Scholarships & Awards

VISION has several technical and management scholarships available that cover fees to attend VISION, including the Harvey Chan Memorial Scholarship, Tim Cummings Memorial Scholarship, Anthony Williams Memorial Scholarship, Educator Scholarships, and Amazing Women in Automotive Scholarship! 

There are also several VISION Awards we take applications for, including: Best Facebook + Instagram, Best TikTok, Best Place To Work, Radical Generosity Award, Green Star Service Facilities, Best Website, Humanitarian of the Year, Educator of the Year, and Service Facility of the year.

The VISION team has created a new process for scholarships and award submissions that will streamline the submission process and create a better experience for anyone submitting. Learn more about the instructions and what to expect below:

1. Register

Click on the “Register” link and complete and submit the registration form.

2. Login

Login to the platform with your email and password.

3. Create

Create your online submission.

4. Save

During the Call for Submissions period, your submission can be saved as DRAFT until all the required information is completed and attachments uploaded. As each section is complete, you will see a  appear in the category tab when the submission is saved. At any time, you can download and print your submission by clicking on the  icon in the Submission Summary section.

5. Submit

On completion, save your Submission as FINAL. Download and print a copy of your submission for your records by clicking on the  icon in the Submission Summary section in the right column. Note: If an update is required prior to the Call for Submissions period, you can make the update and resave as FINAL.

VISION 2024 applications are now closed.

Thank you to all those who have applied!

Be sure to subscribe to emails to receive updates.
See the past winners here.

2024 Radical Generosity Award

An object in motion tends to stay in motion. There are individuals in this industry who give, work, and encourage in a manner that keeps our industry moving forward. The Radical Generosity Award is created to shine a well deserved spotlight on an industry professional who is dedicated to improving our industry in positive ways. They are involved, lead, encourage, and give back to the automotive repair community. The winner of this award is a role model to all of us in professionalism, character, and integrity. This award is presented by Shop Marketing Pros.

Best Place To Work

The “Best Places to Work” award seeks to honor automotive service facilities that exemplify excellence in the workplace. Facilities are evaluated on training and advancement opportunities, culture, work-life balance, technology utilization, shop/work environment, and employee benefits. This award celebrates the facilities that not only drive innovation in automotive service but also foster a great work environment. By recognizing and showcasing these facilities, this award aims to inspire a higher standard of workplace excellence within the automotive service industry.

Best TikTok

TikTok is among the many current trending social media platforms in this generation. TikTok, may arguably be the most popular, and for that it we’ve dedicated an award for the best TikTok. TikTok is a unique, clever, and creative way to engage audiences and prospective customers. If you have impressive follower/video view numbers, a video that has went “viral”, or you’re proud of the content/following you’ve built, we encourage your team to submit to the Best TikTok Award!

Best Facebook & Instagram

Social media plays a large role in company awareness and customer generation. It’s not enough to simply post content on social platforms, but in order to drive results and obtain a target audience, tailored content needs to be created. On top of tailored content, interaction and engagement with followers is another important factor in maintaining a superb social platform. This award is for those shops who have demonstrated a clear social media marketing strategy with their content and focus, and produces high-quality engagement with their followers. 

Educator of the Year

VISION Hi-Tech Training & Expo launched the Educator Think Tank Program with the goal of bringing together Automotive Technology educators in a learning-driven and exciting environment to brainstorm, collaborate, and learn. With the success of the program comes a desire to recognize these educators that have dedicated their careers to the Automotive Technology Industry and that teach and empower the future of the industry. This honor will be awarded to an individual whose commitment to their program and students sets them apart. They will have demonstrated innovative and successful teaching methods and a drive to continually adapt and move forward in their teaching field.  The Educator of the Year will be announced at the VISION Celebration of Independents Awards Dinner on Saturday evening, March 2nd. 

Facility of the Year

This award spotlights a single shop’s efforts to promote professionalism in the automotive service industry, and judges review the business’s practices, industry and association participation, community involvement and physical appearance of the facility and team. In addition, nominees must have a measurable customer satisfaction index (CSI) method, and must maintain a minimum average score of 95. This award is open to any shop attending VISION 2024.

Humanitarian Of The Year

The VISION Humanitarian Award recognizes outstanding contributions and making a difference in their community. Open to all VISION attendees, including exhibitors, the recipient of this award will be recognized at the VISION Celebration of Independents Awards dinner on Saturday evening.

Green Star Service Facility

The Green Star Service Facility designation is awarded to environmentally friendly repair shops that promote sound and safe recycling and disposal of shop waste products such as tires, fluids, batteries and refrigerants. Training practices, pollution prevention programs and the use of environmentally friendly products and services will also be reviewed. New shops meeting the criteria will be recognized at the Awards Dinner at VISION 2024. Prior recipients do not need to reapply for this designation.   

Best Website

Does your shop’s website provide a “wow” factor that impresses customers and potential customers alike? Does your site promote professionalism in the service industry while providing critical information to consumers about your business? An independent panel of judges reviews websites on the following criteria: content, structure and navigation, visual design, functionality, interactivity and overall visitor experience. The award is open to collision repair and mechanical service facilities; nominees must have at least one employee attending VISION 2024.

2024 VISION AWiA Scholarship Application

The AWiA (Amazing Women in Automotive) is providing a scholarship to a first-time, female attendee and will cover a 4-day package to attend the 2024 VISION event, as well as 4-nights hotel. Training package sponsored by AWiA. Hotel sponsored by VISION/TTEF.

Presented by:

Greg Deeds Memorial Scholarship Application

Greg was a Shop Owner, Technician, Father and Grandfather. Dedicated to providing his customers with the best service possible, he was always seeking to sharpen his skillset by attending training events to stay up to date on the latest technology. In his 30 year career as a technician, He mentored many young technicians to help further their careers in the industry. Greg was always going out of his way to help the people he knew and cared for. ECU Hero wishes to honor Greg’s legacy and his passion for training events with a 4-day package to attend the 2024 VISION event, as well as 4-nights hotel stay to a qualifying individual. 

Presented by:

Educator Scholarship Application

VISION will be presenting several educator scholarships this year to deserving educators to attend the VISION Hi-Tech Training & Expo event in 2024. Recipients will receive a free 4-day Power Pass and 4-nights hotel at a VISION hotel (travel expenses not included).

Management & Technical Scholarship Application

VISION has numerous technical and management scholarships available. This year we are accepting applications using one form and the awards committee members will determine recipients from all the applications received. 

Automotive Student Scholarships

MWACA has four (4) $1,000 scholarships available to high school, votech, and college students pursuing a career in the automotive service industry. Included with the scholarship is a gratis weekend training package at VISION 2024.

Deadline: December 3, 2023

To download a flyer containing all the information for the Automotive Student Scholarships – click on the flyer image!

This flyer is perfect for instructors to give to students, shops who want to encourage applications, and school bulletin boards!