Artist Michael Israel is part rock star and part Picasso.

photo RTOonline

Michael Israel's brand of performance art involves him painting on a rotating, black canvas while rock music blares over the sound system.  See 96 NEW photos from the event here.

Nearly 3,000 Nationwide Marketing Group members gathered at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas for the PrimeTime! Vendor Exhibition and Buying Show kick off. The evening featured artist Michael Israel, who was billed as part rock star and part Picasso, and keynote speaker Nibo R. Qubein.  See 96 NEW photos from the event here.

Michael Israel's brand of performance art involves him painting on a rotating, black canvas while rock music blares over the sound system. In a matter of minutes, Israel used brush strokes, paint splatters and his hands to create stunning portraits of the Statue of Liberty, a New York City firefighter, and finally, the Nationwide logo. Israel's work has been seen at the Olympics, in concerts with musicians such as Garth Brooks and Bruce Springsteen, and in stadiums before crowds of up to 70,000 people. Editors note - For reasons of copyright, we must wait for written permission to publish the portraits.

Keynote speaker Nibo R. Qubein, a Lebanese immigrant who arrived in the US as a teenager with little money and even less English before becoming a mega-success story. Mr. Quebein, the current president of High Point University in High Point, North Carolina and chairman of the Great Harvest Bread Company, shared the secrets behind his success, and his optimism for the future of small business in the United States.

"This is the land of the free. This is the home of the brave. This PrimeTime! show is capitalism at it's best. The independent business owner will survive and will thrive."

Mr. Qubein discussed some of the changes he has made at his alma mater, High Point University, since being named the school's seventh president just a few years ago. The more cosmetic adjustments included cutting down trees that blocked the campus view of the library, and bricking over well-worn paths that students had tracked through otherwise manicured lawns. He has also added audio systems to pipe in music throughout campus ("just like at Epcot Center," he said), and he sends each student a personalized birthday card with a Starbucks gift card. He also makes sure an ice cream truck periodically makes the rounds of campus to pass out free ice cream treats, and he has created kiosks to hand out free water, soda and snacks to students between classes.

While he understands some of these ideas have little to do with the traditional world of academia, Qubein maintains that he has a larger goal in mind.

photo RTOonline

Mr. Quebein urged those in attendance to consider their store environment and whether it truly attracts customers and makes them want to conduct business with your company. See 96 NEW photos from the event here.

"We know our business is academics, but the environment surrounding that is still important. Ultimately, we are there to educate and to model values for these kids. Each of the programs we have rolled out models a different value, be it generosity, joy or confidence."

Mr. Quebein urged those in attendance to consider their store environment and whether it truly attracts customers and makes them want to conduct business with your company. He then went on to describe how real success is achieved when company owners understand the "product of the product". For instance, customers don't just want to rent a TV. They want to experience entertainment. When companies stop communicating and start connecting with customers, when they stop selling and start positioning, that is when Quebein says a business will succeed.

photo RTOonline

Pre-show video podcast with RentDirect Executive Director James MacAlpine. MacAlpine successfully dodged moving forklifts and other potential hazards to give a preview of the vendor exhibition that opens Monday morning at 10am.

Earlier in the day, RTO Online scored an exclusive pre-show video podcast with RentDirect Executive Director James MacAlpine. MacAlpine successfully dodged moving forklifts and other potential hazards to give a preview of the vendor exhibition that opens Monday morning at 10am. MacAlpine also discussed the unique roundtable discussion segment featuring some of the most pressing issues facing dealers today, as decided by RentDirect members.

RTO Online will provide daily updates from Dallas, publishing photo galleries, interviews and for the first time, LIVE streaming video of events.

RTO Online will stream presentations, including the much anticipated RentDirect keynote presentation by former Rent-A-Center CEO Bud Gates, live on our homepage - www.rtoonline.com. The Bud Gates' video webcast "Industry Insights: An Insider's Look at RTO; Past, Present and Future," is scheduled for 10:00 AM EST today - Monday February 3, 2008. NOTE: This is a live event. The actual starting time may vary. Please follow this link at least 15 minutes early (9:45 AM).