Association of Progressive Rental Organizations

Don’t Miss the Hottest Events at RTO World 2019

You’re invited to…

two awesome social events at RTO World 2019! You won’t want to miss this year’s offsite party at Fourth Street Live! for the full Louisville Experience or the second annual APRO Awards Luncheon and Business Meeting. Keep reading for more details on each and join the fun with your peers August 6-8 in Louisville, Kentucky!

The Louisville Experience | Fourth Street Live Party!
Sponsored by Ashley Furniture
RTO World
Wednesday, August 7
7:00 – 9:30 PM

The Louisville Experience Party will be held at the local premier dining and entertainment destination Fourth Street Live! This year we’re gettin’ down and derby and encourage you to join the festivities! Dress in your derby best with bowties and plaid, sundresses and hats! Dinner will be served, games will be provided, and fun will be had!

There’s more…

APRO Awards Luncheon and
Business Meeting

Sponsored by LG Electronics Corp, USA
RTO World
Tuesday, August 6
12:00 – 1:30 PM

Join us for the second annual APRO Awards Luncheon and Business Meeting at this year’s tradeshow and convention in Louisville, Kentucky. While the inaugural RTO World introduced many new and combined events last year, attendees were still able to enjoy APRO’s annual awards presentation only slightly modified. The traditional evening awards banquet transitioned into an informal awards luncheon and it was such a hit that we’re doing it again this year… with a few exciting additions!

The APRO Awards Luncheon and Business Meeting is a great place to have your midday recharge with colleagues consisting of good food, conversation, and celebrating those who have gone the extra mile in the industry. This year’s rockstars will be recognized with the following awards:

  • President’s Award of Excellence
  • Chuck Sims Rental Dealer of the Year
  • Norm Smith Vendor of the Year Award
  • Heritage Award
  • Ernie Talley Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Steve Kruse Award of Honor
  • Emerging Leader Award
  • Presidents’ Circle Awards
  • State Association Continued Excellence Awards
  • Legislative Achievement Award
  • Emerging Excellence Award
  • State Association of the Year Award

Introducing…

this year’s keynote speaker Kerry Lebensburger, Chief Revenue Officer of Ashley Furniture Industries. Lebensburger will bring high energy to the event with his talk regarding the future of RTO. In his presentation, No Turning Back: The Future of RTO, Lebensburger does not mince words about where he sees the direction of retail going, and in turn, exactly how he sees RTO’s role moving forward. We have told you before but we won’t hesitate to underscore that with fun incorporations like this one, RTO World 2019 will be the best year yet! 

Admissions to events are included with full 
RTO World 2019registration.

The cutoff date for RTO World hotel room blocks has now passed, but if you need assistance, contact APRO at 800/204-2776, info@rtohq.org. Register for both your hotel and the convention now to secure your spot at RTO World

CHANGE OF PLANS? Do not contact the RTO World host hotels, the Marriott or the Hyatt, directly for room changes and/or cancellations. Contact APRO for assistance at 800/204-2776, info@rtohq.org.
 

Click here for the full event schedule.

Upcoming Events




Mike Lewis

Mike Lewis is a Premier Rental Purchase franchisee with multiple stores and currently serves as Vice President of Operations. With 33 years of experience in the rent-to-own industry, he has spent the past 20 years working closely with franchisee owners and previously spent 12 years in Corporate RTO, gaining a strong foundation in the business.

For the past five years, Mike has been sharing his knowledge by teaching managers and franchisees at the company’s Training Center.

Outside of work, he enjoys time with his family, kids, and grandkids, and appreciates the simple things in life – especially riding his Harley Davidson with the sun on his face. If you know, you know!

Lauren Talicska

Arona Corporation dba Arona Home Essentials

Lauren Talicska is an experienced multi-channel marketing specialist and the Vice President of Marketing & Communications at Arona Home Essentials. She has found her home in the RTO community, supporting stores in branding, growth, and increasing traffic.

You may recognize Lauren as a former RTO vendor, including her time as a partner for Nationwide RentDirect, or her previous participation in the APRO Vendor Advisory Committee. Lauren calls Columbus, Ohio, home and spends her workday crafting and executing marketing promotions from inception to realization, all while supporting the branding and social media needs of all the Arona stores in 12 states (plus Puerto Rico!).

Charles Smitherman

APRO

Charles Smitherman, JD, PhD, CAE, became CEO of APRO in 2023, bringing years of legal and executive experience in the rent-to-own industry. 

Prior to joining the association, Charles served as COO, General Counsel, and Vice President of PTS Financial Services, where he played an active role in the rent-to-own industry by representing his company through PTS’s club program offering with APRO member dealers. Charles is an attorney with two decades of experience across a wide variety of areas, including RTO, consumer financial services, antitrust, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, litigation, franchise law, and privacy law. Following law school at the University of Georgia, Charles earned a Master of Legal Studies and PhD in Law from the University of Oxford in England.

Charles is credentialed as a Certified Association Executive (CAE) with the American Society of Association Executives, a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) with the International Franchise Association, and a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) and Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) through the International Association of Privacy Professionals. As APRO’s sixth CEO in its 45-year history, he brings a collaborative, member-focused approach to association leadership, emphasizing transparency, advocacy, and value creation. Outside of work, Charles is an active ultra runner and open water swimmer.

Mike Kays

Ashley Furniture Industries

As VP of Rental Sales for Ashley Furniture Industries, Mike thrives on building relationships with our RTO industry veterans, and helping businesses grow through new product, new marketing, and new supply chain options.

Mike works to leverage a wide breadth of relationships and influence, intimate knowledge of market trends, and unique knowledge of what RTO dealers need from a supplier to be successful.

The saying goes that a high tide raises all boats, and our goal is to leverage the world’s largest furniture manufacturer to drive the continued growth of the RTO industry and all the suppliers.

Mike Tissot

Countryside Rentals Inc., dba Rent-2-Own

Mike grew up in the rent-to-own industry under the guidance of his father, former APRO President and RTO legend Darrell Tissot. For nearly 25 years, Mike’s innovative leadership has helped expand the family business to more than 40 stores across Ohio and Kentucky while also shaping the industry as a whole.

He has served as President of the Ohio Rental Dealers Association, an APRO board member and Treasurer, and President and Treasurer of the TRIB Group. His contributions have earned him the APRO President’s Award of Excellence and the title of APRO Rental Dealer of the Year.

Outside of RTO, Mike enjoys time at the lake house or in Orange Beach, Alabama, with his girlfriend, Angela Strong McCool. A passionate Cincinnati Reds fan, he rarely misses a game, whether watching or listening alongside his parents. He also takes every opportunity to visit Arizona, where his daughter is currently attending Arizona State University.