Today sees the announcement that I know many of our dealer readers have been waiting for - the opening of entries to 2024's Dealer of the Year awards.

You can find all the all the links you need to enter each of the categories in today's Weekly Update here, or on our website here.

This year we're running all the core machinery specialism awards again (Farm, Garden, Professional Turfcare, Forestry, ATV/Quad - plus a New Initiative prize). Alongside these are several special categories for outstanding individuals within the dealership (Leadership, Star and New Technician).

Each dealership that enters into a machinery category will also be in the running for the prestigious Overall Dealer of the Year prize - which is presented by our Principal Sponsors, who once again are our friends from Kress.

As has been the process before, any dealer reading this today can put forward their own company for consideration into any of the categories in which they specialise. Also, you can nominate your colleagues for any of the individual honours.

We also, of course, want to hear from third parties such as suppliers and manufacturers, to tell us about who within their network deserves industry recognition for the efforts they put in, year-round. You know who goes above and beyond, so please do get in touch to let us know.

The organising team would absolutely love it, if this year a record number of entries were received for the awards. You all know just how hard you have been working this past year, in trying circumstances, so why not top off those efforts with a lovely award that you can shout about?

Because shouting about it, is a big part of being nominated for, and indeed winning, an industry award such as these. Independent servicing dealers need to do all that they can to differentiate themselves from the huge national chains and the internet bandits. And not just differentiate, but grab any opportunity to shine a light and focus attention on all the marvellous work that they do. Being able to point to a nationally recognised award hung on your showroom's wall (or a graphic on the website!) will only help towards that.

Why enter?

The publicity that winning an award can generate, both via all your own social channels, and through contacting your local traditional press outlets, can be real fillip for a company. In theory, the exposure could attract new customers who may not have been aware your existence before. It can also position the dealer as a real leader within the industry - potentially opening doors to new opportunities.

As well all the positive buzz that you can generate around your dealership, some of that should rub off inside your business too. Being given a big pat on the back and confirmation that you and your team have been doing the right thing, can be a genuine motivational boost. We all know how good it feels to be told 'well done, you're doing great work'. It naturally puts a spring in one's step, and inevitably, makes you want to continue to strive for excellence. Being up for an award can only enhance this feeling.

It's clear the level of respect that our Dealer of the Year Awards are held in, by simply looking at the list of the top name industry sponsors that the Service Dealer Conference & Awards has attracted this year. Each company on this list is prestigious, highly regarded in their field and, crucially, well known to your customers. Service Dealer thanks them all for their wonderful support.

If you've entered before, or if you're considering throwing your hat in the ring for the first time, please do take a moment to consider just how beneficial a process this could be for your dealership. The judging panel wants to hear stories about you and your team, and your relationships with customers, that make your company special. Bar-graphs and spreadsheets can go so far, but we want to learn about the human interactions at the heart of your dealership that keeps your community returning to you, year after year.

Whenever it comes around to this point in the magazine's calendar, when I eventually to get to read through all your entries and nominations, it is always so inspiring. Hearing tale of the innovative, entrepreneurial, and downright quality work being undertaken in dealerships across the UK, is a genuine joy.

So please, get entering!