American Rental Association said total rental business attendees in Orlando, Fla., this year were 6,276, the first time since 2006 that the number of rental attendees topped 6,000. ARA said it was the eighth consecutive year for growth in rental business attendance. The attendees represented 2,730 rental businesses, the most companies at the show since 2001.
Both the 2001 and 2006 shows were also in Orlando, showing the Disneyworld hub to be a strong draw for The Rental Show. Total attendance at The Rental Show 2017 was 11,648, and was the highest total attendance since 2006.
Most exhibitors were satisfied with buying activity although traffic showed down Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday.
The five-year forecast for the equipment rental industry revenue released by ARA in January showed a moderate strengthening compared to the previous forecast from November 2016. U.S. equipment rental revenue is projected to reach $48.9 billion this year and grow at an average rate of 4.3 percent over the forecast to top $56 billion in 2020.
For 2018, The Rental Show will return to New Orleans and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center with a full day of educational seminars on Sunday, Feb. 18, and the trade show from Monday, Feb. 19, through Wednesday, Feb. 21.
