High Performance Expo 2026 Education Lineup Revealed
Education lineup to feature HPX PowerTalks, Automotive Leadership Conference & Women's Em[POWER]ment Summit...
The High Performance Expo (HPX), taking place June 2-4 at the Charlotte Convention Center, announced its 2026 education lineup, featuring HPX PowerTalks, the Women’s Em[POWER]ment Summit and the debut of the Automotive Leadership Conference. The programming is designed to deliver practical education that supports business growth, leadership development and innovation across the automotive, aftermarket and motorsports industries, event organizers stated in a press release.
HPX PowerTalks
HPX PowerTalks will deliver short, fast-paced insights from industry leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs shaping the future of the automotive aftermarket. Sessions will take place on the show floor and focus on practical strategies, real-world experiences and measurable results, noted the release.
A sampling of HPX PowerTalk sessions includes:
- Driven to Win: Lessons from Elite Drivers
- Where Profits Leak in Auto Shops — and How Process Fixes Them
- Built for the Future: Preparing Your Automotive Business for What’s Next
- Marketing that Moves the Needle: Turning Attention Into Real Growth
- Rules of the Road Ahead: Kory Willis’ Story and What Regulations Mean for Your Business
- Fast-Track Your Career: How to Get Hired in Automotive
- The Road Ahead: Where the Industry is Really Headed
- Godzilla Unleashed: Ford’s Engine Build Secrets
- AI in Action: What It Can Actually Do for Your Business (and How to Do It!)
- Designing the Dream: From Concept to Finished Vehicle
“HPX education is built around one core goal: giving professionals information they can immediately put to work,” said Dr. Jamie Meyer, co-founder of HPX. “Our 2026 lineup reflects the real challenges and opportunities facing this industry, from leadership and profitability to technology, workforce development and the future of performance.”
The Automotive Leadership Conference
New for 2026, the Automotive Leadership Conference will bring together business leaders from across the automotive, aftermarket and motorsports sectors. The conference will be led by Tony Whatley, founder of 365 Driven, and will take place on Wednesday, June 3, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (lunch included).
The conference will feature sessions focused on marketing, sales, leadership, operations and finance, followed by a networking lunch. Attendees will then transition to the exhibit hall for an afternoon of exploration and engagement. Topics will include:
- Keys to building a profitable business
- Navigating mergers, acquisitions and succession planning
- Strategies to attract and retain top talent
- Actionable growth strategies
- Modern marketing techniques to capture attention
“Stepping in as moderator for this powerhouse roster of industry leaders, I’m fired up for the kind of conversations that don’t just inform but challenge, provoke and push our field forward,” said Tony Whatley, founder of 365 Driven. “The HPX educational platform is quickly becoming a go-to hub for serious professionals committed to staying ahead in this industry.”
The HPX Women’s Em[POWER]ment Summit
The HPX Women’s Em[POWER]ment Summit — Life by Design: Using the Wholeness Compass — returns Tuesday, June 2, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (lunch included). The summit will be led by Shannon Vogel, founder of Tall Poppy, and will focus on leadership, intentional career growth and personal fulfillment. The HPX Women’s Em[POWER]ment Summit agenda includes:
- The Wholeness Compass: Seeing the Whole Picture
- Your Story: How You’re Actually Living
- Designing the Life You Want (Without Burnout)
- Practical Planning: Making It Real
- Integration and Vision
“With HPX, we’re creating an inclusive, interactive space designed not just to inspire, but to equip women with tools that drive real change,” said Dana Teague, HPX general manager. “Our goal is to build a program that resonates long after the event.”
HPX registration and housing are now open. Registration options include a VIP Experience, All-Access Pit Pass and individual tickets for the Automotive Leadership Conference and the Women’s Em[POWER]ment Summit.
