Five Regions. Two National Titles.

Five Regions.
Two National Titles.

Top Tech Throwdown is a members-only, multi-stage technician competition designed to recognize excellence across all five CFESA regions. Held alongside each regional meeting, the competition puts hot side and cold side master technicians through a series of hands-on stations and written challenges that evaluate technical expertise, mechanical aptitude and real-world problem-solving.

Each region crowns one hot side and one cold side winner who advance to the national championship at CFESA HQ, where they compete for the title of top technician in their category.

Want to See the Competition Up Close?

A limited number of spectator seats are available for members ready to cheer on the industry’s top technicians. Register early to secure your spot and experience the competition live.

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Competition Details

Who Can Participate?
Master technicians employed by CFESA member companies.

How Does Nomination Work?

  • Technicians must be nominated by their company manager.
  • One nomination per discipline (hot side/cold side) per company per region.
  • Space is limited to 7 competitors per side at each regional event.
  • Regional winners must be available to travel to Fort Mill, SC for the national competition.

What Does It Cost to Participate?
There is no registration fee for the regional or national competitions. Travel and lodging for the national competition are covered for participating technicians.

When and Where Are the Competitions?

  • Region 1: February 20 – Downey, CA
  • Region 2: March 27 – Indianapolis, IN
  • Region 3: April 17 – Mesa, AZ
  • Region 4: January 16 – Columbia, SC
  • Region 5: May 8 – Baltimore, MD
  • National: August 7, 2026 – CFESA HQ
  • Region 1: February 20 – Downey, CA
  • Region 2: March 27 – Indianapolis, IN
  • Region 3: April 17 – Mesa, AZ
  • Region 4: January 16 – Columbia, SC
  • Region 5: May 8 – Baltimore, MD
  • National: August 7, 2026 – CFESA HQ

The Road to the National Championship

With regional competitions complete, winning hot side and cold side technicians from each CFESA region will move on to the national championship on August 7, 2026.

At CFESA HQ, finalists will compete for two national titles and the opportunity to be recognized among the industry’s top technicians.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. All tools are provided by CFESA. Outside tools are not permitted.

Technicians must remain employed by the CFESA member company that nominated them.

If they change employers before regionals, they cannot compete.

If they change employers after winning a regional event, they cannot advance to Nationals and the runner-up will take their place.

Regional + national competitions have no registration fee.

Companies cover travel/lodging for regional events.

For the HQ competition, CFESA covers the technician’s travel and hotel for two days.

Their region’s runner-up will take their place.

Each region crowns one hot side and one cold side winner. Regional winners receive a premium industry tool and gear package estimated valued at $400 and advance to the national championship at CFESA HQ.

Each region names a hot side and cold side runner-up. Runners-up receive a curated industry tool and gear kit with estimated value at $200.

Runners-up also serve as alternatives for the national competition if a winner cannot attend.

One hot side and one cold side national champion will be named. National winners receive high-value diagnostic equipment, a mobile workstation, insulated tools, an RTIC cooler and substantial training credits for both themselves and their company at an estimated value of $3,000.

No. Spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Each region is limited to seven hot side and seven cold side competitors. Once those spots are confirmed, additional nominees are placed on a waitlist. Your technician’s participation is not guaranteed until CFESA sends confirmation.

Each region allows seven hot side and seven cold side competitors. Up to three additional technicians per discipline may be waitlisted. CFESA will confirm whether your nominee is registered or waitlisted.

Participating companies receive recognition at both the regional and national level.

At regionals, participating companies receive a tagged social media announcement and their logo displayed on the competition webpage.

At nationals, companies with a winning technician receive a winner’s plaque and a $1,000 training credit.

Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors

Hot Side Regional Winner Sponsor

Cold Side Regional Winner Sponsor

Cold Side Regional Runner Up Sponsor

Hot Side Regional Runner Up Sponsor

Hot Side Regional Runner Up Sponsor

Interested in Supporting the Competition?

Help us recognize and elevate the industry’s top technicians.

Support the Competition with Tool or Supply Donations

Want to help gear up the competition? Tool and supply donations help equip regional and national competitors.
To provide equipment, contact CFESA HQ at hprice@cfesa.com.

Want to help gear up the competition? Tool and supply donations help equip regional and national competitors. To provide equipment, contact CFESA HQ at hprice@cfesa.com.