CRA Prairie show report

The Canadian Rental Association is celebrating another successful trade show, with the conclusion of the popular Prairie Regional Trade Show.

A stirring performance by the 96th Highlanders Pipe & Drum Band helped to kick off the opening ceremonies at the CRA Prairie Regional Trade Show.

The full day event took place at the Prairieland Exhibition Centre in Saskatoon, Sask., on March 13. The host hotel was the Radisson Hotel Saskatoon. The CRA Prairie Trade Show brings together representation from three provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba) under one roof.

A traditional part of the CRA Prairie Regional Trade Show is the opening breakfast, which was well attended by both rental operators and exhbitors. The opening ceremonies followed immediately after the conclusion of the breakfast, and included a performance by the 96th Highlanders Pipe & Drum Band.

The CRA Prairie Regional Trade Show is well known for the sense of camaraderie it fosters, and for extremely well attended social events. This year was no exception, with hundreds of rental professionals packing the ballroom at Radisson Hotel Saskatoon for the official CRA banquet on the evening of March 13.

Several members were honoured at the banquet. Awards presented included:

• Alberta Regional Award — Paul Dorion, Hertz Equipment Rentals
• Saskatchewan Regional Award — Troy Murphy, Wacker Neuson
• Manitoba Regional Award — Jason Enns, Uniquip/Edge Marketing

A number of Saskatchewan prints were also presented to organizations and individuals for their contributions in the last year. Don and Madge Flint accepted on behalf of Multiquip, for the company’s dedication as a supplier to CRA Prairie Trade Show.

Also taking home prints were Rhonda Pedersen of Pedersen’s Rentals and ARA Region 10; Andrew Paquette, CRA president and president of Bravo Rentals; and Blair Holtsman, president of Hub City Display and president of the regional chapter of the CRA.

For more information on the Canadian Rental Association, please visit www.crarental.com.

The CRA Prairie Regional Trade Show attracts both locals and those based in other parts of the country. From left: Marion Ghighlione of Handy Special Events in Saskatoon; Rhonda Pedersen, director of ARA Region 10 (Canada), and Andrew Paquette, CRA president and owner/operator of Bravo Location Rentals in Montreal, Que.	The official banquet was an unqualified success. Doug Mitchell (left) of the Rent It Store acted as emcee, and introduced a number of speakers, including Blair Holtsman of Hub City Display, CRA Saskatchewan president (right).
Dale Kenner of Uniquip was on hand to represent the company. He is seen here with a few of Uniquip’s show specials, including the MiniMix 150 (left).	Barry Ghighlione of the Handy Group of Companies was one of several speakers at the official breakfast that opened the CRA Prairie Trade Show.