Please read the program information list below in its entirety before completing and submitting this application.
Applications are due by Friday, November 6, 2026.
Thank you. We look forward to reviewing your submission!
Why Sponsor a student?
By participating in the HDAW Student Program, your company helps bridge the talent gap, builds relationships with emerging professionals, and strengthens the future of the heavy-duty aftermarket industry.
The program is designed to attract, inspire, and develop future talent while giving sponsors a meaningful role in mentoring students and showcasing career opportunities within their organizations.
Students in the program are carefully selected undergraduate candidates from partnering universities, chosen through a rigorous application and interview process. The 2026 program welcomed 24 students from five universities, representing a diverse range of disciplines including Automotive Aftermarket Management, Industrial Distribution, Heavy-Duty Diesel, Supply Chain Management, Industrial Systems & Engineering, Marketing, and more—bringing a well-rounded pool of future industry talent to HDAW.
The HDAW Student Program is owned by the HDAW Show Ownership team, consisting of leaders from three trade associations: MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, Autocare, and CVSN. Your main contact for this program is Kaylee Mulhollen, Sr. Manager Events & Meetings, MEMA (kmullhollen@mema.org).
Key Program Highlights for Sponsors:
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Turnkey Logistics: Student transportation, lodging, most meals, and registration are handled by HDAW.
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Hands-On Event Support: Your student partner actively assists your team during the show—whether staffing your booth, capturing notes, engaging with customers or vendors, creating social media content, or supporting other key projects—helping your organization maximize its presence at the show, while engaging meaningfully with the industry.
What You can Expect from the HDAW Student program
The HDAW Student Program (often referred to as the “HDAW Intern Program”) pairs each student with a specific sponsoring company, allowing them to gain valuable insight into the Heavy Duty Commercial Vehicle industry. Companies can be assigned a student with majors in: aftermarket, marketing, engineering, heavy truck equipment, diesel tech, etc.. The HDAW Student Program Leaders will make the assignments based on each company's needs and student’s goals and personal attributes for a best-fit scenario. Each company's sponsorship fee will cover student's air and ground travel, hotel room, meals and event registrations.
Sponsor should provide students with a complete program schedule for Tuesday and Wednesday of HDAW.
Each student is required to complete an assignment during HDAW week. The HDAW student assignment is designed to give students an opportunity to explore and showcase their understanding of the Heavy Duty Aftermarket industry while creating a sample of work for their sponsoring company and potentially the broader industry. Students choose one of five assignment options based on their interests. Deliverables vary by assignment and may be in written, visual, or combined formats, and in some cases include a social media post. Completed assignments will be reviewed by HDAW Intern Program organizers, sponsoring company, and university program leaders, with the possibility of industry-wide exposure.
Possible Student Tasks (to be set by their Sponsor):
- If sponsor is an exhibiting supplier: work in sponsor’s booth in the conference Expo Hall to learn about product lines, network with industry executives and hear about new product launches.
- If sponsor is an attending distributor: walk the expo floor with sponsor to learn about existing and potential business partners, network with industry executives and hear about new products and suppliers.
- Join companies in one-on-one business meetings to observe real-world business transactions taking place between a supplier and distributor.
- Participate in breakfast, lunch, and dinner meetings with company executives as they meet with others in the industry.
- Attend education sessions for insight into industry trends, disruptors, and forecasts for the future of the heavy-duty aftermarket.
- Attend networking functions to meet with companies and create valuable connections.
Learn more about HDAW at https://www.hdaw.org/
Sponsorship fee is $2,200 per student. To be invoiced out by Glasgow.
Application Deadline: Friday, November 6, 2026.
Application Process: All online applications will be reviewed and processed by November 10. Applicants will be notified on acceptance and student pairs by late November.