A great feeling at the Atlantic regional show

March 4, 2013 – Numbers were up at the Canadian Rental Association's Atlantic trade show, held March 2 at the Ramada Plaza Crystal Palace in Moncton, N.B. About 64 rental operators attended, taking in an ever-growing array of light equipment and tools and attending the banquet and casino night. That growth is making for a tight fit at the Ramada, and the show may need to seek a larger venue soon.

The Atlantic show atmosphere is summed up best with local association vice-president Dale Pardy's word, "personable." There is a one-on-one friendliness to interactions, and everyone seems to know everyone else and to be eager to get to know those they don't. Max Desmeules, a representative for Tsurumi, called the 2013 edition "The best Atlantic show ever." He added "I have seen a lot of new faces and there is a great spirit here. This group is really like a family."

"Can I get that deal next week?" CRA president Jeff Campbell talks show specials with Weber MT president Peter Witt.

The Atlantic rental family recognized one of its own, Nancy Crosby of Classic Rentals, at the Friday night banquet  with the Atlantic Region Person of the Year award. Crosby is secretary of the Atlantic local and worked hard with treasurer Sara Pardy to sell 50/50 tickets that raised $200 for the CRA's Dorothy Wellnitz Scholarship.

Sara Pardy and Nancy Crosby drew donations with a 50/50 draw and a necklace second prize.

The banquet included a member meeting chaired by local president Hank McInnis of Hewitt Rentals with messages from national Atlantic director Dave Fraser of Cat Rentals and national CRA president Jeff Campbell of St. Thomas Rent-All. Garth Scott, the association's resident historian, was called upon for his traditional joke, but instead he regaled the crowd with tales from the Barrett-Jackson classic car auction in Arizona.

The Atlantic association directors. From left, president Hank McInnis, national director Dave Fraser, vice-president Dale Pardy, treasurer Sara Pardy and secretary Nancy Crosby.

Notable on the show floor was new-look concrete mixer from Stone, now being produced under the Toro name. It is essentially the same mixer that was Stone's bread and butter for years, but now with a powdered paint job in the Toro black and red colours.

There was some buzz among exhibitors and show staff about the return of true show specials. Peter Witt of Weber Machine was advertising a show special on one of his rammers that he said was $400 below regular price, and that the same deal would not be available off the show floor no matter what. A surprising number of other exhibitors agreed that it is increasingly important to offer show-only promotions and discounts in order to drive traffic to their booths.

Only available at your regional trade show.

To see who is bringing show specials to the upcoming Prairie and Quebec shows, check out our regional product "showscase" in February Canadian Rental Service.

Related links
www.crarental.org