PEI Convention Highlights Industry Workforce Gaps
The 2026 gathering in Las Vegas focused on technician shortages facing the fuel equipment sector.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Special Interest
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The 2026 Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI) Convention drew a crowd of industry professionals to the Las Vegas Convention Center this month. Held alongside the NACS Show, the event connected thousands of industry members to address a shifting landscape in workforce stability and technical demands.
Why it matters
The gathering highlighted a critical labor shortage facing the fuel and equipment industry, where nearly half of the current technical workforce may need replacement within five years. Local operators and industry stakeholders are now weighing these staffing trends against upcoming shifts in fuel-related technologies.
A new industry survey found that 46% of 12,000 technicians will require replacement by 2031. The NACS Show, which hosted the convention, drew 25,572 attendees from 74 countries.
The players
Petroleum Equipment Institute
An international trade organization that held its 2026 convention in Las Vegas.
Hockman-Lewis
A long-standing member of the Petroleum Equipment Institute celebrating 50 years of membership.
The details
Industry leaders met at the Las Vegas Convention Center to participate in a tripled schedule of education sessions aimed at bridging workforce gaps. The event allowed exhibitors to gather direct feedback from end-users regarding new equipment technologies and operational needs. Members also reviewed long-term growth markets, including current digital platforms like ATIONET that now support over 4,000 gas stations internationally.
Timeline
2026: The PEI Convention occurred in Las Vegas.
2031: Replacement deadline for 46% of surveyed technicians.
October 5-8, 2027: Next PEI Convention scheduled in Atlanta.
Beyond the Strip
This convention mirrors recent industry-wide labor trends identified in the PEI workforce study. It follows a pattern of trade organizations using major Las Vegas venues to address national staffing deficits.
While the convention has concluded, industry professionals should monitor the 2031 staffing deadline cited in the recent survey. Local businesses may face increasing competition for qualified technicians as the sector moves toward broad workforce turnover.
The takeaway
Industry members should prepare for a significant turnover of technical staff over the next five years. Local firms are encouraged to review the full PEI workforce findings to develop training programs that address these anticipated labor gaps.
What happens next
The Petroleum Equipment Institute is scheduled to hold its next convention in Atlanta from October 5-8, 2027.
Further reading
For more on industry gatherings in the valley, visit the Special Interest section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mobilityplaza.
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