ARA’s Rental Show Sparked by Improved Attendance, Solid Buying

Feb. 9, 2012
Increased attendance, solid buying and a more upbeat attitude than has been seen in years sparked The Rental Show in New Orleans this week. American Rental Association officials told RER pre-registration figures topped total attendance at last year’s Las Vegas show and show floor traffic for the most part bore out that assessment.

Increased attendance, solid buying and a more upbeat attitude than has been seen in years sparked The Rental Show in New Orleans this week. American Rental Association officials told RER pre-registration figures topped total attendance at last year’s Las Vegas show and show floor traffic for the most part bore out that assessment.

The majority of show exhibitors told RER buying was strong and floor traffic was far superior than in recent years. Although results tended to be more spotty for some new exhibitors that are not as well known to attendees, most were pleased with the results.

“People were buying equipment because they want to build their fleets, rather than just buying for specific jobs as in recent years,” said Joe Jabbour, rental industry sales manager for Statesville, N.C.-based Doosan Infracore Portable Power. “That’s how this show was different than the past few years. Rental companies are far more optimistic and have placed more orders.”

“We’ve had constant traffic and solid buying,” added Mike Grant of Tsurumi America.

Former U.S. Rentals and United Rentals executive Bill Berry and former Cramo CEO Gunnar Glifberg were inducted into the American Rental Association Hall of Fame. Berry, who passed away in 2000, was president and CEO of U.S. Rentals from 1986 to 1998 and played a major role in the merger of U.S. Rentals with United Rentals. Berry was widely credited with helping to solidify a group of systems that provided a platform for United Rentals’ growth.

Berry’s surviving family was in attendance and his son Scott Berry spoke movingly about his father’s legacy in the rental industry and how his example and love for his family helped lay the foundation for his children’s growth and development.

Glifberg joined Cramo in 1994 as CEO and unified a disparate group of companies into a common business model, created a strong management team and expanded Cramo’s operations into eight countries, setting the stage for further expansion to 15 countries and nearly 400 branches.

Next year’s Rental Show will be held in Las Vegas Feb. 10-13 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, a new venue for the
show.