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RTO World 2026 Makes Waves in West Palm Beach 

Watch the highlights from RTO World 2026 in West Palm Beach.

The ninth annual RTO World National Convention & Tradeshow was held August 24-27, 2026, in West Palm Beach, Florida – summery, sunshine-y, and super successful! 

Co-hosted by APRO and TRIB Group, RTO World 2026 registered almost 650 rental dealers, managers, and vendors from across America for an optimum opportunity to connect, collaborate, listen, learn, and laugh together with their rent-to-own (RTO) colleagues in tropical Orchid City. 

RTO World continues to grow through the support of companies that invest in the industry, led by Titanium Sponsor Ashley Furniture Industries and Platinum Sponsor Vox-Pop-Uli, along with many other valued sponsors.

Early-bird golfers arrived Sunday afternoon to swing it out on the links at the Golf Outing, co-sponsored by Leopard Mobility Inc. and Whirlpool Corporation, and held at the beautiful North Palm Beach Country Club course, one of the country’s only Nicklaus Signature Municipal golf courses. 

Monday marked the official launch of RTO World 2026, beginning with the third annual Protecting the Transaction Legal Summit, co-sponsored by Hudson Cook LLP and the National Shed Rental Association (NSRA). This year’s attorney panel – Nick Garrard of Wilkins Patterson, and Justin Hosie, Robert Tilley, and Dailey Wilson of Hudson Cook, moderated by APRO CEO Charles Smitherman – focused on real-world scenarios in topics from the rise of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted consumer lawsuits to state attorneys general as leading regulatory pressure points. A couple of days later, the APRO Political Action Committee hosted Florida’s Attorney General James Uthmeier in a roundtable talk on consumer protection and the RTO transaction. 

Three people – a woman, an older man, and a younger man – stand together smiling.
The Strong family of Mike Strong Inc. dba Mike’s Rent-To-Own show off their smiles at the RTO World Tradeshow – (L to R) Angela Strong-McCool, Mike Strong, and Michael Strong. 
Members of the Ashley Furniture Industries team join APRO CEO Charles Smitherman (far L) in event-appropriate tropical togs for the Poolside Experience Party. 
Vox-Pop-Uli President Andrew Hajduk (L) is recognized for the company’s support of RTO World 2026 as a Platinum Sponsor.

Women in RTO Presents A Journey of Hope, sponsored by Atlog, followed, featuring a panel of RTO women leaders who took ownership of their career growth and leadership development. Moderator Lauren Talicska of Arona Corporation dba Arona Home Essentials and panelists Ashley Emerson of The Premier Companies, Tricia Fisher of Blue Ocean Brands, LLC dba Majik Rent-To-Own, Teresa French of Precision Appliance Leasing, and Candice Hill of Rental Concepts LLC dba RNR Tire Express shared their own stories of professional progress, inspiring all participants into lively conversations of their own. 

Monday concluded with the return of the Service Provider Speed-Dating Showcase – over 100 rental dealers meeting and greeting one vendor at a time as the vendors rotated from table to table. 

Pushups, Panels, & Products 

Tuesday morning dawned with Early Light Insights from Chase Pitman of Ashley Furniture Industries – an enlightening opening act to the event’s opening keynote, sponsored by Benefit Marketing Solutions. Headliner Alex Weber, an American Ninja Warrior and bestselling author, shared practical strategies for becoming more resilient, staying motivated, and elevating the customer experience. He and Smitherman even spread a little competitive spirit with an onstage push-up contest (Smitherman won!). 

Following the morning session, attendees chose from the first of three educational sessions to attend. From Be the Answer: How to Show Up in AI Searches to Stop Playing Around – Start Selling Gaming PCs, industry professionals at every level received information and insights throughout the day. 

A man wearing a baseball cap and a colorful shirt animatedly speaks into a microphone.
Mike Tissot of Countryside Rentals Inc. dba Rent-2-Own presents his annual Tissot Talk as an all-ears audience of his peers listens to learn. 
A man with white hair and an orange shirt sits speaking into a microphone as he faces a small standing group of people.
TRIB Group Executive Director Dennis Shields (R) holds a crowd in rapt attention on the tradeshow floor.
An expressive man stands behind a podium reading “RTO World 26,” arms outstretched and mouth agape.
Legendary Hot Show auctioneer Lyn Leach of Ace Rent-To-Own offers up his final “Sold, Sold, Sold!” as he eases into retirement. 

Everyone reunited midday for the APRO Awards Luncheon & Business Meeting, sponsored by RNR Tire Express. The following individuals were honored for their dedication to and achievement in the rent-to-own industry:

2026 Hall of Honor Inductees

  • APRO Lifetime Achievement Award: Bill French, O’Rourke Sales Company
  • APRO President’s Award of Excellence: Dennis Shields, TRIB Group
  • APRO Rental Dealer of the Year: Angela Strong-McCool, Michael Strong, and Mike Strong, Mike Strong Inc. dba Mike’s Rent-To-Own
  • APRO Heritage Award: Pete Shau, RNR Tire Express, The RTO Show Podcast
  • APRO Vendor of the Year: Ryan Krass, wowbrands
  • APRO Emerging Leader Award: Lauren Talicska, Arona Home Essentials
  • RTO Tiger Award: Mark Connelly, Arona Home Essentials
  • APRO Steve Kruse Award: Tulisha Wendele, APRO

Many state associations were also honored for high performance and outstanding leadership, community involvement, and legislative advocacy.

2026 State Association Honorees

  • Ed Winn Legislative Advocacy Award: Illinois Rental-Purchase Dealers Association, Kelly Martin – President
  • President’s Circle Award: Florida, Iowa-Nebraska, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee
  • State Association of the Year: Tennessee Rental Dealers Association, Chris Bolin – President

2026 APRO Customer of the Year

The APRO Customer of the Year Award made a comeback following many years of dormancy, intended to highlight the life-changing potential of rent-to-own for real people. Award recipient Michelle Campbell, a longtime customer at Eagle Rental-Purchase’s Canton, Ohio, store, has furnished her whole home with RTO products, creating a welcoming home for her family. But she has also purchased many items for family members and friends who needed a helping hand.

Michelle received $500, as well as $500 for the charity of her choice – The Legacy Project, a youth mentoring program – and Eagle’s Canton team received a pizza party to celebrate the honor with her.

2026 New Leadership

Additionally, APRO’s incoming Board of Directors and Vendor Advisory Committee were announced.

2026-27 APRO Board of Directors

  • Trent Agin, President
  • Jerry Marshall, 1st Vice President
  • Michael Strong, 2nd Vice President
  • Chad Fosdick, Secretary
  • Jeff Smith, Treasurer
  • Dan Fisher, Immediate Past President
  • Dennis Adams
  • Michael Bennett
  • John Cleek, Jr.
  • Andrew Hajduk, VAC Liaison
  • Phillip Holt
  • James MacAlpine, VAC Liaison
  • Travis Robbins
  • Shannon Strunk
  • Adam Sutton
  • Lauren Talicska
  • Michael Wall
  • Todd Wilkins

2026-27 Vendor Advisory Committee

  • Adam Ball
  • Monica Bean
  • Donna DiTrani
  • Craig Grzech
  • Andrew Hajduk, Board Liaison
  • Michael Kays
  • James MacAlpine, Board Liaison
  • Marcus Marter
  • Chase Pitman
  • Brian Rosen
  • Paula Steppe
  • Jimmy Taylor

Tradeshows, Toasts, and Teams

Mid-afternoon, the ceremonial ribbon was cut to officially open up the RTO World Tradeshow, where more than $36 million in sales were generated throughout the event. The Hot Show Preview and new Smoking Deals – spotlighted offers not available at the Hot Show – prepped the crowd for a sizzling show and reception, sponsored by GE Appliances, a Haier Company. Retiring Lyn Leach of Ace Furniture & TV Inc. dba Ace Rent-To-Own took the auctioneer stage for his final Hot Show, sharing duties with his son, Ben Leach, as the two helped peddle more than $11.6 million in sales.

After the show, 12 exhibitors donated more than $81,000 in furniture, mattresses, appliances, and home goods to two Palm Beach County nonprofits: Vita Nova, which 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 spaces and programs where local children and teens can learn, grow, and build skills for the future. 

A woman and two men smile as they sit next to each other at a long table, listening to someone across from them.
Panelists (L to R) Dailey Wilson, Justin Hosie, and Nick Garrard at the Protecting the Transaction Legal Summit. 
Five people wearing lanyards and nametags stand together smiling with a crowd behind them.
The team from The Premier Companies is happy to be together at RTO World 2026. 
A blonde woman holds a microphone in one hand, with her other arm outstretched, as she energetically addresses a panel and an audience of women.
Lauren Talicska of Arona Home Essentials opens up this year’s Women in RTO forum with her signature candor. 

Opening Doors & Giving Back 

Wednesday morning found 20 early risers enjoying the new Two-Mile Trail Walk & Talk, a pre-dawn chance to catch the sunrise along the WPB waterfront, connect with colleagues, and rev up for the day ahead. 

The APRO Board of Directors, several state rental dealer associations, and TRIB Group membership all held morning meetings, leading into industry icon Mike Tissot’s “Tissot Talk: Open the Doors to Your Next Level” – which also included an impromptu push-up challenge! 

Later that afternoon, The RTO Show Podcast went live, with host Pete Shau joined by APRO CEO Charles Smitherman and RNR Tire Express CEO Adam Sutton for a lively conversation about company culture, industry change, and the future of RTO.

Following a full day on a bustling tradeshow floor, participants were ready for Wednesday evening’s Poolside Experience Party – sponsored by Ashley Furniture Industries. Unexpected inclement weather forced the festivities indoors, where the party continued with games, a Mexican-inspired menu, and sweet treats from a festive gelato cart.

As RTO World 2026 came to a close, so did the Next Generation Silent Auction – a chance to contribute to the APRO Charitable Foundation Scholarship Fund by bidding on donated items, ranging from Meta glasses to a weeklong stay in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Overall, the auction raised almost $14,000 for RTO-related youth seeking further education. 

Two men smile as they hold up a bright blue t-shirt with a painted-style illustration of the two of them, along with two signatures, on it.
Charles Smitherman (L) and Kevin Silvers of King of Promotions (R) display an autographed tee featuring one of Silvers’ signature AI-generated creations.
A laughing man falls backward onto a mattress next to a sign reading “Brooklyn Bedding.”
John Cleek Jr. of Cleek’s Home Furnishings/Rentals & Sales delights in a moment of rest. 
Four vibrantly clad men holding golf clubs and wearing caps cluster together smiling on a bright green golf course.
RTO golfers turn up the tropical as they play the North Palm Beach Country Club course. 

Save the date now for RTO World 2027 – August 23-26, in Cleveland, Ohio! 

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Mike Lewis

Central Properties dba Premier Rental-Purchase

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.