Hello, American Rental Association (ARA) members in Region Four.
Halloween supplies abound, pumpkin spice is in the air and on the shelves, and Christmas decorations have been on sale for what seems like two months already!
We just completed the voting process for ARA national board positions. Soon you will officially have another representative for Region Four. Her name is Angela Nussel, CERP. Not only does she serve as vice president of Premiere Events, her family’s successful event rental operation in Austin, Texas, but she also understands the value of association involvement. Her latest volunteer role was as past president of the Texas Rental Association. She was named one of the “12 to watch under 40” by Rental Management in 2013 and chosen Region Four Person of the Year in 2018. She will assume her new duties at the end of The ARA Show™ in Orlando this February. I know you will welcome her with open arms as you have so graciously done to me.
As we come closer to the end of the year, we start thinking about routine maintenance and future upgrades for our fleets. For equipment, tents, software, silverware and everything in between, be sure you attend the show Feb. 11-15 in Orlando. Hotel bookings have been open for some time and registration opens Oct. 18. Don’t miss out as this continues to be the prime buying show in our industry. There will be great educational opportunities for you at the EventsU and the Future of Equipment Rental on Saturday, Feb. 11, and a full lineup of educational sessions Sunday, Feb. 12. You should have received your online Show Planner, so check it out and then register at ARAshow.org.
Speaking of education, the end of the year is always a good time for a tuneup. Have you reviewed ARA’s massive collection of online educational courses yet? Does your team have logins to ARA’s site so they can take courses? If you have any questions about those programs, please reach out to ARA’s education team at education@ararental.org to help set you and your team up for a strong finish to the year.
It’s exciting to report that both the ARA Young Professional and Women in Rental conferences scheduled Nov. 29-30 in Scottsdale, Ariz., have sold out. I know those who attend will gain so much from these events. Also, don't forget the Women in Rental Breakfast and the Young Professional Network Reception that will be held at the show in Orlando. Register for those when you sign up for the show.
Finally, I would like to congratulate Bryan Peters, president, AdvanceTrac Equipment, Dallas, who was selected from our region as one of the young rental professionals profiled in the “12 to watch under 40” section in the September issue of Rental Management. Read more about Bryan in this issue.
And, the ARA of Louisiana had another successful in-person event. Skeet shooting, golf and education — wow!
I hope everyone has a great fall.
Bryce Puckett, Region Four director
Kirby-Smith Machinery
Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, Texas
817-937-0581
bpuckett@kirby-smith.com