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 took place May 11–14 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.
PDM Automotive was proud to participate as both an exhibitor and a Partner-level sponsor — and once again, PDM customers Holley and NTN took home Content Excellence Awards, continuing a winning streak that dates back to the very first year the awards were given. Here’s what the event was all about and why it mattered.
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 covered:
- 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
For anyone managing catalogs, building integrations, or setting data strategy, ACPN sessions were some of the most directly applicable programming at the conference.
The ACPN Content Excellence Awards
One of the highlights of ACPN programming was 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 customers have won Content Excellence Awards every year since the inception of the program. That unbroken track record is no coincidence — it reflects 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. At the 2026 conference, PDM customers Holley and NTN again took home awards, reinforcing that the companies using PDM consistently lead the industry in data excellence.
PDM Automotive has also 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.
The Pitch Competition
Another conference highlight was the Pitch Competition, where startups and emerging aftermarket companies presented innovations to a panel of judges and a live audience.
It spotlighted technologies and business models with the potential to reshape the industry — from supply chain optimization to AI-powered cataloging and e-commerce. It was a valuable window into where the aftermarket is heading.
Why PDM Automotive Attends Auto Care Connect
As a long-time sponsor and exhibitor, PDM maintained a presence on the show floor throughout the event. Here’s what made 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 current PDM users or exploring the platform for the first time, we were glad to connect.
- ACPN sessions. Product data is core to what we do. The discussions on ACES/PIES standards, catalog quality, and data exchange aligned directly with the problems PDM solves every day.
- The Pitch Competition. We paid close attention to the companies and ideas pushing the industry forward.
- Industry conversations. The hallway conversations, networking events, and impromptu meetups were where some of the best ideas surfaced.
PDM’s History at Auto Care Connect
PDM Automotive has been a consistent presence at Auto Care Connect — and our customers’ consistent success at the Content Excellence Awards is one of the things we’re most proud of. The event remains an important venue for showcasing platform capabilities, connecting with industry partners, and staying close to the evolving needs of the aftermarket.
The conversations we had 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.
