Rent-to-own News

Rent-to-own News - Fall RTO events gear up this month

August 10, 2011

Mark Windsor, Angela Quinn and Bill French at the Quinn's KLQ Golf Tournament welcome reception last year.

RTO professionals across the country are gearing up for a fall chalk full of buying shows, state association meetings, training expos and special events. August events kick off with the annual KLQ (Kevin L. Quinn) Golf Tournament and Auction.

KLQ Golf Tournament and Auction

Close to 150 golfers from across the rent to own spectrum are heading to Tacoma, Washington next week for the 7th annual KLQ  Golf Tournament and Auction -- the primary fundraiser for a home grown scholarship program that for each of the past six years has awarded seven $4,000 scholarships to Washington students.

 

See photos of last year's KLQ event here.

 

Over the past six years the highly successful KLQ Foundation has awarded 43 scholarships to area students and raised close to $400,000 -- most of that coming from the annual golf tournament and auction.


It's all part of spreading the opportunities to as many students as possible said foundation board member Angela Quinn said.

 

"We really want to reach those middle class kids who's parents just aren't able to afford a college education," Quinn said. "We really see them as the backbone of America."

 

Students must keep a 3.2 grade point average and submit paperwork showing they are meeting the scholarship criteria to continue to receive the four year $1,000-per-year award.

Events kick off with a morning live show for the Quinn's Quality Rentals stores Wednesday Aug. 17  followed by a barbecue hosted by the Quinn's at their home. The golf tournament begins the next day and is immediately followed by the auction.

 

The KLQ Foundation was the brainchild of Dan Quinn, Kevin Quinn's brother.  After his untimely death six years ago, Kevin and Angie Quinn created the foundation and turned Dan's dream into reality.

PrimeTime! RentDirect Nationwide, August 21-23, Gaylord Texan, Dallas, Texas

At PrimeTime! Nationwide Marketing Group -- one of America’s largest buying and marketing organization for independent appliance, electronics, furniture and rent to own dealers, will celebrate a milestone of 40 years in service at its fall buying show at the Gaylord Texas in Dallas.

“For four decades, Nationwide along with our vendor partners, have been committed to supporting the independent dealer with the very best programming in the industry,” said Robert Weisner, CEO of NMG. “We are leading the way together in all areas of business, helping our members prepare to meet all future challenges and opportunities.”

On Sunday, Aug. 21, there will be a full day of conference sessions including group meetings and industry presentations. The day will end with a Millions in Minutes furniture auction and party to kickoff the event and celebrate 40 years in service. On Monday and Tuesday, the day will begin with 20 educational seminars and numerous buying show activities throughout the day.

For exhibitor and attendee registration and other information about Nationwide PrimeTime! buying show and strategic conference go to www.nationwideprimetime.com or call Sterling Events Guest Services at 800/777-8741.

TRIB Group/BrandSource, August 28-31, Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas

TRIB Group’s signature roundtable event, Meeting of the Minds -- now with a second Buy Fair added -- begins in just over two weeks. The event will be co-located with Brand’s Source’s National Convention at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.

On site registration takes place Sunday Aug. 28 and Monday morning prior to the first Meeting of the Minds session. Meeting of the Minds topics include broadening customer base, improving presentation, human resources, continuity and club programs and driving core product sales.

Monday evening, TRIB Group will host their ever-popular HOTSHOW with the best discounts and deals on everything from furniture to appliances to electronics and specialty items and services.

The Meeting of the Minds will continue Tuesday morning with open discussion on company culture and how to improve it. Tuesday will also be unity shirt day for members to wear the Serta-sponsored 2011 Meeting of the Minds shirt that will be distributed at registration.

The buy fair is open to all members for lunch and purchasing at 12:30pm on Tuesday. There will be great purchasing discounts from TRIB Group including savings vouchers and TRIB FLASH (text message system) specials.

Last minute registration can be completed at www.brandsourceconvention.com. All vendor representatives attending the show must also register for name badges.

A full, downloadable copy of the event agenda and schedule of topics can be found at www.tribgroup.com.

The Rental Industry Buying Group (TRIB Group), based in Atlanta, Georgia, was established in 1983 and is currently the largest member owned, member run buying cooperative in the nation specifically for the RTO industry.  TRIB Group’s membership is currently 152 member companies strong representing over 3,400 storefronts and is proud to be a strategic alliance partner with AVB/Brand Source.

 

A glance at September events from RTOHQ's Events Calendar:

 

September 28, 2011: The Premier Companies
The Premier Companies Premier In-Field Training, Memphis, Tennessee. For more information, contact John Darden at 434/566-3652.

September 27, 2011: Florida Rental Dealers Association
FRDA Annual Vendor Mingle and Annual Meeting, Sheraton Suites Tampa Airport Westshore, Tampa, Florida. For more information, please contact Sharon Tomaszewski at 813/241-0607, ext. 11

September 27, 2011: The Premier Companies
The Premier Companies Premier In-Field Training, Nashville, Tennessee. For more information, contact John Darden at 434/566-3652.

September 27, 2011: Oklahoma Rental Dealers Association
Oklahoma Rental Dealers Association Annual Meeting, Renaissance Hotel & Convention Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma. For more information, contact Randy Braucher at 918/280-0300.

September 26, 2011: Florida Rental Dealers Association
FRDA Annual Norman 'Slats' Slatton Golf Memorial at Temple Terrace G&CC, followed by Reception and Texas Hold 'Em Tournament at Sheraton Suites Tampa Airport Westshore, Tampa, Florida. For more information, please contact Sharon Tomaszewski at 813/241-0607, ext. 11

September 20, 2011: The Premier Companies
The Premier Companies Premier Marketing Summit, TBA. For more information, contact John Darden at 434/566-3652.

September 14, 2011: The Premier Companies
The Premier Companies Premier Financial Workshop, Williamsburg, Virginia. For more information, contact John Darden at 434/566-3652.

September 13, 2011: Ohio Rental Dealers Association
Midwest RTO Training Expo , Roberts Conference Centre, Wilmington, Ohio. For more information, contact Mike Tissot , 740/634-2666

September 8, 2011: Association of Iowa Rental Dealers
Association of Iowa Rental Dealers Annual Meeting, Hilton Garden Inn, Johnston, Iowa. For more information contact Brian Luksetich, 515-244-2224, ext. 213









 

About APRO
The Association of Progressive Rental Organizations is the official voice of the rent-to-own industry and the most accurate and trustworthy source of rent-to-own news in the industry. Founded in 1980, APRO is the national, nonprofit trade association advocating and representing the rent-to-own industry before the U.S. Congress, state legislatures, courts, media and the public.

For more information, visit www.rtohq.org.




2012 APRO Convention and Trade Show

July 24-26, Memphis, TN

Attendee Information

Exhibitor Information

Thank you APRO 2012 Sponsors

Get Social with RTOHQ.org!
Watch RTOHQ Rent to Own videos on YouTube!
Follow RTOHQ on Twitter!
Join RTOHQ on Facebook!
Share RTOHQ and bookmark your favorites
Featured APRO Photo:
From the ColorTyme 2010 Convention Album
ColorTyme 2010 Convention

View All RTO Photos
in the RTOHQ.org gallery
RTOHQ: The Magazine
RTOHQ: The Magazine is the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations' award-winning rent-to-own industry magazine, and it's available here.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR DIGITAL RTOHQ: THE MAGAZINE

 

RTOHQ: The Magazine’s upgraded digital format

APRO's new, mobile-ready magazine is now available in addition to our print edition. The digital format provides the same informative content as our printed magazine, but also offers tools to make the reading experience more enriching. Access the table of contents page with one click or tap. Get additional information from advertisers by clicking on the links in their ads. The interface is easy to navigate and requires no special app—read our magazine on your computer, digital table or smartphone. Click here to access the digital version of RTOHQ: The Magazine March-April 2012.

 

 

A New Rent-to-Own Experience

by Neil Ferguson

Here’s the lowdown on APRO’s 2012 Convention and Trade Show, July 24-26 in Memphis. The RTO industry’s big event will offer many valuable experiences, including insights on how to turn your stores into “experiences”–the good kind for consumers

 

Who Is Your Competition?

by Bill Keese

In order to expand your customer base, you can learn a lot by observing your competitors. But first, you need to figure out just who they are. If you think your only competition is the rent-to-own store down the street, you’re not considering the bigger picture. APRO’s executive director offers a big-picture perspective.

 

A Review of Online Customer Complaints

by Ed Winn III

While rent-to-own companies have not cornered the market on negative reviews posted on consumer complaint websites, it’s no surprise that there are cyberspace beefs against RTO. APRO’s general counsel reviews some of them in search of a pattern and he considers appropriate response to online complaints.

 

Rent-to-Own Families, Part VIII

by Kristen Card

Our series of family-run rent-to-own businesses continues with profiles of the Homeiers in Kansas and two Texas-based sets of kindred colleagues, the Spangles and the Weisblatts.

 

 

Future issues of APRO's magazine will be available in this same new format. Click here to access past issues that are not yet archived in the new interface.

 

Association of Progressive Rental Organizations
1504 Robin Hood Trail
Austin, Texas 78703
800/204-2776, ext. 103
Fax 512/794-0097