NOD/ISN Tool Dealer Expo sees strong turnout, growing supplier presence in Orlando

The 2026 NOD/ISN Tool Dealer Expo brought distributors, suppliers, and industry professionals to the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida, June 5-6, highlighting continued momentum across the professional tool and equipment market.

According to Valerie Adrean, vice president of tools and equipment for NOD/ISN, approximately 2,000 attendees participated in this year's event, which featured about 135 suppliers, representing a 25-30% increase compared to recent years. The event also showcased approximately 200 new products and sold out two hotels, underscoring strong interest from distributors and vendors alike.

Despite ongoing economic uncertainty, Adrean says attendees arrived ready to do business.

“Despite the current economic environment, customer engagement remained strong, with many attendees actively purchasing products,” says Adrean. “There was notable interest in new offerings and insights into emerging trends. While we typically seek that feedback from our customers, it was encouraging to see them proactively engaging with us. Overall, there was a high level of energy and excitement on the floor.”

New products drive conversations

Across the show floor, new product introductions generated much of the excitement.

The show featured approximately 200 new products, drawing distributors eager to see the latest innovations and speak directly with suppliers about upcoming opportunities.

"We're seeing a lot more new products," Adrean says. "A lot of our suppliers are coming to us with ideas, and we're providing feedback. Seeing something go from an idea to a finished product has been exciting for our team."

After a period when product launches slowed due to pandemic-related disruptions and later tariff-related uncertainty, suppliers are once again bringing a steady stream of products to market.

"New products have been wild," Adrean says. "Coming out of COVID, there wasn't a lot being launched. Then you roll into a tariff environment, and that stalled things even more. Based on what we're seeing, there's a full lineup of new products heading into the second half of the year."

The excitement wasn't limited to new launches. Adrean says distributors increasingly explored product categories outside of their traditional focus, creating new opportunities across NOD/ISN's business.

“Customers across both tool and equipment and PBE segments are increasingly exploring each other’s supplier categories,” she noted. “This cross-category interest is especially encouraging, as it aligns directly with our strategic purpose of driving broader engagement across our offerings.”

Emerging technologies remain a focus

As attendees navigated the show floor, discussions frequently centered on evolving vehicle technology and the tools needed to support it.

Adrean identifies diagnostics, heavy duty applications, and power tools among the categories generating the most interest during the event. Emerging technologies also remained a frequent topic of conversation as distributors and suppliers evaluated where future opportunities may lie.

“While EV was expected to be a defining trend five to 10 years ago, and it remains relevant, innovation will always be the key driver of success,” said Adrean. “In a market where multiple tools can serve the same purpose, the true differentiator lies in who brings the most advanced, value-driven solution to the table.”

Training and education also played a significant role in this year's event. Prior to the expo, NOD/ISN hosted a series of training sessions designed to help sales teams better understand both the tool and equipment and PBE sides of the business.

Sessions focused on topics including diagnostics, ADAS, induction heating technology, and new scan tool solutions. Several attendees cited the educational opportunities as a highlight of the event, particularly as vehicle technologies continue to evolve.

Supplier participation fuels show floor energy

One of the most common pieces of feedback NOD/ISN received from attendees was the depth of supplier participation.

With approximately 135 suppliers exhibiting, distributors had access to one of the largest and most diverse supplier lineups the event has seen in recent years. Adrean says attendees repeatedly commented on both the number of exhibitors and the show's layout, which encouraged interaction and made the floor easy to navigate.

“The depth and breadth of supplier participation have been a significant positive,” says Adrean. “Customers have remarked on the strong vendor presence, noting it exceeds what they have seen at recent shows. Additionally, the floor layout created a more intimate environment, naturally encouraging attendees to connect, engage, and spend meaningful time together.”

That interaction remains one of the event's biggest strengths. Throughout the expo, distributors met directly with suppliers, evaluated products firsthand, and shared insights on the challenges and opportunities shaping the market.

Better together

This year's event also served as a visible demonstration of the continued integration of ISN and National Oak.

While bringing two large organizations together presents challenges, Adrean says the progress made over the past year was evident throughout the event.

“I believe this demonstrates to our customers, suppliers, and employees that we are truly operating as one unified company,” she says. “While bringing businesses together and aligning under a single vision can be challenging, this environment shows that our integration is not just being communicated, it is being actively realized.

Adrean credits leadership for helping guide that transition while maintaining the culture that helped build both organizations.

“Culture is a critical foundation for success, and it must be championed from the top down,” she said. “Geoff Peckham has been an exceptional leader and a pleasure to work with. His ability to thoughtfully and effectively bring these businesses together has been instrumental”.

The event's cross-selling opportunities, blended training sessions, and supplier participation all reflected that larger strategy of bringing the two businesses together.

Looking toward the future

While attendees spent much of the week discussing products, technology, and business opportunities, Adrean also highlights a longer-term challenge facing the industry: attracting the next generation.

“We are seeing a limited pipeline of younger talent entering the industry, which presents an ongoing challenge,” she says. “As a result, there is a risk of losing some of the legacy knowledge and instinct that experienced professionals bring, particularly the ability to identify strong products based on intuition and market feel. It’s critical that we continue to attract and develop younger talent to sustain and grow the industry moving forward."

At the same time, seeing multiple generations attending the event remains one of the industry's most rewarding traditions.

“You used to see individuals attending the show with their parents, and now they’re returning with the next generation,” Adrean says. “It’s encouraging to see that continuity and progression within the industry.”

With strong attendance, growing supplier participation, renewed product innovation, and continued momentum behind its integration efforts, the 2026 NOD/ISN Tool Dealer Expo provided distributors and suppliers with plenty of reasons for optimism as they head into the second half of the year.