ATLANTA (July 21, 2026) — CBT News, the leading news platform for retail automotive professionals, officially opened nominations for its 2026 40 Under 40 awards, presented by Force Marketing, one of the nation’s leading providers of technology-enabled, data-driven, multi-channel marketing services for automotive clients.
Now in its fourth year, the 40 Under 40 Awards honor dealership employees and managers who demonstrate leadership, innovation, and a commitment to their teams and communities. Submissions are open until September 18. Colleagues, supervisors, and friends are encouraged to nominate candidates through a brief testimonial at cbtnews.com/nominate, and self-nominations are also welcome.
To be eligible, nominees must:
- Be 39 years old or younger as of October 9, 2026
- Be currently employed at a franchised dealership
Selected honorees will be recognized across CBT News’ digital platforms through editorial features, interviews, and social media spotlights. Each recipient will also receive a commemorative trophy recognizing their achievements and contributions to the retail automotive industry.
“This program allows us to highlight emerging leaders shaping the next generation of automotive retail. These professionals are not just performing well in their roles but are also making significant impacts within their dealerships and communities,” said Jim Fitzpatrick, Co-Founder of CBT News. “We’re proud to celebrate their accomplishments and the positive impact they’re making within their dealerships and communities.”
“The 40 Under 40 Awards celebrate more than career success,” said Bridget Fitzpatrick, Co-Founder of CBT News. “They recognize individuals who invest in their teams, lead by example, and help strengthen the culture of their dealerships. Every nomination tells a story, and we’re excited to share those stories with the industry.”
The 40 Under 40 Awards reflect CBT News’ ongoing commitment to recognizing excellence across the retail automotive industry while highlighting the next generation of dealership leaders.
For more details and to submit a nomination, visit cbtnews.com/nominate.
About CBT News
For over 14 years, CBT News has informed and empowered automotive retail professionals through its award-winning, multimedia platform that combines daily news coverage, exclusive interviews and on-demand streaming content. Founded in 2012, CBT News has pioneered a space for new car dealers to share strategies, insights, and successes with industry peers, reaching over 1.1 million dealership employees and executives nationwide. Its flagship programs, including Inside Automotive and Executive Profile, are available on all major podcast streaming platforms. For more information, visit cbtnews.com.
