At Nationwide and RentDirect-Nationwide, it’s our mission to go one step further, past size and buying power, and be the ultimate resource for independent dealers.
Ed Kelly, President, Nationwide Marketing Group

RentDirect - PrimeTime! is scheduled February 11th through February 14th.

RentDirect will kick off its winter PrimeTime! convention this weekend at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel in Orlando, FL.

The event, hosted by RentDirect’s parent organization, Nationwide Marketing Group, is scheduled February 11th through February 14th, with over 3,000 independent dealers and vendors expected to attend. Nationwide reports a 15% increase in registration over their last show in Orlando, positioning this PrimeTime! to be their largest East Coast meeting to date.

The highlight of the group’s convention, the PrimeTime! vendor show, has become the largest buying show for independent appliance, consumer electronic, and furniture dealers of its kind. With approximately 180 exhibitors on 126,000 square feet of PrimeTime! show floor space, the vendor show offers dealers the opportunity to check out the latest product offerings from today’s leading manufacturers; speak one-on-one with representatives; and take advantage of exclusive specials and savings –including the group’s signature Cash Back Now rebate program.

This PrimeTime!, RentDirect-Nationwide will celebrate the strength and unity of group members with the theme “The Power of One”.

Ed Kelly (left), President of Nationwide Marketing Group, and Dennis Willich, Nationwide Southwest CEO at the August, 2006 PrimeTime!. See a complete photo gallery of the August buying show here.

Ed Kelly, President of Nationwide Marketing Group, parent organization of RentDirect-Nationwide explains, “Together, we are the largest buying and marketing organization for appliances, electronics and furniture dealers in the country. We represent over 7,500 storefronts and $11 Billion in combined annual sales and together, as a group, we are the Power of One.”

Kelly adds, “At Nationwide and RentDirect-Nationwide, it’s our mission to go one step further, past size and buying power, and be the ultimate resource for independent dealers. We want to be their company’s Power of One. We put all of our energy into our members’ success. We want to ensure they have everything they need to not only compete, but win, in today’s aggressive marketplace.”

Nationwide executives say that part of their members’ success “lies in the strength of their own brand identity.” Robert Weisner, Executive Vice President of Nationwide Marketing Group adds, “Our Members have put significant amounts of time, energy, and money into their own brand identities. Our mission is to ensure that their hard work is rewarded and their images are sufficiently supported through Nationwide’s services.”

Throughout the show, RentDirect-Nationwide plans to offer fresh ideas designed to support the rent to own dealer’s unique brand.

Representatives from RentDirect’s Member Service teams will be on hand during PrimeTime! ready to answer questions and guide dealers through the group’s unique portfolio of programs and services –including experts in hiring and background checks; floor planning; logistics management; store layout and design; and representatives from the group’s call center.

RentDirect-Nationwide’s financial arm, including MBA professionals, will also be available to review dealers’ business plans and offer advice on raising capital for buyouts; ESOP programs and expansions; and to help develop new opportunities to increase profitability.

The team at Nationwide’s PrimeMedia Studios has plans for several exciting announcements at the event, “including additional offerings and the expansion of the production facility itself,” says Steve Bryant, Executive Director of Nationwide’s PrimeMedia Studios. Les Kirk, Executive Vice President of Nationwide Marketing Group, adds, “We continue to increase our investment in Nationwide’s PrimeMedia initiative.”

Additionally, RentDirect-Nationwide members attending PrimeTime! will have the opportunity to see eight new HD television commercials produced specifically for them, as well as new tabloid, direct mail and point-of-sale advertising materials. RentDirect members will also attend a media planning seminar, hosted by Steve Bryant, to learn the latest, most profitable media buying and placement strategies.

James MacAlpine (left), Executive Director of RentDirect Nationwide, with Kelly Sayre, RentDirect member.

The event will also offer increased networking opportunities for rental and retail dealers. RTO and retail members will come together for joint merchandising sessions and educational seminars. “This decision came about through member feedback which suggested the rental and retail sessions be combined. Dealers feel it offers fresh ideas and alternative merchandising strategies that may not be presented in their own channels,” says James MacAlpine, Executive Director of RentDirect-Nationwide. “I couldn’t agree more!”

MacAlpine adds, “When I was a RTO dealer, I attended many retail seminars at PrimeTime!. They were surprisingly beneficial for me and offered ideas that were outside the rent-to-own box. Many of those seminars inspired me to try new things, which always seemed to pay off with increased profits.”

Keynoting the convention will be Vince Papale, the inspiration behind the hit motion picture, Invincible. Papale plans to share his inspirational journey from humble working class beginnings to professional athlete and successful businessman with the thousands expected to attend.

For more information on RentDirect-Nationwide, please contact James MacAlpine at 336-722-4681.