AUTOMOTIVE

FORUM & AWARDS 2026

9th Edition

November 10th, 2026
Nord Events Center, Globalworth, Summit Hall  

ABOUT THE EVENT

In the ever-evolving era of mobility, where the road ahead is paved with technological advancements, regulatory changes and shifting consumer expectations, the AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY FORUM & AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE 2026 serves as our collective compass, guiding us through the twists and turns of a rapidly transforming landscape and celebrates the performance of companies, projects and managers in the industry.
The Diplomat-Bucharest & Automotive Today organize the yearly event Automotive Industry Forum & Awards For Excellence on November 10th, 2026, within Nord Events Center, Globalworth, Summit Hall

THE LANDMARK EVENT in the ROMANIAN AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY With a long-standing tradition started seven years ago, Diplomat Media Events developed the Automotive Awards Gala event into a complex platform, featuring the automotive industry’s AUTOMOTIVE CEO FORUM followed by THE AUTOMOTIVE AWARDS GALA to highlight the performance of automotive companies and the enthusiasm for development and innovation of the industry.

PARTNERS

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Strategic Partner

Platinum Partner

Gold Partners

Partner

Supporting Partners

Media Partners

AGENDA

13:00 - 14:00     Welcome Guests & Networking

14:00 - 14:15      Presentation by Partner

14:15 - 15:45     THE AUTOMOTIVE FORUM | SESSION I  - POLICIES, REGULATIONS, STRATEGY & INDUSTRIAL COMPETITIVENESS

How industry leaders navigate current challenges and define strategic directions for automotive production in Romania and Europe? The Romanian automotive industry remains a strategic pillar, with resilience and competitiveness depending on stability, partnerships, and realistic adaptation to European regulations.

15:45 - 16:00    Coffee Break

16:00 - 16:15    Presentation by Verdum

16:15 - 17:30  THE AUTOMOTIVE FORUM | SESSION II - TECHNOLOGY, ELECTRIFICATION & SMART MOBILITY

Technology as the driving force of automotive transformation – from semiconductors and AI to connected mobility and smart manufacturing. The future of automotive is digital, electric, and connected. Romania has the potential to become a regional innovation hub if industry, technology, and education collaborate strategically.

17:30 - 17:45     Presentation by Partner

17:45 - 18:30     Networking cocktail & Gala dinner

18:30 - 20:00      THE AUTOMOTIVE AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE GALA CEREMONY

CEO FORUM

From the rise of electric vehicles and autonomous driving to the integration of artificial intelligence and smart connectivity, discussions will navigate the intersections of innovation, sustainability, and the seamless fusion of digital and mechanical ingenuity. The forum is not merely a convergence of professionals; it is a melting pot of ideas, a dynamic ecosystem where thought leaders converge to share insights, challenges, and breakthroughs. It's a place where the language of automotive excellence is spoken fluently, and where the collective passion for cars and technology resonates like a powerful engine.

EXPO

AWARDS GALA

The exquisite Gala event celebrates the performance of professionals of large and medium sized companies across several key categories. These awards are meant to mirror the enthusiasm for development and innovation within the industry while development of individuals is encouraged through creativity of ideas, adaptation and flexibility, planning and pioneering new ways, new thoughts and new ideas. It provides the opportunity to connect, debate and share the hot topics within the specific landscape, and, to celebrate the achievements of the best projects and results.

The Jury

The Jury is independent from the Organizer and The Jury members are chosen among acknowledged representatives of the business community. For each award, the Jury is in charge with the assessing the final nominees. Members of the Jury will be asked to vote for nominees in each category.
The final nominees list constitutes the basis for choosing the winners for each category. Any information provided by the final nominees will be treated as strictly confidential and will only be used for the purpose of designating the Award Winners. The award is given at most of the votes. In case of equal votes, there will be a second round of votes. Members of the Jury are independent from the nominees for which they will have to vote. If otherwise they will withdraw from that specific vote.

Daniel Anghel

Country Managing Partner,
PwC Romania,
FIC VicePresident

Bogdan Barbu

Tax Partner,
Deloitte Romania

Alexandru Mitroi

Senior Adviser
Invest Romania

Alin Negrescu

Tax Partner, Head of Automotive & Industrial Markets,
KPMG Romania

Cristina Bojică

VicePresident CCIFER,
Partner Gruia Dufaut & Asociații

Sebastian Metz

General Manager,
AHK Romania

Colin C. Lovering

Founder,
Lovering & Partners

Andrei Mihai Craciun

Head of Digital Transformation and Data Analysis Department,
West University of Timisoara

Awards Categories

COMPANY AWARDS

TECHNOLOGY PROVIDER OF THE YEAR
BEST PARTNERSHIP OF THE YEAR
TIER 1 SUPPLIER EXCELLENCE AWARD
TIER 2 SUPPLIER EXCELLENCE AWARD
EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR
COMPANY OF THE YEAR
SAFETY EXCELLENCE AWARD
HUMAN RESOURCES EXCELLENCE AWARD
SUPPLY CHAIN EXCELLENCE AWARD
AFTERMARKET EXCELLENCE AWARD

INITIATIVE AWARDS

INNOVATION AWARD
GREEN MOBILITY AWARD
EDUCATION COMMITMENT AWARD
INVESTMENT PROJECT OF THE YEAR
SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
COMMUNITY COMMITMENT AWARD 

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

CEO OF THE YEAR
HR MANAGER OF THE YEAR
EHS MANAGER OF THE YEAR
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION
TO THE INDUSTRY 

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No special actions required, all sites you make with Mobirise are mobile-friendly. You don't have to create a special mobile version of your site, it will adapt automagically.

MOBILE FRIENDLY

No special actions required, all sites you make with Mobirise are mobile-friendly. You don't have to create a special mobile version of your site, it will adapt automagically.

IT'S EASY AND SIMPLE

Cut down the development time with drag-and-drop website builder. Drop the blocks into the page, edit content inline and publish - no technical skills required.

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Cut down the development time with drag-and-drop website builder. Drop the blocks into the page, edit content inline and publish - no technical skills required.

IT'S EASY AND SIMPLE

Cut down the development time with drag-and-drop website builder. Drop the blocks into the page, edit content inline and publish - no technical skills required.

TRENDY WEBSITE BLOCKS

Choose from the large selection pre-made blocks - full-screen intro, bootstrap carousel, slider, responsive image gallery with, parallax scrolling, sticky header and more.

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Choose from the large selection pre-made blocks - full-screen intro, bootstrap carousel, slider, responsive image gallery with, parallax scrolling, sticky header and more.

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NOMINATIONS AND JUDGING PROCEDURES & TIMELINE
Nominations must be submitted online via the online Application forms.

Step 1  - Nominations entries. Companies and individuals can submit their nomination choices on the online forms.

Step 2 - Deadline for all nominations. The voting procedure for THE AWARDS CEREMONY will be closed after this date and late entries will not be considered for AUTOMOTIVE FORUM & AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE GALA, 2025 edition. 

Step 3 - All brands and candidate options entered in the competition will be submitted to Jury. 

Step 4 - The WINNERS’ announcement and Awarding Ceremony during The Gala Dinner

SELECTION PROCESS
The panel of jury members will consider and score the nominations that are submitted by the due date and meet all eligibility requirements for the AUTOMOTIVE FORUM & AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE GALA, 2026 edition.
The Awarded Finalists & Winners will be announced and celebrated at The Gala Dinner on November 10th.

REGISTRATION

ONSITE

250
+VAT
The fee includes participation in conference session, award ceremony, coffee break, gala dinner.

    Onsite Participation Registration Form



    Cancellation Policy

    1. Cancellation 31 calendar days or more prior to the event date – The full amount of the participation fee paid shall be refunded.
    2. Cancellation between 16 and 30 calendar days prior to the event date – Seventy percent (70%) of the participation fee paid shall be refunded.
    3. Cancellation between 8 and 15 calendar days prior to the event date – Fifty percent (50%) of the participation fee paid shall be refunded.
    4. Cancellation less than 7 calendar days prior to the event date – No refund of the participation fee shall be made. 


    Data protection and management of your contact details

    The Diplomat-Bucharest, the organizer of current event and conference is the keeper of your contact details shared by you as Attendee, Partner, Service provider or any other undertaken role in the event organization. We safely keep your contact details in order to follow up on the conference development and let you know about our future event projects. Do you consent on sharing your contact details with our event’s partners, directly involved in the event organization process, for follow-up purposes ?

    For any information regarding data protection management, please contact: office@thediplomat.ro

    Venue

    Nord Events Center, Globalworth,
    Summit Hall
    Str George Constantinescu 4B,
    București 020339

    Address

    47-57 Drumul Gura Ariesului Str. Tronson 1, 11th Floor, Ap. 82
    Sector 3, Bucharest

    Contacts

    Email: office@thediplomat.ro
    Phone: +40 722 523 535