CRA Atlantic meets at Moncton Casino and Hotel

March 4, 2014 – The Atlantic division of the Canadian Rental Association
has once again demonstrated good old-fashioned eastern hospitality at
their recently completed trade show. The event took place February 28th
and March 1st at the Moncton Casino and Hotel. This facility is a new
location for the annual event is much improved over the previous
location with high ceilings, excellent lighting and very good PA system.
The show now had actual booth spaces instead of simply table top displays and exhibitors were able to bring rental equipment for display on the show floor. Additionally, attendees that wanted to make a voluntary donation back to the local government needed to simply walk a few hundred steps to the brand new 24,000 square foot Las Vegas style casino.

Over 150 rental professionals were in attendance over the two days including more that 60 rental store owners and employees. The event started with the annual banquet and Chinese auction on Friday evening with almost 100 people in attendance. Saturday featured a breakfast, the annual general meeting followed by the trade show.

At the AGM Marc Mandin, national president for the Association, gave a presentation and spoke about the 5-year strategic plan that the CRA is working towards. He also mentioned that May will be rental awareness month and gave a recap of some of the many benefits that are available to CRA members.

Representatives from Western Financial gave a report on the self protected insurance program and reminded those in attendance that they are now able to offer many other programs including low-cost group benefits and even pet insurance. New managing director Nathalie McGregor shared some thoughts and thanked Dale and Sara Pardy for all their work in organizing this Atlantic event.

The new Atlantic board was introduced and it includes: President – Dale Pardy, Secretary – Nancy Crosby, Director – Hank McInnis, Treasurer – Sara Pardy and newly elected Vice President Murray Salter.

The trade show itself was quite busy with many exhibitors reporting brisk buying. The Rentquip Canada booth with Shawn Parks and his team featured its popular Milwaukee "Spin to Win" wheel where rental operators that made a purchase could spin a roulette type wheel and win a prize. Mark Peart from GC Duke also reported having a great show as he sold all of his equipment that he brought to display. Pat Parker-Patterson from Eastcan Marketing was also quite busy talking about the product lines that she represents. The 50/50 draw with the winners portion of over $230 was won by Dan McIntosh who immediately donated it back to the Dorothy Wellnitz Scholarship Fund.

The event wrapped up by at 4:00 with plans already being started for next year’s show.

For more information
http://crarental.org