The Rental Show was a strong buying show, to the pleasant surprise of the overwhelming majority of vendors. While most exhibitors expected an improvement compared with the past two years, when attendance was down and buying was weak, most were pleasantly surprised by the level of buying and positive attitudes expressed by most attendees. Although occasional lulls occurred as is normal, for the most part the booths were active with visitors and a solid buzz was palpable.

“We sold more equipment in the first two hours than in the full three days last year,” said one vendor.

“We started talking with customers from the minute the show opened, and when I looked at the clock to see if it was time to go to lunch, it was three o’clock,” said Tom Bell of Haulotte.

“We’ve been busy non-stop,” said David Silverman of General Wire Spring. “Last year people stopped in but they were simply inquiring about what they might want to buy when the business atmosphere improved. This year they were ready to buy and replenish their fleets.”

Most rental companies RER spoke to said business was improving, although not necessarily robust. For the most part rental companies expressed confidence that business would be better in 2011 than the past two years, although companies from some pockets, such as Florida, lacked that optimism.

The next Rental Show will be held February 5-8, 2012 in New Orleans.