APRO 2008 Convention & Buying Show Schedule of Events

Renaissance Grand Hotel
800 Washington Ave.
St. Louis, MO  63101  
314/621-9600 or 800/397-1282


Room rate $159; Deadline July 11

America's Center
701 Convention Plaza
St. Louis, MO  63101  
314/342-5036
                                   

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Helpful Links:

Explore St. Louis     Renaissance Hotels & Resorts     America's Center Convention Center
 

MONDAY, AUGUST 11: PRE-SHOW                  CC=America's Center Convention Center


9:45 a.m.      Buses depart for Golf Tournament
11 a.m.-3 p.m.

     Joe Eason/Tom Kitchens golf tournament at Quail Creek  

     (sponsored by Whirlpool)

2-5 p.m.      Early registration [CC-Room 103]
4:30-5:30 p.m.      APRO Board of Directors meeting
6-7 p.m.

     APRO President's Reception honoring State Presidents & 

     PAC/TEAM/Congressional Leadership 
     [Hotel-Crystal Ballroom] 
     (sponsored by DPI Teleconnect and Speed Queen)

   

TUESDAY, AUGUST 12: EDUCATION DAY


8 a.m.-5 p.m.      Registration [CC Atrium]
8 a.m.-10 p.m.      Exhibitor set-up [CC Halls 1&2]
8-8:30 a.m.      Complimentary continental breakfast for Roundtable [CC-Ferrara Theater]
8:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m.      Rent-to-Own All-Industry Roundtable [CC-Ferrara Theater]
11:30 -1 p.m.      Attendee complimentary luncheon [CC-Rooms 100, 102, 103]
12 p.m.-1 p.m.      Exhibitor luncheon & Vendor Advisory Committee election [CC-Room 104]
1-6 p.m.      Educational seminars [CC-Rooms 230, 231, 240, 241]
     (breaks sponsored by RES Accessories)
6:45 p.m.      Shuttle to City Museum begins [Hotel-St. Charles Entrance]
7-10 p.m.

     Gala Cocktail Party at St. Louis' City Museum (sponsored by Coaster,

     D&H Distributing, Florida State Games, LG Electronics, Serta 
     and Moneris Solutions)

   

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13: SHOW DAY 1


7-10 a.m.       Exhibitor set-up [CC Halls 1&2]
8 a.m.-5 p.m.

     Registration [CC Atrium]

9-11 a.m.

     General session, keynote address and business meeting
     [CC-Ferrara Theater]

     (keynote sponsored by G.E. Consumer & Industrial)

11 a.m.      Exhibit Hall Champagne Welcome [CC]
     (sponsored by Imagery Marketing Consultants)
11 a.m.-7 p.m.      Exhibit hall open [CC Halls 1&2]
11 a.m.-1 p.m.      Complimentary lunch in exhibit hall [CC]
1-5 p.m.      Spouse/guest tour of St. Louis' historic homes and neighborhoods
     [Bus departs Hotel-St. Charles entrance]
1:30-2 p.m.      "Info-To-Go" Session [CC-Exhibit Hall Stage]
3-4 p.m.      Ice cream break in exhibit hall [CC] (sponsored by Ashley Furniture)
3:30-4 p.m.      "Info-To-Go" Session [CC-Exhibit Hall Stage]
5:30-7 p.m.      Exhibit hall cocktail reception [CC]
 8-10 p.m.      APRO Annual Awards Banquet - The ESPYs [Hotel-Landmark Ballroom]
     (sponsored by High Touch)
   

THURSDAY, AUGUST 14: SHOW DAY 2


7 a.m.      Luggage storage available at hotel for those checking out
8-9 a.m.      APRO Vendor Advisory Committee meeting [CC-Room 103]
9-10 a.m.      APRO full Board of Directors meeting and election of officers [CC-Room 103]
9 a.m.-1 p.m.      Registration [CC Atrium]
9 a.m.-3 p.m.

     Exhibit hall open [CC Halls 1&2]

10-10:30 a.m.      "Info-To-Go" Session [CC-Exhibit Hall Stage]
11 a.m.      Deadline for purchase orders to be turned in for cash drawings
11 a.m. -1 p.m.      Complimentary lunch in exhibit hall [CC]
12 p.m.

     Cash drawings five $1000 prizes to be awarded, with the amount doubled

     if pre-show order. Must be present to win. [CC-Exhibit Hall Stage]

1:30-2 p.m.      "Info-To-Go" Session [CC-Exhibit Hall Stage]
1:30-2:30 p.m.      Ice cream break in exhibit hall [CC] (sponsored by Mitsubishi Electronics)
3 p.m.      Exhibit hall closes
3-8 p.m.      Exhibitor tear-down [CC]

 
Additional Sponsors:
Convention Daily: TRIB Group; bottled water in the exhibit hall: TRIB Group; badges: ArchBrook Laguna; Internet Café: RSSS and SED International; Relaxation Station: Benefit Marketing Solutions; registration computers: Cybertron PC; registration electronics: O'Rourke Sales Company; registration bags: Inform Printing Services

 

 





Featured APRO Photo:
From the TRIB Group 2008 Silver at the Summit Convention and Buying Show Album
TRIB Group Hot Show

View All RTO Photos
in the RTOHQ.org gallery
RTOHQ: The Magazine
RTOHQ: The Magazine is the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations' award-winning rent-to-own industry magazine, and it's available here.
Click the links below to download each article as a PDF

Complete issue of RTOHQ: The Magazine | April-May 2009
Download the entire April - May 2009 issue of RTOHQ: The Magazine by clicking on the link above (PDF).

APRO’s Big Show Returns to the Cities of Light
By APRO
Paris and Las Vegas share the nickname “City of Light.” But you don’t have to settle for one over the other—-enjoy both at the same time! APRO returns to Paris and Bally’s in Las Vegas for the 2009 Rent-to-Own Convention and Buying Show, August 30–September 2. What happens in Vegas is très magnifique!.

The Lobbyists
By Kristen Card
While the rent-to-own industry employs an impressive grassroots movement aimed at securing a federal definition, it relies on efforts from inside the Beltway, as well. Lobbyists John Raffaelli, Zahra Buck, Tonya Speed and Palmer Hamilton help keep rent-to-own on the minds and agendas of the lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Protecting Rent-to-Own Trade Secrets
By Ed Winn III
When an employee leaves your store, do your company’s private information—-and your customers—-go with him? APRO’s legal counsel explores the strategies for keeping your trade secrets where they belong.

A Permanent Opportunity in Temporary Housing
By Tiffany Hamburger
In our previous issue, we profiled the home staging industry, a potential new revenue source for rent-to-own. Now, a look at another under-tapped market to consider.

Vendor Spotlight: Bonnie Nitzsche
By Tiffany Hamburger
Known for her good cheer and stalwart dedication, an APRO Vendor of the Year recipient and undisputed friend of the rent-to-own industry turns the reins over to her son.


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Association of Progressive Rental Organizations
1504 Robin Hood Trail
Austin, Texas 78703
800/204-2776, ext. 103
Fax 512/794-0097