From industry education and relationship-building to giving back to the local community, RTO World 2026 brought the rent-to-own (RTO) industry together in West Palm Beach, Florida. In this episode of The RTO Show Podcast, Pete Shau sits down with APRO CEO Charles Smitherman to revisit the event and the ideas, experiences, and connections that made it memorable.
For Smitherman, one theme runs throughout the RTO World 2026 recap: relationships. Whether attendees were reconnecting on the golf course, exchanging ideas during educational sessions, or meeting new industry partners, networking remained an important part of the experience.
A Place for Education and Connection
This year’s programming gave attendees multiple ways to learn from others across RTO. The Protecting the Transaction Legal Summit returned for its third year, creating space for conversations about legal developments, legislative activity, and industry best practices.
The Women’s Forum also returned for a third year, bringing together women across the industry to share experiences and strengthen relationships. Smitherman describes the program as another way APRO is helping create a sense of community and belonging within RTO.
Education continued with an “unstoppable” keynote presentation and 12 breakout sessions covering topics central to operating an RTO business, including renting and collecting, artificial intelligence, and other emerging business considerations. APRO also professionally recorded the educational sessions, extending their value beyond the event itself.
Celebrating the RTO Community
RTO World also provided opportunities to recognize people who have contributed to the industry across generations. During the awards program, attendees celebrated individuals and companies whose work reflects the history and continued evolution of RTO.
That sense of continuity was also visible during the Hot Show, where longtime emcee Lyn Leach passed the microphone to his son, Ben Leach. Smitherman describes the moment as a true passing of the torch, with Ben carrying forward the energy Lyn has brought to the event for years.
The event also introduced opportunities to strengthen connections between vendors and attendees. Vendor speed dating gave service providers and newer vendors several minutes at each table to introduce their businesses and encourage further conversations during the Expo.
Leaving an Impact in West Palm Beach
RTO World 2026’s impact extended beyond the convention center. A silent auction supporting the APRO Charitable Foundation Scholarship Fund generated approximately $20,000 in gross proceeds, helping fund scholarships for families connected to the RTO industry.
APRO, TRIB Group, participating vendors, and other partners also helped facilitate the donation of approximately $81,000 in merchandise after the event. Products went to local organizations Vita Nova, a Palm Beach County nonprofit that helps young adults ages 18 to 25 transition from homelessness or foster care to stable, independent living, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, which provides safe, welcoming spaces and programs that help thousands of local children and teens learn, grow, and build skills for the future.
For Smitherman, the effort offered another example of the industry’s commitment to the communities it serves while leaving a positive impact on its RTO World host city.
Next year, RTO World heads to Cleveland, Ohio, where the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is already planned as the setting for the Experience Party. Until then, West Palm Beach leaves plenty of stories, lessons, and connections for the industry to carry forward.
Catch the full episode of The RTO Show Podcast, proudly sponsored by APRO, on Spotify.
