Keith Crain, Chairman of Crain Communications and Editor-in-Chief of Automotive News will be honored with the Washington Auto Show's Lifetime Achievement Award on Thursday, January 25, 2018. The announcement of the award winner was made today by Washington Auto Show and Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association President and CEO John O'Donnell.

Crain has held a central role in the auto industry for close to 50 years as a reporter, editor and publishing executive. Today he leads a team located in 13 locations around the world, producing 54 different publications with 880 team members. He is a member of the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame and a member of the Automotive Hall of Fame.

Despite his many years of leadership as a publishing executive, he is perhaps best known as a hands-on journalist who even today writes a regular weekly piece for Automotive News. He is a familiar sight at meetings in the Automotive News Detroit headquarters building and takes his duties as editor-in-chief with the utmost seriousness.

"Keith is an undisputed leader in the auto industry with legendary longevity and an encyclopedic knowledge of the car business," said O'Donnell. "He has a gruff humility and undoubtedly has known more auto leaders personally than anyone currently working. He continues to be a familiar site at auto events around the globe. Only Keith buys enough newsprint to list all the things he's accomplished, places he's been, and people he knows," noted O'Donnell.

The award will be presented to Crain the evening of January 25 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, site of the Washington Auto Show. Full details on the award dinner can be found at washingtonautoshow.com. Seating for the public is available.

ABOUT THE WASHINGTON AUTO SHOW

The Washington Auto Show takes place from January 26 to February 4, 2018. It is one of the five top auto shows in the United States and is the largest indoor consumer event in the District of Columbia. It is preceded by two show-sponsored industry events, Public Policy Days and the MobilityTalks International Conference, with both taking place January 23 -25, 2018. During these three days industry leaders, global public policy makers and members of Congress will discuss proposed and existing rules and laws governing the automotive industry, this year focusing on autonomous vehicles. The show takes place in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center where more than 35 automakers will display over 650 vehicles.

For more information on The Washington Auto Show please visit: www.washingtonautoshow.com