LAS VEGAS - In coordination with the AHR Expo, Heating & Cooling Supply (H&C), with its largest vendor partner Rheem, sponsored an event for their dealer partners. There were 300 plus attendees including Rheem executives JR Jones, CEO Rheem Manufacturing; Chris Peel, COO Rheem Manufacturing; Bill Hanesworth, vice president and general manager of Rheem AC Division; and Ken Rothgeb, vice president sales and marketing, Rheem AC Division.

The event kicked off on the evening of the first day of the expo with an award ceremony where H&C recognized their top Rheem performers.

“Every customer is critical to our success...but each year you have your standouts that deliver a combination of growth and loyalty; these two components are a menu for success,” said Jim Gooch, director of business development.

There were five award winners recognized. The four Regional Contractors of the Year were Paul’s Air Conditioning & Heating, Palm Springs, Calif.; Haddon Heating & Cooling, Pacheco, Calif., First Choice, Van Nuys, Calif., and Ruiter Construction, Las Vegas. There was one Grand Prize Winner; Rheem Dealer of the Year – Alaskan Quality Service, Tucson, Ariz.

After the awards were given out, the room was taken over by emotional branding guru Scott Deming. He shared his goal of creating “customer’s for life” with the audience.

“Heating & Cooling and Rheem did an excellent job putting this event together,” said Scott’s Michael Gerts from First Choice Air Conditioning. “Deming derived an excellent message for our industry.”

A cocktail reception followed Scott’s presentation; the group was joined by top Rheem executives and Rheem sponsored NASCAR star driver Kevin Harvick. Kevin met with dealers, took pictures, and signed autographs for the remainder of the evening.

Publication date: 02/21/2011