Update: The Early Registration Discount has been extended through Saturday June 3, 2006. Contact MRDA Executive Director Ken Steiner at 573-442-2963. Correction: We previously reported the Bass and Golf tournament date as June 19. The correct date is June 20th.

Ben Lewin, DSI Systems, accepts the trophy for the 2005 MRDA Golf Tournament. See a complete photo gallery of the 2005 event here (139).

The second annual Heartland of America Regional Tradeshow and Seminar (formerly MRDA) will be held June 19-21, 2006 at the Lodge of Four Seasons in Lake Ozark, Missouri. The Heartland show is a regional rent to own industry tradeshow with attendees from Missouri, Iowa, Arkansas, Illinois, and Kansas. The show is organized by the Missouri Rental Dealers Association (MRDA). See agenda below.

This years convention kicks off with a Vendor showcase reception on the 19th. A 4-man scramble golf tournament will be held the 20th at Witches Cove Course at the Four Seasons lodge. Witches Cove was recently rated the 5th best golf course in Missouri and among the best public access courses in America by Golfweek Magazine. The 2006 MRDA Buddy Bass Tournament will also be held the 20th.

MRDA expects 150 Rent to Own dealers and employees at the event. The 2005 show featured 70 vendor booths.

RTO Online will provide daily coverage of the Heartland Show. Please check www.rtoonline.com for updates and photo galleries.

MRDA was formed in 1987 and is among the most active state associations in the country. The groups first president was John Thompson of Thompson's TV. The association organized to promote RTO legislation at the state level. Within a year, they were successful in lobbying for passage of the Missouri Rental-Purchase Agreement Law.

MRDA publishes a best Practices for its member rental dealers that includes collection guidelines:

For more information about MRDA or the Heartland of America Regional Tradeshow and Seminar, contact MRDA Executive Director Ken Steiner at 573-442-2963.

The objective of the relationship between a customer or potential customer and any member (including each employee of the member) is a continuing mutually beneficial relationship. All contracts with customers shall be conducted in an honest, courteous and professional manner in conformance with all pertinent laws.

- Each and every customer shall be treated with respect for himself or herself as an individual.

- There is no place for profane or obscene language in any communication with or about a customer or potential customer.

- Under no circumstances is there reason for violence or threat of violence to the customer or his or her property.

- A customer shall be contacted regarding his or her account only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., unless he or she provides prior consent to be contacted at other times.

- Contacts to a customer at his or her place of work shall not in any way jeopardize the customers status with the employer.

- In contacting a customer, members shall represent openly and honestly the identity of the contacting person and the reason for making the contact.

- There is never any justification for the use of force or unusual or illegal entry to any place where the member's property is believed to be.