The California Rental Association’s annual Rental Rally continued to grow with 346 exhibitors’ booths sold and rental attendees of about 400 from approximately 140 rental companies. Rental visitors came from 19 states, from as far away as Alaska and Hawaii.
The trade show and seminars were held at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
The pre-show cocktail party was well-attended and the awards party/dinner at Top Golf was almost sold out, as attendees ate, drank, danced, networked and drove golf balls into the Las Vegas night.
The Bud Loeber Friendship Award was given to Sylvia Woodward of the Woodward Group, Glendora, Calif., wife of popular manufacturers’ rep the late Jim Woodward. The annual James Gartland Award, named for the founder of RER was presented to Doug Strom, a manufacturers’ rep who has served the rental industry for 50 years. Strom started his career in 1967 as a sales rep for Jay P. Casteel Co., and later founded Strom Equipment Sales with his sons Pete and John. He later left his sons in charge of Strom Equipment Sales and now represents Rhino Sales. Strom served on the planning committee for the 2016 and 2017 CRA Annual Golf Tournament.
“He is at every tradeshow and territory meeting, always with a smile,” said CRA executive director Dale Blackwell about the likable Strom.
