Basketball and Business Superstar Magic Johnson to be Rental Show Keynote
Former basketball superstar and current Los Angeles Dodger co-owner Earvin “Magic” Johnson will be the keynote speaker at The American Rental Association’s 60th annual The Rental Show convention to be held in Atlanta next February.
Johnson, a five-time National Basketball Association champion and three-time NBA Most Valuable Player during his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, and member of the NBA Hall of Fame, has gone on to an extraordinary career in business since he retired as a player. Johnson is chairman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises, a conglomerate of business entities and partnerships that includes a chain of movie theaters and multiple Starbucks franchise stores. His work to transform urban communities has led to his formation of the Magic Johnson Foundation.
The ARA was founded in March 1955 by a group of 21 rental business owners from throughout the United States. The fledgling association made plans to meet for a “general convention of rental operators” the following January in Kansas City, Mo. The group decided if the convention was well received, they would hold it annually and the association will hold its 60th convention and trade show in Atlanta at the Georgia World Congress Center, Feb. 21-24.
“The Rental Show has been delivering the opportunities rental stores need to succeed since ARA’s inception in 1955,” said Christine Wehrman, ARA’s CEO. “It’s the only place where you can find the latest rental products, learn new business strategies and meet people with rental know-how to share in one location. The Rental Show 2016 will be a wonderful celebration of ARA’s 60th anniversary with a look back at how the association has grown throughout the years as well as a look ahead toward a continued successful future.”
To honor the anniversary, a special registration rate of $60 will be available for full registration from Sept. 8, when online registration opens, through Oct. 31. Also a $6,000 prize, celebrating 60 years, will be awarded to an ARA member attending the show.
The three-day trade show, Feb. 22-24, will include more than 650 companies offering rental equipment for heavy construction, light construction/general tool and party/special event. Many exhibitors will offer Show-Only specials with special discounts available only in Atlanta.
Prior to the show will be a Tier 4 Engine Maintenance and Troubleshooting workshop, Sat. Feb. 20, including sessions presented by a variety of engine manufacturers and is designed for service technicians.
A variety of social networking events and seminars will be held throughout the show. More details will be available in early September at TheRentalShow.com, with online registration opening Sept. 8.
