Our role is helping dealers be more successful. Our annual conference is a great opportunity to get feedback and discuss marketing and product initiatives.
Trooper Earle, CEO, Premier Companies

Photo RTO Online

Tommy Crenshaw, Vice President of Operations, Memphis based Premier Wheel Workz, a division of Premier Companies. Crenshaw is shown here addressing franchises at the recent 2008 Premier Convention in San Antonio, Texas.

The annual Premier Companies Business Conference begins tonight in Memphis, Tennessee. The mid-year meeting will focus on products, suppliers and best practices. "We'll also be discussing several new product initiatives that will keep Premier franchisees on the cutting edge," said Tony Craig, business consultant to Premier Companies.

Twenty vendors will participate in this week's conference, presenting programs to franchisees and members of the Premier Purchasing Group (PPG). See agenda below.

Premier has expanded rapidly in recent years from a traditional furniture-appliance-electronics rent to own company to one that includes separate franchise packages for custom wheels, retail home furnishings, financial services, and used cars. All five Premier Companies' franchise divisions will be represented at the Memphis conference - Premier Rental Purchase, Premier Rent 'N Ride, Home Furnishings, Premier Wheel Workz and U-Getcha-Cash.

"Our role is helping dealers be more successful," said Premier CEO Trooper Earle. "Our annual conference is a great opportunity to get feedback and discuss marketing and product initiatives."

The conference kicks off Monday night with a welcome reception sponsored by RentDirect Nationwide. "Premier has experienced explosive growth," said James MacAlpine, Executive Director of RentDirect, the RTO industry's largest buying group. "We're proud to sponsor the event and look forward to celebrating Premier's growth."

RTO Online will cover the conference from Memphis publishing interviews, videocasts and photo galleries. Check www.rtoonline.com for updates.

CONFERENCE AGENDA

MONDAY
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Marketing Board Meeting (Board Only)
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Purchasing Board Meeting (Board Only)
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch (All)
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Marketing Board Meeting (cont.)
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Purchasing Board – Mtg. with Vendors
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Welcome Reception (All)

TUESDAY
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM Dealer Welcome – Trooper Earle (Dealers Only)
9:30 AM – 10:45 AM Marketing Board – Mtg. with Dealers (Dealers Only)
10:45 AM – 12:00 PM Purchasing Board – Mtg. with Dealers (Dealers Only)
12:00 PM – 12:15 PM Group Photo (All)
12:15 PM – 1:15 PM Lunch (All)
1:15 PM – 2:00 PM General Session (All)
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Vendor Breakouts (All)
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM Evening night out at Stax Museum of American Soul Music (All)

WEDNESDAY
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Dealer Meeting (Dealer Only)
· Mike Lewis – Review of operational performance
· Data Management and Control / New laws
· HR Management
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch (Dealers Only)
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Dealer Workshop breakouts (Dealers Only)

THURSDAY
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Executive Debrief (Executive Team Only)