40 vendors will display merchandise at today's tradeshow, including several new to the rent to own industry. One new vendor is Superior Listening Systems Audio (SLS Audio). SLS may be new to RTO, but the company is no newcomer to high quality audio.

left to right - Robert Briley, owner of Briley Investments dba Aaron's Sales and Lease Ownership; John Parker Briley of Goldman Sachs; Joe Allevato, Western division Manager for Aaron Rents; and Joe Lucido, Manager of New Store Openings for Aaron Rents. The foursome took first place with  a 12 under par 60 at Doral in the annual TARA golf tournament Sunday.

NEW - Photo Galleries Vendor Appreciation (9), Golf Tournament (23), Welcome Reception (23).

NEW - Podcast Interviews from Saturday 3/24

PLAY - Jeff Lowry, Director of Marketing for SLS Audio. SLS is a new vendor at TARA. Jeff Lowry gives an overview of the company's latest Home Theater offering, the Q-Line Silver Home Theater sound system, designed in cooperation with Quincy Jones. Running Time 6:11.

PLAY - Robert Briley, owner of Briley Investments dba Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership. Robert Briley converted from an independent (Rent City) to an Aaron's franchise in 2006. Running Time 22:30.

PLAY - James MacAlpine, Executive Director of RentDirect Nationwide gave us an update on the upcoming RentDirect Member-2-Member conference to be held May 7-9, 2007 in Atlanta, Georgia at the Wyndham Hotel.

The foursome of Robert Briley, Aaron's Sales and Lease Ownership franchisee, John Parker Briley of Goldman Sachs, Joe Allevato, Western division Manager for Aaron Rents, and Joe Lucido, Manager of New Store Openings for Aaron Rents took first place with a 12 under par 60 at Doral Tesoro Golf Club in the annual Texas Association of Rental Agencies (TARA) golf tournament Sunday. Doral is a 7,000 yard championship course designed by Jay Moorish. See a photo gallery of the golf tournament here.

Dan Mathews, shown here with wife Susan Mathews of Benefit Marketing Solutions, has been elected President of the Texas Association of Rental Agencies. Mathews replaces outgoing President Robert Briley. RTO Online will publish a podcast interview with Mathews later today (Monday).

Vicky Hale, TARA's Executive Director and organizer of the convention said 220 rent to own dealers and vendors are registered to attend this year's event. Hale said TARA was looking for something unique to offer attendees this year. They found it at Texas Motor Speedway where all attendees will head Monday morning and be given the opportunity to ride in a race car at 150 miles per hour.

40 vendors will display merchandise at today's tradeshow, including several new to the rent to own industry. One new vendor is Superior Listening Systems Audio (SLS Audio). SLS may be new to RTO, but the company is no newcomer to high quality audio.

Since the early 1970's has been designing, manufacturing, installing and touring with some of the most innovative loudspeaker systems in the industry. The company's custom crafted audio components have been used by some of the biggest names in the business - most recently the legendary Quincy Jones. Jones collaborated with SLS on the design of the company's hottest Home Theater introduction, the Q-Line Silver Home Theater sound system. The Q-line received the Silver Editors Choice Award from TeamXbox.com in 2006.

Jeff Lowry, Director of Marketing for SLS Audio.

PODCASTS
PLAY - Jeff Lowry, Director of Marketing for SLS Audio. He explains how Ribbon Driver technology opens up dramatic new Home Theater design possibilities and how Rent to Own companies can benefit from packaging Home Theater units with LCD and plasma TVs. Listen to the podcast interview with Jeff Lowry, Director of marketing, SLS Audio (running Time 6:11).

PLAY - Robert Briley recently converted his 17 store Rent City operation to Aaron's Sales and Lease Ownership franchise. Robert gave RTO Online an update on the transition and a detailed overview of what he sees as the advantage of franchises in general, and Aaron's in particular. Running Time 22:30.

PLAY - James MacAlpine gave us an update on the upcoming RentDirect Member-2-Member (M2M) conference to be held May 7-9, 2007 in Atlanta, Georgia at the Wyndham Hotel. RentDirect Nationwide is the rent to own industry's largest buying group. This will be the second M2M conference and, based on positive feedback from the 2006 event, it has been expanded to two and 1/2 days. See a complete photo archive of the Inaugural M2M in Dallas here.

MacAlpine says there will be five unique sessions. One of the most exciting is "Building your other revenues." The revenue seminar will show RTO dealers that by implementing four simple programs, Jewelry, Pre-paid phone service, LDW and Club programs, revenue can be increased by 25%.

RentDirect is on track to meet it's goal of 500 member companies by the end of 2008. MacAlpine said the phenomenal growth of the buying and marketing group is due to Nationwide's superior service and programs.

While in Atlanta, M2M attendees will have the opportunity to visit RentDirect’s PrimeMedia production studio for a first hand look at the production and marketing capabilities accessible through RentDirect. Additionally, Dealers can learn more about RentDirect’s Masters Method sales training program which is also produced at PrimeMedia studio.

Online registration is available and all rent to own dealers, both members and non-members, are welcome to attend the event. Contact James MacAlpine at 336-714-8819 or email jamesm@nationwidegroup.org for more information.