Retail Observer

A Candid Conversation, moderated by Chad Fosdick of CR Fosdick Ent. Inc., dba Premier Rental-Purchase, and with Jeff Lebakken of Lebakkens Inc. of Wisconsin, Jerry Marshall of KAPPA Investments LLC, dba Buddy's Home Furnishings, and Russ Moserowitz of Passaic Ventures LLC, dba Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership. Once the education session wrapped up, APRO President David P. David of Full-O-Pep Appliances Inc., dba American Rental, TRIB Group President Chris Kale Jr. of Happy's Home Centers Inc., APRO Chief Executive Officer Jill McClure, and TRIB Group Executive Director Dennis Shields performed the traditional ribbon- cutting to open the tradeshow for business. With more than 400 rental dealers and 300 vendors participating, the RTO World exhibit hall was humming all afternoon and well into Friday. The APRO Board of Directors also met Thursday afternoon, electing its new Executive Committee: President Michael Bennett of Buddy's Home Furnishings; 1st Vice President Adam Sutton; 2nd Vice President Shirin Kanji of Impact RTO Holdings; Treasurer Trent Agin of SKC Enterprises Inc., dba Rent One; Secretary Jonathan Rose of RNR of Virginia LLC, dba RNR Tire Express; and Immediate Past President David David of Full-O-Pep Appliances Inc., dba American Rental. Thursday evening's Indianapolis Experience Party – co-sponsored by Ashley Furniture Industries at the inimitable Indiana Roof Ballroom – went from fun to fabulous as Brandon Santini & his Band had a soulful set that transitioned into Rent-to-Own's Got Talent! Brian Eckleberry of Ace Furniture & TV Inc., dba Ace Rent- To-Own kicked it off with Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," followed by Brian Grow of Growby's LLC, dba Growby's RTO, Lyn Leach, and an on-stage sing-along of Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline." Various karaoke warriors seized the spotlight, while the moving-on- up Emerging Leaders networked at a special side-party sponsored by Nationwide RentDirect. The final morning of RTO World 2022 began with an early meeting of the APRO Vendor Advisory Committee, followed by some concluding connection via continental breakfasts and final procurement as the Tradeshow wrapped up. A group of 28 race fans stayed for the afternoon's super-cool Indy Motor Speedway Museum Tour. But first, at noon, APRO announced the winner of its Golf Cart Raffle: John Dorrance, president of Dorrance Supply Company, drove off with a bright blue 2022 EZ-Go Valor Golf Cart! Thanks to raffle prize sponsors Rental-Purchase Dealers Association of Indiana, American Rental, and Growby's RTO Home Furnishings, as well as to all who participated, APRO raised $20,000 toward the APRO Charitable Foundation Scholarship Fund. The Scholarship Fund annually provides select rent-to-own professionals and their families with scholarships to help them pursue their college or vocational education. "Each year's RTO World is special, and year five was no exception," said McClure. "Togetherness is one of the best things about this industry and about this event. And while RTO businesses continue to feel the rugged repercussions of the pandemic, we know how to handle it – we come together as we did in Indy, to help each other work through our issues, raise a glass and share some laughs. It was an excellent event, and we're already looking forward to RTO World 2023 here in the heart of Texas – August 22-24 in San Antonio!" OCTOBER 2022 RETAILOBSERVER.COM 57 RO RO

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