Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM OCTOBER 2018 62 T he United Servicers Association's Most Professional Servicer Contest has continued to grow in popularity every year since its creation by former USA Executive Director Paul MacDonald. Response has now increased to more than 80 entries by servicers in the 2018 contest and boasts a reach to thousands of appliance industry professionals, vendors and servicers all over North America. Top service companies are selected from their entries based on marketing and professional appearance, proving that first impressions are extremely important to presenting a polished appearance in the community, capturing new customers, and attracting the attention of service providers and potential employees. The Most Professional Servicer Contest highlights the professional- ism, hard work and resources appliance service company owners invest into their businesss. There was much abuzz at the St. Pete's 2018 ASTI from many conventioneers, proving that this contest has become a very big deal. The winning companies for 2018 were chosen by a panel of appliance service industry judges, all powerhouses in our industry. The top entries were displayed at the 2018 ASTI trade show and finalized by a vote of their peers. The prizes awarded included free full admission to future ASTIs, USA memberships, Check my Badge packages, United Servicers MPS Contest winner badging, photo opportunities, a press release to use in future marketing, and more. Winners also earned bragging rights, and deservedly so. The winners in their categories from the 2018 ASTI are as follows: 1-2 Technicians: 1st place - WSH Appliance Service, Haverhill, MA 2nd place - Mr. Appliance of Leesburg and Martinsburg, VA 3-7 Technicians: 1st place - Cody's Appliance, Eagle, ID 2nd place - Omega Force Services, Rogers, MN 8 or more Technicians: 1st place - Nebraska Home Appliance, Omaha, NE 2nd place - Conner's Appliance, Hanford, CT Congratulations again, and very well done! A big thank you to all those who entered. A new panel of judges is assembled each year, and the entry scores are always very close. United Servicers encourages service companies to enter the contest yearly for their chance to take home the prize! Much of the credit for the growth of the contest belongs to Christina Kraker of Servicers Web thanks to her exceptional marketing concepts. Christina has been working on USA's website and has built a previous winners page, as well as a new entry page for contestants. The new application includes a tutorial on entering next year's contest, and tips to help entrants increase their chances of winning. The contest was sponsored by Plus One Solutions/Check My Badge, who have agreed to sponsor again in 2019. Plus One has been a longtime supporter of The United Servicers Association and has helped improve the appliance industry. Craig Reilly from Plus One has committed to help make 2019's contest bigger than ever. Many thanks to Craig for his support. The United Servicers Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and improving the professionalism of the appliance service industry. As a non-profit, we ask for and encourage support from vendors and manufacturers, as it is needed and welcomed for sponsorship and accolades. (Please send inquiries to United Servicers Association Executive Director Sarah Brown: sarah.brown@unitedservicers.com.) Next year's contest is already open, and applicants will find entering this year's contest easier than ever. Servicers only need to submit their name and website address to get started. Enter your company today at the United Servicers website: www.unitedservicers.com. Prizes for next year will include free full admission to future ASTI conventions, USA memberships, Check My Badge packages, United Servicers MPS Contest winner badging, photo opportunities, a press release to use in future marketing, as well as additional new and exciting prizes to be announced very soon. We are looking forward to the Most Professional Servicer Contest and the 2019 ASTI held on March 3-9, 2019 at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, TN. See ya'll there! David Smith Dave Smith Appliance Services LLC Toledo, OH. United Servicers Association Board Director Most Professional Servicer Contest Committee Chairman S E R V I C E D E P A R T M E N T RO MOST PROFESSIONAL SERVICER CONTEST CONTINUES TO REACH NEW HEIGHTS

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