ARAPAC members raise $38,000

Dozens of members of ARAPAC, the American Rental Association’s (ARA) political action committee, and their guests gathered during The ARA Show™ 2021 in Las Vegas for the ARAPAC Reception: Vintage Vegas Starring the Rat Pack.

During the event, attendees networked, and enjoyed food and drinks, all while taking in incredible views of the city from a rooftop venue at Resorts World — a brand-new property in Las Vegas. The evening was filled with a vintage Vegas vibe with live music from Justin & The SwingBeats — a Las Vegas’ Rat Pack cover band and iconic Las Vegas showgirls.

Anthony Durante, Durante Rentals, Flushing, N.Y., and ARAPAC Council chair, welcomed attendees and their guests. He shared the importance of ARAPAC and the impact it can have in Washington, D.C. He encouraged all members to sign up their employees and share the importance with others in the industry.

That message resonated with ARAPAC Member Rachel O’Brien, president, J & F Reddy Rents, St. Louis Park, Minn., and chair of the ARA Insurance board, who was in attendance.

“It’s important to support the legislators who are on our side, to keep the lobbying going and keep telling Washington how hard it is to run small businesses,” she said.

The evening ended with ARAPAC members taking part in a large kick line with the showgirls followed by naming the winners of ARAPAC’s virtual online raffle, which began on Oct. 1.

The prizes and winners included:

• ARAPAC 2023 The ARA Show grand prize package — Kim Kim, Epic Event Rental, Eden Prairie, Minn.
• Ikon ski pass — Brian Grant, B.W.G. Enterprises d/b/a Grant’s Rental, Bridgewater, Mass.
• DSLR camera package — Robert Pedersen, A Tool Shed, Santa Cruz, Calif.
• Kate Spade gift certificate — Buddy Stubbs, Busylad Rent-All, Tupelo, Miss.
• Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon trio — Sue Irwin, Delux Rental, Ypsilanti, Mich.
• Goldbelly gift certificate — Tony Wright, Celebrations! Party Rentals and Tents, Roseville, Calif.

In total, the reception and raffle raised $38,000. That money will be used to support candidates running for federal office who support a pro-business environment — regardless of party affiliation.

ARAPAC is the voice of ARA members and the equipment and event rental industry in Washington, D.C. With the support of its members, ARAPAC contributions help ARA educate members of Congress about the national issues affecting the equipment and event rental industry. Click here to learn more.