2026 Awards of Excellence Sponsors Pictured Above
We are thrilled to recognize the incredible organizations helping make this year’s event possible. A special thank you to our:
Presenting Sponsors
International Union of United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), Mel's Garage, GM Heritage Center and Ford House
Patron Sponsors
Visit Detroit, Don Nicholson Enterprises and Gilmore Car Museum
Supporting Sponsors
Analyze Accounting, Doeren Mayhew, Grigg Graphic Services, Inc., Choose Lansing and J & S Portrait America
Event Sponsors
Merze Tate Explorers and Mark Thomas (in honor of Nancy Thompson's three decades of service).
Awards Nomination Timeline:
July 27 - Nominations Open
August 30 - Nominations Close
September 11 - Finalists Announced
October 1 - Awards Ceremony in Livonia, MI
For more information, contact the MotorCities Deputy Director: Brian Yopp at 313-259-3425 x 307 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Click here to revisit the 2025 Awards of Excellence
Our 2025 MotorCities' Awards of Excellence Luncheon took place June 4 at the Stellantis Conner Center in Detroit.
To see a photo album from the luncheon, click here.
The winners were announced in the following categories:
Heritage Tourism -
- Don & Gayle Nicholson of Westland (pictured below, right) for creating and growing the annual Cruisin' Hines event;
Education/Interpretation -
- The Historical Society of Greater Lansing for the I-496 Pave the Way Project;
Revitalization -
- Greg & Kristin Donofrio (pictured above, left) for the Phoenix Mill restoration in Plymouth.
In addition, MotorCities presented its highest honor, the Milestone Award, to Ford Motor Company's Corporate Historian Emeritus Robert Kreipke (pictured at left). For over 25 years, Kreipke has served as a project advisor and board member, helping propel MotorCities to become the nationally–recognized experts on preserving and promoting Michigan’s automotive heritage. In addition, he was Chairman of the Board between 2015 and 2019, steering the organization through successful projects like the launching of our highway promotional signs, the creation of the Fort Street Bridge Interpretive Park in Detroit, and the celebration of MotorCities' 20th anniversary.
The Stellantis Conner Center is the home of the historic collection of 100 years of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth, DeSoto vehicles, and guests enjoyed the rare opportunity to see these vehicles.