Category Management Summit

New Auto Care Association event dedicated for the promotion of and education towards the evolution of the category management within the automotive aftermarket industry.

 June 15–June 16, 2026 Herndon, VA

Join the Auto Care Association for its first ever summit offering learning and collaboration opportunities specifically for the category management industry for the automotive aftermarket.

At this inaugural event, the goal is to educate and give professionals the resources and tools they need to be proactive and anticipate the business landscape, building a smarter and more resilient future for the entire automotive aftermarket industry.


If you play a role in deciding which products are sold, how they’re priced, or how they perform, this summit is for you.

The Auto Care Association’s Category Management Summit is built for:

 Category Managers
 Retail Buyers
 Warehouse Distributers
 Manufacturers
 Sales Leaders
 E-commerce Professionals
 Analysts who influence assortment and profitability

Whether you're optimizing inventory, growing market share, or navigating an increasingly data-driven, omnichannel aftermarket, you’ll walk away with practical insights and strategies to make smarter, more profitable decisions.


The Auto Care Association is excited to bring together premier thought leaders across the aftermarket to elevate the importance of data and category management and share best practices from in and outside of the industry in this new cross-functional summit

Behzad Rassuli, Senior Vice President, Strategic Development for the Auto Care Association

Hyatt Regency Dulles

 2300 Dulles Corner Blvd, Herndon, VA 20171

 Auto Care discounted rate now sold out. Reserve directly with Hyatt Regency Dulles here.

Additional area hotels (distance from Hyatt Regency Dulles):

Hyatt Place Dulles Airport East - 0.3 miles 
Courtyard Marriott Dulles Airport - 0.3 miles

Hotel & Travel

 Area Airports (distance to Hyatt Regency Dulles)

  • Dulles International Airport - IAD (4 miles)
  • Ronald Reagan Washington National - DCA (27 miles)
  • Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall Airport - BWI (56 miles)

 Shuttle from IAD

Hyatt Regency Dulles offers a complimentary airport shuttle on a set schedule from Washington Dulles International (IAD) Airport and is a short distance to metro train with convenient access to downtown Washington, D.C.

 Detailed agenda coming soon

 Monday, June 15

3pm – 5pm Learning Session & Networking

 Tuesday, June 16

8am – 3pm Learning & Collaboration Sessions


Registration

Auto Care Member Rate:

$495


Non-Member Rate:

$695


Register two paying attendees and the third attendee receives a 50% discount. Discount code will be sent after the first two registrations

 Register Now

Developing Agenda

Monday, June 15
Tuesday, June 16

 

 

Featured Speakers

Image of David Wilbanks
David Wilbanks
Senior Vice President of Merchandise, O'Reilly Auto Parts
Photo of Ben Arnold
Ben Arnold
Senior Director, Industry Advisor, Circana
Photo of O’Neil
David O’Neil
Principal, Delta Associates, Inc.

Dont miss your opportunity to participate!

Applications to join the Category Management Comittee wil re-open September 2026.

See Committee Members

Category Management Committee

The Auto Care Category Management Committee works to develop category hierarchies, best practices, education and implementation plans for Category Management in an effort to improve business operations and customer satisfaction.

For more information

Leah Jones
Leah Jones
CMP, CAE, Senior Director, Meetings and Events

leah.jones@autocare.org

 

(240) 333-1061

Ashlie Vesper
Ashlie Vesper
Coordinator, Meetings and Events

ashlie.vesper@autocare.org

 

(240) 333-1026