More than 850 people gathered during HDA Truck Pride’s 2026 Annual Meeting and Giving Rally, an event that focused on networking, business development, and support for workers and families connected to the trucking aftermarket industry.
The event, held in St. Louis, raised $70,000 for the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation, commonly known as AACF. The organization provides financial assistance and emergency support to people within the aftermarket industry facing hardship situations.
According to HDA Truck Pride leadership, the fundraising effort reflected both strong industry participation and continued support for workers and families dealing with unexpected challenges.
“The generosity and engagement we saw this week was truly inspiring,” said Tina Hubbard. “Raising $70,000 for AACF reflects the powerful heart of this network— coming together to support our own when it matters most.”
Industry Networking and Business Development Remained a Major Focus
The event included a welcome reception, fundraising auction, and the annual Giving Rally Cornhole Tournament before transitioning into business sessions and networking events throughout the week.
Attendees participated in a large trade show featuring product discussions, supplier interaction, and operational conversations tied to the commercial vehicle aftermarket industry. Breakout sessions also focused on topics affecting transportation and aftermarket businesses, including artificial intelligence adoption, cybersecurity, operational efficiency, workforce development, and digital visibility.
AACF Executive Director John Kairys said the level of industry support stood out throughout the event.
“Spending time with the HDA Truck Pride community at their Annual Meeting was incredibly meaningful,” Kairys said. “The conversations, the willingness to help, and the genuine care for others in our industry really stood out. That kind of support allows AACF to step in quickly and make a real difference for families facing difficult moments.”
Veterans Tribute and Network Growth Highlighted During the Event
One of the week’s featured gatherings took place aboard the historic USS Midway, where attendees participated in networking events, veteran recognition activities, and the finals of the cornhole tournament.
Joe Brooks and Dan Harbut of Acme Truck Brake & Supply won the tournament championship during the event.
Leadership also highlighted continued expansion across the HDA Truck Pride network, which now includes more than 220 member companies, over 1,000 distributor locations, and more than 550 service affiliates throughout North America.
Company leaders pointed to ongoing investments involving warehouse expansion, digital transformation efforts, workforce development initiatives, and Right to Repair advocacy tied to the commercial vehicle industry.
The event also included presentation of several HDA Truck Pride EDDY Awards recognizing contributions involving education, leadership, and professional development throughout the network.
“HDA Truck Pride is a great place to be—because of our people,” Hubbard said. “Every member who chose to invest in us. Every supplier who chose to partner with us. Every staff member who chooses to show up every day. We built this. And we are only getting started. We’re especially grateful to our supplier partners, including our Annual Meeting Valor sponsors — Gates, Milwaukee, Old World Industries, Valvoline and Bendix, without whose support we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
For more information about the HDA Truck Pride Network, please contact Danielle Orlando at [email protected] or click here. For more information about AACF, contact Misty Walker at [email protected].
The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information drivers can use.
Last updated: May 13, 2026
Source: The Trucker
Image Source: Source: HDA
