While total attendance (145) is down slightly from 2007 (160), vendor participation is strong. 20% of the vendors showing at this years event are first time attendees.

Ken Steiner, Executive Director, Missouri Rental Dealers Association. Inset: attendees at Monday's reception - see 41 photos from the event here. See RTO Online's videocast interview with Ken Steiner, Executive Director of MRDA here.

The 2008 Heartland of America RTO Tradeshow and Seminar kicked off Monday night with a Vendor Showcase Reception. The Heartland show is organized by the Missouri Rental Dealers Association (MRDA). See complete photo gallery of Monday's reception here.

While total attendance (145) is down slightly from 2007 (160), vendor participation is strong. MRDA Executive Director Ken Steiner said 20% of the vendors showing at this years event are first time attendees. RTO Online interviewed Steiner Monday. See RTO Online's videocast interview with Ken Steiner, Executive Director of MRDA here.

Missouri is one of the country's most active state rent-to-own associations. MRDA doesn't limit its programs to owners - The group holds an annual "training roadshow" where RTO specific training is given to hundreds of store level employees in three cities over three days.

MRDA has been meeting annually for 21 years. "Four years ago, we began inviting dealers from Arkansas, Kansas, Iowa and Illinois to attend the annual tradeshow," Steiner said. "We were hearing from vendors that there were too many shows. We saw an opportunity to consolidate events from several states and it has benefited both dealers and vendors. This year we also have a representative from Kentucky."

Steiner credits the MRDA Board of Directors for maintaining a high energy level in the state. "We have a lot of people that are active at both the state and national level. Our board puts forth real effort to get new people involved." Steiner said 20% of this years attending RTO dealers are also first time attendees.

A paid Executive Director, especially one of Steiner's organizational skill, is a major factor in MRDA's ongoing success. Although Steiner takes little credit, his influence is evident at every event - and not just in Missouri. Steiner also serves the Illinois Rental Dealers Association as Executive Director and at one time, he filled the slot for Arkansas.

If you think your state doesn't need a paid executive director, ask yourself - how many times has a rental dealer volunteered more than once to organize a convention or tradeshow? "It's a major undertaking," Steiner explained. "Especially for a group that wants to operate on the level of MRDA."

See the entire interview here.

Ken Steiner can be reached via email at steineraa@aol.com.

MRDA will hold its annual Bass Fishing Tournament and Golf Tournament Tuesday morning. The exhibit hall is open from 3:00 - 7:00pm Tuesday and is followed by a dinner and awards presentation.

RTO online is in Lake Ozark and will publish video interviews from the tradeshow floor, as well as photo galleries and articles. Please check www.RTOonline.com for updates.