The opportunity to gather with rental peers, enjoy time with the family, eat some delicious ballpark food and take in a fun game from the vantage point of a nice suite brought more than 45 from the Chicago-area rental community to the ARA of Chicagoland’s baseball event at Schaumburg Club at Wintrust Field to see the Schaumburg Boomers take on the Gateway Grizzlies.
“It was a combination of networking and a lot of socializing — a gathering for everyone to have a good time. We had a nice buffet lunch of hot dogs, brats, grilled
chicken, pasta and such. Many brought their kids. We all had fun,” says Jon Victor, who retired from the House of Rental, Skokie, Ill., and has been an active member of the ARA of Chicagoland for many years.
Luke Graham, president, AA Rental Center, Melrose Park, Ill., agrees. He brought his wife and three of his four children.
“I wanted to go to see my fellow rental colleagues who I haven’t been able to see for quite a while since COVID,” Graham says. “This was my kids’ first baseball game. As we were walking into the stadium, they first glimpsed the bouncy house. That really got their attention. They liked the game, too.”
Graham wasn’t disappointed either. “The suite was really neat — right above the first base line with a terrific view of the stadium. It was a neat setup. I was able to talk shop and just catch up with members. And we saw some good baseball. It was a nice combination,” he says.
“We actually saw a grand slam hit by the Boomers,” Victor says. “The Boomers won 10-8, so it was a good game.”
Stephen “Sal” Salvatori, president, Event Equipment Rentals & Sales, Hodgkins, Ill., who serves as the ARA of Chicagoland vice president and treasurer as well as an ARA of Illinois board member, also enjoyed the day.
“I love rental and I love baseball. It was a good social event — a little different from some of our other networking events. This was more family-oriented and a great day to enjoy with other rental folks,” says Salvatori, whose company also co-sponsored the event along with Construction Product Sales, Broadview, Ill.
“It was a pretty casual event and a nice way to take a deep breath and socialize,” he adds.