RentDirect Nationwide Further Solidifies Position as Leader Among Buying Groups

RentDirect Nationwide keynote speaker John Kasich delivered an impassioned speech to thousands of Nationwide Marketing Group members at the August 2007 PrimeTime!  See a complete photo gallery here.

“Bigger than the New Orleans Superdome” – Ed Kelly, President of Nationwide Marketing Group, describing the wide expanse of trade show displays.



“The show was just great.” - David P. David, Full-O-Pep.



“We’ll get plenty of business out of this show.” -Ellison Crider, RSSS.



“Once more, RentDirect Nationwide did a first-class job.” -Bill Lassiter, Lynnray Financial.



“Dealers are happy and vendors are thrilled.” - James MacAlpine, RentDirect



RentDirect Nationwide executives have completed the group’s August PrimeTime! buying show, which by all accounts was received as an overwhelming success. The four-day event kicked off with a newly-combined Member 2 Member Summit, held exclusively for rental dealers.



“More than 150 companies were registered for our Member 2 Member meetings that included valuable tools and knowledge for rental dealers to take back and impact their business immediately,” said James MacAlpine, Executive Director of RentDirect.



MacAlpine acknowledged that the wide-ranging resources of such a large buying group can be overwhelming for rental dealers. There are more than 50 different support programs available to members covering everything from an electronic ordering system to custom circulars to special financing options. But MacAlpine has relied on advice gained during his own career to help him act as a filter for the group’s fast-growing rental membership.



“What we hope is that rental dealers who attended these meetings walk away with the knowledge that we constantly work to enhance the value of their membership. Even though we have experienced explosive growth, we still focus on those aspects of RentDirect Nationwide membership that are the most appropriate. Part of my background was working for Rent-A-Center (RCII) and I remember when Bud Gates came to RAC and the advice he gave us. Bud said to focus on five things you know you do well and the rest will follow. I’ve carried that with me throughout my career even as an independent dealer. And now I’ve used it to narrow the focus during our RentDirect sessions on the five programs I know dealers will get the most benefit from. Things like store fixtures, marketing, advertising, training and purchasing are programs we constantly work to promote and further enhance benefits for our members in those areas.”



Indeed, the dealers RTO Magazine caught up with on the show floor were impressed with the range of support available to them as RentDirect members. Things like free, customizable high-definition television commercials and sleek new wall display units for flat-panel television sets were frequently mentioned as dealers’ favorites.



RentDirect Nationwide has announced its next buying show will take place March 3 – 5, 2008 in Dallas, Texas. The city they call “Big D” will play host to what is certain to be another record-breaking RentDirect show. Can the group conjure up an event as Big as Texas? You can bet the ranch - they will.

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RTO Magazine is the leading rent to own industry print publication.