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CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR (CotY) AWARDS

NARI invites its contractor members across the nation to compete for the prestigious Contractor of the Year (CotY) Awards in recognition of their achievements throughout the year. Companies — from one-person shops to the largest remodeling firms — report that winning a CotY Award is a major factor in enhancing their image within the industry as well as with the buying public.

Are You New to CotY?

With a membership consisting of Miami Valley's remodeling industry's finest, it's no wonder that each year we have many first-time entrants who go home with local awards. If you are considering participating in the CotY program for the first time, or even if you are a seasoned participant, take a look at these easy steps in the process.

In the Process

Start taking pictures: Before and after photos are required for each entry. Make it a point to take before photos at the start of every project. Take your after photos from the same angle, if possible, to show the judges the same perspective. Take lots of good quality pictures of your work.

Review the program

All the details are included in the packet, click here or request one from the Miami Valley NARI office.

Plan your entry
Winner's entries are always well thought out. Arrange your photos, drawings, project descriptions, etc., in a way that's easy to follow, from the beginning to the end of the project.

Follow the rules

Choose your category carefully, fill out the forms completely, and submit your entry by the deadline.

Miami Valley NARI - local CotY entry deadline isNovember 1, 2010 at 5:00 p.m.

NARI National - regional and national CotY entry deadline is 12:00 p.m. (CST) Tuesday November 30, 2023

Plan for the recognition ceremonies

The local chapter will have a recognition ceremony in late January of 2011. The recognition ceremony for regional and national awards will take place at NARI's Evening of Excellence in the spring of 2011.

Tips for marketing winning entries

	Hire a professional photographer for before/after photos for trade and consumer publications, your own future brochures and for your website, and anywhere else you want to show off your beautiful project.
	Remember when taking photos that both vertical and horizontal photographs are essential to have on hand. Sometimes magazines or newspaper space requires vertical photos (especially for magazine covers) and you give your project a better shot at getting chosen having both vertical and horizontal formats available.
	Third-party endorsements are important! Awards have a lot of marketing mileage; they can generate publicity, and help in recruiting and retaining employees. They add credibility to your sales materials and can make getting through a new customer's door a bit easier.

Here are a few ways to publicize your award:

Write a tip sheet that ties into the problem you solved. Example: "10 Ways to Find More Space in Your Kitchen," and offer the tip sheet to both your local media and to prospective customers. Post the tip sheet on your website as well, with before and after photos of the project.

If one of your employees wins an achievement award, explain why they won it and suggest a profile story to your local media. Post the profile on your website for all to see.

Information packets

Local Miami Valley NARI Contractor of Year Awards

* 2011 Local CotY information packets

NARI Regional and National Contractor of the Year Awards

* 2011 National CotY Awards Program

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