The Rental Mart goes West

After nearly 40 years, the question arises: why should Ontario have all the fun? We started testing the waters years ago to see if there was any enthusiasm for a western edition of the Rental Mart, Canada’s show for the equipment and event rental industry. And the response was an unequivocal “hell, yes”! 

A western event for the industry makes good sense. It’s obviously more convenient for everyone living in the prairies and B.C. That’s a good chunk of the total Canadian rental market, with over 1,600 subscribers to our channels. Equipment and tool OEMs often have different distributors in the western provinces than they do in Ontario and east…time for them to have a venue to meet their clients all at once. The rental business can be a little different in the West – more agriculture, oilfield and mining. So we need a show that brings those flavours. 

Rental Mart 2024 will take place Sept. 11 and 12 in the BMO Centre in Calgary. It will feature two days of equipment and supply exhibitions from over 50 exhibitors, plus educational presentations and social get-togethers for rental store owners, managers and workers. Our two major associations, the American Rental Association and the Canadian Rental Association, are supporting the event with presentations and social opportunities. Here it is at last: a chance for western rental stores to take part in Canada’s largest rental trade event.  

Landscapers in the house
There’s another reason why this edition of the Rental Mart is bringing added value. Our friends at Turf & Rec magazine will join us to add a special focus on landscaping and lawncare to the show. Canada’s top lawncare equipment providers will be exhibiting and landscapers from across Canada will be invited to come and mingle with us rental people on the show floor. You might even meet a customer! Turf & Rec has two special presentations planned: Women In Turf celebrating the impressive achievements of women in the landscaping industry, and Advances in Turf Research reviewing cutting-edge lawncare science from experts at the Alberta Turfgrass Research Foundation. Canadian Rental Service and Turf & Rec will team up for a session called The Electric Future discussing how you can navigate the transition from fossil fuels to tomorrow’s battery-powered landscaping and lawncare equipment. 

The 7 Drivers of Business Value
Dawn Bloomer joined the CounterTalks podcast last year and blew us away with her keen business insights (see Episode #49: What’s Next). So we’re bringing her to the Rental Mart to share some big ideas on how to build the value of your company and make it run the way you want. Her seven drivers of value are leadership depth, systemized operations, growth strategy, recurring revenue, risk management, customer base and scalability. You’ve got all those, right? No? Well, if you come to Bloomer’s session, you’ll leave with a plan. It’s more than a walk through a slide deck – she’s going to deliver a two-hour workshop with some serious takeaways. And make it fun. 

Connect with the CRA
The Canadian Rental Association will continue its 40-year collaboration with the Rental Mart with a big presence at the Calgary show. Day One will cap off with the “Canadian Rental Industry Economic Forecast” with the association’s researcher, S&P Global, sharing exclusive data on our markets and rental stores’ performance across the country with an insightful look ahead to 2025. Then, it’s time for hospitality and reflection at the King Eddy starting at 5 p.m.

“As president of the CRA and your representative, I am thrilled that Rental Mart is almost here,” Sheldon Fingler of Infinite Event Rentals commented. “It’s always exhilarating to connect with vendors, rental professionals, and peers. I look forward to attending and meeting people from across the prairies.”

Interact with ARA
The mighty American Rental Association is wrapping up the Rental Mart with a bang. They have an incredible presentation planned: “How We Did It” featuring a panel of local rental store owners sharing their stories and tips for success. It’s going to be a great discussion…bring some stories of your own and get involved! The bar will be open to help the conversation along.

“We’re excited to return to the Rental Mart show this year and sponsor the educational session “Growing Your Rental Business & Planning For The Future” followed by a post-session happy hour for the rental community,” commented Jeff Rogan, vice-president of member experience for ARA.  “We can’t wait to connect with members, strengthen relationships, and share the valuable resources we have for our ARA of Canada members. We look forward to seeing everyone at the show.”

It’s going to be an extra day of action for ARA members as their first-ever golf tournament in the Calgary area happens the next day, Sept. 13, at nearby GlenEagles. This event is open to all rental stores – find a registration link at canadianrentalmart.com. 

RENTAL MART 2024 AT A GLANCE

Date: Sept. 11 – 12
Location: BMO Centre, Calgary
Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Calgary Downtown

DAY 1 – SEPT. 11

• 10:00: Show opens
• 12:00: The Seven Drivers of Business Value with Dawn Bloomer
• 2:00: Leading Women in Turf 
• 3:00: Canadian Rental Economic Forecast presented by CRA
• 4:00: Show floor closes
• 5:00: CRA Hospitality at the King Eddy

DAY 2 – SEPT. 12

• 10:00: Show opens
• 11:00: Advances in Turf Research
• 12:00 The Electric Future: Strategies for transitioning our fleets to battery power
• 2:00: How We Did It panel presented by ARA
• 3:00: ARA Social Hour
• 4:00: Show ends