Auto Care Association Opens Registration for New 2026 Category Management Summit

The inaugural event will address how data and AI are reshaping automotive aftermarket industry supply chains and parts distribution.

BETHESDA, Md. – March 27, 2026 – The Auto Care Association today announced registration is open for its inaugural Category Management Summit, a dedicated event for the promotion of and education towards the evolution of the category management within the automotive aftermarket industry. The summit will be held June 15-16, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Dulles, minutes from Washington Dulles International Airport and a short distance to the nation’s capital of Washington, D.C.

This summit is available to Auto Care Association members and non-members and encourages representation from every segment of the automotive aftermarket industry to engage in this dynamic learning experience spotlighting the critical role category management plays within the success of a company.

The Auto Care Association’s Category Management Summit is tailored to:

• category managers;
• retail buyers;
• warehouse distributors;
• manufacturers;
• sales leaders;
• e-commerce professionals; and
• analysts who influence assortment and profitability.

This summit is ideal for auto care industry professionals who play a role in deciding which products are sold, how they’re priced, or how they perform.

“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 to share best practices from in and outside of the industry in this new cross-functional summit,” said Behzad Rassuli, senior vice president, strategic development, Auto Care Association.

“At this inaugural event, we are bringing the industry together to focus exclusively on how data and AI are reshaping our supply chains and parts distribution. Our 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 our entire industry,” said Rassuli.

For more details about the 2026 Auto Care Category Management Summit and to register, please visit autocare.org/category-management-summit.