DAYTON, Ohio – March 26, 2026 – Reynolds and Reynolds announced today it will once again be holding its Automotive Amplifiers Contest during Reynolds Retail Summit: Amplify. The annual contest recognizes the most innovative ideas and best practices that are shaping the future of automotive retail.
“Each year, I’m impressed by the creativity and ingenuity people across our industry bring to this contest. Sharing best practices helps accelerate what’s possible in automotive retail,” said Chris Walsh, president of Reynolds. “By recognizing and spotlighting the people who are innovating and leading with new ideas, the entire industry benefits.”
To enter the contest, innovators will detail their best practice, the problem it solved, and the impact it had on their dealership. From those submissions, five finalists will be chosen.
Finalists will present their idea at Reynolds Retail Summit: Amplify 2026 in Carlsbad, CA on August 11. Each finalist will deliver a five-minute presentation followed by a three-minute Q&A with a panel of judges.
Each idea will be judged on the following criteria:
- Innovation and uniqueness of the best practice
- Impact of the contestant’s idea on their dealership
- Relevance of the problem and solution to dealerships nationwide
All finalists will receive VIP tickets to Amplify, including round-trip airfare, accommodations, meals, golf, and full access to workshops and sessions at the event. This year, two winners will receive a $5,000 donation to the charity of their choice, plus a trophy to display at their dealership.
Everyone who submits their idea will be featured in the Amplify Automotive magazine and have the opportunity to share their ideas and the impact they’ve had through Reynolds Fuel Newsletter and Connected podcast.
Past winners include:
- Kamir Martínez Díaz of Pepe Abad Auto
- Chris Ponte of Scranton Chevrolet
- Justin Rash of Beau Townsend Ford Lincoln
- James Dieli of Beau Townsend Ford Lincoln
- Jeremy Reardon of Westside Lexus
“Innovation means creating value—for dealers, their teams, their customers, and the communities they serve,” Walsh concluded. “The people who bring their best work to automotive retail are the ones creating that value, and we’re proud to recognize them.”
The deadline to enter the contest is June 22, and finalists will be notified during the week of July 6. Best practices can be submitted by visiting 2026 Automotive Amplifiers Contest page.
