The Premier Companies 2021 National Convention Wraps Up

The Premier Companies Held Their National Convention in March

The Premier Companies 2021 National Convention was held Saturday, March 13^th virtually and with a group attending in person at the Premier Training and Development Center in Texas City, Texas.

Trooper Earle, President and CEO of The Premier Companies, opened the convention with the State of the Company and Year in Review. “It is an honor to be able to come together at this years 2021 convention, to review the successes of the year and to also provide unity among our franchisees”.

Trooper began with reviewing how last year started out normal for everyone with the 2020 Convention being held in Miami then a Celebration trip to Arub.  Many Premier franchisees attended TRIB in Atlanta in February and then the pandemic hit. Lockdowns became a part of our lives. “We banded together, took care of business and adapted well finishing the year strong”, commented Earle. Training is a big focus for 2021. Monthly live training is now available for franchisees in Texas City as well as virtually and a rollout of the newly enhanced Premier University takes place in April.

Mike Lewis, VP Operations, highlighted the benefits of attending the Development Training. Each month the agenda will be customized to meet the needs and interests of the specific attendees. A video was shared with the group providing everyone with a sneak peek of the new Premier University. Lots of student and video interaction are featured in this enhanced Learning Management System.

Jill McClure, APRO Executive Director, provided attendees with the state of rent to own.  She also shared some early results from a recent APRO survey regarding 2020 and how the pandemic effected RTO businesses. Most Premier Franchisees received the Industry Service Award which is awarded to those who have contributed to the Rent to Own industry. McClure announced the award winners through a prerecorded video.

The Premier Companies Owner’s Advisory Committee Chairman, John Manzari, updated his peers on the committee’s actions in 2020 and plans for 2021.

Premier was pleased to announce their partnership with PTS Direct Benefits naming them a Premier Preferred Vendor. Elise Nizamutdinova, VP of Direct Benefits and Krystal Black, VP of Marketing, were on hand to explain their club benefits program.

The awards presentations concluded the morning general session with community recognition given to franchisees who gave back to their customers and communities in 2020. Other awards were given for tenure, sales, Premier involvement and Top Performers were announced. The Franchisee of the Year is awarded to one of the Top Performers. This year two franchisees stood out among the talented, successful candidates. Therefore, Premier decided to award this prestigious honor to Chad and Rhonda Fosdick and John Manzari.

Chad and Rhonda have a Premier location in North Platte, Nebraska. Chad was at a loss for words hearing his name announced as Franchisee of the Year. “Holy smokes, man” was his first comment. Chad and Rhonda attended the General Session virtually with their family and team.. “It takes a lot of hard work to have success. Our customers are very important to us”. Chad thanked his family and team and also thanked several of his peers who have made an impact along the way. Chad also commented that he was pleased to share the Franchisee of the Year award with John.

Watching the convention virtually from his store in Wethersfield, Connecticut, John Manzari was surprised to hear his name announced as Franchisee of the Year.  He looks up to his co-award winner, Chad Fosdick, and wondered if he could ever be good enough to receive this award as many of the Top Performers have won. “I appreciate the franchisees who have helped me through this process,” Manzari said, naming each and every one of them. “My staff is really the key to my success and this award is just as much theirs.”

After the convention, the in person group of franchisees, corporate team and vendors, enjoyed an afternoon of food, fun and friendly competition at the local Top Golf followed by camaraderie and a delicious shrimp boil at the Premier Corporate House in Tiki Island.  “I feel that the 2021 Premier Convention was indeed a success”, says Larkin Mott Premier’s Event Coordinator.  “We celebrated perserviering through a very tenuious year and moved on to 2021 stronger and united”.