Now in its second year, the contest is now officially open, and entries will be accepted until July 11, 2008. Entry forms and information will be available in each issue of Tire Review magazine through July, and via Tire Review’s Web site and Hennessy’s Web site.
“Top Shop Awards is focused on spotlighting independent tire dealers – small or large – who epitomize the attributes and values we stress in every issue of Tire Review: exemplary customer service and retention, training and education, merchandising and promotion, professional standards and conduct, appearance, solid business management, community involvement, growth and achievement,” said Jim Smith, editor of Tire Review.
The perfect example of those attributes came in the form of Gatto’s Tires & Auto Service, headquartered in Melbourne, Fla., the winner of the 2007 Top Shop Awards, and the three finalists: Chapel Hill Tire Car Care Center, based in Chapel Hill, N.C.; Community Tire and Automotive Service Specialists, located in Phoenix, Ariz.; and Redwood General Tire, an independent tire dealer located in Redwood City, Calif.
“We are extremely excited about the 2008 Top Shop Awards and continuing as presenting sponsor,” said Kevin Keefe, vice president of marketing for presenting sponsor Ammco/Coats. “The Top Shop Awards emphasizes several key drivers of success for just about any business, and it’s an award we believe brings much deserved recognition to the many successful business people in our industry.”
Dealers can nominate their own businesses, or others can nominate tire dealer businesses. The entry process is simple: Those making the nomination need to provide basic information about the dealership being nominated and write a short (300-word maximum) essay explaining why that dealership should be considered.
From there, all entrants will be reviewed and a group of semi-finalists selected. Those semi-finalists will be asked to provide additional information for judging. A panel of judges, including industry professionals and a member of the Tire Review staff, will select the four finalists and, ultimately, the 2008 Top Shop Award winner.
The awards are as outstanding as the dealers selected:
• The Grand Prize Winner will receive a Coats APX90 tire changer, $1,500 in cash, airfare and hotel for two (2 nights/3 days) to the 2008 SEMA Show, a feature story in the October issue of Tire Review, and a Top Shop trophy to display in their dealership.
• Three Finalists will each receive a Coats 1250-3DV tire/wheel balancer (featuring on-board training), $500 in cash, a feature story in the October issue and a specially designed finalist trophy. (Tire Review/Akron)
