The Kansas Rental Dealers Association annual meeting was held April 23 and 24 in Wichita. The event featured RTO industry updates and insights from rent-to-own esteemed peers, including APRO’s 2018 Ernie Talley Lifetime Achievement recipient Jim Brown; Dan Fisher, owner of Majik Rent To Own; and Rachel Casey, regional manager of Rent-2-Own. KRDA members also enjoyed a rental dealer and vendor mixer with prize giveaways, a bowling outing, vendor presentations, educational workshops and board of directors elections.
“We had a wonderful turnout this year!” shares Angela Strong-McCool, KRDA President. “I was so pleased to have great support from not only state association dealer members and staff but from our vendors as well.”
Attendees that were unable to attend this year’s APRO Legislative Conference held in early April were able to get an update from Brown who has represented the state of Kansas on behalf of the industry at 20 conferences over the years. Additional presentations included “Managing the Invisible Inventory” by Casey who serves stores and web sales for Ohio-based Rent-2-Own, and “The Advantage of Creating a Healthy Corporate Culture” by Fisher who owns 13 independent RTO stores in Pennsylvania and serves as president of TRIB Group.
KRDA members also participated in an engaging workshop, “What brings you in today?” that focused on a thriving workplace. The open forum uncovered values and traits that drive productivity and included a discussion on goals to create a winning team.
KRDA’s newly elected, or re-elected, board of directors are Angela Strong-McCool, president; Brett Reed, vice president; Mike Strong, treasurer; and board members Adam Green,Gloria Homeier, Eddie McCain, Rick Rineberg, Shaun Rush, and Michael Strong.
“Thank you to all of our amazing vendors for their continued support!” says Strong-McCool. “KRDA members would also like to give a special thank you to Ashley Furniture, Benefit Marketing Solutions, Coaster Co. of America, C&L Supply, HighTouch, Nationwide Southwest, O’Rourke, Progressive Furniture, PTS Direct Benefit, and TRIB Group for sponsoring the event.”
