#Dream Doors Conference Celebrates Another Year of Record Growth

£745,000 from a single showroom secures top prize at annual awards.
For a brand that has grown by almost 20 per cent this year, December`s Dream Doors Christmas Conference provided the perfect platform to celebrate. Top of the tree were Dream Doors Oxford`s Mike and Elaine Hurley, who walked away with an unprecedented triple trophy haul that included the coveted `Franchisee of the Year` award for the showroom with the highest annual turnover.

Taking the top award for the first time with sales of £745,000 – and one stand out day in September that secured £69,000 and the award for the most `Outstanding Monthly Performance` – the Hurleys beat their closest rival by more than £100,000. Holiday vouchers and luxury hampers were warmly received, but it was the people`s choice, or `Player`s Player` trophy that the couple will cherish the most, an award voted for by all 40 Dream Doors franchisees.

“We knew about the `Franchisee of the Year` award because everyone`s figures are published for the whole network to see,” says Elaine. “But we really didn`t expect the other ones, particularly the `Player`s Player` award. That one really meant a lot. It was quite an emotional moment for us since we were chosen as winners by our peers, and not just as a result of our financial performance.”

“This does make it all worthwhile,” she adds. “We`ve been under pressure lately, managing the logistics and installations that follow such high sales. And with Christmas coming and a holiday planned we`ve not had much time to reflect on our achievements. This is real reward for all that effort, and we`ll be enjoying all three hampers well into the New Year.”

Amongst the other prizes handed out during the black-tie ceremony were the `Checkatrade Award` for the branch that demonstrated the best in customer care, the `Head Office Award` for the franchisee that had given most support back to the brand, and the self-explanatory `Most Improved Franchisee` won by Dream Doors Bath`s Ivor McKeown.

Ivor said: “I`m totally shocked. The award was a real surprise for us, but it`s an accurate reflection of the year we`ve had. The first half of 2011 was pretty poor, and May was the worst month we`ve had in three years of trading. But since then things have just got better and better. The head office directed online marketing has helped by generating lots more internet based enquiries. But more importantly I have total belief in Dream Doors and the products and the service we provide. Customers want to see that and respond to enthusiasm and belief. Plus I couldn`t do this if I didn`t enjoy it, and I really love what I do.”