Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW) 2026 opens Jan. 19 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevive, Texas, bringing together nearly 3,000 professionals.
With a sold-out product expo and fully booked one-on-one business meetings, the event serves as the launch for 2026 planning, where suppliers and distributors address strategic priorities like regulatory shifts, labor constraints, AI and technology changes, according to a statement from the event.
This year’s theme, Eyes on the Road, underscores the need for precision, execution and readiness. From real-time forecasting and supplier negotiations to the use of AI in predictive maintenance and data-driven decision making, the week’s agenda helps companies and their leaders navigate 2026 with focus and operational clarity.
“HDAW brings the entire aftermarket together in a way that rarely happens during the year,” said Matt Wolfe, president, Americas at SAF-HOLLAND and HDAW’26 supplier co-chair. “For suppliers, it’s an opportunity to hear directly from distributors about shifting demand, see how new technologies are being evaluated, and understand where resources will be needed first. The discussions around diagnostics, data flow and emerging AI tools are more grounded and actionable than ever, which helps all of us plan with greater accuracy.”
HDAW’26 Highlights include:
- Product Expo (Jan. 20–22): The Product Expo features more than 300 suppliers across 143,000 square feet of exhibit space, offering distributors a concentrated look at innovative products, components, and technologies influencing purchasing and service decisions in 2026.
- One-on-One Business Meetings (Jan. 20–22): This fully booked program matches distributors to the suppliers they want to see for pre-scheduled, private discussions – helping kickstart orders for the year and coordinate decision-making across the industry.
- Keynote: “The Future of AI in Heavy Duty” (Tuesday, Jan. 20): AI expert Noelle Russell will explore how applied and generative AI are being used in diagnostics, operations, forecasting and workforce strategy, with a focus on practical use cases for the aftermarket.
- Industry Recognition (Tuesday, Jan. 20): The Opening General Session will recognize industry achievement with the annual Distributor of the Year Award, Hall of Fame induction and Women in Leadership Award.
- Education and Training (Wednesday, Jan. 21): Education sessions and supplier-led training highlight emerging technologies and industry trends through the lens of this year’s theme, Eyes on the Road. The industry will come together on Wednesday morning to hear David Garza, Founder and CEO of COMPASS Human Capital Advisors, lead a session on “Shifting to a Higher Gear with Our People: Three Strategic Levers to Prepare for Your Next Business Crossroad.”
- Wild West Wednesday Reception (Jan. 21): To celebrate a successful HDAW’26, attendees are invited to a free evening reception at the Gaylord Texan, where they can reconnect with peers, discuss priorities emerging from the program, and continue conversations initiated during the event. Organizers expect a record turnout for this year’s Wednesday evening reception.
“There’s real value in being able to talk strategy face to face, especially when market signals are moving fast,” said Nick Seidel, vice president of Action Truck Parts and HDAW’26 distributor co-chair. “HDAW gives distributors a clearer read on how suppliers are approaching product support, pricing and demand shifts. Those conversations give us a sharper view of market conditions and support decisions grounded in what’s actually happening.”
