Invincible isn’t my story. Invincible is your story.
Vince Papale, former Philadelphia Eagle, speaking to attendees at RentDirect-nationwide PrimeTime! Monday

photo RTO Online Vince Papale, inspiration for the recent movie Invincible, was the keynote speaker during Monday's general session. See a photo gallery of Monday's Keynote and Reception (53) and Training Seminars (24). Flashback: RentDirect PrimeTime August, 2006 - Interviews With 10 Key Rent to Own Industry Company Executives, Suppliers

The RentDirect-Nationwide PrimeTime! Convention is underway at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel in Orlando, Florida. Company officials say it is the group’s largest East Coast meeting ever, with double-digit attendance growth over the previous meeting.

Monday night, Vince Papale’s against-the-odds battle to play in the NFL earned him the keynote speaker slot, where he compared his obstacles to those of the independent dealers in attendance at yesterday’s meeting. See a photo gallery of Monday's Keynote and Reception (53) and Training Seminars (24).

Papale, inspiration for the recent movie Invincible, remains the oldest rookie ever to play in the NFL. He made the team after new head coach Dick Vermeil held an open tryout in 1976.

“Success is all about working hard and taking advantage of an opportunity. Everyone has obstacles but you need to keep the momentum going. I had a mentor once give me a plaque that read, ‘Happy are those who dream dreams and are willing to work hard to make those dreams true.’ That’s the attitude you need to have to be a success in this business.”

Earlier in the day, dealers had the chance to educate themselves on the latest trends in consumer appliances and electronics with presentations by RentDirect-Nationwide’s category experts. Some key statistics:

photo RTO Online Click to view full panorama shot of the RentDirect-Nationwide Kickoff.

- 27 Million HD television sets will be acquired by consumers in 2007
- 8 Million consumers will contract for satellite television service in 2007
- DVD Recorders have gone mainstream with sales up from 550,000 units in 2003 to more than 5.4 million units forecast for 2007
- HD DVD is coming on strong and will post major growth in 2007 and beyond
- Price reductions in larger LCD televisions (screen sizes 50” and up) will cut the plasma market share of this size set from 89% to less than 40% in the next few years
- Bottom mount refrigerators have overtaken side-by-side refrigerators in the upper price levels
- RentDirect-Nationwide purchases 17.3% of all appliances sold in the U.S. (second only to Sears) – and the group’s market share continues to grow

photo RTO Online Dennis Willich, CEO of Nationwide Southwest

RentDirect-Nationwide Southwest CEO Dennis Willich said the sharing of consumer information is just one of the ways the group goes beyond offering volume discounts to become a full-service partner to its members.

“We work with independent dealers who have a passion for their business. In plenty of cases they have put it all on the line to succeed and we are here to provide them with as many different resources as possible to ensure their success.”

Today’s show will feature displays from nearly 200 vendors, including 28 first-time participants. A highlight will be the first-ever trade show appearance of a 53-foot interactive high-definition display from Toshiba. RentDirect-Nationwide is the first buying group to gain access to the display that will make a cross-country tour this spring and summer to promote Toshiba’s HD lineup.

Watch RTO Online - www.rtoonline.com - for show updates including podcasts live from the RentDirect-Nationwide Trade Show floor.