The California Rental Association’s Rental Rally in Las Vegas this week was the association’s best convention in more than a decade as vendors applauded efforts by CRA staff to produce a good show and CRA members bought a reasonable amount of product to support exhibitors.
Located at the South Point Casino, Hotel and Spa, the convention area was sold out and more rental company staff attended than in recent years.
“This was the best CRA show in at least a decade,” said Mike Arness, CEO of Clearview Financial. “We’ve written more business than I expected.”
“This was a terrific opportunity to meet with a lot of customers and show some new products to rental people,” added Jack McGinnis, manufacturer’s rep.
“This show is like it was back before regional shows began disappearing,” said Jack Shea, of Solutions by Computer.
Chris Smith of Cresco Rents, based in Livermore, Calif., brought a team of people from his company. “We like to buy equipment here and support the vendors who come out to show equipment to the industry here,” said Smith.
“We sold all the machines we had at our booth,” added Steve Soares of Wirant Sales, representing a number of manufacturers.
At the opening cocktail party, CRA presented the James Gartland Award, named after the founder of RER, and presented annually to a member for their support of the association and the rental industry, to David Dworschak, owner of Don’s Rental, Saint Helens, Ore. Dworschak, although an Oregonian, is a long-time CRA member who has sat on its board since 2000. Dworschak is also active in the American Rental Association’s Oregon chapter and is a past president of the ARA of Oregon and served as the vice president and treasurer of the Oregon Rental Association. Since 2002, David has played a key role in organizing and producing the Northwest Rental Conference. Dworschak has served on a wide range of CRA committees and is currently CRA secretary.
The W.E. “Bud” Loeber Friendship Award, in honor of former CRA assistant executive director, known for his positive spirit, was given to Torsten Erbel, vice president of product management for Carson, Calif.-based Multiquip.
