Firstly today, a reminder that it's SALTEX next week, taking place at the NEC on Wednesday and Thursday.

Service Dealer will be in attendance again - so if any readers find themselves wondering past STAND H010, please do drop by and say hi to the team.

It will be interesting to see just how many dealers do choose to make the trip to Birmingham this year. It was an incredibly busy September again for the network, with many manufacturers and suppliers holding their own conferences and dealer days at venues around the country throughout the month. Speaking to our readers we're well aware of the pressures a period like this creates, trying to attend as many events as required.

So will this perhaps mean that dealers feel they've seen enough new product this autumn? Or more to the point, have spent enough time away from the business?

At least a train strike scheduled for day two of the show has been postponed to the following week now. That might have had quite the adverse affect on visitor numbers were it to have gone ahead next Thursday.

Anyway, I genuinely believe that SALTEX is a valuable and worthwhile day out for those who can spare the time away from the place of work. Perhaps if a trip is possible this year, it will offer some fresh inspiration or a new avenue for future success in the dealership?

Dealer Of The Year Awards 2022

Speaking of success in the dealership, it was my privilege yesterday to form a part of the judging panel for the magazine's 2022 Dealer Of The Year Awards.

I feel I say this every year - but it holds true - the standard of entries received has been exemplary. The panel has now meticulously worked their way through all the nominations for businesses, apprentices, leaders, initiatives and stars. Some tough, tight calls had to be made, but a consensus was finally reached.

I must say, it's a process that genuinely warms my cockles each year, reading all the amazing stories of how our readers are showing true entrepreneurial spirit, to nurture and grow their businesses and their teams. The panel is privy to accounts from dealers themselves, from staff members, from suppling manufacturers and from the most important people of all, the customers - all of whom have fascinating stories to tell.

For example, just some random examples of satisfied end-user testimonials I read included -

• "Their passion and customer service that they deliver is top rate."
• "I was blown away by the service I received."
• "The service has been exceptional."

These few comments are indicative of the plethora of supportive evidence the team organising the Awards received this year. But I must say, this is no great surprise.

Whenever I've had the honour of taking part in judging in the past, these are the type of endorsements one almost comes to expect. As a journal for the dealer trade, we know full well just how hard, and indeed how smart, our readers have had to work - especially under all the well-documented issues that have been faced recently. So to hear tributes such as these again this year, is somehow even more delightful.

The winners of the Awards will be revealed 'Oscars-style' in just a few short weeks' time on the night of November 24th at the gala ceremony, following on from the day's Conference.

I do hope as many of our dealer readers as possible are signed up to attend to the event because as well as it being a fabulous excuse to get together and celebrate another hard-fought year at the awards ceremony - during the day, inspiration will most certainly be on the cards.