ATLANTA — The general mood of the American Rental Association's recent Rental Show in Atlanta was upbeat and buying activity was strong, although attendance declined compared to last year's Orlando, Fla., convention.

In general, most exhibitors expressed satisfaction with the level of buying activity at the show, especially considering the consensus view that overall rental industry fleet growth is likely to level out in 2007.

“It's an optimistic time for the industry,” Christine Wehrman, CEO of ARA told RER. “People are very upbeat about 2007. Exhibitors were getting good buying activity and an increase in pieces of equipment per order.”

Number of rental companies represented dropped from 2,870 at last year's show to 2,200, a 23-percent decline. Total number of rental attendees decreased year over year from 6,490 in 2006 to 5,613, a 13.5-percent decrease. Orlando has, historically, drawn higher attendance figures than Atlanta shows, as has Las Vegas, where the show is set for next year.

Total exhibitor personnel decreased from 6,110 to 5,955, while the number of exhibiting companies dropped from 750 to 719. However, a record number of new exhibitors — 94 — participated.

One of the show highlights was its first-ever live auction, sponsored by Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, which raised more than $80,000 for the ARA Foundation. Twenty pieces of equipment were auctioned, with more than 100 registered bidders participating. All proceeds from the live auction and a separate silent auction were to help fund ARA's scholarship program, the rental executive advisory program and the association's disaster relief fund.

The 2008 Rental Show is set for Feb. 11-14 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.