Bloom to present keynote at APRO legislative conference | Aaron Rents elects Schuerholz to board of directors | 343 attend ColorTyme meeting | Carrico inks deal with Rent-n-Roll | ColorTyme announces third annual golf tourney | Aaron Rents opens new stores | ColorTyme hires new VP of operations | Rent One contributes to United Way drive | Upcoming events | APRO Mid-Year Conference | APRO offers membership discount.

Bloom to present keynote at
APRO legislative conference
++The keynote speaker for the 2006 Dave Egan Legislative Conference hopes rental dealers will leave the conference with at least one thing – a positive attitude that will increase one’s bottom line. ColorTyme President Bob Bloom will kick off the event with a presentation called “Your Attitude Determines Your Altitude” at the general session at 9 a.m. on February 28.
++Bloom’s keynote address will give dealers a look at how their attitude affects their business. Bloom says that he intends to present dealers with exercises to increase their positive thinking and challenge them to think outside the box.
++“Business is a little tough, right now,” says Bloom. “Gas prices are high. There are more and more big guys and fewer independents. It’s easy to have a bad attitude, but the dealers that have a positive attitude are the ones that will grow their business and increase their customer base.”
++This motivational message is appropriate for this year’s legislative conference. In a year when legislators are sure to be more concerned with high oil prices and the war in Iraq than the rent-to-own industry, keeping positive is very important to the industry's legislative strategy, says Bloom. “We have to go in there with an upbeat and positive attitude to be able to accomplish our goals in such a limited time,” he says.
++Both veteran and rookie rental dealers are encouraged to attend the 2006 Dave Egan Legislative Conference. At press time, 11 first-timers have registered for this year’s conference. The conference is scheduled for February 28 – March 1 at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington, D.C. A special room rate of $199 is available through January 27. Please make reservations directly with the hotel by calling 800/635-5065. You can register for the conference online or contact Jeannie Hutchison at 800/204-2776, ext. 108. Thank you Legislative Conference sponsors – Fraenkel Company, High Touch, M&B Jewelry, RSSS, S.E.D. International, Welton USA and Whirlpool.

Aaron Rents elects Schuerholz
to board of directors
++Aaron Rents announced that John Schuerholz has been elected to its board of directors. Schuerholz is the executive vice president and general manager of the Atlanta Braves.
++"We welcome John as a member of our Board of Directors," said R. Charles Loudermilk, Sr., chairman and chief executive officer of Aaron Rents. "His record as one of the most successful general managers in baseball history is a testament to his business acumen and managerial ability. We believe he will bring a unique perspective to our Board and his insights will make a solid contribution to the company."
++Schuerholz began his career in the Baltimore Orioles organization in 1966. He moved to the Kansas City Royals two years later and held various positions with the Royals for 13 years, being named executive vice president and general manager in 1981. After a successful tenure as the general manager of the Royals he joined the Braves in 1990 as executive vice president and general manager. During the last 15 years, the Braves have won 14 straight divisional titles, five National League pennants, and one World Series. Schuerholz is a native of Baltimore and a graduate of Towson University, where he played soccer and baseball. He was inducted into Towson's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1973.

343 attend ColorTyme meeting
++More than 300 ColorTyme franchisees, franchisee support team members and vendors attended ColorTyme’s 2006 Winter Operations Meeting (WOM), ‘Living Your Dream’ in Dallas, Texas. Attendees participated in training sessions, a semi-annual tradeshow with ColorTyme’s select vendors, and awards ceremonies.
++On Saturday, the franchisees attended several training sessions, with topics such as new store owner’s orientation, new business opportunities, local marketing, and pricing discussions. The day ended with a welcome reception featuring Rick Fairless of Strokers Dallas.
On Sunday, franchisees and their employees previewed ColorTyme’s vendors’ offerings for 2006 at the Vendor Show Preview. The President’s Session, with special guest Mitch Fadel, President and COO of Rent-A-Center, gave franchisees the opportunity to speak with Mr. Fadel and Bob Bloom, ColorTyme’s president and CEO.
++During Monday’s General Session, ColorTyme presented a check for $37,500 to Kids Across America. It then recognized its top performers with annual awards. For the second year in a row, Mark Shaw of AAA Rent-to-Own won the Double Diamond Award, the highest given by ColorTyme and based on annual store revenue.
++ColorTyme also announced the signing of new franchisees Tony Doll and Dana Goble, former Rent-A-Center executive vice presidents. Just last week, the pair signed franchise agreements for five new ColorTyme stores in Michigan, primarily in the Detroit area.
++The General Session concluded with Jim Morris, the major league pitcher that was the inspiration for the Disney movie, The Rookie. Morris was first drafted by Major League Baseball in 1984, but left in 1988 after a series of injuries ended his career. He went on to earn his college degree, marry, have three children, and become a high school science teacher and baseball coach in Big Lake, Texas. After promising his baseball team he would try out for the Majors after they won the district championship, a first for the school, Morris pitched 12 consecutive pitches at 98 miles per hour during tryouts. He went on to play for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Los Angeles Dodgers, before retiring in 2001. A baseball autographed by Mr. Morris was auctioned at the farewell banquet. Franchisee Pat Hunt provided the winning bid of $2,500, to be donated to Kids Across America.

Carrico inks deal with Rent-N-Roll
++Rent-n-Roll’s Vice President of Franchising Vince Ficarrotta last week announced a market development agreement (MDA) for St. Louis and Southern Illinois has been completed with Rent One founder and CEO Larry Carrico. The deal calls for several Rent-n-Roll franchise locations to be opened over the next five years. “I have known Larry for several years and have always admired the professionalism he has brought to our industry. I can not think of anyone more qualified to bring the Rent-n-Roll program to St. Louis and Southern Illinois,” says Larry Sutton, founder and CEO of Rent-n-Roll.
++ “We are super excited to bring custom wheel rentals to the St. Louis and Southern Illinois region,” says Carrico. “The Rent-n-Roll concept of ownership is unique and fits into our core business extremely well. This new partnership has everyone looking forward to the future.”
++In other Rent-n-Roll news, current franchisee, Chad Hazam has signed an MDA to expand into and develop Baltimore, Maryland. Hazam opened his first Rent-n-Roll franchise location in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania a year ago. The first location in Baltimore will open on February 1. Rent-to-own veteran Tom Gregson will be in charge of developing the Baltimore market.
++New Rent-n-Roll stores have recently been opened in Sherwood, Arkansas, Macon, Georgia, and Orlando, Florida.
++“We are pleased with the rapid expansion we have experienced and expect to open at least twenty-five additional Rent-n-Roll locations in 2006,” says Sutton.

ColorTyme announces third
annual charity golf tourney
++For the third consecutive year, ColorTyme franchisee Bob Kogler is coordinating the Annual ColorTyme Charity Golf Tournament in Florence, South Carolina. The tournament, scheduled for May 12 at The Traces Golf Club, benefits the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).
++Kogler and his wife Nan are longtime supporters of the JDRF. They began their involvement through JDRF walks in their hometown. “I’m a type two diabetic, myself,” says Kogler, “So when ColorTyme in Florence decided we wanted to give back to the community, we sought out ways we could help fight diabetes. We decided we wanted to help make more money for this cause.”
++The first year that ColorTyme hosted the tournament, it raised $15,000 for the JDRF. Last year’s tournament raised more than $18,000 and attracted golfers from North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia and Texas. Kogler says he would like to expand his reach this year. He is looking for sponsors, vendors and golfers for the 2006 tournament. If you are interested in participating, please contact Bob Kogler.
++JDRF is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research worldwide. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Since it was founded in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than $900 million to diabetes research. 

Aaron Rents opens new stores
++Aaron Rents announced that four Aaron's Sales and Lease Ownership stores will open in January. Ray and Laura Ramage of Crown Holdings, LLC, opened an Aaron’s store on January 9 in Waterville, Maine. Charles Smithgall, III, with SEI/Aaron's, Inc., celebrated the opening of his 53rd Aaron's store on January 23 in Geneva, New York. 
++Two additional stores are scheduled to open at the end of January. Randolph Daniels-Kolin with Kolin Investments, LLC, plans to open a store in Hayward, California, on January 30.  On the same day, Larry and Cindy Law of Hayes Financial Corp., will open their store in Kent, Washington.

ColorTyme hires new VP of operations
++ColorTyme has hired Tim Hogan as its new vice president of operations. Hogan, who was tapped for his vast experience in store, regional and divisional turnarounds, is well known for progressive operational execution. He officially joined the ColorTyme team on January 9.
++“We are confident in Tim’s ability to execute outstanding new business development and operational programs that will support our franchisees,” says ColorTyme President and CEO Bob Bloom. “Equally important, with nearly 20 years in the industry, Tim has as much passion for the business as he does experience and will compliment our seasoned and committed management team.”
++Hogan was most recently a divisional vice president for RentWay, supervising 63 stores in Texas. He has a proven track record in training and development, profit improvements, new business development, launching new stores and programs, operations integrations, supply chain management and logistics.
++“This is an exciting period of growth for ColorTyme and an extraordinary opportunity to apply my experiences to strengthen our pay day loan and check cashing programs as well as the new custom wheel program,” says Hogan. “I’m honored to join the team.”

Rent One contributes to successful
United Way drive
++The United Way of South Central Illinois announced that it exceeded its campaign pledge goal of $350,000 by $12,000. Current pledges for the 2005 campaign total $362,110. 
++Executive Director, Cindy Vincent stated that $82,000 of the pledges were in corporate gifts. Rent One contributed $19,000 with an employee match campaign.
++Vincent states that the employers and employees in the Southern Illinois community are committed to increasing the quality of life where they work and live. A total of 24 agencies serving Southern Illinois rely on United Way to help fund health and human services.

• Premier Rental-Purchase Dealers' Convention, January 23-26, Mayan Riviera, Mexico
• Las Vegas Market, January 30—February 3, Las Vegas World Market Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
• San Francisco Furniture Mart, February 2—5, San Francisco, California
• Rent One Annual Meeting, February 7—9
• Missouri Rental Dealers Association Annual General Meeting, February 9, Columbia, Missouri
• Tupelo Furniture Market, February 22—25, Tupelo, Mississippi
• RentDirect Nationwide Buying Show, February 26—March 1, Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Click here to view a one-page industry calendar of events

Register now for APRO Mid-Year Conference!
++Online registration is open for the annual APRO Mid-Year Conference, March 20-22, at the Hilton El Conquistador Golf and Tennis Resort in Tucson, Arizona. An assigned APRO ID and password are required to log in. If you are not an APRO member, or if you have any questions concerning registration, please contact APRO's Director of Membership Laurie Hill.
++Full conference registration for APRO members is $200 and includes all events and a complimentary spouse registration. The registration fee for non-members is $400.

APRO offers half off first-year
membership dues
++An industry is only as strong as its association and an association is only as strong as its membership. By joining APRO, you support the future of your business, your employees and their families—and the future of the industry.
++Just ask APRO member Larry Amati, president of Prime Sales and Rentals in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania. "Why did we join APRO?  The answer would be to get connected. You meet a lot of different people that are members of APRO who will gladly assist you with an infinite variety of products and services to make your company a real competitor in the business. Our membership in APRO has helped our single store compete effectively in a big dog market. The information alone is well worth the membership cost.  In fact, we look at our dues as an investment in our company’s growth," says Amati.
++"If you’re thinking about joining, just do it. Your bottom line will thank you and you will have access to the most informative and likable people I have ever met. Call me anytime to discuss joining. I will be very glad to share our company’s experience with APRO."
++Join now and reap the benefits of APRO membership for 50 percent off your first year’s dues. Call APRO at 800/204-2776, e-mail APRO's Director of Membership Laurie Hill or visit the APRO Web site to find out what membership can do for you.

Visit the APRO Web site or call the APRO office at 800/204-2776.