The California Rental Association’s Rental Rally Online concluded last week after a two-day extension to its originally scheduled run. Planned for Oct. 24-28, it was extended until Oct. 30 because of the positive response and also to give Canadian participants, who found out about the show later because of mail delays, the opportunity to attend the show.
“We are really pleased with the results of the first show,” Chuck Maltese, CRA executive director, told RER. Attendees from 46 states, Canada and Guam viewed the show over the course of a week, adding up to 453 registrants total. A total of 74 exhibitors participated in the first online show. Show attendees could register in minutes and enter the rally to scout out various booths and vendors. Clicking on booths brought up information about the company and its show specials.
Preliminary responses from exhibitors responding to post-show questionnaires seem positive, according to Maltese. “It appears that exhibitors recouped their expenses and want us to do it again.”
The CRA is already planning its next online show for the spring of 2006. CRA also gave out its annual awards recognizing contributions to CRA and the rental industry. The award winners were announced on the show Web site, and the winners will be presented with their awards Dec. 8 at the association’s Greater LA/Orange Territory Christmas party. The Gartland Award — named for James Gartland, the founder of RER and presented annually to the person who best exemplifies the spirit of service to the rental industry — went to Dennis Wells, owner of Quality Equipment Rentals in Inglewood, Calif. He currently serves on the CRA board of directors and is a member of the Education, Training and Safety Committee and the Annual Bud Loeber Friendship Award Selection Committee.
The Bud Loeber Award — named for former CRA field director Bud Loeber — went to Joel Nevens of Jomar Table Linens, in Ontario, Calif. Nevens has been involved in the rental industry for 30 years. He is a founding partner of Jomar, and has never missed a CRA rental convention.
