Making a difference may not necessarily mean making an extra dollar, but rather making a difference in the lives that we all touch on a daily basis.
Bob Bloom, president and CEO, ColorTyme

Photo/RTO Online

ColorTyme kicks off its annual convention today in Dallas. See photo galleries from past ColorTyme events here.

ColorTyme, the nation's oldest rent-to-own franchisor, will kick off its 2010 convention today in Dallas, Texas. ColorTyme officials expect nearly 300 attendees including approximately 50 franchisees.

Update: See a complete photo gallery of the 2010 ColorTyme Convention

RTO Online will publish updates, interviews, photo galleries and videos throughout the convention. Please check www.rtoonline.com for updates. See over 2,700 photos from past ColorTyme events: Summer 2005, Summer 2006, Summer 2007, Summer 2008, Summer 2009, Winter Meeting 2005, Winter Operations 2006, Winter Operations Meeting 2007, Winter Operations Meeting 2008. See all industry events in the Rent to Own Industry Photo Gallery.

CEO Bob Bloom says the convention's theme - Make a Difference 2010 - is something ColorTyme dealers do every day. "Making a difference may not necessarily mean making an extra dollar, but rather making a difference in the lives that we all touch on a daily basis."

In his welcome letter to franchisees, vendors and staff, Bloom said, "By being active and supportive of your employees, customers, peers and community, you exemplify the values ColorTyme has long held dear - People Helping People."

On tap for Monday:

Bob Bloom - president and CEO - video
Bloom, a former Thorn Americas VP, joined ColorTyme in June, 2004 replacing former president Steve Arendt (see story). Prior to joining ColorTyme, Bloom served as Vice President of Operation’s Administration and Senior Vice President of Operations for Ezcorp, a leading operator of pawn shops from 2000 to 2004. From January 1999 to April 2000 he served as the Metromedia Restaurant Group Regional Vice President of Franchise operations for the Family Steakhouse division. Prior to 1999 he served as the Vice President of the Rural Division for Thorn Americas, Vice President and General Manager –Thorn Leasing Concepts, and Vice President Operations Administration.

Albert Kohut - vice president operations
Kohut joined ColorTyme as vp operations in 2009 (see story). Prior to ColorTyme, Kohut spent nine years with W.S. Badcock Corporation as Vice President, New Business Development where he led the launch of the company's rent-to-own division, Home Now (see story).

Amy Woods - director of marketing - video
Woods was named director of marketing in 2006 (see story). Before joining ColorTyme, Woods served as the Director of Marketing at Pizza Inn where she was instrumental in research and field testing that led to the re-design of the company's logo, new brand positioning and communication strategies.

Jim Deering - director of franchise development - RTO Magazine feature "We are soldiers"
Deering joined ColorTyme in 2007 (see story). Before joining ColorTyme, Deering headed up several foodservice and restaurant franchise companies in positions including president and vice president of franchising. Most notably, Mr. Deering spent over five years growing the franchise concept Wingstop Restaurants, Inc. During that five-year period the company opened or developed hundreds of franchises and never lost a franchised store.

Rhonda Davis - director of purchasing
Davis joined ColorTyme one year after the company was founded in 1979. In her 28 years with the company, she has worked closely with ColorTyme franchisees, serving as ColorTyme's Director of Purchasing for the last seven years. Davis oversees purchasing programs for franchisees and all of ColorTyme's company meetings, including the National Convention and the Summer Retreat and Buying Show.

Store Awards will be presented during today's general session.

Following today's General session, ColorTyme will treat attendees to a Dallas Stars vs. Minnesota Wild hockey game.

On Tuesday, Mitch Fadel, president of ColorTyme parent company Rent-A-Center, will give his annual 'state of the industry' presentation. Rent-A-Center's counsel Ron DeMoss will update franchisees on state and federal legislative issues. DeMoss joined Rent-A-Center following the company's acquisition of Rent Way in 2006 (see story) where he served as general counsel for 11 years. DeMoss was elected Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Rent-A-Center in January 2008 (see story).