MOLINE, Ill. — The American Rental Association, Moline, Ill., announced last month it is changing its 2007 venue for The Rental Show from New Orleans to Atlanta. The new dates for the show are Feb. 7-10, 2007, at the Georgia World Congress Center.

Following extensive deliberation at a special meeting via conference call on January 6, the ARA board of directors determined that New Orleans was not a viable option and voted to change venues.

“The decision to change venues was difficult for ARA,” said Chris Wehrman, ARA CEO and executive vice president. “New Orleans has hosted six of ARA's 50 conventions, so the association has a history and identity with the city. Certainly our members and the rental industry are important pieces of the city's rebuilding,” she said. “For 2007, however, ARA reluctantly was forced to relocate The Rental Show given the current status of New Orleans as well as the other priorities facing the people and facilities in New Orleans.”

The decision to locate The Rental Show 2007 in Atlanta was based on the success of the show held there in 2004. The favorable response of attendees, along with its geographic location within proximity of the majority of ARA members, plus easy access by air and surface transportation, all went into the decision-making process.

The 50th anniversary of The Rental Show takes place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., Feb. 6-9.