The North American Technician Excellence education program says it wants HVAC contractors to “get in the game” with its first NATE Bowl.

The competition, which starts Feb. 1, is an effort go get more contractors certified or re-certified under the program.

“NATE Bowl is our way of creating some good-natured competition among contractors and to provide a wide-array of exciting rewards for what most of them are already doing - improving the professionalism of the HVACR industry,” said program President Rex Boynton.

Prizes will be awarded in each “division,” in which contracting companies are grouped by size. The grand prize is a fully paid trip to the 2009 Super Bowl in Tampa, Fla.

"This contest is open to all HVAC/R contractors of any size nationwide without regard to their technicians NATE-certification status,” Boynton said. “They simply need to go towww.natex.orgfor more information and to register.”