The Rental Show returns next month to the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta for the 51st annual tradeshow and convention. The show seminars begin on Feb. 5, while the exhibits run Feb. 8 -10. This year's Rental Show will offer more of everything than past years — more space, more exhibitors, and more seminars and workshops.

American Rental Association show officials increased the exhibit space for The Rental Show 2007 by about 5 percent over the 2006 show's 3,300 booths in Orlando, Fla. With the expansion, The Rental Show's Atlanta show floor will have 3,469 booths.

The Rental Show will offer a new full-day educational workshop for attendees on Feb. 6 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. The Next Generation of Rental Owners workshop is geared for both current and future rental owners and will focus on the process of transitioning a rental business to a new owner. Separate sessions will be held for current and future owners, with both groups gathering for roundtable discussions.

Construction U, a workshop centered on rental profitability that first appeared at The Rental Show in 2000, returns again with a full agenda of educational sessions. This year's program, to be held on Feb. 6 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., will focus more on business management and is specifically designed for owners and top managers of construction and general tool rental businesses. Seminar topics include sales, financials, marketing, safety, and theft prevention, and will be presented by rental industry veterans, contractors, manufacturers and professional speakers.

The Rental Show 2007 keynote speaker, Marcus Buckingham, best-selling author and expert on leadership and management practices, will discuss how companies can increase efficiency and allow for maximum personal growth by focusing on cultivating employees' strengths rather than simply improving their weaknesses. Buckingham has written three best-selling books — “First, Break All the Rules” (co-authored with Curt Coffman); “Now, Discover Your Strengths” (co-authored with Donald Clifton); and “The One Thing You Need to Know.” The keynote session on Feb. 8 will also include the Rental Hall of Fame induction, which this year includes William “Dugan” Hill, leading executive in the development of Grace/Prime Equipment Co., which later merged with Rental Service Corp.; Edwin Malzahn, founder of Ditch Witch and pioneer of the modern trencher; and Pamela McKenney, the first woman president of the ARA.

ARA will hold “Swingin' Under the Sea” at one of Atlanta's hottest attractions, the Georgia Aquarium, on Feb. 9 from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. “This event is exclusive to show attendees and they may tour the entire aquarium without crowds or long lines,” says Allison Box, vice president of association services for ARA. Show attendees and exhibitors can also network with rental industry professionals while enjoying an elegant dinner and dancing. The 505,000-square-foot aquarium offers more than 100,000 freshwater and saltwater fish and mammals in 8 million gallons of water. Tickets are $40 per person and advance registration is required.

The Rental Show Convention Schedule

All events held at the Georgia World Congress Center unless otherwise specified.

Monday, Feb. 5

7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Registration

2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Events & Tents

• Industry tours
• Tabletop competition
• CERP workshops

5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Events & Tents opening reception at Turner Field

Tuesday, Feb. 6

7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Registration

7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Events & Tents

7:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
Next Generation of Rental Owners

7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Construction U

1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Atlanta Golf Tournament at Bear's Best, Atlanta

Sponsored by ARA Insurance Services

4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
First-time attendee reception

5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Next Generation of Rental Owners reception

Wednesday, Feb. 7

7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Registration

8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.
Welcome breakfast

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Educational seminars

10:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Canadian Rental Association annual general meeting and lunch

11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Regional lunches and dessert with ARA

6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
“Uptown, Down Home Atlanta” Atlanta Marriott Marquis

Thursday, Feb. 8

7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Registration

8 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
Keynote session with Marcus Buckingham

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Exhibits open

5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Live equipment auction

5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
International reception

5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
RER Innovative Product Award reception Max Lager's American Grill & Brewery

Friday, Feb. 9

7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Registration

8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Seminars

8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
State/Local/Provincial leaders breakfast

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Exhibits open

7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
“Swingin' Under the Sea” Georgia Aquarium

Saturday, Feb. 10

7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Registration

8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Seminars

9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Exhibits open