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. Manufacturers cast their votes for dealers in each of three categories based on the dealers' number of employees, 1-6, 7-25, and over 25 - and the winners for 2004 are Murphy Lighting Systems, Parlights Inc and Vincent Lighting Systems.
The Dealers' Choice Product Awards recognize outstanding entertainment technology products in three categories: Expendable, Widget and Equipment. These Awards were established in recognition of the fact that dealers have an enormous impact on the success of a new product, as well as a unique perspective on its merits.
In the Expendable category - EZ Kleen Preventative Maintenance Fluid from Le Maitre Special Effects - used as a preventative maintenance measure to ensure longer heat exchanger life. It is easy to use and should be used on a regular basis to prevent blockage of heat exchangers, which frequently affects fog and haze machines.
In the Widget category - the winner was the Remote Addressing Device (RAD) from Doug Fleenor Design Inc: The Remote Addressing Device is used to set the DMX address of compatible products. A new enhancement to DMX512, called RDM (for Remote Device Management), allows users to receive status information and set parameters (such as the DMX address) of compliant products using the DMX link. Designed to draft version 2.0 of the RDM specification, RAD will be upgraded to comply with the released standard at no charge.
In the Equipment category - the winner was the SafeCam from Union Connector Company: A system of cam outlets that sense the insertion of plugs into the outlets. The system trips the disconnect (breaker) unless all plugs are in the outlets. Any exposed cam outlet is safe and "cold".
(Lee Baldock)
