"One of Nationwide's best attributes is that it enhances communication within the channel," Kirk says. PrimeTime! gives retailers the chance to get together and compare best practices, something Kirk says is especially important for independent retailers, who can be so focused on keeping their business afloat that they don't see the bigger picture of the industry.

"He's almost an island to some degree, and he really needs to be able to benefit from those resources out there that are often other independent retailers," Kirk says.

Like most of its services, NMG's PrimeTime! works for members by consolidating a lot into one space. Kelly says retailers and vendors used to have to travel to many smaller regional exhibitions scattered throughout the year and across the country. PrimeTime!, however, normally covers between 150,000 and 200,000 square feet of meeting space, and is held once in Las Vegas and then again later in the year at a location further east.

"As this industry has evolved, the vendor pool really doesn't have the staff to be out talking to a smaller independent retailer," Kirk says. "PrimeTime! gives those retailers access to the upper management of those companies."

"These shows are tremendous for opening up venues for vendors to come in and show their products," Weisner says.

The show is also unique because it brings together the furniture, electronics and appliance industries. More than 7,500 attendees were present for the first exhibition this year.

"We're the only show that brings all of that into one show," Kirk says. He goes on to say that like the group, PrimeTime! has grown from modest beginnings into a major event. "The show that really launched us into this new style was when we took over the Superdome [in New Orleans] and had the entire floor of the Superdome in 2003," he says.

The exhibition brings thousands of retailers and vendors together to hear from nationally known keynote speakers, make purchases and see the latest products with manufacturer representatives. NMG has also taken the opportunity to use PrimeTime! as a platform to launch new services for its members.

For example, last year, NMG used PrimeTime! to introduce CONTACT PLUS – a new contact management and lead retrieval program – for use at its shows. This new system features use of radio frequency identification chips on nametags worn by members and vendors during the conference. The objective of this new program is to offer NMG members a more convenient, accurate way of sharing their contact information with vendors on the show floor.