CRA President’s Message: What’s new? Lots!

Beginning in 2020, we will be changing the format of our B.C. and Prairie tradeshows. We will be combining the two into one Western show. Those two provinces will alternate as host to the new Western show, with the Prairies kicking off as host in 2020. Please stay tuned for further details.

As a volunteer-based association, the support of our members is vital, as it is directly linked to the quality of benefits and programs we are able to deliver to the membership. Please consider volunteering for a committee, serving on your local board, and attending and/or sponsoring your local meetings or other member events. We strongly encourage members to spread the word about what the association can do for potential members.  

Your association has been working very diligently to improve member benefits, drawing an increase in memberships. As our membership grows, so too does the talent and knowledge available to the association and its members. I believe we all have unique perspectives to offer when facing the various challenges and opportunities that we encounter as business professionals. We can all benefit from the opportunity to grow through sharing our experiences with the network that the association provides.

As mentioned last month, the CRA is very excited to introduce several new member benefit programs, which are being launched at the 2019 regional trade shows. The CRA is pleased to introduce the recently developed agreement between the Canadian Red Cross and the Canadian Rental Association. Through this program, CRA members will receive access to discounted first aid training and products across Canada. First aid courses are taught by highly trained Red Cross first aid instructors who complete extensive certification and recertification processes to keep up with the latest teaching strategies as well as the latest in first aid and CPR science. For more information on this program, please visit the CRA website.

Another exciting program launched at our B.C. trade show this year is the CRA government affairs initiative. The CRA will be looking to consult with our industry stakeholders on what issues they would like addressed. We are currently developing a political action committee to represent our membership who will be tasked with raising questions and voicing concerns that have come up in the industry. This is yet another example of how members can become actively involved in the association. If you were not able to participate in the government affairs initiative during your regional trade show you can also email your questions or concerns to memberservices@crarental.org.

Our shared interest groups are another top priority of the association for 2019. I am pleased to welcome both Sheldon Fingler from Infinite Event Services to the executive as Party and Event SIG chair and Megan White from Cooper Equipment Rentals as Safety SIG chair.

A fourth program that we are currently developing is a Canadian young professionals network. Modelled after the American Rental Association’s YPN, this member benefit for rental store employees between the ages of 18 and 40 would provide a forum for younger individuals to connect and build the skills necessary for career growth in the equipment and event rental industry. If you or someone you know would like to take part in the YPN SIG please contact: info@crarental.org.

In closing, on behalf of the CRA national board, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Hank McInnis, our outgoing chairman, for his many years of leadership and dedication to our association. The CRA is certainly stronger because of Hank’s contributions. We look forward to his continued wisdom and guidance, albeit in an unofficial capacity.

Dan Spencer has worked in the rental industry for 11 years and has been actively involved with the CRA locally and nationally for the past eight years. He resides near Antigonish, N.S., with his wife Heidi and their two chocolate labs, Keppoch and Cali.