TRIB members voted to approve a merger with AVB Brandsource. This according to a memo from Bob Lawrence, Executive Director of AVB. The actual vote count, for and against, is unknown.

According to the memo, TRIB and AVB/Brand Source announced a formation of a strategic alliance. This partnership, pending AVB, Inc. board approval, begins immediately and the first major roll-out will be at the TRIB Group Show, May 17-20, 2006 in Cincinnati.

The merger's effect on existing TRIB Vendors is also unknown. Under the terms of the agreement, TRIB will continue to operate autonomously and continue to manage its RTO members. In addition, TRIB will manage the AVB/Brand Source rental division and TRIB will become a division of AVB, Inc., similar to Home Entertainment Source, Sleep Source, MARTA and the Flooring Source. TRIB will continue to be headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and under the leadership of Dennis Shields, their Executive Director.

From the Brand Source perspective it expands AVB/Brand Source core programs such as Expert Warehouse, Expert Finance, and Expert Care. It also completes a distribution link for AVB/Brand Source “Whole Home” solution by now adding a rent-to-own component.

Bob Lawrence, Executive Director of AVB/Brand Source commented, “We also look forward to giving 100% support to TRIB’s RTO efforts. For a long time we have felt it is important to partner with the industries largest RTO group, so together we can improve the industry as a whole.”

Dennis Shields, Executive Director of TRIB stated, “It is an exciting time for TRIB. It gives us additional ammunition for us to grow the TRIB membership and added opportunities to make existing members more profitable.” Jeff Tracy, President of AVB/Brand Source further stated, “The more independent business people combine together to create opportunities, the better it is for everyone. This is truly an exciting time, and we look forward to working with all of the TRIB members.”