Nationwide Marketing Groupโs semi-annual member conference and tradeshow, PrimeTime, held February 9-12 in Houston, Texas, packed nonstop surprises and featured its biannual meeting for Nationwide RentDirect. The spring meeting tailored itself to all its members regardless of their experience or industry focus and allowed each attendee to connect to the event individually. โThis event is significant to our membersโ connection to each other and to RentDirect,โ says Director of Nationwide RentDirect Keven Dalke.
The first day began with more than 70 Learning Academy Sessions of various themes, including the famous Mattress University, which focused on topics such as different generational selling techniques, and gaining more foot traffic by building excellent in-store experiences for consumers.
Launching the general session was former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino, who discussed the multiple trials and tribulations that he had to overcome to be titled Astronaut, and how those obstacles connected to issues that businesses face every day. His speech led into the opening for the Nationwide RentDirect Member Meeting by Director Dalke, which had more than double the previous showโs attendance in vendors.
Dalke initiated the meeting and introduced the agenda which included APRO Executive Director Jill McClure, who updated the audience on current member benefits and the APRO Legislative Conference; and Bo Bradford from Retailer Web Services, who introduced the digital services that Retailer Web Services can provide to the rent-to-own industry. After the member meeting, the Hot Show sprang the crowd into excitement. โThis selection [from the Hot Show] was much better,โ says Dalke. โIt was a full room with strong attendance and participation with dealers, and even better than our last meeting in New Orleans.โ
After the hectic buying mania from the Hot Showโwith a 36% increase of sold items from the August Hot Showโwas the Primetime Palooza Reception, where members had only 90 minutes to snag deals from critical vendors. The buying frenzy was supported with refreshments to sustain the energy of the room, which closed the day as attendees went to dinner.
The next morning commenced with the opening of the exhibit hall and the buying show where 221 vendors of all types lined the hallโs entrance and cheered as dealers walked in. Dealers could then explore a unique variety of displays including photo opportunities with live monkeys, a virtual reality simulation, and a booth hosting the Primetime community service program, No Child Hungry, that gave participants the opportunity to pack meals for less-fortunate children to be delivered after Primetime.
RentDirect also hosted the APRO staff in their booth, where they educated individuals about APRO and its membership programs, and registered people for the APRO Legislative Conference. โIโm delighted to see more and personally know more rental dealers this year than before,โ Director Dalke says on his experience with this yearโs meeting, โI cannot wait to see how many more come to our next meeting in the Fall.โ
Bottom: APRO Communications Manager Kaiden Gray and Member Services Coordinator Bridget Marotz explore the trade show floor.
Right: Nationwide RentDirect Director Keven Dalke commences the annual member meeting.
