Hank Darlington, showroom guru, consultant and columnist, is spearheading a contest with Supply House Times that will honor outstanding showrooms. Three showrooms will be selected: one less than 2,500 sq. ft.; one 2,500 sq. ft. to 9,999 sq. ft.; and one 10,000 sq. ft. or larger.

Here are a few rules and criteria:

• A company may self nominate or an industry peer may do the nominating.
  
• Only plumbing wholesaler showrooms will be considered.
  
• If a wholesaler has multiple showrooms, they may nominate more than one – but each one must have a separate entry form and backup material.
  
• A minimum of 4 pictures (one of exterior and three of the interior) must be submitted.  More pictures are acceptable.  Please submit them as jpg files on a CD as well as in 4 x 6 inch print format.
  
• You’re encouraged  to submit auxiliary information in the form of CDs, brochures, handouts, direct mailers, advertising copy and description of promotions you’ve used. 

The winners will be recognized by Hank Darlington with pictures in the October 2009 issue of Supply House Times and also will receive an attractive plaque.

Judging will take into consideration the following:

• Well built-out and displayed showroom
  
  
• Outstanding business practices
  
  
• Customer service
  
  
• Human resource practices
  
  
• Community involvement
  
  
• Industry support
  
  
• Showroom training programs
  
  
• Showroom marketing programs
  
  
• Unique and different customer service ideas
  
  
• Merchandising of showroom products
  
  
• Treating the showroom as a profit center
  
  
• Innovative presentation of products within the showroom
  
  
• Diversity of products and services

The award will recognize all facets of the showroom operation, including but not limited to: its location; the exterior of the facility including signage; the building, landscaping and parking areas; and the interior of the building, including lighting, display build-out, uniqueness of displays and layout.

The contest is open only to plumbing wholesaler showrooms. The entry deadline is August 22, 2009.

Please submit your entry and images directly to Hank Darlington. Send via traceable carrier to:
Hank Darlington
2010 Granite Bar Way
Gold River, CA 95670

We also request that you email Hank at darlingtonconsulting@gmail.com and cc: Pat Lenius at leniusp@bnpmedia.com when you submit your entries so we can verify they have been received. Also please include an e-mail address AND phone number so we can contact you if there are any questions or problems.

Direct any questions to Hank Darlington or Pat Lenius via email, or phone 916-852-6855 (Hank)  or 630-694-4335 (Pat).