Petroleum Equipment Institute Holds 2026 Convention
The annual industry gathering in Las Vegas focused on addressing urgent workforce shortages and emerging global technology.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Special Interest
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The Petroleum Equipment Institute held its 2026 Convention at the Las Vegas Convention Center as part of the larger NACS Show. The event convened thousands of industry professionals to address workforce gaps, new technologies, and growth markets.
Why it matters
The convention aimed to prepare members for upcoming industry challenges, specifically regarding the high volume of technicians expected to retire or require replacement in the near future. Leaders gathered to share strategies for managing these labor gaps while integrating new technical solutions.
A PEI study of 526 companies found that 46% of their 12,000 technicians will require replacement within five years. The NACS Show, which hosted the convention, drew 25,572 attendees from 74 countries and territories.
The players
Petroleum Equipment Institute
This is a trade association for companies that manufacture or sell equipment and services for the petroleum and energy handling industry.
NACS
This global trade association represents the convenience and fuel retailing industry.
Hockman-Lewis
Founded in 1956, this company is a long-standing member of the PEI and specializes in global equipment distribution.
ATIONET
This firm provides a cloud platform utilized by over 4,000 gas stations across South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
The details
The event featured a tripling of education sessions compared to previous iterations and a sold-out exhibition floor. Attendees used the venue to provide direct product feedback to manufacturers and discuss the expansion of platforms like ATIONET, which currently serves 4,000 gas stations.
Timeline
The 2026 PEI Convention occurred in October 2026.
Hockman-Lewis joined the PEI in 1976.
Nearly half of surveyed technicians face a replacement deadline by 2031.
The next convention is scheduled for October 5-8, 2027, in Atlanta.
Industry Dynamics
The convention followed the established pattern of integrating specialized equipment trade meetings into the broader NACS Show infrastructure. By co-locating, the PEI leveraged the massive reach of the NACS Show to connect vendors directly with thousands of global retailers.
Industry professionals gain direct access to the latest technical training sessions and product feedback forums hosted by the PEI. Attendees can use these events to network with global suppliers and prepare for long-term labor transitions in their specific markets.
The takeaway
The event highlights the critical importance of workforce planning in the energy equipment sector over the next five years. Business owners should prioritize early recruitment and training initiatives to mitigate the projected high turnover of technical staff.
What happens next
The next annual PEI Convention is officially scheduled to take place October 5-8, 2027, in Atlanta at the Georgia World Congress Center.
Further reading
Learn more about industry events and professional gatherings at Special Interest.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mobilityplaza.
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