On Aug. 19, young equipment and event rental professionals in Georgia were invited to get together after-hours for food and drinks while experiencing the thrill of axe throwing at a unique networking event hosted by the ARA of Georgia.
The event was held at Ironmonger Taproom and Axe Throwing, Marietta, Ga., where “everyone had a great time," says Andrew Shields, director of sales and human experience resource officer, Northside Tool Rental, Atlanta, and an ARA of Georgia board member. "What better way to blow off some steam than to get together with friends and colleagues, have some
drinks and pizza, and toss sharp objects at the wall?”
Following a similarly themed young professional event held at an Atlanta United FC soccer game in 2019, the axe throwing social was put together as part of the ARA of Georgia’s ongoing effort to bring together the next generation of rental employees, Shields says.
“It is an opportunity to make connections with other young professionals in our area that will help as they move forward in their careers,” he says, adding that “attendees were glad to make connections, pick the brains of some of the older members from our board and hear about how business is going for others in our state.”
Vallie Favor, Northside Tool Rental’s business manager, joined the festivities and agrees that events like this are important for the equipment and event rental industry’s younger segment to gain valuable connections.
“I joined Northside Tool Rental in November 2019 and was new to the rental industry. I have since been to a few ARA [American Rental Association] Young Professional Network events and would really enjoy seeing more young professionals outside of our own company attend these events. They are a great way to network and meet new people that you most likely have things in common with being that you work in the rental industry,” Favor says.
As for her axe-throwing skills, Favor says that “this was my first time trying it. I had heard about it and was very excited to give it a try. It's always nice to switch things up and try something new.”
From his perspective as an ARA state chapter board member, Shields sees the benefit of continuing to offer young professional-focused events like this one and suggests his counterparts in other state chapters consider the same.
“Every ARA board needs to continue to find ways to engage all members during this weird time with COVID, but especially younger members. They are the future of this industry,” he says.