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Association of Progressive Rental Organizations (APRO)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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  • Home
  • About
    • About APRO
    • APRO Committees
    • Board & Staff
    • Vendor Advisory Committee
    • State Associations & Leadership
  • Membership
    • Join APRO
    • Membership Benefits
    • Code of Ethics
    • Engagement Opportunities
    • Hall of Honor
    • Member Directory
    • Member Login
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy Resource Hub
    • Legislative Conference
    • Legislative Meeting Debrief Form
  • Events
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Legislative Conference
    • RTO World
    • Share Your Events
  • Foundation
    • About the Foundation
    • RTO Employees Disaster Relief Fund
    • APRO Scholarship Fund
  • News
    • Industry News
    • Community Outreach
    • RTOHQ: The Magazine
    • APRO Today E-newsletter
    • Share Your Member News
  • Resources
    • RTO Legends Take the Mic
    • The RTO Show Podcast – Listen Here!
    • The RTO Insight Review Blog
    • The Rent-to-Own Revolution Book
    • Resource Hubs
      • Advocacy Resource Hub
      • AI Resource Hub
      • Business Resource Hub
      • Cybersecurity Hub
      • Educational Resources
      • Legal Resource Hub
    • Charles’ Monthly Health Tip
    • LEAP Portal
    • Legal Hotline
    • Rent-to-Own Industry Health Summary
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Legal Hotline
JOIN APRO
  • Home
  • About
    • About APRO
    • APRO Committees
    • Board & Staff
    • Vendor Advisory Committee
    • State Associations & Leadership
  • Membership
    • Join APRO
    • Membership Benefits
    • Code of Ethics
    • Engagement Opportunities
    • Hall of Honor
    • Member Directory
    • Member Login
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy Resource Hub
    • Legislative Conference
    • Legislative Meeting Debrief Form
  • Events
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Legislative Conference
    • RTO World
    • Share Your Events
  • Foundation
    • About the Foundation
    • RTO Employees Disaster Relief Fund
    • APRO Scholarship Fund
  • News
    • Industry News
    • Community Outreach
    • RTOHQ: The Magazine
    • APRO Today E-newsletter
    • Share Your Member News
  • Resources
    • RTO Legends Take the Mic
    • The RTO Show Podcast – Listen Here!
    • The RTO Insight Review Blog
    • The Rent-to-Own Revolution Book
    • Resource Hubs
      • Advocacy Resource Hub
      • AI Resource Hub
      • Business Resource Hub
      • Cybersecurity Hub
      • Educational Resources
      • Legal Resource Hub
    • Charles’ Monthly Health Tip
    • LEAP Portal
    • Legal Hotline
    • Rent-to-Own Industry Health Summary
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Legal Hotline
  • Home
  • About
    • About APRO
    • APRO Committees
    • Board & Staff
    • Vendor Advisory Committee
    • State Associations & Leadership
  • Membership
    • Join APRO
    • Membership Benefits
    • Code of Ethics
    • Engagement Opportunities
    • Hall of Honor
    • Member Directory
    • Member Login
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy Resource Hub
    • Legislative Conference
    • Legislative Meeting Debrief Form
  • Events
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Legislative Conference
    • RTO World
    • Share Your Events
  • Foundation
    • About the Foundation
    • RTO Employees Disaster Relief Fund
    • APRO Scholarship Fund
  • News
    • Industry News
    • Community Outreach
    • RTOHQ: The Magazine
    • APRO Today E-newsletter
    • Share Your Member News
  • Resources
    • RTO Legends Take the Mic
    • The RTO Show Podcast – Listen Here!
    • The RTO Insight Review Blog
    • The Rent-to-Own Revolution Book
    • Resource Hubs
      • Advocacy Resource Hub
      • AI Resource Hub
      • Business Resource Hub
      • Cybersecurity Hub
      • Educational Resources
      • Legal Resource Hub
    • Charles’ Monthly Health Tip
    • LEAP Portal
    • Legal Hotline
    • Rent-to-Own Industry Health Summary
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Legal Hotline
JOIN APRO
25 events found.

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Today
  • January 2022

  • Sun 23
    January 23, 2022 @ 8:00 am - January 27, 2022 @ 5:00 pm

    2022 Winter Las Vegas Market

  • February 2022

  • Wed 2
    February 2, 2022 - February 4, 2022

    Rent-A-Center’s 2022 Winter Franchisee Conference

    RAC’s 2022 Winter Franchisee Conference will take place at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas. For more information, visit www.rentacenter.com.

  • Sat 5
    February 5, 2022 - February 8, 2022

    Nationwide PrimeTime!

    Phoenix, Arizona Phoenix, AZ, United States

    PrimeTime will be held at the Phoenix Convention Center, in Phoenix, Arizona.

  • Sat 19
    February 19, 2022 @ 8:00 am - February 21, 2022 @ 5:00 pm

    RNR Tire Express 2022 Franchisee Conference

    Tampa, Florida Tampa, FL, United States

    The 2022 Franchise Conference will take place at the Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel.

  • March 2022

  • Fri 4
    March 4, 2022 - March 7, 2022

    TRIB Group 2022 Meeting of the Minds & Expo

    Dallas, TX Dallas, TX, United States

    The Meeting of the Minds & Expo will take place at the Anatole Hotel in Dallas, Texas.

  • Tue 8
    March 8, 2022 - March 10, 2022

    Rent One Annual Meeting

    St. Louis, Missouri St. Louis, MO, United States

    The Rent One Annual Meeting will take place in St. Louis, Missouri, at the Chase Park Plaza.

  • Sat 26
    March 26, 2022 - March 27, 2022

    2022 The Premier Companies National Convention

    Houston, Texas Houston, TX, United States
  • May 2022

  • Tue 10
    May 10, 2022

    Pennsylvania Association of Rental Dealers Annual Meeting

    The meeting will be held at the Harrisburg Hilton, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

  • Tue 24
    May 24, 2022 @ 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

    Arkansas Rental Dealers Association Annual Meeting

    Benton Event Center 17322 I-30, Benton, AR, United States

     Breakfast and lunch provided.

  • June 2022

  • Tue 14
    June 14, 2022 - June 16, 2022

    Missouri Rental Dealers Association Heartland of America Trade Show and Seminar

    Lake Ozark, Missouri Lake Ozark, MO, United States
  • Wed 22
    June 22, 2022 - June 23, 2022

    Tennessee Rental Dealers Association 2022 Membership Meeting

    Sheraton Grand Nashville Downtown Hotel 623 Union Street, Nashville, TN, United States

    2022 TRDA Membership meeting will be held on June 22-23 at the Sheraton Grand Nashville Downtown Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee. Call (888) 236-2427 and make your hotel reservation by April 30, 2022. Be sure to mention group code "TNQ" group for the $259 rate. The Sheraton Grand will SELL OUT so reserve your room today! RSVP today […]

  • July 2022

  • Fri 15
    July 15, 2022 - July 16, 2022

    Full-O-Pep Annual Trade Expo and Golf Tournament

    Nashville, Indiana Nashville, IN, United States
  • Sun 24
    July 24, 2022 @ 8:00 am - July 28, 2022 @ 5:00 pm

    2022 Summer Las Vegas Market

  • August 2022

  • Wed 10
    August 10, 2022 - August 12, 2022

    RTO World 2022: The National Rent-To-Own Convention and Tradeshow

    Indianapolis, Indiana Indianapolis, IN

    RTO World™ 2022, the national rent-to-own convention and tradeshow, is expected to occur on August 10 - 12, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

  • Sat 13
    August 13, 2022 - August 16, 2022

    Nationwide PrimeTime! Vendor Show

    Gaylord Palms 6000 W Osceola Pkwy, Kissimmee, FL, United States
  • Sun 28
    August 28, 2022 - August 31, 2022

    BrandSource Convention

    Gaylord Texan 1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine, TX, United States
  • September 2022

  • Tue 13
    September 13, 2022 - September 14, 2022

    2022 Midwest RTO Training Expo

    Crown Plaza 6500 Doubletree Ave, Columbus, Ohio

    The 2022 Midwest RTO Training Expo will be held in Columbus, Ohio on September 13 & 14, 2022. We are thrilled to be running our Midwest Expo again in 2022 and bringing it back to Columbus, Ohio. While we love our event at Belterra, Columbus is so central for other dealers. We look forward to […]

  • Mon 26
    September 26, 2022 - September 27, 2022

    FRDA Annual Meeting

    The Westin Tampa Waterside 725 S Harbour Island Blvd, Tampa, FL, United States

    DESCRIPTION We invite you to join fellow Florida rental dealers for some great networking and big ideas! Join us on September 26 & 27, 2022 at the Westin Tampa Waterside for a welcome social, vendor show, and annual meeting! Get ready for an exciting meeting with new ideas, vendor presentations, and a chance to reconnect with […]

  • October 2022

  • Wed 19
    October 19, 2022 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

    Nightmare on RTO Street: Cybersecurity Tales To Save Your Neck and Your Networks

    Nightmare on RTO Street: Cybersecurity Tales To Save Your Neck and your Network: APRO is supporting Cybersecurity Awareness Month again this year! Mark your calendars for October 19, 2022, at 2:00 PM CT, where members will share haunting and cautionary tales of cyber breaches, helping you avoid these nightmare scenarios in your workplace. Register today […]

  • Sat 22
    October 22, 2022 @ 8:00 am - October 26, 2022 @ 5:00 pm

    2022 High Point Market

    Inspiration abounds every spring and fall as High Point Market comes alive with showroom after showroom of meticulous design, more educational opportunities than several conferences combined, endless networking opportunities, and the resources you need to move your business forward.

  • January 2023

  • Sat 14
    January 14, 2023 - January 15, 2023

    2023 Premier National Convention

    Marriott Miami Airport 1201 NW Le Jeune Road, Miami, FL, United States
  • Sun 29
    January 29, 2023 @ 8:00 am - February 2, 2023 @ 5:00 pm

    2023 Winter Las Vegas Market

  • February 2023

  • Sat 25
    February 25, 2023

    2023 Premier Marketing Meeting

    Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta, GA, United States
  • Sat 25
    February 25, 2023 - February 28, 2023

    TRIB Group 2023 Meeting of the Minds & Expo

    Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta, GA, United States

    The Meeting of the Minds & Expo will take place in Atlanta, Georgia.

  • March 2023

  • Mon 6
    March 6, 2023 - March 9, 2023

    Rent One Annual Meeting

    Chase Park Plaza 212 N Kingshighway, St. Louis, Missouri

    The Rent One Annual Meeting will take place in St. Louis, Missouri, at the Chase Park Plaza.

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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.