Rental Show update

The Rental Show is Feb. 5 to 8 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
Registration is now open, with special discount pricing available for a
limited time. With the trade show more than 90 per cent sold and hotels
filling up quickly, there’s a great enthusiasm about revisiting a place
that has put into practice its own new and improved outlook since The
Rental Show was last there in 2002.

“It’s fitting that the American Rental Association is having a
brand-new show in a city that has achieved renewal. The ARA will be
recognizing the significance of New Orleans’ revitalization during The
Rental Show,” said Christine Wehrman, ARA's executive vice president
and CEO. “The association’s goal with the upcoming show is to provide an
engaging celebration of the rental industry as we move into the pivotal
year of 2012. Show attendees will be able to see, learn from and take
advantage of everything the industry offers. Most of all, attendees and
exhibitors alike can share in a vision for the renewed spirit of rental
as we continue to define and build market opportunities much like the
spirit attendees will find in New Orleans. It’s definitely a can’t-miss
event for all within the industry.”

Rental Show 2012 highlights

• More educational opportunities, with 30 total seminars on Feb.
  5, 7 and 8. New indoor/outdoor half-day product demonstration sessions
  are included, plus a half-day financial seminar with Steve Abercrombie,
  the session “Up Close and Personal With Dan Kaplan,” a new town hall
  session on family business issues and round-table discussions.

• The keynote session with Aron Ralston, who will share the
  account of his remarkable will to survive that was the basis for the
  movie 127 Hours. Ralston’s story made headlines worldwide in 2003 when
  he was pinned by a half-ton boulder for nearly a week while hiking in
  Utah. He narrowly escaped death by severing his right forearm with a
  dull pocketknife. After applying a tourniquet, he hiked and rappelled
  for five hours before searchers in a helicopter miraculously rescued
  him. Ralston’s personal uplifting story of motivation, inspiration and
  loving relationships with family and friends to survive and thrive
  beyond this challenge will captivate you.

• New events include Crescent City Carnival on Feb. 7 at Mardi
  Gras World. A producer of floats, sculptures and props, Mardi Gras World
  creates most of the parades held for Mardi Gras in New Orleans from
  concept through completion. ARA’s Crescent City Carnival will feature a
  fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the floats and how they’re
  created, with live entertainment, networking, food and beverages. Also
  new for 2012 is An Evening for ARAPAC, an event for ARA’s political
  action committee on Feb. 6 at the National World War II Museum where
  invited guests will be able to tour the displays and exhibits.

• Returning events include Lunch With ARA, Next Generation
  Reception and a revamped The Rental Show Golf Tournament on Feb. 5;
  Regional Receptions on Feb. 6; International Reception and the Reception
  With a Purpose featuring the ARA Foundation charity auction on Feb. 7.

• Three dynamic days of trade show, Feb. 6 to 8.

• Events & Tents on Feb. 4 to 5, continuing its Saturday/Sunday
  schedule from 2011 with an industry tour, networking reception,
  breakfast speaker and focused education including an indoor/outdoor
  demonstration seminar.

Registration is open now for The Rental Show online, with a special $99
Internet-only rate available for ARA members through Oct. 31. The
prospective member rate is $199. This includes three days of trade show,
all show seminars and the keynote session. In addition, there are
special early-bird hotel rates available for a limited time through
Travel Planners, ARA’s official housing company.

Related links
The Rental Show