This year, the industry was proud to honor Dominic Grote, president and CEO of Grote Industries, as the 2025 Heavy Duty Aftermarket Hall of Fame inductee, Vander Haag’s Inc. as the Distributor of the Year and Toni Nastali, owner of Spring-Align, as the inaugural Women in Leadership Award recipient. Themed “Brake New Ground,” HDAW’25 embraced the industry’s forward-thinking perspective in a rapidly advancing environment.
The sold-out show floor—with extended hours this year upon request—spanned 143,000+ sq. ft. and hosted 330+ exhibitors. This growth included 40 first-time exhibitors, showcasing the industry’s expansion and commitment to innovation.
“The continuing success of HDAW, marked by another year of record-breaking growth, showcases the commitment of these heavy duty aftermarket professionals,” Michael Keller, vice president of category management and sourcing at FleetPride and HDAW’25 distributor co-chair, said. “It’s exciting to see the innovation and collaboration displayed in the sessions, on the show floor and in the networking events at HDAW’25.”
Programs and sessions HDAW’25 featured included the One-on-One Business Meetings program, hosting nearly 2,000 sessions with distributors and suppliers over the course of the show. This popular program continues to expand each year and to foster an environment for distributors and suppliers to connect for deal-making opportunities.
“HDAW’s One-on-One Business Meetings program is a truly unique opportunity for heavy duty aftermarket professionals to come together and make connections and deals in real time,” Jean Gregoire, president of Marmon Heavy Duty Brakes Group and HDAW’25 supplier co-chair, said. “There’s no other place or time of year when so many of the industry’s best operators can collaborate to solidify meaningful partnerships and prepare for the full year ahead.”
Attendees actively participated in many of the diverse networking programs available:
- The Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) program provided a platform for emerging professionals to connect and collaborate, fostering the industry’s next generation of leaders.
- The HDAWomen Reception created a dynamic space for professionals to support women in the heavy-duty aftermarket industry and build meaningful connections, share insights and discuss how to inspire confidence in younger generations.
- The Wednesday Night Heavy Hitter Reception at Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers, brought together industry professionals in a celebratory atmosphere.
The education program also highlighted critical developments that continue to shape the industry as well as actionable steps to secure its overall health and viability. Attendees walked away with the most recent updates on topics including AI and its practical application, recruitment and retention.
The all-new Innovation Intersection offered resources to learn more about heavy duty training and certification. The newly-expanded Student Program welcomed its largest cohort yet with 27 students from 5 different universities.
Additionally, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and fighter pilot Kim “KC” Campbell took the stage for a keynote address, speaking about how adversity can either hold us back or drive us forward toward growth and transformation—if we learn to harness it effectively. Planning for HDAW’26 is already underway, with the event scheduled to take place January 19-22, 2026, once again here in Grapevine.
