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it VMRDMI4R?· W?·EK?╟Ñ Prizes wait to be claimed by retailers, wholesalers ?√? Once again as Hardware Week approaches?╟÷and this year the big promotion is scheduled for April 25 through May 4 (late enough to avoid conflict with Easter and early enough to avoid conflict with Mother?╟╓s Day)?╟÷finishing touches are being made at irha headquar- ters on the myriad materials that will go out to assist retailers in making that cash register clang loud and often. There?╟╓s one major ingredient, however, that irha personnel, par- ticipating manufacturer s, whole- salers and Saturday Evening Post and Farm Journal personnel to- gether are unable to mail out in neat little packages, and that in- gredient is?╟÷enthusiasm. Although enthusiasm can?╟╓t be literally transmitted in a promo- tion package, what should, indeed, provide a stimulant to retailers and wholesalers alike are the many prizes being offered by irha for the best irha Hardware Week promo- tional work done by retailers and wholesalers. Heading the list of bounty to be handed out in 1957 is a Chevrolet 210 Handyman station wagon which will be awarded to the re- tailer who does the outstanding promotional job in the nation. There will also be 37 state and regional winners, each of whom will receive an award of $100 for being tops in his area. These area winners will compete for the grand prize of the station wagon. A group of advertising and merchandising experts appointed by NRHA will determine this win- ner who will be the ?╟úirha Hard- ware Week Dealer-of-the-Year.?╟Ñ The judging committee will award points to competing retailers on the basis of the retailer?╟╓s pro- motional activity including his use of direct mail, newspaper, radio and TV advertising; display of the irha emblem; use of Hardware Week kit materials in windows and interiors; special promotions, etc. But most important?╟÷the greatest number of points awarded will be for ?╟úspecial promotions,?╟Ñ a category which does not depend on the size of the advertising budget, but on the ingenuity and enthusiasm of the dealer. All entries must be accompanied by the official entry blank con- tained only in the irha Hardware Week promotion kit which is sent free of charge to all Association members. Entries must be signed by the retailer. While previous winners of the national title ?╟úirha Hardware Week Dealer-of-the-Year?╟Ñ are not eligible for the national prize for 3 years, they may participate in the 1957 state or regional contests. Wholesaler Salesmen, too An all-expense trip for 2 to the NRHA Congress in Dallas, Tex., in July, is in the offing for the wholesaler salesman who is voted ?╟úmo?║t helpful?╟Ñ by his dealer cus- tomers. This helpful wholesale man and his wife will be guests of NRHA from July 7 through 11. Voting cards for this contest will be included in the Hardware Week Kit. The dealer must report his Hardware Week activities and tell how his favorite wholesale sales- man has helped make this week a success, then personally sign the card and mail it to NRHA in Indi- anapolis. Hit the Jackpot Another prize waiting to be claimed by a lucky wholesale sales- man is an all expense-paid trip for 2 to fabulous Las Vegas. Transpor- tation will be by Trans World Air- lines. Luxurious accommodations will be provided, expense-paid, for 5 days at the beautiful Sands Hotel. Any salesman who used the Hardware Week Catalog of Fea- tured Values, which is supplied by irha, will be eligible for this award. A page in the catalog will be desig- nated as the ?╟úirha Dealer Call Sheet.?╟Ñ The salesman must secure the signatures of at least 20 irha dealers on this sheet, then have it countersigned by a sales executive of his firm. The sheet should then be mailed to NRHA at 964 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis, not later than May 4. All Dealer Call Sheets after reaching NRHA will be numbered on cards and the win- 159 ?√ß HARDWARE retailer, January, 1957