Rental Mart FAQ

A trip to the Canadian Rental Mart can give any rental business a boost. Here is what you need to know about Canada’s biggest rental trade show.

When is the Canadian Rental Mart?
The show takes place Tuesday, March 6, and Wednesday, March 7, 2012.  The show is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Tuesday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Wednesday. There is an educational seminar each day at 9 a.m. in the meeting room at the Doubletree Hilton hotel across the street, and the Ontario Canadian Rental Association will host its annual awards banquet in the hotel after the show on the evening of March 6.

The Internet is great for browsing, but trade show floors are where you can have real conversations with manufacturer representatives and gain some insight into who they are and what they do.

I go to my regional CRA show every year. Why would I go to the Rental Mart as well?
The Canadian Rental Mart is significantly larger than any of the regional trade shows giving you an opportunity to see more of Canada’s leading rental equipment suppliers at once, all under one roof. The Rental Mart often features exhibits by national distributors rather than local vendors, so you get a chance to see a wider variety of each manufacturer’s equipment and talk to the people who know it best. Rental operators from all over the country come to the Canadian Rental Mart, so this is your chance to make connections and swap stories with your colleagues from across Canada, including top leaders from the national CRA. If you are a member of the Ontario CRA, you will not want to miss your association’s banquet and awards dinner. Another big event exclusive to the Canadian Rental Mart is the awarding of Canadian Rental Service’s ROOTY award to Canada’s rental operator of the year. Finally, the Rental Mart is a chance to visit and enjoy Canada’s largest and most exciting city, Toronto.

Is there anything new at the Rental Mart this time?
The Canadian Rental Mart is very pleased to welcome Terex Genie for the first time in 2012! A world leader in aerial work platforms, this is your chance to talk to manufacturer’s representatives and put your hands on the latest models. Of course, many exhibitors will be showing off new models and new products. The 2012 Rental Mart will feature the presentation of the first-ever ROOTY awards for Canada’s Rental Operator of the Year. Also, two fresh new seminars will be on offer: an educational opportunity you won’t find anywhere else.

What are this year’s seminar topics and who are the presenters?
George Olah of ABCO Equipment and Supplies will be presenting Renting Safe and Profitable: How to Meet Your Safety Obligations and Still Remain Viable. George Olah brings 30 years of experience to the question of how rental operators can navigate the choppy waters of federal, provincial and municipal regulations and still come out ahead. A former senior energy advisor to the Ontario Ministry of Energy, Olah helped draft provincial safety standards for propane and natural gas technology. As the former national director of marketing for a major Canadian equipment manufacturer and presently the general manager of operations for ABCO, Olah knows how to leverage his in-depth knowledge of government safety culture to comply with the law while staying in business. Governments at all levels are taking a hard look at safety performance in the rental industry these days. Olah’s insights can help you manage your risks in this difficult environment.

Back by popular demand, Mark Peart of G.C. Duke will discuss promoting and profiting from lawn and garden equipment rentals. Peart handles dealer sales for Duke and says he loves working with the rental market. His seminar at the 2008 show drew rave reviews.

The Canadian Rental Mart is Canada’s biggest show for the rental industry, so exhibitors go out of their way to make a splash.

How do I get to the Rental Mart?
Visitors outside of southern Ontario will find it most convenient to fly into Toronto’s Pearson Airport. The DoubleTree Hilton has a free shuttle from the airport, and the hotel is right across Dixon Road from the Congress Centre. The airport has shuttles to most other large hotels in the area, as well. Cabs in the GTA are expensive, but plentiful.
Drivers will want to take the 401 and exit onto the 427 north. Follow the signs for Highway 27, and take the Dixon Road East exit. Turn right off the exit and the hotel is on the right-hand side of the road.

For maps and more detailed directions, visit rental mart website at www.canadianrentalmart.com.

What is it going to cost for me to attend?
Admission to the Canadian Rental Mart is free. The Rental Mart has negotiated a special deal with the DoubleTree Hilton to offer a limited number of double rooms for $139 per night. After that it is your transportation, meals and entertainment, and what that costs is up to you. If you find seat sales, you can fly from most parts of the country for less than $1,200, return. If you are careful with costs, you can eat and get around for less than $100 per day. All told, it is quite possible to attend the Rental Mart for less than $2,000 per person, and for much less than that if you live in southern Ontario.

Who can I expect to see there?
In addition to every major rental equipment supplier in Canada, many notable people from the Canadian rental industry will be on hand. Mike Maltby, president of the Ontario CRA will certainly be in attendance, as will several of his chairpeople. Ed Dwyer will be serving as president of the national CRA in 2012, and will be there along with Mandy Wellnitz, CRA executive director. Canadian Rental Service columnist and seminar presenter George Olah will be on hand, as well.

CRA celebrity spokesman Bryan Baeumler has not been confirmed for the Canadian Rental Mart at this time. Keep your fingers crossed!

Is there anything for party rental operators at the Rental Mart?
Yes! There are five party suppliers exhibiting and show organizers are hoping that number will grow. The Rental Mart is a great opportunity for party rental operators to connect with their colleagues from across the industry.

What else is there to do in the area outside the show?
A better question is, what can you not do in Toronto? Like sports? Go to a Maple Leafs or Marlies game. Nightlife? The city is jam-packed with some of the best bars and clubs in the country. Food? The area around the airport features some great eating, especially high-end Italian food and steakhouses. Then there are all the regular tourist destinations, such as the CN Tower, the Royal Ontario Museum, the Science Centre and Ontario Place. If you are looking for things to do in Toronto, start at www.toronto.ca and work the links from there.

What is the venue like?
The Toronto Congress Centre is one of the newest and most modern event facilities in the city, featuring around a million square feet of exhibition space, as well as numerous meeting rooms and common spaces boasting all the latest amenities. One of the great things about the Congress Centre is its commitment to service. The staff really goes the extra mile to help make your visit an enjoyable one. You can find more information at www.torontocongresscentre.com .

Where can I get more information and updates?
The Canadian Rental Mart website, www.canadianrentalmart.com, is your hub for information and updates about the show. Major announcements are posted there, as well as on the Canadian Rental Service website at www.canadianrentalservice.com. You can get immediate notifications of new Rental Mart developments by following the Twitter feed, @TheRentalMart. Or visit the Rental Mart’s Facebook page to post comments and see the latest news. Hit the Like button to show how much you love the Rental Mart!

The January/February issue of Canadian Rental Service will be your full show guide with floor plans, booth previews and full details about everything that is going on.
www.canadianrentalmart.com