Deck building contests increase redwood sales

ECK CONTESTS are a great way to build consumer enthusiasm. Dealers participating in the annualCalifornia Redwood Association's contest report increased redwood sales as well as return business.

In 1990, Redwood Empire, a wholesaler in Northern California, distributed 60 point-ofpurchase CRA contest countertop displays lo their retail customers. "The dealers told us that this was a real hit with consumers and definitely bumped up redwood sales," general manager Dan Naughton said.

This year CRA is offering free colorflul banners to promote the contest. Retailers can hang these in their yards or near the point of purchase. CRA will also supply dealers with contest entry blanks.

Retailers can tie in with CRA's contest by sponsoring their own local deck contest. Their contestants can be automatically entered in the national contest, giving them two chances to win. CRA staff will coordinate dual entries.

Co-sponsor lor the deck design contest, Home Mec'hanixmagazine, has 1.2 million hands-on, can-do readers. The contest will kick off in the June l99l issue with a feature story describing the competition, including an entry blank and inspirational redwood deck design ideas. A contest renrinder will run in the JulyAugust l99l issue. Throughout the deck building season, CRA will promote the contest in newspaper and trade magazines.

Story at a Glance

How to tie Into a new n& tional contest for d-i-y and proiessional deck builders. , free banners, entry information from CRA. dealers r€port promotions have measurable results.

E,ntries will be judged by CRA staff and Home Mechani-r editors on the basis of design and ingenuity. Both do-it-yourselfers and building professionals are eligible to enter.

Five winners will receive from $2,000 to $750. Entry deadline is September 30. 1991.

The contest and surrounding publicity will generate deck building interest that local redwood retailers can capitalize on throughout the l99l summer home improvement season. When the five winning decks appear in a summer 1992 issue of Home Mcchanix, this will launch another deck building season.

Your redwood supplier or the CRA can provide contest banners and point-of-purchase entry blanks.