Associates First Capital Corp. and the National Trailer Dealers Assn. (NTDA), have jointly developed an award program to recognize the nation's outstanding heavy duty trailer dealers.

This annual National Trailer Dealer of the Year award will recognize the trailer dealer whose leadership, professionalism and integrity has most enhanced his/her company, industry and community. The winner will be chosen from nominations evaluated by an independent panel of industry judges.
Nominees will be evaluated on the basis of three criteria:
1. Dealership contribution and effectiveness - dealership profile, innovative business practices, financial policies, marketing methods, personnel management, vision for the dealership and the trailer industry.
2. Industry contribution - participation in industry associations, involvement with legislative issues, involvement with suppliers.
3. Community participation - community involvement, industry promotion, philanthropic/charitable activities.
A panel of five industry representatives, including Newport editor David A. Kolman will evaluate the nominations.
The inaugural award will be presented at the NTDA annual conference, Nov. 2-4 in Ponte Vedra, FL.
Nominations for the award can come from anyone in the industry or through self-nomination, but must be submitted on an official nomination form. Forms can be obtained by calling the NTDA at (800) 800-4552, visiting NTDA's web site at www.ntda.org, by or contacting the Associates at (972) 652-3049 or e-mail: maureen_harris@afcc.com.
Completed nomination forms must be received no later than July 5, 2000, for consideration.