ESTA (the Entertainment Services and Technology Association) announces the finalists for the 2006 Dealers' and Manufacturers' Choice Awards. The Awards are currently in their second round of balloting, and the winner in each category will be announced at ESTA's Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony to be held in conjunction with the LDI show on Thursday, October 19 in Las Vegas. The winners will also be acknowledged during the LDI awards ceremony on Saturday, October 21.

The Dealers' Choice Customer Service Awards offer ESTA's Dealer Members the opportunity to publicly recognize those vendors that provide consistently good customer service throughout the year. Although a great product may get a dealer's attention, it is good service that keeps the relationship between dealers and manufacturers strong and profitable. These awards recognize superior performance in four main areas: customer service, shipping and billing, technical support, and quotations/project management. In voting on these awards, dealers are asked to consider such areas as accessibility, staff knowledge and professionalism, timely responses, accuracy, and problem solving abilities.

The Manufacturers' Choice Dealers of the Year Awards offer ESTA's Manufacturer Members the opportunity to publicly recognize those dealers that just do it right. These awards recognize superior performance in four main areas: staff, sales and marketing, inventory, and financial responsibility. In voting on these awards, manufacturers are asked to consider such areas as staff knowledge and professionalism, ability to generate new orders and to follow up on leads provided, product promotion, customer service, and inventory.

FINALISTS FOR THE 2006 DEALERS' CHOICE CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARDS:

MANUFACTURERS WITH 1-6 EMPLOYEES:
Doug Fleenor Design
L.E. Nelson Sales Corp.
Selecon USA

MANUFACTURERS WITH 7-25 EMPLOYEES:
Lighting & Electronics
Pathway Connectivity
SSRC

MANUFACTURERS WITH OVER 25 EMPLOYEES:
Apollo Design Technology
Electronic Theatre Controls
Rosco Laboratories

FINALISTS FOR THE 2006 MANUFACTURERS' CHOICE DEALER OF THE YEAR AWARDS:

DEALERS WITH 1-6 EMPLOYEES:
Advanced Entertainment Services
Indianapolis Stage Sales & Rentals
Theatreworks

DEALERS WITH 7-25 EMPLOYEES:
BMI Supply
Gopher Stage Lighting
Production Advantage

DEALERS WITH OVER 25 EMPLOYEES:
Barbizon Lighting Company
Stage Equipment & Lighting
Vincent Lighting Systems