The owners of Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW) have announced an agreement with the Association of Diesel Specialists (ADS) to incorporate ADS’ annual convention and tradeshow into HDAW, beginning January 2020.
ADS has been a sponsor organization since the initial HDAW in 2006. With the move to the new location in the Dallas suburb of Grapevine, Texas, for 2020, there is enough space for ADS to exhibit and hold meetings within the week of HDAW. ADS can take advantage of the common elements of the education program, product expo and industry-wide networking and dining events while preserving the member-specific elements of its annual member meeting.
“ADS, its board and its members are thrilled at the prospect of an enhanced participation level at HDAW,” said Laura Rountree, president of ADS and president of Industrial Diesel Inc. “HDAW provides our members with increased business and educational opportunities. 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.”
“The owners of HDAW, CVSN, HDDA/AutoCare and HDMA/MEMA see significant industry value from further engagement in the event, with ADS deciding to hold their annual membership meeting as part of HDAW, beginning with HDAW 2020 in Texas,” said owner representative Tim Kraus of HDMA. “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.”
Since its inception in 2006, HDAW has served as a platform for several industry associations to collaborate on a common week of similar events in one main conference while preserving their individual member-specific meeting functions in the days preceding HDAW’s opening. This has been a successful formula for several organizations that has allowed each to thrive in a competitive environment for members’ time. It has provided for an annual gathering of the independent channel of the heavy-duty aftermarket and fostered considerable growth for both suppliers and distributors.
