Auto Care Connect is the Auto Care Association’s premier annual conference for suppliers, distributors, retailers, and technology providers across the automotive aftermarket. The 2026 conference takes place May 11–14 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.
PDM Automotive is proud to participate as both an exhibitor and a Partner-level sponsor. Here’s what the event is all about and why it matters to the aftermarket.
What is Auto Care Connect?
Auto Care Connect is a multi-day conference combining educational sessions, networking events, and an exhibit hall into one of the aftermarket’s most important annual gatherings.
The event serves professionals across the value chain:
- Suppliers strengthening retailer and distributor relationships
- Distributors and retailers evaluating new products and data solutions
- Technology providers showcasing platforms that drive efficiency
- Industry leaders shaping aftermarket standards and best practices
It consistently draws senior-level decision makers, making it one of the best opportunities to connect with the people driving the industry forward.
ACPN Programming at Auto Care Connect
The Aftermarket Content Professionals Network (ACPN) is the Auto Care Association’s community dedicated to product data excellence. ACPN programming focuses on the standards, processes, and technologies behind accurate product information across the supply chain.
Sessions typically cover:
- ACES and PIES data standards updates and best practices
- Product content quality and its impact on discoverability and sales
- Catalog management workflows and emerging tools
- Data exchange between suppliers, distributors, and retailers
If you’re managing catalogs, building integrations, or setting data strategy, ACPN sessions are some of the most directly applicable programming at the conference.
The ACPN Content Excellence Awards
One of the highlights of ACPN programming is the Content Excellence Awards — the most respected data awards in the automotive parts aftermarket. The awards recognize companies that set the standard for product data quality and completeness.
PDM Automotive has served as a judge for the Content Excellence Awards multiple times, and remains the only external partner to the Auto Care Association invited to participate in the judging process. That role reflects our deep expertise in aftermarket product data standards and our commitment to raising the bar across the industry.
PDM customers have been award winners every year since the inception of the Content Excellence Awards. That track record speaks to the quality outcomes our platform enables: when companies invest in getting their product data right with PDM, the results are recognized at the highest level.
The Pitch Competition
Another conference highlight is the Pitch Competition, where startups and emerging aftermarket companies present innovations to a panel of judges and a live audience.
It spotlights technologies and business models with the potential to reshape the industry — from supply chain optimization to AI-powered cataloging and e-commerce. It’s a valuable window into where the aftermarket is heading.
Why PDM Automotive Attends Auto Care Connect
As a long-time sponsor and exhibitor, PDM maintains a presence on the show floor throughout the event. Here’s what makes the conference valuable for us:
- Connecting in person. There’s no substitute for face-to-face conversations about the challenges our customers and prospects are solving. Whether you’re a current PDM user or exploring the platform for the first time, we’d love to meet you.
- ACPN sessions. Product data is core to what we do. The discussions on ACES/PIES standards, catalog quality, and data exchange align directly with the problems PDM solves every day.
- The Pitch Competition. We pay close attention to the companies and ideas pushing the industry forward.
- Industry conversations. The hallway conversations, networking events, and impromptu meetups are where some of the best ideas surface.
PDM’s History at Auto Care Connect
PDM Automotive has been a consistent presence at Auto Care Connect. The event is an important venue for showcasing platform capabilities, connecting with industry partners, and staying close to the evolving needs of the aftermarket.
The conversations we have at Connect directly influence our product roadmap and go-to-market strategy. The people in the room are the people we build for: suppliers managing complex catalogs, retailers demanding better data, and distributors looking for smarter ways to connect the two.
Connect With PDM
Want to learn more about how PDM Automotive helps aftermarket companies manage product data? Reach out here to start a conversation.
