Rent-to-own News - State Rep. Uecker to open Midwest Training Expo

The fifth becomes the first next week at the Midwest RTO Training Expo.

That's when the Ohio Rental Dealers Association's fifth annual Midwest RTO Training Expo will cement its legacy as the first  "true" regional tradeshow September 9-10 with the help of a state representative and close to 300 participating rent-to-own professionals from across seven states.

Dealers from 26 rent-to-own companies are expected at the ever-evolving training expo where Ohio State Rep. Joe Uecker will cut the ribbon for the opening of the exhibit hall and training sessions at 9 a.m. September 10 at the Concourse Hotel and Conference Center in Columbus, Ohio.

"This show is far and away a record for us," said Mike Tissot, president of ORDA and owner of Countryside Rentals. "We're going to be bustin' at the seams."

This year's expo features two notable changes including a decision by ORDA board members this May to share registration and booth proceeds with other state associations based on attendance. The revenue sharing concept is a novel one for the rent-to-own industry and the board is confident the decision will help establish an organized RTO presence throughout the region.
 

Ohio State Rep. Joe Uecker will cut the ribbon on this year's Midwest Expo.

In addition to boosting attendance at the show, ORDA saw the move as a way to help fortify participating state associations with an additional revenue stream. Dealers from the states of Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana, Tennessee, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio are slated to attend.

New this year, the expo will feature a series of management training sessions led by ColorTyme President and CEO Bob Bloom.

Bloom's talk "Your Attitude Determines Your Altitude" will focus on the impact of a positive attitude in the workplace, specifically in management positions.

"Right now the most practical thing to remember going into the fourth quarter is you've got to make sure your collections are in shape so you'll be able to gain in October," Bloom said. "I don't think anyone in this industry will tell you you can gain with high collections."

Bloom's session will compliment the anticipated product trainings led by Archbrook Laguna, O'Rourke/Dell, Hewlett-Packard, LG Electronics, Welton USA, Whirlpool, Ashley and United Furniture that will take place alongside the exhibit hall. Though the focus of the Midwest Expo is on training, Tissot said buying will take place and is encouraged.

Primarily though, the Midwest Expo is an opportunity to bring together dealers to learn from vendors how to use, understand and rent the products they carry in their stores. The training comes at an opportune time, Tissot said, as dealers gear up for the fourth quarter.

Bob Bloom is a featured management trainer at this year's Midwest Expo.

 
"Vendors realized it can be a big benefit for them to show off their products and show managers how to sell their products," Tissot said. "It's easy to write that first order, its the second order that is sometimes more difficult. We're looking forward to getting some great training before the busiest quarter of the year."

APRO President "Tiger" John Cleek will attend the event and APRO will provide full video, news and photo coverage.

Expo set up is from 12 - 5 p.m. September 9, with a cocktail party and pre-show reception beginning at 5 p.m. followed by a bowling party dinner event from 7 - 10 p.m.

The exhibit hall opens and training sessions begin September 10 at 9 a.m.

The show is a sellout, but late registrations are still encouraged. To register contact APRO State Associations Director Jeannie Hutchison at 800/204-2776 ext. 108.

For more information contact Mike Tissot at mtissot@r2o.com or call 740/634-2666.

mevans@rtohq.org