Plans are set for the VIPAR Heavy Duty 2026 IMPACT Conference, taking place October 18-23, at the JW Marriott Marco Island in Florida.

The 2026 IMPACT Conference agenda features a new format designed to enhance interaction, collaboration, and engagement among distributors, suppliers, and industry partners. Building on the event's longstanding tradition of bringing the heavy duty aftermarket together, this year's conference will introduce new opportunities for attendees to connect, share ideas, and participate in conversations that help shape the future of the network and the industry, according to the organization.

"This year's IMPACT Conference is designed to create even more opportunities for meaningful engagement across our network," said Chris Baer, president and CEO of VIPAR Heavy Duty. "Every distributor, supplier, industry partner, and team member plays a role in our collective success. By bringing everyone together to share ideas, build relationships, and align around common goals, we're reinforcing what makes our network unique and positioning ourselves for continued growth."

Legendary athlete, entrepreneur, and investor Alex Rodriguez will deliver the keynote address. From the baseball diamond to the boardroom, Rodriguez has built a career defined by high performance, transformation, and a relentless drive to succeed. During this fireside chat, Rodriguez will share lessons from more than two decades competing at the highest level of professional sports and his subsequent journey as an entrepreneur, investor and business leader. The discussion will explore leadership, building winning teams, preparation, mentorship, navigating change, and applying a championship mindset to business and life. 

The conversation will be moderated by Mariluz Cook, sideline reporter and host for the San Diego Padres Television Network. 

Other highlights of the reimagined agenda include:

• The conference will open Monday with a high-energy Distributor Welcome & Kickoff featuring Kyle Scheele, an entrepreneur, author, and nationally recognized speaker known for helping organizations unlock creativity and innovation. His presentation, "Becoming an Idea Factory: How to Build a Culture Where Innovation Is Inevitable," will challenge attendees to think differently about problem solving, leadership, and creating environments where ideas can thrive.
• Additional distributor-focused Monday experiences will emphasize peer engagement, connection, and shared insight through Distributor Roundtables, True Group Value Focus Groups, and Supplier Spotlight sessions. 
• For the first time, the entire network of distributors, suppliers, and industry partners will come together at the General Session on Tuesday to explore industry trends, network priorities, and collective opportunities while reinforcing the value of alignment across the channel.

The annual event’s highly-valued, signature agenda items return, including 1:1 Meetings, Trade Show, Receptions, Network Lunch & Keynote Speaker, and Annual Dinner & After Party.

VIPAR Heavy Duty will also continue to honor industry friends and their contributions to the network and aftermarket through the IMPACT Memorial Golf Tournament. For the second year in a row, the beneficiary is the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF), a 501(c)(3) organization that supports people employed in the heavy duty aftermarket industry and their families during times of hardship. They will also host a trade show booth to provide information about both the giving and receiving missions of their organization. 

"As the industry continues to evolve, the value of collaboration has never been greater," added Baer. "The IMPACT Conference provides a forum for our network to learn from one another, challenge conventional thinking, and uncover opportunities that help all of us succeed."