ARA holds first in-person meeting in Canada

The American Rental Association held it’s first in-person meeting in Canada on June 22 in Richmond, B.C. About 40 ARA members and prospective members attended. Attendees heard from James Auerbach and Angie Venekamp about ARA’s offering for Canadian members, workforce development, the new insurance program for Canadians, women in rental, young professionals, ARA and Toro Foundation’s Community Impact project in Region 10, and more. The meeting was held at Cooper Equipment Rental’s location.

ARA has partnered with Westland Insurance to offer an insurance solution for rental stores who are members of ARA’s Region 10 (Canada). This is a more traditional program covering theft by conversion, losses due to cyber crime, equipment damage and other threats of specific concern to the rental industry.

The ARA Foundation and the Toro Foundation are committed to executing a community impact project in each of the ARA’s 10 North American regions. The project will identify local not-for-profit organizations and coordinate support for those organizations with member rental stores and staff. These projects have refurbished baseball fields, built trails and gardens and outdoor classrooms for schools.

“The meeting had a great turnout of rental industry members in western Canada with members and prospective members alike,” Venekamp said. “We hope it is the first of many over the coming months and years.”

The ARA is forming a Region 10 task force with representation from across Canada to plan future events and initiatives.

The ARA’s next planned meeting in Canada will take place at the Canadian Rental Mart, Sept. 27 and 28 in Mississauga, Ont.