Quebexpo 2013

Jeff Campbell was pretty pleased. Encouraged by comments he heard at the Canadian Rental Association’s 29th annual regional trade show in Saint-Hyacinthe this March 26 and 27, he bought an Electric Eel drain camera.

“I’ll be the first one in my area to have one. I’m always looking for new angles,” Campbell confided. The owner of St. Thomas Rent-All in St. Thomas, Ont., he is also the CRA’s newest president, having taken over the position this February.

Getting tips like this is one of the things Campbell finds valuable about touring the shows. “You don’t hear these comments sitting in your store looking at products over the Internet.”

The two halls were full again this year and regular favourites and new products packed the booths. For example, Saint-Germain-based Cisolift had a new Platform Basket Spider lift with a caterpillar track and 15.75-metre extension. Rockford, Ill.-based Greenlee was making its first appearance at Quebexpo, selling tools designed primarily for electrical and telecom contractors. CEC Équipments, from Saint-Laurent, had a new piece of surveying gear: an HVA Primus 2 automatic laser, manufactured by Germany-based Nedo.

Exhibitors reported good traffic on the first full day. “The traffic was excellent Tuesday,” said Dominique Fecteau, a representative of Warwick-based Poudrier, which manufactures Plafolift lifting solutions. Dan Bowler, regional sales manager for Magnum Products, which is headquartered in Berlin Wis., added, “I have quoted a number of generators and light towers. I thought the traffic was good yesterday.”

The air buzzed with conversation between sellers and buyers as day two progressed. Campbell had good words about the event. “This show and this local of the CRA have a lot going on. This is one of the best-selling of all the shows that the CRA administers across Canada.”