserving their individual member-specific meeting functions before HDAW’s formal opening.
The organizers say the formula has been successful for several organizations, as well as HDAD and SOLD, and believe the integration of the ADS event serves as evidence to HDAW’s growing importance and sway within the aftermarket.
“[HDAW] has provided for an annual gathering of the independent channel of the heavy-duty aftermarket and fostered considerable growth for both suppliers and distributors,” organizers note.
While the formal agendas of the ADS Convention, HDAD and SOLD events are still in development, all three are likely to provide valuable takeaways for the selected segment of the industry they serve.
- The ADS International Convention & Tradeshow is scheduled for Jan. 25-28, 2020, though most of its events will be held on Jan. 26-27. Committee meetings, training classes, distributor meetings and a reception are scheduled for Jan. 26, with educational sessions and speaker presentations on the schedule for the following day. Registration is open for the event on the ADS website HERE.
- Heavy Duty Aftermarket Dialogue will be held Jan. 27, 2020, and will immediately precede the HDAW Opening Reception that night. Sessions will include: The Real World – A Global Perspective; The Real World – Practical Fleet Discussion; The Blurring Lines of Aftermarket Distribution; Future Aftermarket Technology; Parts & Service: The Fleet’s Perspective; Global Economic Overview; and Aftermarket Industry Economy & Outlook. Registration is open for the event on the HDMA website HERE.
- Service Opportunities Learning Days will bookend this year’s HDAW with educational sessions scheduled on the mornings of both Jan. 27, and Jan. 30, 2020. The event is designed to educate owners and managers of service operations, and independent distributors offering service. Registration is open for the event through the HDAW registration website HERE.
This is the second of eight Trucks, Parts, Service articles previewing Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW) 2020. The third article in the series will profile HDAW keynote speaker Daymond John will be posted next Tuesday. Prior HDAW 2020 preview articles can be found below.
HDAW 2020 Preview: Despite new home, co-chairs say same great event planned for January
