You may have already noticed, but there is now just one week left to put your dealership or your colleagues' names forward for this year’s Dealer of The Year Awards.
If you’ve been meaning to enter, now really is the time to do it! We know how busy everyone has been, but this is your chance to take a step back and give your business or your teammates deserved recognition. Every year we’re reminded just how much talent, innovation and customer dedication exists across our readership of independent dealers - and this year we have been hearing some amazing stories from those of you who have already entered.
But we don't want any of our incredible dealer readers to miss out. Entering couldn’t be simpler, and you don’t have to be the biggest operation to win. The judges are looking for passion, progress, and commitment - those qualities that make your business stand out in your community and to your customers. Whether you’ve overcome challenges, introduced an innovative new idea, or simply built a loyal base through years of great service, that’s what we want to hear about.
Our Dealer of The Year Awards are dedicated to celebrating the professionalism and resilience that defines the network. Being shortlisted (or even winning) can bring a real boost to your team’s morale, raise your profile with customers and suppliers alike, and give you a story to truly shout about.
So please do not let the deadline slip by. Entries close in just seven days, and we’d love to see your name in the mix. I'm sure we'll remind you again next Friday, but by then there will just be few hours left to get your nominations in. Please do take a few minutes to enter today - you never know, it could be your dealership up there collecting a trophy.
Equip bound!
Speaking of next Friday, your favourite magazine and Weekly Update for the independent dealer network will be winging its way to you from further afield.
On Monday myself and a contingent from Service Dealer, representing our UK readers, will be flying out to Louisville to report from the huge Equip exhibition. The award-winning and 5th largest trade show for any industry in the U.S., saw a record-breaking 28,500 registered dealers, manufacturers and contractors attend last year. The event is truly on a scale unlike anything else for the outdoor power equipment sector you'd find anywhere in the world.
But why are we, a journal for UK-based dealers, travelling all the way to Kentucky, to cover the OPEI's show?
Put simply, as well as all the new product launches from many of the manufacturers that our readers represent - that are often seen first at Equip - I think an incredibly beneficial take-away from attendance is the gaining of perspective.
While the UK market of course differs from the U.S. in terms of size and structure, the core challenges faced by independent dealers are remarkably similar: margins, staff recruitment, succession planning, and adapting to new business models. Talking directly with U.S. dealers and industry experts in Louisville, allows us to see how they’re tackling these same pressures - and what lessons might apply on this side of the Atlantic.
Our travelling contingent is already lined up to take part in some high-profile discussion events at the show next week - which we shall of course bring you plenty of coverage of. Our team will be representing the UK industry and shall be talking frankly about the challenges faced this season and where we see the industry heading in the coming years. It will be fascinating to hear where we crossover and where there are marked differences with our U.S counterparts.
If any of our readers are making the trip to Equip this year, please do let us know as it'd be great to say hi whilst we're out there. For those of you who can't make it, we'll be sharing highlights on our social channels all next week, I'll be reporting from the show for the mag and in this blog next Friday, whilst Duncan and David will be filming tons of content that will form an upcoming Digital Special Report.
We look forward to bringing you a flavour of all that the show can offer for UK visitors.
