NEWSLETTERS - APRO vendors voice support for co-location decision

APRO vendors voice support for co-location decision

All attending members of a vendors advisory committee conference call Monday, vowed support for APRO's decision to co-locate its August 2009 convention and buying show with AVB-Brandsource.

The teleconference was called by Vendors Advisory Committee Vice-Chair Ellison Crider of RSSS, in order to better inform vendors of the intent of the decision, to open channels of communication and address issues and concerns.

APRO Vendors Advisory Committee Vice Chair Ellison Crider.

Crider, APRO Executive Director Bill Keese and APRO President Larry Carrico presented the results of last Thursday's board decision to co-locate the APRO Buying Show with AVB and addressed specific vendor questions regarding its implementation.

Keese reiterated the co-location decision was not a merger, was approved on a one-time basis and would allow APRO to maintain its independence.

The move, he said, was a proactive one aimed at reducing travel expenses and the amount of time rental dealers and vendors have to be away from their businesses attending numerous tradeshows throughout the year.

"APRO is independent, has always been independent and will remain independent," Keese told vendors. "This decision was meant to address the proliferation of meetings and shows that pull not only your resources but the time and resources of rent-to-own dealers as well."

APRO's show will coincide with the AVB buying show scheduled for August 30-September 3, 2009 at Paris-Bally’s in Las Vegas.

Keese and Crider also clarified that TRIB Group -- which also has an affiliation with AVB -- will hold it's own buying show independently of APRO's 2009 co-located show.

"This is not a TRIB show," Crider said. "This is an APRO show that is co-locating with an AVB buying show. TRIB has their show in March. The agreement is still in the very early stages and there's going to be a lot of options, but we need to keep communicating openly about what this is and what it is not."

Other than the physical co-location of the APRO show with AVB, Keese said very little would change in terms of the educational, networking and buying opportunities offered attendees of previous APRO shows.

APRO will have a separate exhibit hall with exhibitors marketing specifically to the rent-to-own industry. The location, however will be in close proximity to the AVB exhibit hall, allowing more buying and selling opportunities for many vendors and dealers.

Show attendees will register separately through APRO and exhibitors will continue to select and be assigned booth space in priority point level. APRO will also hold it's annual dinner and awards banquet independently of AVB, Keese said.

Some vendors questioned whether they would be required to buy booths at both the AVB and APRO exhibit halls. APRO staff explained AVB vendors would be required to buy a booth on that show's buying floor, however, they could also purchase a second booth on APRO's buying floor. Vendors who are non-AVB members would simply purchase a booth on the APRO floor.

APRO Vendors Advisory Committee Member John  Blair.

Members of other buying groups are also welcomed at the APRO show, Keese said.

One vendor asked Keese about the impact of the board's decision on Nationwide Marketing Group which has been a generous supporter of APRO and the industry over several years.

"We recognize the important role Nationwide has played in supporting APRO and the rent-to-own industry and we will continue to cultivate a positive relationship with them in the future," Keese said. "APRO has always been inclusive and not exclusive. APRO supports all rental dealers no matter what their affiliation and is committed to a united industry."

Keese further encouraged any rental dealers or vendors with concerns regarding the board's decision to contact him directly via email or phone at 800-204-2776 ext. 101.

APRO Vendor Advisory Committee Member John Blair, vice president of marketing for C.M. Jewelry, said his business is definitely feeling the financial pinch of attending multiple shows per year and he welcomes the added exposure of showing to both retail and rent-to-own buyers.

As long as APRO's independence is not compromised, Blair offers his full support.

"Cutting down on the number of shows is great," Blair said. "It's good for vendors and the attendance is going to be more because you can also address retailers. We understand what's going on with the industry. What APRO is doing is what's economically best and we support that."

On May 30, the APRO Board of Directors voted 7-3 to co-locate the APRO Convention and Buying Show with AVB's show in August 2009.

APRO President Carrico further informed vendors he canvassed the remaining seven APRO board members unavailable for that vote, noting five said they would have voted in favor of the proposal, one would have voted against and one would have abstained.

That raises board support for the decision to 12 of 17, or 70 percent, Carrico said.

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