Several factors supported the decision, including a recent comprehensive survey of past HDAW attendees and careful monitoring of pandemic conditions by HDAW 2021 organizers. Ultimately, considering the current realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, HDAW 2021 organizers made the decision as the safest option for all industry attendees and partners.
The virtual conference will feature traditional HDAW opening sessions with the HDAW 2021 co-chairs and a comprehensive conference program that will provide useful information on doing business in the current environment.
The conference will feature education workshops including SOLD! (Service Opportunities & Learning Day), designed for distributors with service and repair technicians. Additionally, the highly popular pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings between distributor and supplier executives also will be held 100 percent virtual as part of HDAW 2021. More virtual programs to ensure industry leaders can glean the valuable information they expect from HDAW will be announced soon.
“While coming together this January isn’t safe or responsible for many in our community, HDAW conference organizers are hard at work creating a virtual experience to keep business partners connected and foster education opportunities despite the circumstances,” says Bill Hanvey, president and CEO, Auto Care Association (parent association of HDDA). “To keep the heavy-duty aftermarket running on all cylinders, coming together digitally and staying connected can help companies continue to navigate the road ahead safely.”
Angelo Volpe, CVSN executive vice president, says, “The current realities of the COVID-19 pandemic made this decision the right call. “The health and safety of both our distributor and supplier attendees is our main priority and that is why moving the conference to a virtual platform is most practical. The HDAW owners are excited to announce additional virtual options for various conference elements in the near future.”
Registration for HDAW 2021 will be announced shortly.
