MOLINE, Ill. — The boards of directors of the American Rental Association and the Rental Industry Association voted in April to implement a cooperative agreement including a joint trade show in 2002.
RIA cancelled its 2001 fall trade show and the two associations will produce their first joint show in Las Vegas in October 2002. RIA will change its name back to its original California Rental Association, continuing to exist as an association with staff, a board of directors and program services. It will function as a state association of ARA.
With California often serving as a lightning rod for legislation and regulations impacting the rental industry nationwide, CRA's role monitoring and lobbying in those programs will continue. Members of both associations will be able to share in one anothers' programs.
“I am extremely pleased that a core group of volunteers and staff from both organizations were able to create a workable document that will benefit the members of both organizations,” said Larry Pedersen, RIA president.
“The alliance of the A.R.A. and the RIA will benefit the members of both associations and the industry, as the unity of effort will provide the best possible service at both the national and state levels, while continuing to provide excellent state-specific programs for California members,” added Charles Neffle, ARA president.
Reaction around the rental industry and its suppliers has also been enthusiastic.
“The consolidation of shows will be good for exhibitors as well as for vendors and attendees,” Larry Price, director of marketing and advertising for Carson, Calif.-based Multiquip, told RER. “Reducing the number of shows will make them better. The shows will be a better format and hopefully attendance will go up. And we'll be glad to see CRA back.”
CRA's staff will continue to offer services and programs specific to California and the organization will continue as a lobbying voice for the rental industry in California.
“The agreement is a win-win situation and I'm very excited about it,” added Jim Layton, marketing communications manager of Menomonee Falls, Wis.-based Wacker Corp., and ARA's first associate member board member. “I hope the rental industry sees it as a unification and recognizes the importance of a revitalized association. And having an active ARA representative located in California who will serve as an advocate for the rental industry is a great step.”
“I'm looking forward to seeing what they do together,” added Multiquip president Roger Euliss. “The way the rental operations have been consolidated over the past years, the associations have to do all they can to add value to its membership, both the rental operators and the suppliers. This value has got to be considered from a cost-effective standpoint for both sides.”
The ARA will hire a western region field service representative and a program support person focusing on membership services, to be located in CRA's office in Woodland, Calif. A joint ARA/CRA membership will be developed and offered to rental centers in California. Future rental shows will be considered, based on the success of the 2002 convention.
