RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – The Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) has announced a strategic change in events for 2013 to better serve its diverse supplier/manufacturer member base, which represents various segments of the industry including the heavy-duty aftermarket, OEM truck and trailer and off-highway markets.  
 
The Heavy Duty Dialogue conference, which traditionally takes place prior to HDAW in Las Vegas each January, has been split into three conferences catering to a unique market segment, each preceding a different, major industry event throughout the year.
 
Heavy Duty Aftermarket Dialogue (HDAD) will be held on Jan. 21, 2013, and will be jointly presented with MacKay & Co., immediately preceding Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week at The Mirage in Las Vegas. HDAD will focus on the issues related to the suppliers to this market, with expert presentations and panel discussions from the supplier, fleet and distribution perspectives.
 
Heavy Duty Dialogue (HDD) will focus solely on the global on highway commercial vehicle business and will include cutting-edge information necessary for the supplier executive to prepare for market developments five to 10 years ahead. Included will be presentations from major OEM, supplier and investment communities. HDD will be held on March 11, 2013, at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn., immediately preceding the TMC meeting.
 
Off-Highway Dialogue (OHD) will address issues, data and trends that are specific to the off-highway market’s unique fundamentals and developments, and also will discuss the global impact of geo-political and economic conditions on the suppliers in this market. OHD will be jointly presented by HDMA and SAE International and will be held on Sept. 30, 2013, immediately preceding COMVEC, at the Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, Ill.
 
“Some of our members play in all three markets, some in one or two, and our member feedback indicated that each segment needed its own focus and with speakers that specialize in each particular area,” said Tim Kraus, president and COO of HDMA. “Dividing Dialogue into three separate programs allows for expanded trend coverage, as well as locating them each in conjunction with events in accessible markets, minimizing our members’ travel to multiple events.”