TARA 27th Annual Convention
& Southwest Buying Show
October 10-11, 2010 - Hotel InterContinental-Dallas
15201 Dallas Parkway, Addison, TX 75001
972-386-6000
Sponsored By
Nationwide Southwest/RentDirect Nationwide
&
TRIB Group
Registration is now open for the TARA 27th Annual Convention & Southwest Buying Show, October 10-11, 2010, at the beautiful Hotel InterContinental-Dallas, a few blocks from the Galleria shopping area in north Dallas.
This year's event features the convention format adopted a few two years ago that reduces your time and cost to attend, while still producing the same quality buying show, speakers, presentations, social functions, and networking opportunities members have always enjoyed at this showcase event for Texas RTO dealers.
All details of the convention are provided below. A copy of the convention registration forms for both dealers and exhibitors is provided in the left column. Exhibitors must purchase booth space before registering their booth personnel. For more information or questions about the event, please contact the TARA staff at 512-477-1991.
Convention Format/Highlights
TARA's new convention format has been a big hit with dealers and exhibitors for the past two years. The convention is only two days - Sunday and Monday - requiring less time and money for both dealers and exhibitors to attend, while still providing the same quality meeting, buying show, and networking opportunities as past TARA conventions. A complete schedule of events for both days is shown in the left column of this page. Highlights of the meeting are:
- A two-day format that reduces your time and cost to attend.
- The latest industry merchandise, products, and services in TARA 2010 Southwest Buying Show.
- Industry speakers and presentations designed to update dealers on the current issues affecting the Texas RTO industry.
- A special update on the 82nd Texas Legislature and what dealers should expect from the State's estimated $18 billion budget deficit (see details below).
- A special update on the industry's law suit against the Texas State Comptroller's recent ruling on gross margins tax (see details below).
- Over 10 different functions to network with dealers and vendors, including an opening reception, breakfast, and trade show luncheon - all included in the registration fee.
- Sponsorship opportunities that provide cost effective exposure for vendors and the products and services they provide.
- A four-star hotel with a discounted room rate in the exclusive Dallas Galleria area.
- World-class dining on Dallas’ restaurant row just blocks from the hotel.
TARA Annual Membership Meeting
The membership meeting will start on Sunday, October 10 at 4:00 pm and conclude on Monday morning October 11. This year's program is designed to bring members up-to-date on all national and state issues - both legislative and legal - and TARA's involvement in these issues. The following is a summary of some of the topics will be discussed.
- Next January, the 82nd Texas Legislature will convene in Austin to tackle the biggest budget deficit in our state's history - $15-$18 billion!!! Since the state's "rainy day fund" only contains about $8 billion, the Legislature will almost certainly have to increase taxes and fees to meet its constitutional obligation of balancing the budget. During this meeting, the membership will receive an update on how the Legislature will likely address the budget deficit and how that will possibly affect Texas businesses, including RTO operations.
- In a recent audit of one TARA member, the Texas State Comptroller has taken the position the 0.5% gross margins tax rate does not apply to their RTO operations. Instead, the full 1% tax rate applies. The dealer, and TARA, have joined to pursue this matter in the courts. This is an extremely important case that could cost the industry millions in tax dollars. During this meeting, members will learn the details of this case and steps to take to properly file their gross margins tax.
- With the state budget deficit over $15 billion, the Texas Legislature will face some tough decisions next January. During this meeting, members will receive an update on the top House, Senate, and Statewide races, and how these elections could dramatically affect Texas businesses.
- Ed Winn, APRO legal counsel and longtime RTO legal expert, will update members on the legal issues currently facing Texas dealers, including collection issues, bedbugs, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, automatic shut-off devices, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, new anti-RTO initiatives around the country, and other RTO legal issues.
In addition, the association's plan for representing the industry in the 82nd Texas Legislature will be presented. This will include a briefing on what members will be asked to do before and during the session with their state representatives and senators. Speaker times are now posted in the column to the left.
As you can see, this is one of the most important membership meetings in TARA history. All members should make arrangements for at least one company employee attend these two sessions on Sunday and Monday of the convention.
2010 Southwest Buying Show
Dealers from all across the Southwest will meet face-to-face with vendors offering the latest merchandise, products and services to the RTO industry in the TARA 2010 Southwest Buying Show on Monday afternoon of the convention. RTO dealers can place orders directly on the showroom floor.
For vendors, this is a once-a-year opportunity to expose your products and services to Texas dealers in a single day. Vendor's wanting to exhibit have until September 21 to reserve booth space by completing the TARA Exhibitor Contract and returning it to the TARA offices in Austin. For more information on the show and how to reserve exhibit space, click here Buying Show.
2010 Exhibitors To Date
APRO Benefit Marketing Solutions
Central File Marketing ClassicFlame/Tresanti
dPi Teleconnect D & H Distributing
Dickson Furniture DSI Systems
GE Appliances High Touch Nalley Motor Trucks
Nationwide Southwest/Rent Direct Nationwide
Noah's Manufacturing O'Rourke Sales Company
SED International Silko Radio & Electronics
TRIB Group, Ltd. Welton USA Whirlpool
Woot Wholesale
Convention Sponsorships
Sponsoring an event at the convention provides constant exposure for vendors who provide products and services to the RTO dealers of Texas. Convention sponsors are recognized on this web site, in the convention program, on their name badges, in their exhibit booth, during each sponsored event, and in all other convention material. All of the following convention sponsorships include all convention events and food & beverage functions:
Platinum - $5,000
Gold - $2,500
Silver - $1,000
Bronze - $500
To become a convention sponsor at any of the above levels, contact the TARA staff at 512-477-1991.
Hotel Room Reservations
This year's showcase event will be held at the Hotel InterContinental-Dallas, the premier four-star hotel located in the exclusive north Dallas/Galleria shopping and restaurant area. Book your hotel room directly with the hotel by calling 972-386-6000 before the close of business September 15. After that date, TARA cannot insure that any hotel accommodations will still be available, nor can we insure that the reduced group rate of $136.00 (single/double occupancy) will be available. Make certain you tell reservations you are with the TARA annual convention.
What's Included In Your Registration Fee
Convention registration includes the following events for one person.
- Sunday Evening Reception & Dinner.
- Sunday and Monday Annual Membership Meetings.
- Admission to 2010 Southwest Buying Show.
- Monday Buffet Breakfast.
- Monday Exhibit Hall Buffet Luncheon and Dessert Station.
- All Hospitality Breaks.
Spouses attending any convention function are required to register at the spouse fee.
