Strong On All Fronts
By Sandy Blalock
The theme for the 2026 Midwest Automotive Recyclers Summit & Expo was “Stronger Together.” By the time we left Indianapolis, I think everyone who attended understood just how appropriate those words really were.
Held August 13–15, the Midwest Summit brought together professional automotive recyclers, vendors, association leaders, and industry partners for three days of education, networking, business, and friendship. The event continued its regional growth this year, bringing together Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri, and, for the first time, Minnesota.
Our purpose was simple: create an opportunity for our industry to come together, share ideas, learn from one another, and build relationships that make all of us better.
What we didn’t plan for was Mother Nature adding a few lessons of her own.
Putting “Stronger Together” to the Test
Neither storms nor rain could dampen our spirits, although they certainly made the Summit more memorable.
As conditions outside intensified, we experienced a brief power outage and kept a close eye on the nearby White River, only about a half-mile from the hotel, as it crested. At one point, there were concerns that the hotel could face a more significant loss of resources, including power. Thankfully, those worst-case concerns never became reality.
The uncertainty did lead several attendees to make the understandable decision to leave early because of concerns about being able to get out safely. Many of us remained, adjusted to the circumstances, and did what automotive recyclers tend to do particularly well: adapt and keep moving forward.
In an unexpected way, the challenges outside brought the people inside even closer together.
Why Showing Up Matters
Despite everything happening around us, the purpose of the Summit never changed.
Educational sessions gave attendees an opportunity to step away from the daily demands of their businesses and focus on issues affecting professional automotive recycling. Vendors spent meaningful time with recyclers, demonstrated products and services, and heard firsthand about the needs and challenges facing today’s facilities.
But some of the best education at an industry event doesn’t happen during a scheduled session.
It happens at a vendor booth when a conversation leads to an idea you can take home. It happens in the hallway when two recyclers realize they are facing the same problem. It happens over a meal, between meetings, or when someone you have known for years introduces you to someone you should have known years ago.
Those conversations are why showing up matters.
Our businesses may compete, but we also face many of the same challenges: changing vehicles, advancing technology, compliance responsibilities, workforce issues, customer expectations, and the constant need to operate smarter and more efficiently.
There is tremendous value in sitting across the table from someone who understands those challenges and simply asking, “How are you handling this?”
An Evening to Remember
After a day filled with uncertainty, many of us stayed and toughed it out together. What followed was an evening that reminded us exactly why gatherings like this are so important.
There was laughter, a great auction, plenty of stories, and genuine camaraderie.
After watching the weather, the river, and even the lights throughout the day, being together that evening felt a little different. We had another shared experience—and probably a few stories that will be retold at industry events for years to come.
That is something I have always appreciated about the automotive recycling industry. When circumstances become difficult, people step up. They check on one another, share information, find solutions, and, whenever possible, manage to find something to laugh about along the way.
Stronger Across State Lines
The continued growth of the Midwest Summit demonstrates what can happen when state associations look beyond borders and recognize the value of collaboration.
With Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri, and now Minnesota working together, we can create stronger educational opportunities, greater value for vendors, more networking for recyclers, and a broader exchange of ideas.
Each association maintains its own identity and serves its own members, but many of the challenges and opportunities facing our industry are bigger than any one state.
Working together benefits everyone.
We Lived the Theme
Looking back on the 2026 Midwest Automotive Recyclers Summit & Expo, I will remember the education, vendors, conversations, auction, and friendships.
I’ll also remember the lights going out for a bit. I’ll remember watching the White River and wondering what the next few hours might bring.
Most of all, I’ll remember that despite everything happening outside, inside there were people exchanging ideas, helping one another, talking business, laughing, and building relationships.
In many ways, that is a pretty good reflection of our industry.
We cannot control every challenge that comes our way. We can control how we respond—and whether we face those challenges alone or alongside people who understand them.
This year in Indianapolis, “Stronger Together” wasn’t simply our theme. We lived it.
