Dealers discussed a wide variety of topics ranging including how the struggling economy is affecting the rent-to-own business.

Photo RTO Online

Paul Bottomley (left) and Ted Krygoske, Premier Rental Purchase Franchisees. See our videocast interview with Ted and Paul here.

The Premier Companies President and CEO Trooper Earle credited the company's steep growth curve to the talents and entrepreneurial spirit of its 60 plus dealers. Earle's remarks came during Tuesday's general session of the 2009 Premier convention in New Orleans. See more on the general session below.

RTO Online broadcast new video interviews with 12 Premier executives and franchisees Tuesday in addition to vendor Michelle Dunning, fleet specialist for Nalley Motor Trucks. Dealers discussed a wide variety of topics ranging including how the struggling economy is affecting the rent-to-own business. See links to all videocaast interviews below.

Highlights: Premier Auto by Rent President Wayne Lewis, the newest Premier franchise partner gives a detailed overview of the used car lease-purchase model. In another video, Paul Bottomley and Ted Krygoske, Premier Rental Purchase franchisees who trace their RTO roots all the way back to Thorn, discuss how retail sales help drive the business and how their simple approach to renting and collecting has served them well for decades.

Complete list of videos from the 2009 Premier Convention (click to view):

Premier Dealer Interviews
-John Reichenbach, Westbrook, Maine
-Paul Bottomley and Ted Krygoske, Portage, Indiana
-Candie Gustafson, Dixon, Illinois
-John Martin, Valdosta, Georgia
-Chad and Jeffery Moody, Columbus, Mississippi
-Gerald Jacobs, Lynchburg, Virginia
-Calvin Cooksey, Sarasota, Florida
-Matt Koen, Pueblo, Colorado

Premier Exec Interviews
-Wayne Lewis, president, Premier Auto by Rent
-Clyde Stutzman, vice president of franchising, The Premier Companies
-Levi Rust, vice president operations, Premier Auto by Rent

RTO Online broadcast 4 video interviews Monday
-Trooper Earle, CEO, The Premier Companies
-Tom Wurm, Vice President Operations, Premier U-Getcha Cash
-Nancy Kravitz, Chief Financial Officer, The Premier Companies

See a complete photo gallery of the 2009 Premier convention here.

During Tuesday's General Session, Trooper Earle noted several milestones achieved by Premier during 2008 including growth in new dealers, a marked increase in number of multi-unit franchisees, website development for all divisions, enhanced internal communications and the transformation in its human resources division (PRPMG) to a paperless web-based process.

Earle expressed optimism for 2009 despite financial challenges. He believes commercial credit is loosening due in part to the belief among lenders that the RTO industry is a promising place to invest during economic downturns. Premier expanded the number of lender relationships during 2008 and, according to Earle, is in in a position to advance and support its dealers aggressively in 2009.

Division presidents gave State-of-the-company addresses to franchisees. Premier Home Furnishings President Jim Schebler announced the establishment of a new Marketing and Purchasing Board.

Tommy Crenshaw, Vice President of Operations for Premier Wheel Workz, is looking to open several more stores in the near future and will be strengthening the brand message of "Where athletes and stars take their cars."

Tom Wurm, Vice President of Operations for Premier UGetcha Cash, explained the benefits of co-branding and gave an update on the improved display fixtures and ability to customize UGetcha operations within an existing RTO store.

Clyde Stutzman, Vice President of Franchise Development, detailed the new partnership between The Premier Companies and Auto by Rent, an automotive lease-to-own operation headed by Wayne Lewis (see story).

Afternoon breakout sessions included "avoiding owneritis," enhancing relationships with local lenders, employee motivation, competitive pricing and more dynamic marketing. The agenda concluded with a seminar on securing financing for future growth.

The theme for the day was appropriate to New Orleans: Cajun cuisine. Lunch featured a class at the New Orleans School of Cooking. Cocktails and dinner were held at the historic Arnaud's in the heart of the French Quarter.