It was in the Autumn of 2015 that Refresh identified a gap in the market, and went on to establish, develop and launch the Heating Installer Awards, with the aim of raising the credibility, and celebrating the achievements, of plumbers and heating installers across the UK. It has since established itself as the award for installers across the UK to win.
At the time the awards had no real competition which meant that the only real challenge was one at our end: we solely focused on PR and this was a much wider job. So we made it work, and in the process widened our skills set to include design, web development, e-marketing, lead generation and event management.
The awards scheme has grown every year since its launch. It is well-known and well-respected within the sector by installers who want to win the coveted title, and by brands that wish to align with the awards.
1000
entries from Heating Installers
75k
website visits
30+million
reach
We have secured sponsorship from some of the leading manufacturers in the industry, thanks to our experience and contact base. This ensured the awards would be free of charge to enter, and attend, for plumbers and heating installers.
We then quickly harnessed the power of social media influencers within this sector, using their support to champion the awards and encourage entries. You’ll now find the awards on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and YouTube.
Pulling in entries from every region of the UK is something we’ve honed over the years, as is the judging day and winner’s event which we host at the trade show InstallerLive each June. We’ve since added a regional winners event and kick off event to the year long campaign schedule, to continue to celebrate our previous winners.
We evolve the awards each year, bringing in new elements to keep it fresh and relevant. From our sponsors we also gain fantastic prizes, which have included a trip for the winner to the Danfoss HQ in Denmark, new boilers, workwear, vouchers and tools.
Services delivered include:
- Strategy and planning
- Research
- Award entry management
- Sponsorship
- Event management
- Press releases
- Feature writing
- General copywriting
- Social media
- Influencer outreach and management
- Design work
- Website build
- Measurement and evaluation
“Honestly, I feel privileged to be part of HIA. Events like that and the regional launch event I went to last year are an awesome way of getting installers together, building the community and bringing about stronger relationships with manufacturers. It strengthens the industry and fosters progression. I had a great time this year, the refresh team do work very hard to make the awards a truly special part of the installer show and beyond that, the community and relationships with installers and your sponsors exists because of your hard work. Take a huge pat on the back, you’ve excelled and totally nailed it again for another year. Plus, you’ve commended another round of special people who deserve the recognition the awards bring.” Philip Metcalf, National Winner 2020