North America’s largest gathering of heavy-duty aftermarket professionals, Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW), wrapped up its 2024 event with unprecedented attendance and engagement levels, event organizers said. Held over four days at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas, the event attracted over 2,900 executives and managers from across the industry, setting a new attendance record with an 11.8% increase from the previous year.
The event honored Mike Betts, CEO and chairman of the Betts Company, with the 2024 Heavy Duty Aftermarket Industry Hall of Fame award and named Tidewater Fleet Supply as the Distributor of the Year. Emphasizing a theme of “Fully Equipped,” HDAW’24 showcased the industry’s readiness to embrace digital transformation, featuring a show floor of more than 140,000 square feet with 330-plus exhibitors, including 47 first-time participants, according to event organizers.
Michael Callison Jr., president and CEO at Midwest Wheel Companies and co-chair of HDAW’24, highlighted the event’s success, noting the industry’s resilience and innovative spirit. The event’s one-on-one business meeting program was particularly successful, facilitating over 1,900 meeting sessions and fostering opportunities for meaningful industry connections. Nicole Oreskovic, vice president of sales and marketing at Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems and supplier co-chair for the event, praised the program for its role in strengthening industry relationships and promoting strategic partnerships.
The event also featured networking opportunities, including the Leaders of Tomorrow program, the HDAWomen Reception and a closing reception at AT&T Stadium. Educational programs addressed key industry trends such as electrification, workforce recruitment and retention and Right to Repair legislation. NFL legend Cris Carter delivered a keynote address, sharing personal anecdotes and encouraging attendees to strive for excellence.
Looking ahead, planning for HDAW’25 is already in progress, with the event scheduled for January 20-23, 2025, in Grapevine, Texas. Further details can be found on the HDAW website.
