IDA Universal

aldjhfv KSFKJASDBZ ZMBCKAS:KF;sklzf;lzH- f;sdh;x;;dh;asdhf;aidsh- g;adsihg;adshg;adshf;asdjhf;a- howhe;dv;axdhc;asdjknvchvz- kjbv;oi;asjkdbvoijclasknefuh- dvkjxckvj dajcbvlxc kasdjvc vksdaxfasd dkv EDITOR'S NOTE Tiffany Cabral Executive Director 2026 IDA Convention and Tradshow October 27th - 30th San Diego, California When Change Demands Connection There has never been a more important time to be engaged in our industry. Every day, we're navigating another headline that has the potential to reshape the way we do business. Tariff policy continues to evolve. Global supply chains remain unpredictable. Technology is changing the way equipment is built, serviced, and support- ed. Customer expectations continue to rise, while eco- nomic uncertainty challenges even the most established businesses. For many, the instinct during times like these is to wait and see what happens before mak- ing the next move. I would argue the opposite. Periods of uncertainty are not the time to step back. They are the time to lean in. The companies that contin- ue to thrive are rarely the ones with perfect conditions. They are the ones willing to stay informed, ask difficult questions, build meaningful relationships, and adapt before circumstances force them to. Throughout my conversations with members, one theme con- tinues to emerge: no one has all the answers. But together, we have an incredible depth of knowledge and experi- ence. One member may have already solved a challenge another is just beginning to face. Another may have iden- tified an emerging opportunity before it reaches the broader market. Those insights be- come invaluable when we share them with one another. That spirit of collaboration is what has defined the Independent Distributors Association for nearly 70 years. This October, that collaboration will be on full display at the 2026 IDA Convention & Trade Show in San Diego. We've intentionally designed this year's educational program around the issues that matter most to independent aftermarket busi- nesses today. Our panel discus- sions will bring together industry leaders to examine the forces reshaping our marketplace; from tariffs and global trade to artificial intelligence, automation, supply chain resilience, and the evolv- ing relationship between OEMs and the independent aftermarket. These won't be one-way presenta- tions; they'll be candid conversa- tions where different perspectives are shared, practical experiences are discussed, and real-world solutions emerge. Our keynote speaker will provide valuable insight into today's eco- nomic landscape and the policy decisions influencing our indus- try. Understanding the broader economic environment isn't just interesting…it's essential. The decisions we make over the next several years will be influenced by factors well beyond our own organizations, and the better we understand those forces, the better prepared we'll be to respond. Of course, some of the most valu- able learning won't happen from the stage. It will happen in the conversations between sessions. Over breakfast with a new member. During a dis- cussion on the trade show floor. At a networking reception where a simple introduction turns into a lasting business relationship. Those moments are impos- sible to replicate through emails or video calls. They happen when our industry comes together. The independent aftermar- ket has always been built on resilience, innovation, and relationships. That hasn't changed. What has changed is the pace at which our in- dustry is evolving. Standing still is no longer a strategy. The changing business climate isn't something we should turn away from, it is something we must press into. It challenges us to learn more, collaborate more, and think differently about the future of our businesses. Those who remain engaged, connected, and committed to continuous learning will be the ones best positioned not only to weather change, but to grow because of it. I encourage each of you to join us in San Diego this October. Come prepared to ask questions, share your experiences, challenge your thinking, and build relation- ships that will strengthen your business long after the convention concludes. Because relevance isn't something we achieve once. It's something we earn every day through curiosity, collab- oration, and the willingness to engage. I look forward to seeing you in San Diego. IDA Universal Q3 2026 3

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