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 going to meet with companies we’ve worked with before, like Aztec Tents and some of the linen companies, and look at other new products. We’re here to expand our event rental inventory,” said Daniel Romero, owner, St-Char-Ro Floral and Event Rental, Ronan, Mont.
Inventory expansion ideas also were on the agenda for first-time show attendee Weston Johnson, owner, Black Rock Equipment, Kimberly, Idaho.
“We’re just starting out with our business, and we came to the show because we wanted to see what’s going on in the industry, get hands-on with some of the equipment, talk to ARA Insurance and look at some of the funding options available,” Johnson said.
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.
Lance Brown, owner, Pilchuck Rentals, Marysville, Wash., who has attended the show in the past, said he came to Las Vegas for “the feeding frenzy and to buy stuff. You have to gear up and make sure your fleet is right. There are longer lead times and we need to order in advance. There is no more buying stuff today and getting it tomorrow. So, now you have to look at six to eight months down the road before you can get stuff. We’re here to buy, buy, buy.”
The first day of the trade show closed with the Regional Receptions, where Sam Castillo, outside sales representative, Tates Rents, Boise, Idaho, and ARA of Idaho treasurer, was presented with the ARA Region Eight 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.”