Sources from Lochinvar Corp., Lebanon, TN, say the Lochinvar VIP Contractor Program — now in its sixth year — promises to be the most exciting yet for participating contractors.
The annual program, which helps contractors maximize their success and profitability, features a wide array of updated resources and rewards, including an all-new points system and a “King’s Court” rewards trip for top performers.
As in previous years, the 2010-2011 VIP Contractor Program rewards contractors for installing the KNIGHT®, Efficiency+® and Solution™ residential boiler product lines, as well as the KNIGHT XL® Commercial Boiler. The Squire™ Indirect Water Heater is once again included in the program as a natural accompaniment to these Lochinvar boilers.
Points for Prizes
With each registration of a qualified Lochinvar boiler or indirect water heater purchase, contractors earn points that can be redeemed online from an extensive catalog of prizes. While a mail-in registration card accompanies each unit, online registration is encouraged and rewarded with 20 percent extra bonus points. As points are accrued, the VIP Contractor can choose prizes based on his or her personal preferences and select when to receive their rewards.
Lochinvar also ups the ante with special gifts for product registrations. For example, the first registration submitted earns the VIP Contractor the KNIGHT Smart System Software and USB Cable.
Announcing the King’s Court
This year, VIP Contractors will be competing for their spot on the exclusive King’s Court. A total of 10 VIPs and their guest will be awarded an all-expenses-paid, three-day trip to Nashville, TN for the CMA Music Festival, a tour of the Jack Daniels Distillery, and a visit to Lochinvar headquarters for a roundtable discussion. For contractors who have participated in the program in the past, the competition will be based on growth over previous years in terms of qualified Lochinvar installations, with the top five earning the royal treatment.
'Rookie of the Year' Awards
For those new to the program this season, the three “Rookies of the Year” with the highest number of registrations will be packing their bags for Nashville. In addition, one VIP will be named “Best Performer,” signifying the most impressive all-around marketer of his or her company as well as Lochinvar products, and will be awarded a distinguished spot on the King’s Court. The overall winner of the annual VIP Installation Showcase will also be among the top 10 performers.
VIP Installation Showcase
From November 2010 through April 2011, contractors have the opportunity to compete on a monthly basis by showcasing their installations at www.knightheatingboiler.com. After the projects are reviewed by a panel of Lochinvar judges, one contractor each month is awarded a $250 gift card to Cabela's or Bass Pro Shop, or a gas card of the same value. The contractor who is named the overall winner of the Installation Showcase wins a spot on the King’s Court.
Tools & Training for VIPs
Lochinvar sources say that, since VIP Contractors are an elite group of professionals dedicated to growing their businesses through quality work and ongoing training, Lochinvar offers a wealth of sales tools and educational resources to support them. For example, throughout the heating season, educational webinars are offered to VIP Contractors at no cost. These interactive webinars offer training tips, new product demonstrations and information from Lochinvar's support team to help participants perfect their installations of eligible Lochinvar product lines. In addition, to keep VIP Contractors in the know about all things Lochinvar, members are the first to learn about new products, VIP incentives, the latest featured jobs, tips from Lochinvar’s technical service experts, training opportunities and more through bi-monthly e-newsletter correspondence.
Participating contractors can also download logos, newsletters and print-ready marketing materials from the VIP Connection. All VIP Contractors are invited to customize their profile on www.knightheatingboiler.com, featuring company information, logos and pictures of their storefronts, as well as mission statements and descriptions of services offered. The site also offers a “See My Work” feature, which helps homeowners in selecting a contractor in their area by showcasing VIP Contractors’ photos of successful installations.