Attorney General James Uthmeier participates in a roundtable discussion
with APRO members in West Palm Beach.
On August 26, 2026, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier met with rent-to-own (RTO) industry leaders at RTO World 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The annual rent-to-own industry convention and trade show, co-hosted by APRO and TRIB Group, included a roundtable on consumer protection and the RTO transaction hosted by the APRO Political Action Committee. The Attorney General’s discussion with APRO members focused on the rent-to-own industry and its role in the consumer marketplace.
The conversation brought together representatives from the association’s major rental dealers based in Florida and those with stores or sales in the state, alongside APRO CEO Charles Smitherman, PhD, JD, MSt, CAE. The roundtable offered a rare opportunity for open dialogue between APRO members doing business in Florida and the state’s top consumer protection official.
Florida Consumer Protection and the Rent-to-Own Industry
Attorney General Uthmeier shared insights on how his office oversees consumer protection in Florida, outlining his enforcement priorities and noting trends emerging among attorneys general nationally. He emphasized the importance of balancing proactive oversight with support for businesses that serve their communities responsibly.
Attendees discussed the unique nature of the RTO transaction and how the industry provides access to essential household goods for customers who may not have other credit options, or who choose flexible, subscription-style payment options that distinguish RTO from other offerings. The exchange gave the Attorney General a clearer understanding of how the industry operates and the methods RTO companies use to meet state regulatory requirements.
After the roundtable, Attorney General Uthmeier toured the RTO World exhibit hall, stopping to meet additional vendors and dealers from across the country. The walk-through offered a direct look at the latest products, services, and customer service innovations shaping the industry today. Exhibitors welcomed the opportunity to showcase their businesses and reinforce their commitment to ethical practices and compliance with state laws.
“It’s important for our industry to build strong working relationships with elected officials – especially state attorneys general like AG Uthmeier, who play such a central role in consumer protection,” Smitherman said. “We are deeply committed as an industry to self-regulating in line with consumer protection standards and the requirements of the 47 state RTO lease-purchase statutes we helped enact. Meetings like this help build mutual understanding, trust, and collaboration as we work together to protect consumers and strengthen the rent-to-own marketplace.”
The gathering underscored APRO’s ongoing commitment to engaging with policymakers and ensuring that the RTO industry continues to operate with transparency and integrity, upholding its commitment to self-regulation. By bringing industry leaders and state officials to the same table, APRO continues to demonstrate that collaboration and consumer protection go hand in hand.
