NEWSLETTERS - Pennsylvania dealers host attorney general

Pennsylvania dealers host attorney general

Dealers from across Pennsylvania will join forces for a day of networking and education at the Pennsylvania Rental Dealers Association's annual meeting October 7 at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

PARD President Sandi Frye expects over 30 attendees representing 11 rent-to-own companies, 10 of which are independent business owners.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett.

Topping the list of guests at the meeting is Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett.

Elected at the association's re-organization meeting last October, Frye and her dealer colleagues have rattled the cages of Washington, D.C.

A half dozen Pennsylvania dealers attended APRO's Legislative Conference this February and through their grass roots efforts, have convinced six Pennsylvania Reps. to co-sponsor the Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act. (See related story.)

More stories about Pennsylvania at the 2008 APRO Legislative conference.

Keeping an eye on the federal ball is imperative, Frye says.

"What I've learned over the past year is the importance of the APRO Legislative Conference," Frye says. "Last year, we were just getting our feet wet as a state association at the conference. This year we are promoting it better."

In 2009, as with the 2008 Conference, PARD is paying for one room night stay for members attending the APRO Legislative Conference April 21-23.

Though the current legislative session is almost over, the now 100 sponsors of the bill will carry momentum into a Congress consumed with credit and lending issues -- a climate that experts say will draw attention to the merits of the non-credit RTO transaction.

Meeting attendees will hear legislative updates from Corbett, industry lobbyist John O'Connell and hear a popular presentation from ColorTyme CEO Bob Bloom entitled, "Your Attitude Determines your Altitude."

Pennsylvania is home to over 245 rent-to-own stores which employ 1,470, pay out $57,300,000 in annual wages, $8,800,000 in annual payroll taxes, and earn $171,000,000 in annual revenues.

Brian Ferrari, a Premier dealer, serves as PARD's vice president and Greg Turner of Rent-A-Center serves as secretary.

The meeting agenda is as follows:

October 7, 2008

10:15-10:30 Dennis Shields- TRIB
10:30-11:30 Roger Whitacre-identity theft
11:30-11:45 John O’Connel- lobbyist
12:00-12:45 Lunch with AG Tom Corbett
12:45-1:00 Tom Corbett
1:00-1:30 Meet and greet with AG
1:30-1:45 Mike Dour- D & H Distributing
1:45-2:00 Richard Hollinger-Budget Phone
2:00-2:30 Attitude Determines Altitude-Bob Bloom
2:30-3:00 Round Table discussions

The meeting is sponsored by TRIB Group.

mevans@rtohq.org