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VISION Awards
who are making an impact within the automotive industry.
Celebration of Independents
The VISION Awards
The VISION Awards program was created to spotlight and celebrate the rising stars, dedicated professionals, and standout leaders who make our industry better every day. Whether you’re just starting out or leading the way, there’s something here for you. Apply for a VISION award today.
Technician of the Year
Accordion Content
- Length of employment and current workplace
- Short- and long-term goals
- What being a technician means to them
- Diagnosis or repair they are proud of
- How they help improve shop processes
- How they stay current with industry trends
- How they give back
- ASE certifications
- Training completed
- Headshot photo
- What sets them apart
- How they contribute to shop culture and success
- How they demonstrate professionalism, diagnostic aptitude, and teamwork
The VISION Technician of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding automotive service technician who goes above and beyond in their work. This award honors a professional with at least two years of experience who shows strong technical skills, a commitment to learning, and dedication to providing quality service. The Technician of the Year is someone who not only solves tough problems under the hood but also works well with their team, supports their shop, and takes pride in their profession. This award celebrates the hard work, leadership, and professionalism that help raise the standard for the entire automotive industry.
Service Advisor of the Year
Accordion Content
- Company name
- Years as a service advisor
- Years with current shop
- How they build customer trust and retention
- KPIs they directly influence
- What makes them stand out
- How they contribute to improving shop operations
- How they support the team and culture
- New tools, technology, or processes
- How they handle conflict
- How they stay current with industry trends
- Time they went above and beyond
- Shop CSI rating
- Headshot photo
The VISION Service Advisor of the Year Award recognizes an exceptional service advisor who plays a key role in the success of their shop. This award highlights a professional with at least one year of experience in their current role who excels at communication, customer service, and teamwork. The Service Advisor of the Year goes beyond writing repair orders—they help improve shop operations, support a positive culture, and ensure customers have a great experience. This award celebrates the people who connect customers to the shop, keep the workflow running smoothly, and set the standard for professionalism in the industry.
Radical Generosity Award
Accordion Content
- How the nominee shows generosity in work and everyday life
- Three specific examples of why the nominee deserves this recognition
- Name, email, and phone number for two additional references
- Three words that describe the nominee
- Impact the nominee has had on others and the industry
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
Accordion Content
- Why the nominee deserves Best Places to Work
- Training programs available
- Career growth and advancement opportunities
- How employee performance is measured and evaluated
- Core values and culture
- Team-building activities
- Work-life balance policies
- Support for personal emergencies
- How employees stay updated with the latest technologies
- Technology tools and systems
- Safe work environment practices
- Accommodations for comfort and efficiency
- Health, dental, and retirement benefits
- Additional perks, bonuses, or rewards programs
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 Social Media
Accordion Content
- Platforms used and handles
- Who manages the account
- Primary focus of content
- How content is tailored
- Most successful post
- Examples of high-performing posts
- How they engage with followers
- Unique campaigns, series, or content themes
- Ad campaigns and most successful results
- Use of reviews and testimonials
- Relevant metrics
- How social media presence has impacted the business
- What stands out compared to others in the industry
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.
Best Website
Accordion Content
- Website link
- Who designed the website
- Who maintains the website
- Number of years shop has attended VISION
- Why the nominee deserves Best Website
- What makes the website stand out from others in the industry
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 2026.
Educator of the Year
Accordion Content
- Testimony about the nominee’s work
- Program the nominee is involved in
- Industry experience
- Teaching methods implemented
- Successes that have resulted from the program
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.
Facility of the Year
Accordion Content
- Website
- How CSI rating is determined
- Most recent CSI rating
- Month/year of referenced CSI rating
- Number of years shop has attended VISION
- Where employees receive training throughout the year
- Photos of facility
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 2026.
Join a Prestigious group of Automotive Service Professionals
The VISION Scholarships program was created to spotlight and celebrate the rising stars, dedicated professionals, and standout leaders who make our industry better every day. Whether you’re just starting out or leading the way, there’s something here for you.
Here’s why you should apply:
Be Recognized
National spotlight you deserve in front of hundreds of peers and industry leaders at the VISION Hi-Tech Training & Expo awards ceremony.
Boost Your Career
Winners are featured in our publications, on stage at VISION, and on social media – helping you build professional credibility and momentum.
Quick Application
No lengthy essays or complicated forms. Most applications take less than 10 minutes to complete.
Celebrate What Makes You Great
Whether you’re a student, technician, instructor, service advisor, or shop owner – this is your moment to shine.
Take Home the Title
VISION Award winners are among a select group of individuals who can claim the title. Every award winner receives:
- Graphic to display on their website and social media
- Recognition during the awards ceremony and on our online webpage
- A trophy or certificate of the award received
Easy Application Process
The VISION automotive award application system has been streamlined to cut down on the time it takes to apply. Create an account with our award platform and experience the following features:
- Save and resume at any time
- Applying only takes less than 10 minutes
- You can submit your application from anywhere
- Save time and apply for multiple awards at once
Testimonials
Frequently Asked Questions
for VISION Automotive Awards and Scholarships
Each award or scholarship has its own criteria. Some are open to students, others to working professionals or shop owners, and some are open to educators. Please be sure to read each category description carefully for requirements and guidelines.
Awards & scholarship applications close on January 8, 2027. Student scholarship applications close on December 4, 2026.
Even if you have applied for an award before, you can apply again.
No – awards are open to anyone in the automotive service industry who will be attending VISION that year.
Yes! Most of our awards accept nominations. If you know someone who deserves the spotlight, you can submit a nomination. They will then have the opportunity to accept the nomination and finish the application.
Yes, you’re welcome to apply for multiple awards if you meet the qualifications for each.
Yes, winners should be in attendance at the VISION Conference.
Winners will be announced during the VISION awards program.
Apply For a VISION Training Scholarship Today
