The Rental Show returns to New Orleans in 2012 after a 10-year absence. The show will include new and expanded educational opportunities, events including an evening at Mardi Gras World and the keynote speaker will be Aron Ralston, the subject of the Academy Award-nominated film “127 Hours.”
The 2012 Rental Show is Feb. 5-8 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Registration is now open, with special discount pricing available for a limited time. According to the American Rental Association, the show is more than 90 percent sold.
“It’s fitting that the American Rental Association is having a brand-new show in a city that has achieved renewal. ARA will be recognizing the significance of New Orleans’ revitalization during The Rental Show,” said Chris Wehrman, ARA CEO. “The association’s goal with the upcoming show is to provide an engaging celebration of the rental industry as we move into the pivotal year of 2012.”
The 2012 show will offer 30 seminars on Feb. 5, 7 and 8, including new indoor/outdoor half-day product demonstration sessions, plus a half-day financial seminar with Steve Abercrombie, the session “Up Close and Personal With Dan Kaplan,” a new town hall session on family business issues and round-table discussions.
During the keynote session, Aron Ralston will share the account of his survival that was the basis for the movie “127 Hours.” Ralston’s story made headlines worldwide in 2003 when he was pinned by a half-ton boulder for nearly a week while hiking in Utah. He narrowly escaped death by severing his right forearm with a dull pocketknife. After applying a tourniquet, he hiked and rappelled for five hours before searchers in a helicopter rescued him.
New events include Crescent City Carnival on Feb. 7 at Mardi Gras World. A producer of floats, sculptures and props, Mardi Gras World creates most of the parades held for Mardi Gras in New Orleans from concept through completion. ARA’s Crescent City Carnival will feature a behind-the-scenes look at the floats and how they’re created, with live entertainment, networking, food and beverages. Also new for 2012 is An Evening for ARAPAC, an event for ARA’s political action committee on Feb. 6 at the National World War II Museum where invited guests will be able to tour the displays and exhibits.
Returning events include Lunch with ARA, Next Generation Reception and a revamped golf tournament on Feb. 5; regional receptions on Feb. 6; international reception and the Reception with a Purpose featuring the ARA Foundation charity auction on Feb. 7.
For more information, visit www.TheRentalShow.com. Questions can be directed to [email protected] or 800-334-2177, option 3.
Headquartered in Moline, Ill., ARA is an international trade association for the owners of equipment rental businesses and the manufacturers and suppliers of construction/industrial, general tool and party/event rental equipment.
