ARA Retailer of the Year Award – Now Accepting Nominations!
 

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 25, 2010) -- The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) is currently accepting nominations for the Agricultural Retailer of the Year Award. This award is sponsored by Monsanto Company, ARA and AgProfessional magazine and honors retailers who consistently exceed their customer’s expectations and serve as a positive example for other retailers through their outstanding and innovative business practices.

The winner of the Retailer of the Year Award will receive the following: two round-trip airline tickets and two nights of accommodations at the Westin Mission Hills Resort for the 2010 ARA Conference & Exposition, Nov. 30 - Dec. 2 in Rancho Mirage, California; a round-trip flight to meet with Monsanto representatives and ARA officers for a VIP dinner and tour of Monsanto’s state of the art research facilities in St. Louis, Missouri; a special award presentation at the ARA Conference & Exposition; and a beautiful crystal award to display at retail facility. In addition, AgProfessional magazine will include a two-page article featuring the winning agricultural retailer in their magazine and on the ARA Retailer of the Year Award website.

The process for nominating a company to receive the ARA Retailer of the Year Award is simple. Click here and complete the online entry form by August 13, 2010. Retailers are also welcome to nominate their own operation for the award. A panel of judges will select five finalists and contact these retailers by early September. The retailer finalists will be judged on the following criteria.

1. Effective Employee Relations

• Hires, trains and retains highly skilled, professional employees
• Competitive compensation & benefits plan
  
• Commits resources for employees to participate in professional certification and/or self improvement programs
  

2. Environmental Stewardship

• Respect for the environment beyond compliance
• Implements daily practices that improve the environment and the image of our industry
  
  

3. Reliability

• Meets customer expectations, especially during the busiest time of the year
• Implements practices to reduce downtime (fleet management, preventive maintenance, etc.)
  
  

4. Community & Industry Leadership

• Civic involvement
• Local, state and national industry association involvement
  
• Must be an ARA member
  

5. Relationship Building

• Continually refines strategic alliances with customers, suppliers, employees and state and local governments
• Manages insurance coverage in today’s environment
  

6. Technology Utilization

• Embraces a business philosophy that maximizes revenue service streams by focusing on profitable customer services
• Turns raw customer data into more profitable crop production decisions
  

7. Innovative Business Practices

• Optimizes changing markets by providing personalized services (value added)
  
• Strives to diversify business strategies
  
• Implements cutting-edge management tools in all facets of retail business
  

For more information on the Retailer of the Year award, visit the ARA website at www.aradc.org or contact Michelle Hummel at (202) 457-0825 or michelle@aradc.org. Help us recognize the “Best of the Best” and nominate the agricultural retailer you most highly regard today!
 

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The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) is a nonprofit trade association representing the interests of retailers across the United States on legislative and regulatory issues on Capitol Hill. As the political voice of agricultural retailers, ARA not only represents its membership but also educates members on the political process and important issues affecting the industry.

Agricultural Retailers Association | 1156 15th Street, NW, Suite 302, Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202.457.0825 | Fax: 202.457.0864 | www.aradc.org

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