Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week 2013, being held this week in Las Vegas, has yielded record-breaking exhibitor and distributor registration numbers, as well as a larger-than-expected group of registrants for the new SOLD! (Service Opportunities and Learning Day) program, marking an overall growth of 10% in the size of the conference over last year.

HDAW'13, themed "Formula for Success -- Focus on the Future," will be held at the Mirage today through Thursday.

With nearly 430 booths reserved, HDAW organizers say the show's product expo will be the largest one in conference history, with all available exhibit space having sold out a month prior to the events opening.

"We are elated by the growth we have seen in the participation of both exhibitors and suppliers in 2013 conference as well as the incredible turnout for the HDAW SOLD! program, which is being offered for the first time at this years conference," said Walt Sherbourne, HDAW'13 co-chairman. "We see this as an indicator for continued growth and prosperity both for HDAW and our aftermarket."

Distributor attendance at the 2013 event is expected at record level, with nearly 100 additional distributor registrations to date.

Exhibiting supplier participation has also increased, with nearly 98% of last years participants returning to the Product Expo in 2013, combined with more than 40 new exhibiting companies.

"It is wonderful to see that positive responses to the continued improvements and additions to the conference are being reflected in the level of participation we see from members of all facets of the industry," said HDAW13 co-chairman Tom Stewart. "This conference has the potential to continue to exceed the expectations of its attendees and the organizers."

The education program will cover topics such as strategies to compete successfully, an economic outlook, unbundles services, technology trends driving aftermarket opportunities, and building your brand.

The SOLD program is offered as an option in addition to the regular HDAW education program and the trade show and covers topics such as preparing for the shop of the future, axle and suspension diagnostics, and driving profit into your service business.

Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week is the largest North American gathering of the independent heavy-duty aftermarket industry. More than 1,900 executives and managers from the U.S., Canada and six other countries including distributors, suppliers, service providers, educators and industry media attended the 2012 conference in Las Vegas

HDAW is a business-to-business, executive conference presented by a joint operating committee of industry leaders from 13 industry associations: American Council of Frame and Alignment Specialists (ACOFAS), Association of Diesel Specialists (ADS), Automotive Electric Association (AEA), Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network (CVSN), HDA-Truck Pride, Heavy Duty Distribution Association (HDDA), Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), APRA's Heavy Duty Remanufacturing Group (HDRG), International Truck Parts Association (ITPA), Overseas Automotive Council (OAC), Power Heavy Duty, Service Specialists Association (SSA), and Vipar Heavy Duty.