Association of Professional Rental Organizations (APRO)
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RTO World™ | Schedule

Immerse yourself in our dynamic schedule filled with insightful education sessions, an engaging keynote, a bustling expo, unparalleled networking opportunities, and an unforgettable experience party. Plan your days and maximize your experience at the industry’s premier event in West Palm Beach, Florida.

*Schedule is tentative and subject to change.

Download a printer-friendly PDF of the detailed schedule 

TimeEvent
Sunday, August 23
2:00 PMGolf Outing
Monday, August 24
8:00 AM–10:00 PMExhibitor Move-in
12:00–6:00 PMRegistration
12:00 PMSilent Auction Opens
1:00–3:00 PMCompliance & Legal Session
3:15–5:45 PMWomen’s Forum
6:00–7:00 PMService Provider Hot Show
6:00–7:30 PMTRIB Board Meeting
Tuesday, August 25
7:30 AM–5:00 PMRegistration
7:30 AMSilent Auction Continues
7:30–8:30 AMUser Group Meetings
7:30–8:30 AMHot Breakfast
8:00 AM–3:00 PMExhibitor Move-in
8:30–9:00 AMTitanium Sponsor Update
9:00–10:00 AMOpening Keynote
10:30–11:15 AMEducation Breakout Sessions
11:30 AM–12:45 PMAPRO Awards Luncheon
1:00–1:45 PMEducation Breakout Sessions
2:00–2:45 PMEducation Breakout Sessions
2:50–3:00 PMVendor Power Huddle
3:00 PMTradeshow Ribbon Cutting
3:00–4:45 PMHot Show & Specials Product Preview
5:00–7:00 PMHot Show & Reception
Wednesday, August 26
6:30–7:30 AMTrail Walk & Talk
7:30 AM–5:00 PMRegistration
7:30–9:00 AMPre-Tradeshow Breakfast
7:30 AMSilent Auction Continues
8:00–8:50 AMAPRO Board Meeting
8:00–8:50 AMState Association Meetings
9:00–9:50 AMTRIB Group Membership Meeting
10:00–10:55 AMTissot Talk
11:00 AM–6:00 PMRTO World Tradeshow
12:30–2:00 PMNetworking Lunch
3:30–4:00 PMIce Cream Break
3:30–5:30 PMHeadshot Photo Booth
3:30–6:00 PMVideo Testimonials
5:00–6:00 PMTradeshow Networking Reception
7:00–10:00 PMWest Palm Beach Experience Party
Thursday, August 27
7:30–11:30 AMRegistration
7:30–9:00 AMContinental Breakfast
8:00–9:00 AMDealer Product Discussion
8:00–9:00 AMAPRO Vendor Advisory Committee
9:00 AM–12:00 PMRTO World Tradeshow
10:00 AMSilent Auction Ends
12:00–6:00 PMExhibitor & Decorator Tear Down

Are you interested in holding an event in conjunction with RTO World 2026? Please read this policy.


An ICW (in conjunction with) meeting is any event affecting RTO World attendees that is outside the official RTO World program, including but not limited to:
  • Customer/Acquisition meetings, dinners or receptions
  • Company/franchise trainings
  • Social events/dinners
  • Staff meetings
  • Industry pre-conference and post-conference meetings

In general, the following activities are not permitted without express permission and coordination with the convention organizers:

  • External education, tours, demos, training
  • Content resembling existing RTO World Programs
  • Satellite events of any nature
  • Distribution of promotional material (e.g. fliers, room drops)
  • Sales presentations and equipment demonstrations
  • Distributing any promotional materials with the RTO World logo (contact the RTO World marketing team for permission)

RTO World staff welcomes affiliated organizations to meet and host various functions during organizer-approved dates and times in conjunction with the 2026 RTO World Convention. 

We can provide many opportunities for sponsored events that could meet your same goals as an ICW event, and more effectively. We create custom events within the convention week that will ultimately serve you better due to the access of additional audiences and scheduling guidance that will result in the best attendance, and overall result.

If your company is interested in hosting events for its employees or franchisees, we can potentially provide you space and audio/visual at no cost. This is not guaranteed and handled on a case by case basis. All such trainings need to be coordinated with our RTO World meeting planning team. 

The RTO World organizers must review and approve any event involving convention attendees during the inclusive dates of RTO World Convention, whether held at an APRO/TRIB-contracted facility or in the same metropolitan area as the Convention.

All organizations and individuals seeking to host an ICW event must email us at info@rtohq.org to submit a request for the event/meeting, and receive an approval from the organizing team at APRO prior to promotion and implementation of the ICW Event.

For information requests about RTO World this year, please contact us at info@rtohq.org.

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Upcoming Events

View Calendar


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.