Rent-to-Own

Social, networking events abound at APRO Convention

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

Social, networking events abound at APRO Convention

APRO’s 2010 Convention in Louisville features a host of social and networking events with great food and world class entertainment.

Always the highlight of the APRO Convention, this year’s social and networking events return to tradition with the APRO President’s Welcome Reception, a Gala Cocktail Party at Churchill Downs and APRO’s 30th Anniversary Awards Banquet and Reception.

Joe Eason/Tom Kitchens Golf Tournament
9 a.m.-1 p.m., Monday, July 19, Fuzzy Zoeller’s Covered Bridge Golf Club Sponsored by Whirlpool

Enjoy this morning outing with fellow rental dealers and vendors. Trophies will be awarded to the top five teams. Space is limited and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, so register early. For more information on the course, visit www.coveredbridge.com.

APRO President’s Reception
6-7:30 p.m., Monday, July 19
Sponsored by Serta

Join APRO President Tiger John Cleek in honoring those who have worked hard to protect and promote the rentto- own industry, including state presidents, APRO PAC and Team APRO contributors, Congressional leadership and Legislative Conference attendees. Business casual attire. Complimentary bar and light hors d’oeuvres.

Gala Cocktail Party at Churchill Downs
7-9 p.m., Tuesday, July 20
Sponsored by RentDirect Nationwide

At Churchill Downs, home of the world-famous Kentucky Derby, you’ll enjoy an evening on Millionaire’s Row, overlooking the track. "Place bets" on your favorite horse in a simulated race, enjoy down-home Kentucky music and food in the Bourbon Lounge, socialize with colleagues and have a great time! Kentucky Derby attire is encouraged—fabulous hats are recommended for the women. Please note: a business casual dress code is strictly enforced at Churchill Downs. No jeans, shorts, T-shirts, gym shoes or midriffs are allowed. Complimentary bar and heavy hors d’oeuvres.

Exhibit Hall Cocktail Party
5-6 p.m., Wednesday, July 21
Sponsored by Affiliated Construction Specialists

Wind down and relax with your favorite exhibitors—a good way to close out your first day of business on APRO’s 2010 exhibit floor. Complimentary beer, wine and snacks.

APRO’s 30th Anniversary Awards Banquet and Reception
7-7:30 p.m. (Reception) and 7:30-9:30 p.m. (Banquet), Wednesday, July 21
Reception sponsored by Protect-A-Bed; Banquet sponsored by High Touch

For APRO’s 30th anniversary, we’ll revel in the past and look to the future as we celebrate all that the rentto- own industry has brought to our lives. Join fellow dealers in an elegant evening honoring the industry’s finest. Semi-formal evening attire. Open bar during the reception, cash bar during dinner.

Spouse/Guest Tour: Southern Charm— Hospitality, Horses and Home Cookin’
10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday, July 20

We’ll start with a tour of Undulata, an historic Civil-War-era Saddle Horse breeding and training farm. Shelby County is "The Saddlebred Capital of the World," home to many of the country’s most outstanding American Saddlebred facilities. Then it’s on to the Claudia Sanders Dinner House—a 125-year-old dwelling that once was home to Colonel Sander’s Kentucky Fried Chicken. We’ll savor the flavors of Southern hospitality and cooking and offer recipes to take with you and try at home. If time allows, on our way back to the Marriott, we’ll enjoy a brief tour of Louisville, as well as some shopping time. The tour is included in Spouse/Guest registration fee. However, you must be registered in advance to attend, so please check the appropriate box on your registration form.

Register today! Hotel deadline June 21 for APRO discounted rate.

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Convention dress code

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

Convention Fashion Tips

General attire for the APRO Convention & Trade Show is “business casual” in the exhibit hall, educational seminars and most other events. Go here for some ideas on casual attire.

For those special social events, you may choose to “dress it up” a bit. Here are some suggestions:

Gala Cocktail Party at Churchill Downs July 20:

Kentucky “Derby” attire is suggested, including fabulous hats for the ladies. Go here for ideas on appropriate derby attire.

Please note: Business Casual dress code is strictly enforced at Churchill Downs. No jeans, shorts, t-shirts, gym shoes, or midriffs are allowed.

APRO 30th Anniversary Awards Banquet July 21:

This annual event is the most important social event of the year in the rent-to-own industry. This is your chance to dress up and look your best. Semi-formal attire is suggested.

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Listen Closely…

Monday, June 7th, 2010

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APRO’s Rental Roundtable — Three Ways to Learn in Louisville

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

At this year’s Convention and Trade Show, APRO has designed three separate education tracks to hone in on a variety of business-enhancing needs based on attendees’ management level and size of the company.

The morning of July 20 kicks off at the Marriott Louisville Downtown with APRO’s popular Rental Roundtable. Attendees will break into three groups — store-level employees/managers, mid-level/multiple store managers and store owners/top-level managers.

Afterward, the groups will merge for a wrap-up session moderated by rent-to-own industry pioneer and APRO co-founder Chuck Sims who will solicit attendees’ responses to some of the industry’s most pertinent issues and those responses will be displayed on-screen instantly.

APRO Rental Roundtable Overview
July 20
8:30–11 a.m. Marriott Ballroom

The new Rental Roundtable format will give dealers more pertinent information to help them manage and grow their business. It’s the perfect opportunity to share information with peers and address some of the most pressing issues facing the rent-to-own industry today.

Mike Tissot, will facilitate the store-level employees/one-store managers group during the Rental Roundtable session. He grew up in the rent-to-own business; his father is former APRO President Darrell Tissot. After receiving a BA in economics from Denison University, Tissot spent five years at one of the largest marketing agencies in the country. Currently, he owns and operates 24 Rent-2-Own stores in Ohio and Kentucky. He is past president of the Ohio Rental Dealers Association and a current TRIB Group board member. Tissot is the recipient of APRO’s 2008 Presidents Award of Excellence.

Sam Lowe will facilitate the mid-level/multiple-store managers group during the roundtable session. He is a 20-year-plus veteran of the rent-to-own industry and currently is executive vice president of Furniture and Appliances Now Sales & Leasing, which operates 15 stores in Arkansas and one in Oklahoma. Lowe is responsible for all operation activities, including sales, marketing and human resources. He worked for 17 years at Rent-A-Center, starting with Remco in 1981 and continuing with Rent-A-Center after Remco was acquired in 1990. Lowe was vice president of operations for ColorTyme from 2002 to 2005, where he was responsible for franchise operations as well as providing support programs, training and consulting to improve franchise profitability.

Charles D. “Chuck” Sims will facilitate the owners/top-level managers group and the Rental Roundtable wrap-up. In 1968, Sims founded Remco America, a Houston-based chain of consumer electronic and appliance rental stores. As Remco’s CEO, Sims developed a professional management team that expanded the company to more than 100 stores by 1990. In 1991, he sold Remco to pursue other interests. Sims is a graduate of the American Management Association’s Management Course for Presidents and is a co-founder of the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations.

Hotel deadline June 21 for APRO discounted rate.

Register Today!

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Rental Advertising Excellence Awards late entry deadline today

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

Rental Advertising Excellence Awards late entry deadline today

APRO’s 2010 Rental Advertising Excellence contest will once again honor the best radio, television, print, direct market and Internet advertising campaigns created for rent-to-own businesses and companies over the past year.

In commemoration of APRO’s 30th Anniversary, entrants will also compete for a first ever "Best of Show" prize.

LATE ENTRY DEADLINE: June 1, 2010

Late entry fees: $45 per entry for APRO members
$90 per entry for non-members

Enter Today.

Click here to watch video of 2009 RAE award winners.

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It’s home run derby time

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

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Rental Advertising Excellence Awards early deadline tomorrow

Monday, May 24th, 2010

Rental Advertising Excellence Awards early deadline tomorrow

The rent-to-own industry’s longest held advertising competition is back.

APRO’s 2010 Rental Advertising Excellence contest will once again honor the best radio, television, print, direct market and Internet advertising campaigns created for rent-to-own businesses and companies over the past year.

In commemoration of APRO’s 30th Anniversary, entrants will also compete for a first ever "Best of Show" prize.

EARLY DEADLINE: May 25, 2010

Early entry fees: $35 per entry for APRO members
$70 per entry for non-members

LATE DEADLINE: June 1, 2010

Late entry fees: $45 per entry for APRO members
$90 per entry for non-members

Enter Today.

Click here to watch video of 2009 RAE award winners.

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