This is a great opportunity for managers to see new product, network with peers and get valuable training. Rental companies benefit from the feedback on products from the people that write the agreements.
Ken Steiner, Executive Director of the Missouri Rental Dealers Association

MRDA Executive Director Ken Steiner (left), Bob Saunders, Sales manager for United Furniture Industries (center), and John Cleek, owner of Cleek's Lease or Own, review participants for tomorrow's Buddy Bass Tournament. See photos from Monday's vendor reception here.

Vendor reps from 51 manufacturers greeted attendees from 23 rent to own companies during Monday's welcome reception at the 2nd annual Heartland of America Regional Tradeshow and Seminar, organized by Missouri Rental Dealers Association (MRDA). The number of companies attending is down from the record of 35 set in 2005 (see story), but overall attendance is up due to attendees from surrounding states and a larger number of store level employees. "Many companies are realizing the value of having managers attend the show," said Ken Steiner, Executive Director of the MRDA. "This is a great opportunity for managers to see new product, network with peers and get valuable training. Rental companies also benefit from the feedback on products from the people that write the agreements."

MRDA President Chuck Kuluva is pleased with attendance from surrounding states. "We have new dealers from Indiana, Illinois and Kansas," he said.

MRDA Presidents are limited to two terms. Kuluva will finish his second term in February 2007. His proudest accomplishments? "Presiding over the change to a regional concept, and our multi city training seminars for employees." Over 200 Show-Me State Rent to Own professionals attended MRDA's 2005 multi-city training seminars in Springfield, Columbia, and St. Louis, MO (see story).

John Rogers, Director of Sales for High Touch, a leading rental purchase software company, appreciates MRDA's efforts at "regionalizing" the tradeshow. In recent years, the total number of tradeshows has increased dramatically. Rogers explained that vendors have to decide which shows to attend. "The total number of shows has almost doubled," he said. "[The Heartland Show] combines dealers form Arkansas, Kansas and even Oklahoma. The management of the show is excellent and dealers bring store managers and regional managers." As a software vendor, Rogers gains valuable feedback from store level users.

A four man scramble golf tournament and the annual Buddy Bass Tournament are scheduled for Tuesday morning (agenda below). See photos from Monday's vendor reception here. RTO Online will post updates throughout the show. Please check www.rtoonline.com for updates and photo galleries.