Rental show roundup: February 2009

The Canadian Rental Association is hosting rental exclusive trade shows in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Ontario and New Brunswick for 2009.

The Canadian Rental Association (CRA) is gearing up for its 2009 trade show program, which provides a rental exclusive venue for rental professionals to view the latest products and services offered to the Canadian rental market. Canadian Rental Service magazine highlights them in this rental show roundup.

Atlantic regional trade show, Moncton, N.B., Feb. 20-21
The trade show spirit is alive and well in eastern Canada! After being cancelled in 2004 the show was reinstated in 2005 and has made a serious comeback thanks to the tireless work of the association’s volunteers, who felt that it was necessary to have an annual event that brings the industry together.

The show takes place at the Crowne Plaza in Moncton, New Brunswick, and features very affordable exhibitor rates for CRA supplier members, starting at $200 for a 10 by 10 foot booth, and $250 for non-members.

CRA volunteer Olivia D’Eon says the show has been rekindled due to the support of both exhibitors and attendees. Despite the lagging economy in Atlantic Canada, D’Eon says the show is receiving the support it has enjoyed for the last five years. “Everyone in the rental industry here, both member stores and suppliers, agrees we need an event that brings the industry together,” she says. “I think the exhibitors have been pleased with past shows and everyone loved the social event.”

Prairie regional trade show, Saskatoon, Sask., March 14
As usual for this regional show, attendance is always good and exhibitors are always happy. The CRA members in this region have consistently continued their tradition of showing their appreciation to their manufacturer and supplier members by holding off on their yearly purchases to buy from vendors at the show and by giving them as much recognition as possible in front of their customers during the social events.

The traditional dinner banquet at this event has always attracted a lot of people with about 250 people registering for this well-attended event, which usually features a top-notch comedian or hypnotist for live entertainment. This event is also widely supported by large national rental companies, which is a sharp visual testimony to the camaraderie among rental professionals in western Canada and is undoubtedly the key to the Prairie Show’s success.

CRA volunteer Doug Mitchell, says the key issue for Canadian trade shows this year will be the exchange rate between the U.S. and Canadian currencies. “Depending on where the dollar is it could make more sense to buy at home. Rental operators will see the same equipment here that they will see down at the ARA show. It might make more sense now to buy at your local show,” he says.

The show in Saskatoon is known for its social program and despite being a small centre it has attracted large rental companies such as Hertz, United and RSC, as well as independents.

“They are designed for everybody. There are no barriers between big or small rental companies because there is mutual support for all rental stores,” he says, emphasizing that suppliers have strongly supported this event through booth sales, sponsorships and by offering one-day show specials. “From a social aspect there is much learning to do while having a good time.”

QUÉBEXPO, St-Hyacinthe, Que., March 31 to April 1
“Sold out, we’re full!” Should be the theme of the CRA trade show in Quebec, jokes incoming CRA president Jay Williams. As in years gone by this trade show will be a sold out event, which has been a characteristic of this show for the last several years as it boasts the highest attendance and support in the country. In fact, the Quebec regional trade show broke CRA attendance records in 2005 when 513 rental operators and qualified visitors attended the show that featured 266 exhibits from 95 companies, surpassing the 500 mark for the first time since the association began hosting its trade shows in 1989. It has now become the largest CRA event in Canada.

Williams says organizers have not adopted a theme for the upcoming show after surveys indicated that exhibitors didn’t want one. “It’s all business,” he says, adding that exhibitors are focused this year on their bottom lines. “They will be focused on selling and rental operators will be focused on buying.”

The annual breakfast meeting, which is also very well attended every year, is on track to sell 160 to 170 tickets with most of them sold in advance, which speaks to the support this show gets from its CRA members. 

Williams says the CRA in Quebec promotes the show in its monthly newsletter; however, he adds that most of the advertising is ‘word of mouth’ coming from association directors who work tirelessly to promote the show and the vendors who exhibit there. “We always get great support from our suppliers and they in turn will be supported by the 400 to 500 people who will visit the show!” he says.

British Columbia regional trade show, Surrey, B.C., Jan. 16 to 17
While this issue of the magazine went to press before January, Canadian Rental Service contacted CRA volunteer Angie Venekamp prior to the B.C. show, who said the association was on track to sell more booth space than last year and noted there were some new exhibitors signing up.

“The timing of the trade shows is critical to our members here,” she says, adding that the ARA show in March is too late for rental companies on the west coast who need to make their equipment purchases earlier. “By then our spring is practically over,” she says.

The event has always been a good social event and organizers have come up with some fun events at the show such as tent erection competitions, plate compactor races and high octane belt sander racing. Venekamp says the exhibitors like the facility because it is easily accessible, there is ample free parking and it is away from the hustle and bustle of downtown. The facility is also centrally located between the airports in Abbotsford and Vancouver. (Editor’s note: See full coverage of the show in the March issue of Canadian Rental Service).

Ontario regional trade show, London, Ont., Jan. 24
“A very fun social event with a tabletop show,” is how CRA volunteer James Morden describes the event in Ontario, which took place prior to press time. The association in Ontario has been on a roll for the last few years with its monthly meetings being held at the businesses of its rental store and supplier members. Morden says this will be an extension of that program as the association continues to mix things up, move meetings around and keep things fun for members.

“So far we have been pleased with the pre-registrations from suppliers, who seem to like the format, and we are expecting a good response from members,” he says, adding that they have booked a high-profile comedian/hypnotist for entertainment at the dinner banquet. “We are going to be doing some different things for our members in 2009, hosting meetings at unique venues and generally reaching out to them.” (Editor’s note: See full coverage of the show in the March issue of Canadian Rental Service).

For more information on CRA regional trade shows, contact the CRA, 1-800-486-9899,
www.crarental.org . ■