Phase 1: Top 50 Installers Award

Description: Identifies 50 installation technicians who best exemplify the characteristics of professionalism, service, and expertise.

Qualification: Installation specialists with a minimum two years of experience under a licensed business (company or sole proprietor) who are gainfully employed as a professional installer. Installation must be their primary duty (minimum 75 percent) within the business, unless the business uses a single person to perform most duties.

Nomination Process: An installer may nominate himself / herself. The nominee must also have a person who will “second”* the nomination. This person must be unrelated to the individual and must also be an industry professional (working for an industry manufacturer, supplier, distributor, affiliate company, or a retail location, including the owner of the retail store where the salesperson works or a fellow employee. Customers and non-professional enthusiasts are not eligible.)

Applicants must create and submit a video with a maximum running time of 10 minutes. Nominations are uploaded to YouTube (public or private) and the links are sent to the Mobile Electronics staff.

*The person providing “the second” must answer the following three questions:

  1. How long have you been in the industry?
  2. How long have you known the person?
  3. Why do you believe this installer is qualified to be a nominee for Installer of The Year?

Additional Nomination Process: We are introducing Blind nominations for the Installer of The Year award. The person submitting the blind nomination must be an industry professional (working for an industry manufacturer, supplier, distributor, affiliate company or retail location, including the owner or manager of the retail store where the installer works or a fellow employee. Customers, non-professional enthusiast and family members are not eligible.) The person will need to answer the same three questions a “second” of a self-nomination would need to answer, listed below. We also ask that the person submitting the blind nomination commit to being on a call with an ME Industry Awards Committee Member, to inform the nominee and encourage their participation.

  1. How long has the person been in the industry?
  2. How long have you known the person?
  3. Why do you believe this person is qualified to be a nominee for Retailer of The Year?

Video Submission: Applicants must create and submit a video with a maximum running time of 10 minutes. Nominations are uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo (public or private) and the links are sent to the mobile electronics staff.

The video need not be professionally produced, however, please speak loud and clear, and answer questions in the order they are listed. Make sure to answer the following:

  1. Name, years of experience, number of years at current location
  2. Biggest challenge or accomplishment (personal or professional) you’ve overcome in the past year
  3. How co-workers or customers would describe you and how do you influence the team and store culture
  4. Description of your Installation specialty and philosophy
  5. What you want customers to remember about the installation aspect of your service
  6. Name industry professionals and/or experiences that have had influence on you and your career
  7. Why should you be part of the Top 50 Installers (be specific)
  8. Provide a video walk through of your work area and tools used to perform your profession
  9. Still shots of work samples and current certifications accomplished, such as MECP, ASE, Installer Institute, etc. (does not count against the 10-minute limit)

Selection Process: Mobile Electronics staff and select judges will vote based on submitted materials to determine the Top 50 Installers.

Award Process: Winners are announced via Mobile Electronics Magazine’s Hotwire newsletter, and listed in an upcoming issue of the magazine. Winners receive a signed certificate as well as digital versions of each and logos for marketing.

Phase 2: Top 12 Installers Award

Description: Identifies 12 installation technicians who best exemplify the characteristics of professionalism, service and expertise.

Qualification: Must have been selected as one of the Top 50 Installers in the same year.

Nomination Process: Video submissions from the Top 50 Installers nominations are used as a basis for industry voting. (Sharing your video is a plus)

Selection Process: The 12 highest vote-getters are determined and announced after all votes are verified and counted.

Award Process: The winners are announced at the Mobile Electronics Industry Awards gathering at KnowledgeFest Las Vegas. The winners will receive an award and certificate, as well as a digital certificate and logos for marketing.

Phase 3: Installer of the Year Award

Description: Recognizes one installation technician who best exemplifies the characteristics of professionalism, service and expertise, as voted by peers, staff and judges throughout the Industry Awards process.

Qualification: Must have been selected as one of the Top 12 Installers in the same year.

Nomination Process: Nominees are required to submit materials for judging, via video and survey. (This is a different video than the previously submitted one. You will be emailed your new video instructions and the time it is due)

Selection Process: MEA staff and select judges will vote based on submitted materials to determine the Installer of the Year.

Award Process: The winner is announced at the Mobile Electronics Industry Awards. He / she receives an award and certificate, as well as a digital certificate and logos for marketing.