Auto Care Association Opens 2026 Industry Awards Season
BETHESDA, Md. – Jan. 7, 2026 – The Auto Care Association today announced the launch of its 2026 industry awards season. Each year, the association recognizes numerous industry leaders with awards for their excellence in professional development, outstanding communication efforts and educational initiatives that support the advancement of the auto care industry and the next generation in auto care. This year’s awards include the Marketing and Communications Awards; the Impact: 4 Under 40 Awards; the Auto Care Education (ACE) Awards; and the Mort Schwartz Excellence in Education Award. The winners will be revealed during a new awards ceremony at the 2026 Auto Care Connect, taking place from May 11-14, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia, where nearly 1,000 aftermarket executives will be in attendance.
The Auto Care Marketing and Communications Awards are the premier recognition for marcomms and advertising 
campaigns within the industry. The awards recognize companies and agencies that run outstanding advertising, marketing and public relations campaigns in the automotive aftermarket throughout the past year. The marketing and communications awards cover several business-to-consumer and business-to-business categories. Campaigns must have launched between Jan. 1, 2025 - Dec. 31, 2025, and companies may submit for as many categories as they see fit. Applying companies must be Auto Care Association members. The fee is $149 per entry.
Learn more about Auto Care’s updated Marketing and Communications Awards here.
Impact Awards
have made remarkable contributions within the auto care industry. These individuals have achieved success within their organizations through professionalism, hard work, dedication and remarkable abilities. They are shining stars, examples for others and exemplary representatives of our industry. The awards are presented and managed by the association's Marketing and Communications committee and the Young Auto Care Network Group (YANG). Learn more about the Impact Award at autocare.org/impactawards.
Auto Care Education (ACE) Award
The Auto Care Education (ACE) Award honors outstanding commitment to workforce development and professional advancement within the automotive aftermarket. It recognizes annually three companies (small, mid-size and large) that view education, training, and supporting career growth as strategic investments—both in their people and in the long-term success of the industry. Submitting companies must be Auto Care Association members. Award winners will be selected by the Auto Care Association Education Committee.
Learn more about the ACE Awards at autocare.org/ace-award.
The Mort Schwartz Excellence in Education Award
programs for education or continuing education in the North American auto care industry. Nominations should be submitted for the individual’s innovation, advancement or outstanding efforts in education and training programs, or scholarship fundraising efforts. Award winners will be selected by the Auto Care Association Education Committee.