The ARA Show was all about reconnecting
By Connie Lannan
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The ARA Show 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.

“This was only my third ARA show and the first one in Vegas. We had an absolutely great time,” says Christin Davis, owner, FST Rentals, Sierra Vista, Ariz.

The American Rental Association's (ARA) 65th equipment and event rental industry-specific convention and trade show offered something for everyone.

The show kicked off that Sunday with a full day of education covering a wide variety of topics, from business management, leadership and culture to technology, human resources and events. On Monday, following the Keynote Session featuring Carey Lohrenz, the first female F-14 fighter pilot in the U.S. Navy, everyone headed to the trade show floor at the Las Vegas Convention Center to see what the more than 600 exhibitors had to offer.

There also were plenty of networking events that honored those in the industry. At the Keynote Session, Andrew Heesacker, president/CEO, Arvada Rent-Alls, Arvada, Colo., and ARA Region Seven director, received the Rising Star Award. The Regional Receptions included the honoring of Jeff Jackson, owner, All Purpose Rental & Sales, Greeley, Colo., who received the Leadership Impact Award. The Oktoberfest event also offered a fun night of food, music and great socializing.

For Davis, all the show’s offerings were a hit. “We had really great contacts with vendors, and the ARA Oktoberfest was amazing. It was so much fun. We had three generations there, and everybody had a great time. We were just walking away when we saw the fireworks starting, so we stood in the next parking lot and watched them. The food was really good, the entertainment was awesome, and we had a super good time. As far as everything to do with the show and the vendors — we were completely satisfied with what we got there and the contacts we made.”

Davis, who took over the reins of her rental company four years ago, is already gearing up for the next show. “We’re definitely going to Orlando for the next one. It’s sad that it’s such a long wait, but Florida will be great. Truthfully, since taking over our rental company four years ago, our involvement with the ARA and everything offered has made our business easier — 100 percent. Between the insurance, the shows, the contacts, the magazine’s information — it totally helps us. As someone who is new to the industry, ARA is awesome.”

First-time show attendee and new rental business co-owner Jeanette Jennings of Next Generation Rentals d/b/a Highland Rent All, Albuquerque, N.M., says the show was so worth her time.

“The show was a lot of fun. The energy was great. I thoroughly enjoyed it,” she says.

“My husband and I got there Monday morning. We wanted to see what new products were available that might help our customers. We also were interested in taking advantage of any special pricing the exhibitors were offering. The vendors were very nice and accommodating. The quotes were very quick. It was very much worth my time. I feel I got some good deals. I am putting my spreadsheet together now with all the quotes I received to look at my wish list and our budget and see what I can do for 2022,” she says.

Joe Lapekas, owner, Big Ass Equipment Rentals, Page, Ariz., came to the show to look for software and equipment. “It was a good show. It was good to see people back and all the vendors. We’re in a very remote location in northern Arizona so we don’t have a peer group to talk to or other rental businesses. It was good to come here as the mood was quite upbeat. Everybody was taking orders. If it was available for sale, it was sold, which tells you people need equipment. They’re renting equipment and I think it’s a very positive market,” he says.

Mac Delbaugh and his sister, Lyndsay Hutt, co-owners, Equipment Rental Source, Castle Rock, Colo., couldn’t attend all the events they normally take part in at the show. “This year we were in a time crunch. We went with a purpose. We had a shopping list, primarily for small items such as aerators, sod cutters, hand-held core drills and brush mowers,” he says.

“We were able to talk with exhibitors. They were all there to answer questions and give information. We got everything we wanted and received information on things we were inquiring about. It was very effective in that sense,” Delbaugh says.

While he and Hutt spent their time on the trade show floor, they did have a chance to network with a few rental peers. “I was able to touch base with a few people that I have gotten to know over the year. This time it was more business-oriented but not as much networking as I traditionally have done, unfortunately.”

Even his limited time at the show was worth it, he says. “The show always is worth our while and the discounts always outweigh the cost of going.”

Exhibitors noticed that rental operators were there to buy. “We made up our total cost for being at the show in the first four hours we were here on the first day,” says first-time exhibitor, Stephanie Thanem, director, Foamdaddy, Tempe, Ariz. “We had a lot of good feedback from everyone.”

 

Connie Lannan

Connie LannanConnie Lannan

Connie Lannan is special projects editor for Rental Management. She helps plan, coordinate, write and edit ARA’s quarterly regional newsletters, In Your Region. She also researches, writes and edits news and feature articles for Rental Management, Rental Pulse, supplements, special reports and other special projects. Outside of work, she loves to bake for others, go for walks with her husband and volunteer for her church and causes she believes in.

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