The RTO Show "Let's talk Rent to Own"
Welcome to "The RTO Show Podcast," your gateway into the fascinating world of the Rent to Own (RTO) furniture industry. Join host Pete Shau, who brings nearly two decades of experience to the table, as he dives into engaging interviews and thought-provoking discussions on the latest trends and innovations. With a blend of humor and realism, Pete explores the evolving landscape of Rent to Own, making complex topics accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or simply curious about RTO, tune in for insights that will inform and entertain!
The RTO Show "Let's talk Rent to Own"
Behind the Scenes of RTO World w/ Charles Smitherman, CEO of APRO
What makes an event truly unforgettable, even in the face of unexpected challenges like inclement weather? Join us for an in-depth chat with Charles Smitherman, CEO of APRO, as he pulls back the curtain on the immense planning and collaboration that made the recent RTO World in Orlando a grand success. Charles provides valuable insights into the intricate partnership between APRO and TRIB Group and the significance of pre-event activities like the legal summit and women's forum. These forums not only set the stage for the main event but also offer essential opportunities for industry engagement and learning.
What unique platform combines networking with meaningful discussions on industry challenges, particularly those faced by women? Discover the innovative "world cafe" concept and celebrate the growing representation of women in the rent-to-own industry, as highlighted by their dominance in the million-dollar store awards. We also explore the vibrant diversity brought by new vendors at the APRO show, offering a myriad of services and products ranging from furniture to credit card processing. The Women's Forum is spotlighted for fostering a supportive community among industry leaders, proving to be an invaluable part of the event.
Looking ahead, what makes Omaha, Nebraska, the perfect location for RTO World 2025? Unpack our conversation around the strategic choice of Omaha, benefiting from its central location and excellent convention facilities. We delve into the anticipated discussions on generational and legal issues within the RTO sector, featuring insights from Edwin, the "godfather of RTO," and Michael Helton of R,G, and Co. The episode also revisits the magical fundraising night at RTO World, where the community's enthusiasm helped raise $28,000 for the APRO Charitable Foundation. As we prepare for future events, the importance of camaraderie, feedback, and continuous improvement is underscored, ensuring that each RTO World surpasses the last.
Hey everybody, welcome to the RTO Show. I'm your host, pete Chow. Today we're talking to Charles Smitherman, the CEO and the man of the hour at APRO. And listen, we had a great RTO world. It was amazing. Despite everything that happened, charles, with the weather and stuff, I think it turned out great. I had a great time and we're doing it again. Right, this is Hello Orlando. We've done Hello Indy. Right, we're doing something a little bit different. And so as we go along and we talk to everybody about everything that's happened, I wanted to always bring your perspective in it, because it's been such a great culture change from what's happened to what's happening. How's everything going, charles? How are you doing?
Speaker 2:Good yeah, I'm finally decompressing a little bit after a very busy July getting ready for the event and then a very busy week in Orlando and then a trip back to Orlando last week for the Buddies Conference.
Speaker 1:Let me ask you a question. One of the things I want to know, because a lot Orlando and then a trip back to Orlando last week for the buddies conference. So let me ask you a question. One of the things I want to know, because a lot of people don't understand this, is there is a process that goes into setting this up. I mean you, you start almost like a couple of years out and then the year into it you really get narrowed in. So there's there's a lot that goes behind this, behind the scenes, to get you know the. There's a lot that goes behind the scenes to get the RTO World 2024, 2025, or what's coming up going right.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I mean, it's a very in-depth process. So we're booked we have 25 and 26 booked and we're beginning the process now to look for a location for 27. A location for 27. So really, you know, being three years out is kind of the norm right now in this kind of event space industry and making sure we get a good venue and a good something that works for us. We've got kind of a criteria. There are a number of kind of things that you know, essential boxes that we need to check and that we want to check, and so it's just trying to find the right place and the right location and something new. We're not going back to the same place every year, but it's something we really just deliver on an exciting venue and memorable venue.
Speaker 1:So which I think.
Speaker 2:Orlando did.
Speaker 1:So whose idea was Orlando? So then back, you know you get to back up a couple of years. Who's idea was early? Was it your idea or was it already? Was it already in the works?
Speaker 2:I inherited Orlando. Fortunately, because that was a, it was a great choice for us. I think the venue worked out exceptionally well. I think so. That was one, you know, kind of coming out post-pandemic. There was a bit of a kind of a reshuffle. There was a high demand, there was a lot of pinup demand from people not having conferences for a couple of years, and so it was hard to find a venue, and then, fortunately, we had some assistance in this location in Orlando to get it lined up. So that was right before I got here, and so next year will kind of be the first one that you lucked out.
Speaker 1:You lucked out Well. So something that I've always wanted to know is that. So this is one of the biggest situations that happen in the tire, one of the biggest conventions, where everybody gets together and all kinds, every manner of RTO, person and owner and person likes to come in, vendors and all. How is Trib directly associated with this? Because I know that you know everything that happens is either associated in some way with APRO or some way with Trib, and then this is a combination effort, right? So how does that work? Some way with APRO, some way with TRIB, and then this is a combination effort, right?
Speaker 2:So how does that work? How does that happen? Yeah, so a few years ago, whenever RTO World started, that was a collaboration and partnership with APRO and TRIB Group. Trib brings a lot of expertise in terms of putting on a great expo. Dennis and his team they really do a great job with that and so I think there were a number of factors in play with really trying to really have kind of two main RTO events. I mean, we've got other ones related with. Nationwide has their two events each year, Brandsforce has theirs, Trib has their show in the spring, and so APRO before had its own show and then just there was almost too much and I think that a number of those things kind of led to the RTL World Partnership, and so I think we're growing it each year and I think we're getting better and better each year and that's always the goal we kind of been. We're kind of in that process now of the, the, the, the autopsy, so to speak, of what went well, what didn't. How can we make?
Speaker 1:it even better next year, right, right, right. Well, I have to agree, we said there are a couple of things that go on and then if you have too many it's almost too hard to get to right, Because then there's so much going on, it's like I can't be away from that much, but it does seem like to get grander and grander every year. Talking about getting grander, we had a couple events that actually took kind of place pre-Apro show, kind of like a little bit early. So we had the, the, the legal summit, um, and and the women's forum. That kind of happened. Can you describe a little bit like where did these things come from? Like what, what brought these on and what was the main factor that was like we should have this for them ahead of time?
Speaker 2:Well, we, you know, we, we're. We are bringing everyone together for these events and we do have a number of things that are important components of it, with our education sessions on the first day, the hot show, the expo hall and all the networking that goes on in between.
Speaker 2:And what we really kind of see with a lot of other conferences and associations is the idea of the pre-conference, where it's really opening up kind of deep dive, concentrated or pointed discussions, meetings at the beginning or really kind of the day before the conference officially opens, and so we really wanted to kind of give that a try. And there were really two important issues that came when discussing what we could do. That, I think, came out of it. We usually run a legal track in the education session, but the idea of doing a really focused three-hour session on legal issues and there are a lot of them and we've had a pretty busy year and especially over the last month, so there was a lot of content and a lot of things that really we wanted to really get into and really invite both APRO members and non-APRO members in to kind of have this discussion really talk about these issues that's really affecting the industry and the things that are on the horizon with that.
Speaker 2:So that was an idea that was put out there by Justin Hosey and Daley Wilson from Hudson Cook. We started talking about this over a year ago the idea of doing a really concentrated legal summit and trying to bring in all this expertise into the same room and have that conversation about how we focus on compliance and make the industry stronger and safer by discussing those issues and being aware of them. So that was a big idea and a big step we took with that. I feel like it was very successful. We had 83 registered attendees for it. Honestly, I was hoping 25 or 30 whenever we first kind of started.
Speaker 1:I was there. I was there, I showed up. I'm not going to lie, I showed up, because I want to explain this a little bit. So there's a panel, right. So there's a panel of different people and I'm guessing for lack of better terms a bunch of lawyers who understood a lot more of what happens behind the scenes in Rentone than I do. And so you come in and you kind of introduce them and then you give them a segment to really kind of dive a little deeper into each individual situation that they have and why it's important what they're talking about. And so they start going into this thing and it starts really getting kind of deep. How important is it then at that point? So when you have 83, versus what you thought of 25, 30, is that considered a success? Did we talk to the people that we need to? Did we get it out there?
Speaker 2:I mean I feel like, given the people that were in the room that participated in, this, represents a large, I mean a significant segment of the industry on the legal and compliance portion, whether that's in-house counsel for a number of these companies, outside counsel with Hudson Cook, burr and Foreman Pope Law Firm that helped do the panel discussions, and so, yeah, I mean that's kind of you know, we there's a in terms of you know, our mandate with APRO is protecting, safeguarding the industry, and you can do that.
Speaker 2:That's a multifaceted approach, whether it's going to Capitol Hill and meeting with legislators, but there's a lot we can do in terms of self-regulation and promoting best practices internally. That allows us to go up to DC and tell these guys you don't need to regulate us because we're doing that ourselves. And so, yes, I think, having the knowledge and the expertise that was in that room discussing specifically RTO issues I'm not sure that's ever happened and you know that was I think we got a lot accomplished in seeing what those discussion points were, what the differences were, where our common points are too. We can move forward off of that.
Speaker 1:Charles, I got to tell you, okay, I got to tell you it was great, I loved it. But you know, when you're watching a football game and there's somebody on the side that's kind of doing the fingering thing, that they're doing it in a language that other people understand. We need to do that for the legal summit, for people like me that show up, you just need to have somebody inside. This is what that means. There was so much going on and it was so. There was so much knowledge and so much factual situation going on. We're just like, oh my God, there is a, there's a world beyond this that I don't. I have no idea what's going on, and it was so great to hear, but there there was a lot of things that I was like, oh my God, I wish I had an interpreter over there to kind of, you know, to special, tell me. Hey, this is what that means. If you have any questions, I can tell you what that is.
Speaker 1:So the legal part is a great hit. I mean, we have them sitting up there as a panel and they did a great job, not only telling us what's going on, but kind of talking to us about what was brought up, as individuals were kind of saying, hey, this is what I think, or hey, what does that mean, or hey, what's going on with this, and they did a great job of that. How did that? So we possibly go into next year doing this again. Then we have the women's forum Now whole different situation, and I wasn't able to be in there as long as I wanted to. I had a lot of setup and stuff going on and I kind of missed a chunk of it. Who was actually the big speakers in that one?
Speaker 2:So that was an interesting setup and I want to just particularly mention Jen Troke, who brought this idea forward and really helped a lot and bring it into fruition, and so she did a great job with that. She had a vision for it and I think it really uh it lined up with what that uh what, what what we were hoping for, um. So basically that was uh, there was a panel discussion, uh at the beginning and that was um, uh, uh Lauren Talitska, uh Kathy Windsor and uh Julia Gonzalez uh led the panel discussion. Uh, then I think that took about an hour and then everyone broke up into roundtables and we had a number of different topics really up for discussion.
Speaker 2:I think we called it like a world cafe. There was really kind of really mixing a bit of a social aspect with a really let's talk about some important issues that are facing the industry, facing women in the industry, some of the challenges that they're faced, and really just trying to make some connections and networking. I mean, we've got a great conference. There's a lot, we pack a lot into a few days and so really kind of giving that opportunity that wasn't just a pure drinks reception or hot show or running into someone on the trade show floor. It was a good way to bring a group in to talk about some common issues and some common challenges and solutions.
Speaker 1:Talking about that female representation and how important it is. You've been doing this for a little while now, so you can see it. We just need to be honest about it sometimes. Do you see that maybe they're not represented enough? Maybe is this a male-dominated industry? I kind of see that myself.
Speaker 1:Something that I noticed when I was at the Buddies you know the Buddies Better to Best and the convention that just happened last week or the week before, and so we were there and they were giving away awards and you've got to understand this, because this shocked me to death. They're giving away awards, and one of the awards that they were giving away is the million dollar stores, and so, as the names are going on, I'm noticing that there are a lot more women up there than there are men. Right, they're representing a huge chunk. I want to say, in my calculations and my calculations can be very, very off 65% or so, 60%, 65% it was dominated by the women, and so it's like one of those things like are we not leveled out enough and what can we do about that to get this to happen? And then I start thinking well, we had a woman's form, and that is the greatest way to bring acknowledgement to that and say, hey, you know what A little bit of diversity in the sense that we could use to have somebody speaking on their behalf.
Speaker 1:And listen, jen, amazing job, great idea. I love what she does and she always has the best ideas. Anytime I need like a two minute idea, that's going to take me from here to here. I just call Jen and she's like I'm like why did I think of that? But she does such a great job and so, as she was putting that together, who else, who else, you say, spoke and you said Lauren was there and I know that was Cindy High Duke a part of that as well.
Speaker 2:Cindy was there, tricia Fisher really helped, kind of the co-chair, and we had a. We had a committee that really kind of helped develop, develop the, the ideas and kind of bring that together. And yeah, I think that you know, I think RTO has a history of some really great and influential women in terms of, particularly on the APRO board, officers in APRO, yeah, and so I think that you know, like I said, it's just really kind of this was a way that was different than just running into someone in the halls or hoping to meet someone or you hear about someone. This was a way to really bring a group together and to kind of be able to get to know each other. And then I think, hopefully, you know, what we're going to see is like a continued community that comes out of that. That will, you know, continue to grow and support each other.
Speaker 2:And so, you know, I think there are all types of groups and people with specific interests and specific things, and this is one of those, and one that we felt like was a really good opportunity here, and there are more, and I think that's something that we want to continue to explore and promote and try to do similar type things in the future.
Speaker 1:I definitely agree with that. So, speaking about new, so we do the Legal Summit, we have the Women's Forum, then we got a bunch of new vendors that came in. I got some people that I really didn't know and I'm kind of used to walking around and seeing the guys I know and there was a few people that I didn't know who was new this year, who was bringing something a little bit different, with a little bit of a different flavor, something that the APRO guys or gals who are in there, the Trib members, should look at and go. You know what? They did have something different. They did bring something to the table. Who were those guys?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I mean we had, I believe, 15 new vendors this year and this is kind of the great thing about the APRO show and this is really why that it is the largest show. We had 107 total vendors. That was up by, I think, five or six from last year, even though we were in a smaller space. So you know the great thing about the APRO show, it is open. It's a great way for a company that has a service, that has a product, that has something that would be of interest or use for the industry to come in and try it. You have to either be a Trib member or an APRO member to come into the show, but you know, it really provides that chance to test the waters and to see if there's traction, there's interest with it, and we had a full range of that this year. I mean that was a you know 15. That's got to be kind of towards our, I think, a higher point. You know, new furniture, new insurance services, credit card processing.
Speaker 1:Yes, there was a lot. There was a lot. I actually did see the insurance people and you guys got to understand if you're not made it to RTO world at any point at this point, so you usually have the main vendor hall and here we are to getting to the vendor hall. There's got at least 20 vendors out there. I want to say more, but there was so many vendors just getting to the hall and that's what he's talking about Like we had so much going on there that just getting there there was left and right. There was so much being offered.
Speaker 1:Then, as soon as you walk through the door, you've got this floor plan of just amazing different people and it's just one of those things where you start seeing a lot of new people. Now you got to let them know, cause I know that they're new vendors. Hey, not always everything happens in the first year. People got to get to find out who you are right and what kind of what do you offer. So you know, I always encourage new vendors and if that's you listen, guys keep coming back. They open up, they want to know what's going on. If you didn't talk to somebody, then you might talk to somebody new the next time you go and they could possibly be using your services. So it was great to see all the new vendors. I mean, it was an amazing amount.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and I think we, you know, just all credit to Dennis Shields. He is a master at putting these floor plans together. And you know, one of the challenges we had with this venue great venue, great hotel, just a great setup for us. But the, with it being kind of a hotel conference center, that is usually on the smaller end of what we need and so we were in a more condensed space. But I never felt it. I don't know. The exhibit hall looked amazing. The exhibit hall looked amazing and with just everything, with the drapes, the carpet, everything just looked great. But then part of a necessity of that was we didn't have as much room in the vendor hall so we overflowed into that foyer space and I think a lot of the new vendors really got a good taste.
Speaker 2:You had to walk by those tabletops and those, uh, the, the 10 by 10s out in the foyer twice when you're on the way in and then on the way out, and so, uh, we got to have a lot of really good feedback from some of the new ones that were out there and some of our you know, uh, veteran vendors too, that that really got a lot of uh uh, uh saw, saw a lot of people going in and got a chance to talk to people.
Speaker 2:So that worked out really well with that and hopefully gave some of our new guys a good taste for it. But I'm with you, that's always, you know, one of the things that this is a. It's a good chance to come in with the APRO show, but it's. Or the with the RTL world, but it's also a, you know, it's a bit of a commitment in that you really need a couple of years to really get a good taste for it, for people to see. You trust you know that you're not just kind of coming in and maybe going the next day, so it provides a really good chance for that.
Speaker 1:So we're talking about the vendor space, we're talking about how it is to get there, we're talking about it being in the hotel space and not where we're used to. So then you guys got to understand. This is my part of the show. We had a live RTO show podcast straight from the event and we got moved to the back and it was still great. It was an awesome time, but we got a big room. Instead of where I thought we're going to be, we got a really big room. Charles, you had a chance. You had a chance to co-host a little bit. How was that? How did you feel about that?
Speaker 2:I you know I will not be quitting my day job anytime soon. I can tell you that it was a lot harder than you make it. Look on these shows. But you know, I think I was the Ed McMahon to your Johnny Carson. It played well. Okay, it played well, a lot less funny but, yeah, played good.
Speaker 1:So as you're up there right and you start seeing people interact and you start seeing people have the questions and kind of asking the panel, so we're going to go back to the visual guys. Right now you got to understand Charles and I sitting in front of the room, we're sitting behind the mics and we're in a room full of people and then to our left there's four panelists. Now these guys know what they're talking about, but they were brought in to talk about different sections of Rent to Own and what they represent. So at first we had Chip Guy so at the time the vice president of Buddy's Home Furnishings, buddy Mac Holdings and he's talking about AI. Now this is something that everybody in rental owners has been talking to me about. That has not changed at all.
Speaker 1:Then Jerry Marshall gets to come in and he's talking about growth despite what's going on and how to manage that growth and when is a good time for growth, and he made some really good points. People was his main down. Like people was the main point. Then we had Ed Wynn talking legal counsel. Wow, he kind of blew me away, did a great job. As a matter of fact, he did a better job than I expected. So be looking to look out, because you will talk to Ed Wynn. We will talk to Ed Wynn soon because, let me tell you, he was quite the superstar in what he had to say. And then Joe Luxick, talking about the differences between generations and the buying power and how they utilize that buying power. What are they focused on in today's age and how we can shift with that. I couldn't think of four better topics or four people that represented those topics any way better. I mean, what are your thoughts on that? What did you take out of that?
Speaker 2:Well, no, I love the format and really having. I mean you did a great job with the four people that you had coming in, because you really I was sitting there taking notes as well. Not only it was a very interesting discussion, I mean, I think all of them were very topical and on point issues, things that we all, you know it's generational issues are always a big thing. Legal's always there hanging in the background and you couldn't have found anybody better than the godfather of RTO to come in and talk about that.
Speaker 1:Well, I mean, you know, when Edwin was talking, you got to understand, no matter what you're doing and no matter what's going on, when you're in one of those big studio environments and you're your big settings, people talk, there are things going on. I have never seen somebody so quietly command a room in my life. When he started speaking, the volume level in the entire place, just it just started settling and so he was able to keep just a very, very regular tone and he just kind of commanded the room with the things that he was talking about. He was saying stuff that was happening in South Dakota, some of the stuff that we talked about in New York, and it was like he was just on top of it, fact after fact after fact, and what was going on and how it's gone through the years and why we've done some of the things we did.
Speaker 1:And so Michael Helton he comes in and he's from RG Co and he's got a lot going on and he's got a lot to say. And he asked a very direct, solid question. I won't get into that here, but he asked a solid question and without missing a beat, I think Ed was able to tackle that just straight on, Very, very to the point. It was such a breath of fresh air to have someone so knowledgeable and be able to spit out the facts the way he did and kind of control the room. I was in awe. I was like I don't know, maybe he should be sitting here talking to us. But so you don't think that you're going to be doing any co-hosting anytime soon.
Speaker 2:Well, maybe next year, maybe next year, all right, all right.
Speaker 1:That's the goal, hopefully. Listen, guys, the way this is going we had such a good time there. I really believe that going into 2025 going we had such a good time there. I really believe that, going into 2025, rto World in Omaha we're going to have a session for you that's going to be way better than this, and not just because of where it was or what happened, but because you guys are so involved in what's going on and you're such a part of it that I can't believe that it won't be anything more than amazing come next year, because I really think this is what it's about.
Speaker 1:People want to hear the events and what's going on now, and it's going to also give us a little bit of time to get your feedback. Guys, if you ever have any feedback, please hit us up at the show, the RTOPodcastcom, hit me up on the DMs, but let me know what it is you want to know about, even if it's 12 months out, because then I can get with Charles and we can find out who's the right person to answer those questions for you and really put them on the show and make that another situation happen for the RTO World 2025. So talk to me about Omaha a little bit. We were going from Orlando to Omaha. It's a whole big difference, but then, like you said, it was more of a hotel kind of conference setting versus what a convention center can do in Omaha. So, besides the stakes, what does Omaha bring to RTO World 2025?
Speaker 2:Well, we heard the concerns about hurricane season in Florida. So we are going to take that out of the equation, swing the complete other way of the pendulum and be, hopefully knock on wood in a hurricane safe zone next year. So I mean, omaha is one of those. I think it's really kind of a blank slate in a lot of ways for us, because not many people have been. You've either been or you haven't had a reason to go, and I think it's one of those places that you're probably not you know, not necessarily on top of the list to go spend a weekend or vacation.
Speaker 2:But Omaha is a great, just a great city. It's about as central in the States as we could get and they have just a great setup for us. I mentioned earlier, we're kind of looking at kind of criteria. You know, one of our top things is we've got to have we're kind of in a Goldilocks zone, we can't have spaces too small, which is lots of hotel, convention spaces or meeting spaces, but we're not big enough to go and do rent out, like you know, the Atlanta World Congress Center with its a million square feet of space. So there's a you know, there's a bit of a mix there that we have to really play with and finding that sweet spot. We really have high priorities to try to get everyone, or as many as possible, into one hotel where we've got kind of a central place we're all staying, we've got, you know, common areas to pass everyone, we've got a central bar restaurant that we can kind of, you know, meet each other throughout the event. And so Omaha really we want to be close, close enough to some of our dealers and you know Omaha was one of those places that really checked a lot of those boxes.
Speaker 2:It's got a great airport that's less than five minutes from the hotel. We've got a convention center that is just an incredible convention center. They host, they've hosted a lot of events there and they've hosted a lot of events there. The US swimming Olympic time trials, or Olympic trials, were held there for several years. They lost it this year to Indianapolis, but it's amazing when you see them construct, like a convention center, literally an Olympic sized swimming pool. So they've hosted that.
Speaker 2:And it's also the home of the College World Series and the College World Series stadium is literally kind of almost in the parking lot of the hotel. So we've got a hotel everyone can be in. We've got a great convention space. We've got something that's close to an airport, easy to get in and out of College World Series they're used to hosting big events and it's got a great downtown local restaurants, local bars. It's just a great scene to really kind of enjoy being somewhere, not only just going on a business trip. That could be anywhere. I think it would be a memorable event in that respect and I'm very confident people are going to come out very well. Omaha, that was a great place to go to.
Speaker 1:Well, I think I talked about it with Chaz Fosdick a while ago and I'm going to say it to you If you were to take the map of America and you were to throw a dart as close to the center as you could, that would give you the flyover state of Nebraska. But, being that you have a lot of space where you can put a lot of people, have a lot of event space where you can do things that you haven't done before, and I'll tell you right now I love what's going on with APRO. It seems like every time we turn around, there's something new going on. I love what's going on with April. It seems like every time we turn around, there's something new going on, and it's just one of those things where it makes it worthwhile for somebody to go somewhere they haven't been, learn things that they haven't learned, see people that they haven't seen and talk to people that they've wanted to talk to but they couldn't have. And that's why I love doing the podcast, that's why I love introducing people who are so huge into the business and with the people who may not have met them before, not seen. Hey, how does Ed Wynn play such a role in my own career as an account manager. Well, the laws that we go by are probably helped, written and passed by Ed and those things. Wow, I didn't know that, and I love passing that knowledge on to people because it really just gets them to understand there is so much of a world out there that they just don't know about, and so the idea of the show was always to bring that to the forefront. So going to Omaha can't wait. I'm actually looking forward to it. If you guys are looking forward to it too, make sure that you get a hold of me and let me know, because I'd love to have all kinds of show ideas come the next 12 months.
Speaker 1:Talking about show ideas, we left sunny Florida, we went all the way to Omaha. We got all the good things. What's with the executive challenge and how will it be next year? Come on, spill the beans. If you guys didn't see the executive challenge, it was all over the internet. But, charles and listen, dennis and you guys play a pretty good Laurel and Hardy man, I'm going to tell you right now. I saw you guys on stage. You guys were singing. Let's break into this first. So right now, the executive challenge came towards the last day, but there was fundraising that happened during one of the nights of RTO World. Can you explain that a little bit? And then, what was the prize that everybody got to have if we met that goal?
Speaker 2:So you know the well we had the venue for the experience party and the experience party is kind of always the, the, the you know we have. We have it the last night of the show or the event. Um, always try to do something kind of with a local flair or something hopefully that's memorable.
Speaker 1:So you it was memorable, charles, it was memorable. I want to put a picture up just so you know I'm going to put a picture up of what happened that night.
Speaker 2:But yes, it was definitely memorable well, that way, you know, you, you can remember rto world 2024 in orlando, uh, and so that was, uh, you know, it was a great venue for us because it was basically, you, you know, we were on universal property and this was on site, easy to get to with the boat or the bus or walking on the path, and it was just a great venue. And so we kind of, you know, we had three bars and a nice common area with a DJ and stilt walkers and food common area with a DJ and stilt walkers and food. But I think the idea kind of came to us that we were, hey, we're having, you know, we're going to have 500 plus people at this event and we've got an open bar. We've also got a karaoke and like a not just a karaoke, like a professional backup singer, band, lights, everything in a theater type setting. And so we kind of, you know, we're always looking for something fun, fun ways to do. Particularly you can throw fundraising in.
Speaker 2:And you know, with us we've with APRO, we have the APRO Charitable Foundation, which supports really two things. It's really two things. One, scholarships for the RTO family, whether that's anyone that's an employee of an RTO company is eligible. Their children of them are eligible, they're seeking any type of higher education, trade school, things of that nature. We also have a disaster relief fund that, if anyone in the RTO family is ever involved in some type of an event with involves a major loss, that there is some support to help get them back on the feet. This is all member funded, all supported. But we really started. Look, we've just gone through a round of scholarships. We do that every summer. We finally hit the 1.1 million mark this year and $1.1 million in scholarships that the APRO Charitable Foundation has given out. And you know we're always looking at ways to kind of do some fundraising to generate some more money so we can give out more scholarships, and Open Bar and Karaoke provided a good opportunity to do that.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that was it. Yeah, yeah. So I, we kind of I went to my team with the idea and I I kind of workshopped it with dennis and a few other people before and they were like, yeah, okay, this sounds good. Well, I went to my team and they came up with the whole idea of. I went in with one idea. They came back and said we're going to do it this way and then, oh, by the way at the, if we get to the fifteen thousand dollar mark, you and dennis have to. You and Dennis have to end the evening with a song, guys you got to understand how it works.
Speaker 1:So there's levels, right, and as the night's going on, and when it first got on it was running a little slow and the fundraiser wasn't on everybody's mind, because what is everybody doing? They're going to the bar, they're saying hi to everybody, they're meeting people that they haven't seen in a while, and so it started off kind of slow, and so we're like we've got to figure out how we can get these levels going, because at different levels we had Dan Fisher singing, we had Jerry Marshall singing right. So, depending on what level, you got to depend on who you got to see listen. Nobody wanted to see Charles and Dennis sing more than me and Joe, right, and Joe wanted to see it too. So we go over there, we get online and Joe Lux, he can listen, he loves the business, he loves everything that's going on, and he's like hey, pete, we should do this.
Speaker 1:So we get in there and now we're cheerleading this on, we're trying to get stuff going, and then it starts picking up, and so, before we know it, we're jumping spots. They're like okay, we, this person's supposed to sing because they're already on this person. And so there's so many things going on and there's so many people. Cleek is up there, all these people are up there and we get to the end of the night and then Charles and Dennis, hand in hand, get to sing Sweet Caroline, and let me tell you. So everybody's going on and I think I lost part of my voice that night. So me and Joe are in the front, we're trying to cheerlead and we're just getting it on, and it was so great because we went from 15,000 to what? 25,000. Is that right?
Speaker 2:We ended up topping out at 28,000. Wow, wow. So we almost doubled the goal.
Speaker 1:Listen, guys, it's not possible without people like you to help, and it's so important because we don't do this ourselves. Listen, APRO is not for profit and I'll tell you right now the RTO show is definitely not for profit. We do this because we love Rent to Own and the reason that we get you guys involved is because we need your help. And it was so amazing to see everybody get together and hit that goal 15,000. I was like wow, we had 20,000. I was shocked by the time that we're singing Sweet Caroline, we're hitting these 25,000.
Speaker 1:It was just amazing to see everybody come together and be so supportive for these emergency funds and for these scholarships, because it really is one big family in RTO. We're trying to make this work. And so you guys got to understand I will be posting up a couple more pictures of that, Charles, because everybody's got to see you and Dennis singing. And then, of course, as we get through that and we raise the money for the foundation, then the next day we got the executive challenge. So, although we're showing camaraderie that night and we're singing together, then we got to head to head. So talk to me a little bit about the executive challenge and where that, where that ended up because it was all over the place, quite literally all over the place.
Speaker 2:So we I guess last year was the first year we did it we're you know we're always looking for some ways to try to make the last morning of the expo uh, increase some traffic, make it a little bit more exciting, you know. So that was. It was kind of an idea that we would do some type of a friendly competition, and Jennifer Moore really takes the lead on coming up with those challenges and does a good job of not telling myself or Dennis what those are going to be, so we kind of find out what they are. That's awesome At the time of presentation.
Speaker 1:So you guys got to understand there was a couple of different things going on. So what was the first challenge like?
Speaker 2:So the first one was kind of a beer pong without the beer.
Speaker 1:We know you've been to college, charles. I will not tell you how well he did or did not do, but the beer pong challenge was awesome. We were making that happen, dennis, a pro himself. I don't know where he gets it from, but it was a pretty good challenge. It was fun to see, because there was actually no alcohol involved, which that might have changed things up a little bit too much, but that was so much fun. So then, who won that challenge?
Speaker 2:You know, I think we may have tied on that one. I think it was one of those. We had to dump some ping pong balls out of a tissue paper box, whoever got them in as quick as possible. It was very close. I think the the the entire thing was pretty close.
Speaker 1:It was. It was close. So they start off, hands tied, they get the balls out, they're shooting it and then, as you're going from event to event, it was like three events total, right, or was it four, four or five? I think four or five. I think yeah. So the last event, you got to understand it. One of them ends up with charles with a balloon sticking to his chest as he goes back. He looks like an you know a rendition of alien with a balloon coming out. It was amazing to see and it was fun to watch.
Speaker 1:But, in all honesty, it was great to see how you and dennis were able to come together and do this, uh, and when I say that you and dennis, the representatives of APRO and TRIB to get this done kind of seamlessly and I've got to say thank you to Dennis and thank you to TRIB and yourself so, as things were going on, one of our sponsors who was literally sitting in front of the vendor hallway, or the vendor hall right at the end of the hallway, was Gerard Norman, marketing, and so, because we're teamed up with them, we got to set up the booth there and we literally were able to have several people talking to us about what was going on and their thoughts of the show and their thoughts of what they did. And we have marketers there and we had people from other businesses and we had single store owners and Chad Foswick was there and there was just so much going on. This was an event to be had. And and Chad Fawcett was there and there was just so much going on. This was an event to be had. And I'm so glad that we get to do these renditions and going back over them and how we did this and how crazy it was.
Speaker 1:But also kind of be reminded that camaraderie in the RTO world and when I say that, I mean I don't know kind of pun RTO world because of RTO world and things like Trib being able to be a part of it and April being able to be a part of it, having these new vendors there, having a lot of people who we can say, hey, you know what they were new to the industry and this can give them a taste and they don't have to be full on in but you get to see, hey, is this something I want to do, is this something that I want to be a part of? And the camaraderie that happens in those situations when you have old vendors and new vendors, people that are coming up, people that are leaving, and they get to all see this space all together. We get to see the legal summit, we get to hear about why we're there, what we get to learn. Then you get to break off in these sessions and you really get to hear from people who have done it and keep doing it and doing it well, and every year we have these new topics that get brought up and you know what. We get to talk about all these new things together as a team.
Speaker 1:And one of these breakouts well, part of the breakout sessions is participation. Right, if you have a question, you get to join in and you get to say, hey, what about this, or what's going on with that, or I had a question about this and you're in a safe space. It's okay to have one of those questions and you'll have somebody who has the expertise in that area really be able to break it down to you for you, or say you know what? I don't have an answer to that, but I can bring it up to several people who have been doing this for years, for literal decades, sometimes generations, and maybe we can give you a better answer soon.
Speaker 1:In all cases, I'm going to, in all honesty, I'm going to say I think the best part was the RTO Show Live podcast, but everything else was so great and it was so nice to be a part of it. That was one facet of what was an excellent RTO World Convention. I got to tell you, charles, I think it is. I'm worried that you're going to get to a point where, like I don't know how to top this last year, we're going to have to figure it out. There's going to be so much going on. You know what? Because it's heading that direction. I think it's heading in the right direction.
Speaker 2:I really do yeah, I mean, that's always the. That's the challenge I think we all we want to make how to make it better whenever, especially coming off of something like this. I mean, I think, just from this, from start to uh, from our opening keynote with louis gravance, and that was uh, uh, that that was probably one of the best, if not the best, keynotes I've ever seen, and that was going through all the education, all the networking that took place, and so, yeah, I mean, that's what we're, you know, we're literally our RTO World Committee is meeting next week to, you know, to digest the feedback and what went well. We do Glows and Grows what was great and more things we can get better at. That's our focus is just continue to do better. I think we've got a great venue next year. It's going to be something new for everyone. It's going to be just a great setup for us. I'm very excited about Omaha and our 2025 show coming up.
Speaker 1:Well, listen, everybody, I do want you to know. You probably got something in your emails that said hey, how was RTO World and how can we make it better? If you weren't able to get to that email, because I think the time frame is already closed, feel free to email me at the show. Hit me up at Pete at the RTO show podcast. Send me an email. You can also DM me at Facebook, instagram and LinkedIn we're pretty big on all those platforms and send me a message and say, hey, I missed it, but this is something that I'd like to see, or this is something that I thought it could be better, and I will definitely pass that along for you because, listen, we want to make this better for you. We want you to learn, we want you to buy, we want you to enjoy.
Speaker 1:This is a time when everybody gets together for the betterment of rto, and hence the name rto world 2024, going into 2025. Charles, it's always a pleasure to have you on. I'm one of these days. You're going to be right here, we're going to be talking to people and it's going to be I'm going to get you to kind of co-host a couple more for me. We have a lot of good things coming up at least once a year. Right, when it comes to RTO world, we're at least going to be a part of that because, yes, everybody, I'm going to drag Charles into this and make sure that he does it. He does it with me because he did a great job.
Speaker 1:And, number two, you're not so far away that somebody feels like they can't talk to you and I can't tell you that I've met a lot of CEOs and I've met a lot of people who are they're not bad people, but they have so much going on that they're kind of like away from it, and so you sometimes find it hard to talk to them and get your maybe your ideas out of your points across across. Or you don't feel like, if you told that person what your idea is or what you thought might be better, that anybody's listening, they might hear you, but they're not listening. And I think you embody that very well. I think you have a very open standpoint. I think people feel like they can go to you and say, hey, charles, this is what I think was going on, and good or bad, I mean it doesn't mean that everything gets put in there. I mean I don't think we're going to have a lot of drawing and 2025, but it's one of those things that being so approachable and being so down to earth gives you that leg up on somebody who, you know when, when they don't have. That it's listen, it's a, it's a bringing of culture and people. Right, and people make RTO world.
Speaker 1:Without you, guys, we wouldn't have it. So, to make it better for you, send me any suggestions that you have. If not, you can also feel free to hit up April. I think. If you hit up with me first, I'm just going to put a little slide to it. I'm going to say, hey, this is what, this is what my guys are thinking, and let's make that happen. Charles, always good to have you on, always good to to have you a part of what's going on. Listen is is there anything that you can tell us right now about our TRL World 2025? A little bit of a secret that's going to happen over there. Or should we just wait in the winds and hopefully we're going to get an email soon?
Speaker 2:Well, we're starting now on getting ready for it. I mean I can tell you that I'm pretty excited. I don't have a contract in place yet to be able to share where the experience party is going to be, but I'm pretty excited about some of the Omaha experience is going to be an exciting event not to miss. I think Omaha is just going to be a really good spot for us. I think it's going to be a cool town, a really great place to visit.
Speaker 2:But we have set the goal and we'll be working hard towards making it the best one yet, and that's growing and continuing to do some cool things, like we did this year with the RTO show, like we did with some of the fundraising things I mean just trying to introduce, like we did with the pre-conferences. So you know, we're very open towards kind of these, trying some new things and really kind of making this a great experience and because, like you said is, this is the biggest gathering of rto of the year and um, and we can do that and make it a great. You know, bring that community together, uh, and share experiences, network, uh, do fun things together, buy some things, uh, you know all all those things, learn some things. When you kind of combine all that in that's, that's the keys to success for a great show. So so I'm excited. I think you'll be hearing more and more as we kind of hype and promote it over the coming months, and then we'll be ready to do this all over again next August.
Speaker 1:Well, listen, guys, next year we're going to be having Hello Omaha. It's going to be coming straight to you. If you guys have any questions, any ideas or anything that you want to talk to Charles about again, feel free to hit up the show at Pete at TheRTOShowPodcastcom, Hit us up on the DMs and I'm going to tell you Charles, you're going to have to stay with me this next year, but everybody this next year, but everybody, get your collections low, get your sales high.
