This year's TARA convention features a new format that requires less time and money for both members and exhibitors to attend.

See RTO Online's photo gallery of the 2007 TARA convention here.

Registration is now open for the Texas Association of Rental Agencies (TARA) 25th Annual Convention & Southwest Buying Show, October 11-13, 2008, at the Sheraton Grand DFW in Dallas. TARA members and exhibitors can now register online: Exhibitor Registration | Exhibitor info. Dealer Registration | Dealer info.

RTO Online (www.RTOonline.com) will cover the show from Dallas with interviews, photo galleries and podcasts.

New Convention Format

This year's TARA convention features a new format that requires less time and money for both members and exhibitors to attend, while still providing the same quality meeting, buying show, and networking opportunities as past TARA conventions. Here is a brief summary of the biggest format changes and other highlights of this year's convention:

- The convention has been shortened to only two full days - Sunday and Monday - reducing your hotel expense and time away from your business.

- Both the TARA general business session and the Southwest Buying Show will held on the same day - Monday.
- The Southwest Buying Show has been changed to a table-top exhibition, greatly reducing the cost to exhibit without reducing the opportunity to do business with Texas dealers.

- Sunday is loaded with new features like a welcome dinner following the traditional opening reception and a shopping trip for the spouses. And, this year's golf tournament will be played at one of the premier new courses in the state.

- And for those arriving Saturday evening, a fantastic social event has been planned - Saturday Night at the Races. Join your fellow dealers and vendors in the TARA private suite and watch the ponies run at beautiful Lone Star Park.

A tentative schedule of events is below.

Attendees may book hotel rooms directly with the Sheraton Grand DFW by calling 972-929-8400 before September 10. TARA has reserved a block of rooms for convention and trade show attendees at a special room rate of $149.00, single or double occupancy. After September 10, TARA cannot insure that any hotel accommodations will be available at the convention hotel or at the TARA convention rate of $149.00. TARA expects the room block to sell-out before the September 10 deadline. Members are urged to make their hotel room reservations immediately.