It’s time to celebrate once again the unsung heroes and champions of the auto rental industry who make a difference professionally and personally every day. Entries are now being accepted for the 2013 Auto Rental News Professional of the Year Awards.

Presented by American Express, the Auto Rental News Professional of the Year Awards honor associates who demonstrate and promote outstanding customer satisfaction within the car rental process from auto rental companies worldwide.

“Now in its second year, the awards are a forum for the auto rental industry to celebrate its champions, enhance industry morale and promote its good works,” said Chris Brown, executive editor of Auto Rental News.

A panel of five judges will evaluate entries based on five areas of performance criteria: customer service, operations management, sales, leadership and industry and community involvement. Three winners will be named Professional of the Year — one each from the following car rental business categories: Corporate, Independent and Franchise.

Auto Rental News is pleased to announce that last year’s panel will be returning to judge the 2013 awards. The judges are: Sharon Faulkner, executive director of ACRA (American Car Rental Association); Diane J. Clancy, director of ACRISS (Association of Car Rental Industry System Standards); Leslie Pujo, attorney/owner at LaPlaca Pujo, PC; Ziad Khoury, founder and president of the Frontline Performance Group (FPG) and Chris Brown, executive editor of Auto Rental News.

Winners will be recognized at an awards ceremony during the second annual Auto Rental Summit, Nov. 4-5, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. The winners will also be featured in an article in Auto Rental News and online at www.AutoRentalNews.com.

Deadline for applications is Sept. 20.

Click here to fill out an application for the 2013 Professional of the Year Awards, view the prospectus and access a link to news coverage of last year’s winners.