F&I and Showroom magazine is now accepting nominations for its F&I Dealer of the Year award. Sponsored by Resource Automotive, the award is handed out annually to a dealership touting a highly profitable F&I department that also demonstrates a commitment to a customer-centric F&I process.

Dealership employees, general agents, F&I product providers and technology makers are encouraged to nominate their dealerships and customers for the award. Entries must be received by Aug. 12, 2011.

“We’ve had mega dealer groups, small dealer groups and single-point stores as past winners,” said Gregory Arroyo, the magazine’s executive editor. “We’re simply looking for a high-performing F&I department that can show us a commitment to regulatory compliance, ethics and a customer-centric sales and F&I process. If that’s your dealership, then nominate it today.”

Past winners of the award include Tuttle-Click Automotive Group, Pro Chrysler Jeep, The Suburban Collection and Riverside Auto Group.

The magazine will first select five F&I Pacesetters of the Year (also sponsored by Resource Automotive), which will serve as finalists for the coveted F&I Dealer of the Year trophy.

Pacesetters will receive a two-night stay at the Las Vegas Hilton, where they will be honored during a special ceremony during the magazine’s annual Industry Summit, scheduled for Sept. 26-28.

Those selected also will be profiled in the magazine’s special conference issue. One finalist will then be named F&I Dealer of the Year and will appear on the cover of the magazine’s October 2011 issue.