President’s message: August 2010

Have you had enough fun yet? Oh, I know you haven’t. Isn’t summer great? The banks are happy that you’re paying down that winter debt and your spouse is happy because you’re happy. In the last issue I asked you to take pictures of your store entrance and e-mail them to me. A surprising number of you did. Thank you. I received some great shots of “renovations”. If you haven’t already, take a minute and send me those before and after shots of your storefront.

Great Luck
Having just got back from Moline, Illinois (headquarters of the American Rental Association) and my responsibilities on The Rental Show Work Group, I can give you first notice that the February Rental Show in Las Vegas will be better than ever. The CRA will once again host a “Have to be there” event. Get online and book your rooms now.

If you are having a good year, take some staff along for some incredible educational seminars and a look at the show floor. CRA is always very well represented at The Rental Show when it hits Las Vegas so get away from the shop for a week and spend some of that time at North America’s biggest trade show devoted exclusively to the rental industry. I think you won’t regret it.

Great Guys
In September our top future leaders of the CRA will be invited to the State and Province Leadership Conference in Chicago.  As a member based organization, the CRA gives you many options for personal involvement beyond being only a store member. At the provincial and national levels, your involvement in the leadership of our association on behalf of your peers will be very rewarding. The contacts and knowledge you gain from others will make you more successful.

Great Man
Coming up shortly will be a chance to vote for those long supporting members of the CRA that will be chosen to run as our next CRA VP.  Also, our own Barry Ghiglione, (Saskatoon) past ARA Region 10 director, will be running to be the next ARA president. Watch for those ballots and make sure you vote for an outstanding Canadian rentalman.


Great News
Mandy Maeran, the CRA’s executive director, is recovering very well from back surgery, and can’t wait to get back to the office to kick some @$$. CRA is also proud to announce our 2010 recipient of the CRA/Dorothy Wellnitz scholarship. it is Nicholas Daniel Barry of Squamish, British Columbia. Providing scholarships for students pursuing rental careers has been a core basic for several years of the CRA. This year a total of $46,500 in scholarships was given out between the CRA/ARA Foundations and all its affiliates.

Great Golf
Having a golf tournament? Please make sure to let me know, and make sure to drop Mike Davey a line too at mdavey@annexweb.com. Enjoy the summer and remember, keep your teeth sharp, your snake oiled, your pumped primed and clean up the mess under the counter that you think no one sees.

Andrew Paquette, CERP, is the president of Bravo Rentals in Montreal. He serves as CRA President for 2010 and can be reached at 514-685-8000; andrew@bravoparty.com