AACF Industry Week Events Focused on Fundraising, Networking
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By Counterman
The Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc. announced Christen Vasquez has been promoted to Events and Hospitality Manager, effective May 2026. In her expanded role, Vasquez will lead the planning and execution of Alliance events and hospitality initiatives, enhancing shareholder engagement and customer experiences while supporting industry partnerships.
“Christen has made an immediate impact on our organization through her professionalism, creativity and ability to execute exceptional events,” said John C. Washbish, president and CEO of the Alliance. “She has demonstrated outstanding leadership and brought a level of experience and strategic thinking that elevates every event and interaction. We are excited to see her continue to grow in this new role.”
Vasquez joined the Alliance in May, 2025 as events and marketing specialist, bringing more than 20 years of experience in event planning, hospitality, marketing strategy and brand development. Throughout her career, she has successfully planned and executed high-impact corporate events, conferences, trade shows, experiential activations and customer engagement programs ranging from intimate executive gatherings to large-scale events hosting thousands of attendees.
Since joining the Alliance, Vasquez has played a key role in managing event strategy and execution, including logistics, hospitality experiences, vendor partnerships, and branded marketing initiatives. She will collaborate in hosting Alliance meetings and shareholder events, customer experiences and other large-scale meetings like the upcoming Automotive Parts Services Group National Conference.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue growing with the Alliance,” said Vasquez. “Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside an amazing team and supporting events that deliver tremendous value to our members and partners. I look forward to continuing to create meaningful experiences and building on the momentum we’ve established.”
Vasquez will continue working closely with Alliance leadership, members, and industry partners to support the organization’s event and hospitality initiatives.
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By Counterman
link hidden, please login to view’s 2026 Annual Meeting and Giving Rally brought together more than 850 distributor members, suppliers, and industry partners for a week of connection, collaboration, and industry advancement, while raising $70,000 for the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF). “The generosity and engagement we saw this week was truly inspiring,” said Tina Hubbard, president and CEO of HDA Truck Pride. “Raising $70,000 for AACF reflects the powerful heart of this network—coming together to support our own when it matters most.”
Tina Hubbard, president and CEO, HDA Truck Pride. The event kicked off with a welcome reception, live auction, and the annual Giving Rally Cornhole Tournament, setting the tone for a week centered on purpose and community. Proceeds from activities throughout the week directly benefit AACF, which provides critical support to families within the aftermarket industry facing hardship.
“Spending time with the
link hidden, please login to view Truck Pride community at their Annual Meeting was incredibly meaningful,” shared John Kairys, executive director of The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF). “The conversations, the willingness to help, and the genuine care for others in our industry really stood out. That kind of support allows AACF to step in quickly and make a real difference for families facing difficult moments.” Trade Show And Breakout Sessions
Monday’s agenda featured a trade show where attendees connected on new product innovations to drive business forward. A series of breakout sessions delivered actionable insights on key topics including artificial intelligence adoption, cybersecurity preparedness, digital visibility, operational efficiency and workforce development.
USS Midway And Cornhole Tournament Finals
An evening aboard the historic USS Midway brought attendees together for laughter, friendship, patriotism, and a tribute to veterans. The cornhole tournament finals were held onboard, with Joe Brooks and Dan Harbut of Acme Truck Brake & Supply taking home the championship title.
Network Growth, CVL Warehouse, And Right-To-Repair
Tuesday’s general session highlighted the continued strength and growth of the HDA Truck Pride network, which now includes more than 220 member companies, more than 1,000 distributor locations, and more than 550 service affiliates across North America. Leadership emphasized ongoing investments in the new HDA Truck Pride CVL Warehouse with expanded product access, digital transformation, and workforce development.
Advocacy efforts included Right-to-Repair initiatives and building future talent pipelines.
HDA Truck Pride EDDY Awards
The meeting recognized excellence across the network through several HDA Truck Pride EDDY Awards, celebrating outstanding contributions to education, leadership, and professional development.
“HDA Truck Pride is a great place to be—because of our people,” Hubbard said. “Every member who chose to invest in us. Every supplier who chose to partner with us. Every staff member who chooses to show up every day. We built this. And we are only getting started. We’re especially grateful to our supplier partners, including our Annual Meeting Valor sponsors — Gates, Milwaukee, Old World Industries, Valvoline, and Bendix, without whose support we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
Pictured above (from left): Jon Owens, president, AACF Board of Trustees; Tina Hubbard, president & CEO, HDA Truck Pride; John Kairys, executive director, AACF.
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By Counterman
The
link hidden, please login to view (AACF) announced that more than $70,000 was raised during the Independent Midas Dealers Association (IMDA) Convention & Trade Show 2026, held April 19 to 21 in Savannah, Georgia, as Midas celebrated its 70th anniversary. This marked the second consecutive year AACF was the event’s official charity. Support from Midas and IMDA members highlights the commitment within the aftermarket industry to care for its own.
Midas and IMDA Support for AACF
“We are incredibly grateful for the continued support from Midas and the IMDA community in welcoming AACF back for a second year,” said John Kairys, executive director of AACF. “The opportunity to be part of this event and connect directly with franchisees, leadership and partners is invaluable. It speaks volumes about the culture of this organization and the genuine commitment to supporting one another across the industry.”
AACF Booth, Donations and Prize Drawings
Throughout the event, IMDA members, franchisees, suppliers and corporate partners visited the AACF booth to learn more about the foundation’s mission, contribute donations, and participate in prize drawings. The event also provided a platform for AACF leadership to connect directly with those who make up the Midas network.
Kairys joined Jeff Genuario, incoming IMDA president, and Adam Stranik, outgoing IMDA president, on stage to share the foundation’s impact and highlight real stories of individuals and families supported through AACF. “As we celebrate 70 years of Midas, it’s important to recognize the people behind our success,” said Genuario. “Supporting AACF allows us to extend that commitment beyond the shop and into the lives of our teammates and their families when they need it most.”
Stranik added, “The automotive aftermarket is built on strong relationships, and
link hidden, please login to view plays a critical role in supporting those within our industry facing unexpected hardship. We’re proud to continue this partnership and to see the incredible generosity of IMDA members make a real difference.” Funds to Support Aftermarket Professionals and Families
The funds raised during the event will directly support aftermarket professionals and their families facing life-changing challenges such as medical emergencies, natural disasters and catastrophic events.
“The generosity shown throughout this event speaks volumes about the character of this industry, and partnering with AACF allows us to extend that support beyond the shop and into the lives of those who need it most,” said Lenny Valentino Jr., Midas president and COO. “Our commitment doesn’t end here,” he continued. “We’ll continue supporting AACF and the people who depend on it today and always.”
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By Counterman
link hidden, please login to view concluded its 2026 Business and Training Conference this weekend in Rogers, Arkansas, bringing together more than 700 automotive aftermarket professionals for three days of focused training, strategic insights, and industry collaboration. The event welcomed a broad cross-section of the aftermarket, including store managers, outside sales representatives, territory, regional, and district managers, independent owners and vendor partners—reinforcing Bumper to Bumper’s commitment to strengthening its network through education and shared success.
General sessions were led by CEO Fletcher Lord III and COO Ben Butler, who outlined
link hidden, please login to view, key operational focus areas, and ongoing efforts to drive performance across the network. Attendees also heard from keynote speaker Houston Nutt, a two-time SEC Coach of the Year and former head football coach at the University of Arkansas and Ole Miss. Drawing on his 19-season coaching career and experience as a CBS Sports analyst, Nutt delivered a message focused on resilience, accountability, and team culture—principles that closely align with the values driving success across the aftermarket. A central focus of the conference was hands-on training and professional development. Attendees participated in 51 breakout sessions led by channel partners, designed to strengthen product knowledge, enhance sales effectiveness, and improve operational execution. The vendor expo featured 90 companies, 113 booths, and 273 sales representatives, giving attendees direct access to new products, emerging technologies, and practical aftermarket solutions.
“This year’s ‘Red, White and Revved Up’ theme aligned with the upcoming 250th anniversary of America while also reflecting our 107-year legacy of growth and evolution,” said Elizabeth Estes, director of training. “It’s a powerful reminder of where we’ve been—and the momentum we continue to build together as an organization, industry and country.”
“The strength of our business comes down to our people, our partnerships, and our ability to execute,” said Fletcher Lord III, president & CEO. “This conference is about equipping our teams and our customers with the tools, knowledge, and relationships they need to grow.”
In addition to educational programming, the conference created multiple opportunities for networking and relationship-building, including a themed vendor expo and evening events that connected distributors, suppliers, and independent owners in a more informal setting.
The event concluded with a formal awards banquet recognizing top-performing channel partners and industry leaders, highlighting excellence across the Bumper to Bumper network.
With attendees representing more than a dozen states, the 2026 conference reinforced the critical role of collaboration, training, and supplier alignment—and reflects Bumper to Bumper’s continued investment in the future of the automotive aftermarket.
Photos by Shann Swift with Swift Shots Photography.
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By Counterman
The
link hidden, please login to view (AACF) announced Automotive Parts Headquarters Inc. (APH) as the recipient of its Humanitarian Award during a presentation at the link hidden, please login to view. Presentation at MEMA Vision Conference
The award recognizes individuals and organizations in the automotive aftermarket who demonstrate outstanding compassion, generosity and service to others.
link hidden, please login to view was selected from a group of nominees representing the industry’s commitment to giving back. The award was presented on stage to Corey Bartlett, president and CEO, on behalf of APH by AACF President Jon Owens, alongside Joe Stephen of NEXUS North America and AACF Executive Director John Kairys. Corey and his brother, Lee, thanked the audience with a
link hidden, please login to view. “
link hidden, please login to view truly represents the heart of the aftermarket,” said Owens. “Their commitment to helping others and bringing people together to make a meaningful impact is an inspiration to us all.” Community Impact and Fundraising for WACOSA
APH was recognized for its longstanding dedication to community impact, including leading an annual fundraiser supporting adults with disabilities. Through its efforts—alongside supplier partners and the Bartlett family—APH has helped raise more than $3.2 million over the past 13 years, with a record $482,000 raised in 2025.
Proceeds from these efforts benefit WACOSA, a Minnesota-based nonprofit that empowers adults with disabilities to gain skills, find meaningful employment and thrive within their communities. APH’s leadership and collaborative approach have helped expand opportunities for hundreds of individuals each year.
“We are honored to receive this award from AACF,” said Bartlett. “It’s fantastic recognition for the entire APH team and our supplier partners, who have been incredibly generous in helping support the communities that we serve. Giving back is important to us, and we’re proud to be part of an industry that cares so deeply about helping others.”
Support From NEXUS North America
The AACF Humanitarian Award is supported by
link hidden, please login to view, whose partnership helps shine a light on the people and organizations making a difference across the aftermarket. “At NEXUS, we believe the strength of our industry lies in how we support one another here in North America and around the globe,” said Stephen. “Automotive Parts Headquarters is a powerful example of that commitment in action, and we’re honored to help recognize their incredible impact through this award.”
AACF also extended its appreciation to all nominees, noting that the selection process reflected the strength, compassion and generosity that define the automotive aftermarket community.
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