CRA Ontario continues trade show season with successful tabletop

Ken Mallot of Kensal Rental in London, Ont. chats with Pat Parker-Paterson of Eastcan Marketing. The CRA Ontario tabletop show served as both a showcase for new equipment and a venue for networking.

Jan. 25, 2011 – The Ontario chapter of the Canadian Rental Association (CRA) has concluded another successful tabletop trade show. Held on alternate years from the Canadian Rental Mart, the tabletop show took place on Jan. 22 at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn in London, Ont.

Heavier than predicted snowfall didn't slow down the numerous rental professionals that came to network and learn about the latest in equipment.

Many exhibitors and attendees stayed for the annual awards banquet that took place after the trade show closed. After dinner entertainment took the form of a "loonie auction" with those in attendance bidding for a wide selection of donated prizes.

Barry Ossea (right) of Point-of-Rental Software demonstrates his product for Peter Sulyma of ITE Rentals in Hamilton, Ont.

The Ontario chapter of the CRA officially recognized the contributions of certain people and organizations that have gone above and beyond in the last year.

The CRA Presidents Image award went to Industrial Tool & Equipment Rentals of Hamilton, Ont. The award was accepted on behalf of the company by Neil DeJong, and the company's founders, Peter and Fran Sulyma. This award is nominated by CRA Supplier Members and chosen by CRA President Andrew Paquette.

Two CRA Supplier of the Year Awards were presented at the Ontario show, one for national Supplier of the Year, and one for Ontario Supplier of the Year. Both awards are chosen by CRA Rental Store members, and in both cases, the rental stores chose Rentquip Canada. This adds to a number of awards the company earned at the CRA B.C. show recently.

James Morden of Rentshop in Alliston, Ont., accepting the award for Rental Person of the Year from CRA president Andrew Paquette.

The award for CRA Rental Person of the Year went to James Morden of Rentshop in Alliston, Ont. This award is nominated by CRA Rental Store members and chosen by CRA executive director, Mandy Wellnitz.

The trade show season continues with the 7th Annual Atlantic Rental Show at the Ramada Plaza Crystal Palace in Moncton, NB, from Feb. 11 – 12, 2011. Next up is The Rental Show, taking place Feb. 27 – March 2 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev.

The CRA's 2011 Prairie Regional Tradeshow follows soon after, taking place on March 12, 2011 at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon, Sask., and concluding with Quebexpo, put on by the Association Location du Quebec (ALQ), the Quebec chapter of the CRA. Quebexpo takes place at Hotel des Seigneurs in St. Hyacinthe, Que., on March 22 – 23.