The ARA Show 2021 was all about reconnecting
By Brock Huffstutler
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The ARA Show 2021 was all about reconnecting

When the opening bell for The ARA Show™ 2021 rang on Sunday, Oct. 17, it had been a long and, for many, difficult 20 months since the equipment and event rental community last gathered face-to-face to network and learn from peers, industry experts and vendors. For those who were in attendance in Las Vegas, it was time to reconnect and focus on the future.

“We’re really excited to be here. This is one of the most important times to get together and see where everybody is at, what everybody is thinking and plan the future together,” said John Makrias Sr., president, A & R Rental Center, York, Pa., echoing a common sentiment at this year’s show. “This is a great time for the rental industry, especially with the purchases being restricted in some areas and the only alternative being rental. This is an exciting time, and this is the place to be.”

The 65th edition of the world’s largest equipment and event rental industry-specific convention and trade show organized by the American Rental Association (ARA) kicked off on Sunday with a full day of education at Resorts World followed by three days of the trade show from Monday, Oct. 18, to Wednesday, Oct. 20, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The educational sessions included presentations by engaging, expert speakers and rental industry panel discussions across tracks in business management, leadership and culture, technology and human resources, and event. Then, following Monday’s Keynote Session presented by Carey Lohrenz — the first female F-14 Tomcat fighter pilot in the U.S. Navy — attendees focused on the trade show that featured more than 600 exhibitors.

Given the unprecedented circumstances facing so many industries since the close of the 2020 show in Orlando, Craig Creamer, owner, ABC Rental Center, Rosedale, Md., was pleasantly surprised by what he experienced in Las Vegas.

“It’s amazing to me that the ARA pulled this off,” he said. “It’s been a great show. It’s a little bit less [attendance-wise] but that’s to be expected. I think, all in all, seeing as many people who are here, it’s definitely a big success.”

Courtney Tamuzza, general manager, A Party Center, Fairfield, N.J., who also serves as ARA of New Jersey president, came to the show to fill a specific buying need, saying that “material handling equipment is on our shopping list this year. With the labor shortage we’re lean on people, so we need to give our guys better tools to work efficiently and safely.”

The first day of the trade show closed with the Regional Receptions, where Harry Price, territory sales manager, Trimble & Associates, Harford, Md., was presented with the ARA Region Two Leadership Impact Award.

While attendance at the show was somewhat lighter due to uncertainty around the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, exhibitors said the attendees who came to Las Vegas were there to buy.

“We did not know what to expect and we didn’t really know who was coming, but it has been very positive because the decision-makers are here. There may not be as many people, but the people we are talking to are here to buy,” said Jason Stanczyk, vice president, EDCO, Frederick, Md.

Kim Jaques, controller, Advantage Sales & Supply, Ridgway, Pa., a first-time exhibitor, said a customer recommended that the company come to The ARA Show. “When we looked into it, we decided that it would be a good fit for us. We’ve been pleasantly surprised, it’s been very busy and we’ve had some good leads and feedback from people who have visited our booth,” she said.

In addition to the trade show on Tuesday, the day started with the return of the Women in Rental Breakfast, which featured guest speaker JJ DiGeronimo, president of Tech Savvy Women — a national organization of experienced women in technology.

Beth Hoff Blackmer, president, Aspen Rent-All, Basalt, Colo., who also serves as ARA board chair, commented on the impact that ARA’s Women in Rental program is having across the equipment and event rental industry.

“Women in Rental has shown the industry that there’s women here who make a difference and are decision-makers,” she said.

Tony Conant, ARA CEO, welcoming the equipment and event rental industry back together for the first time since the last show in February 2020, said it all with: “Welcome to The ARA Show 2021. I’ve been waiting for a while to say those words. It’s so good to be here.

Brock Huffstutler

Brock HuffstutlerBrock Huffstutler

Brock Huffstutler is the regional news editor for Rental Management. He writes and edits articles for ARA’s In Your Region quarterly regional newsletters, Rental Management, Rental Pulse and other special projects. Outside of work, he enjoys biking and spending time at the few remaining vintage record stores in the region.

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