"Meeting store personnel that sell our products." That's the consistent message heard from vendors on the value of regional tradeshows. Store managers and account managers are the front line troops; the engine that drives the rent to own industry. It is their responsibility to maintain relationships with customers. Carrying the right product lineup is key to those relationships.

Sarah Kelly

Kristy Best

Sarah Kelly, store manager at Rent Way #54 in Columbus, Ohio attended the show and sees customer service as her number one priority. When asked the most important thing a store manager can do to maintain a good relationship with customers, Sarah immediately responded "Contact them before they contact me." "It's often the little things," she added. "Birthday cards, knowing their name, making every visit a positive experience, and keeping their satisfaction as your number one priority." She also said that high turnover has not been a problem for her. When asked her secret for maintaining a happy crew, she responded with wisdom beyond her years; "Treat your employees as good as you treat your customers." One of Sarah's account managers, Kristy Best, also attended the tradeshow and confirmed the atmosphere at Rent Way. "It's very family-like," she said. Best has been with Rent Way for 18 months and plans to make RTO her career.

67 vendors got the chance to mingle with hundreds of rent to own professionals like Kelley and Best today during the tradeshow segment of the 2004 Midwest RTO Expo.

A complete photo album of the Midwest Expo Tradeshow Floor is below.

2004 Midwest RTO Expo Tradeshow Floor If you would like the full size version of any photo (suitable for printing), RTO Online will email it to you free of charge for personal use. Please cut and past the thumbnail of the image you want in an email and send to expophotorequest@rtoonline.com.

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