The return of Rental Mart

The Canadian Rental Mart will be back March 18 to 19, 2014, at its familiar venue in the Toronto Congress Centre. All the great features of last years’ tremendously successful show will be in place, plus some new twists.  The show is still several months away, but many plans are in place and booths are selling briskly.  Show manager, Ed Cosman, says booth sales are moving as well or better than before the 2011 edition, which was one of the strongest Rental Marts in years.

Over 400 rental operators attended the 2012 Canadian Rental Mart, representing more than 250 different rental houses. The 2014 edition looks to be just as busy.

In this age of instant, on-demand entertainment and the ubiquitous, hand-held availability of information, shows are constantly struggling to find ways to keep people interested and in attendance. Canadian Rental Mart show organizers are betting there is one thing that rental operators will not be able to resist: a great deal. We are working with our exhibitors to encourage and promote the availability of real show specials. That means special pricing, discounts, giveaways, contests or other promotions that are only available on the show floor. So far, the response has been strongly enthusiastic. Exhibitors understand that they can make sure the show is a big success if they stick to their guns with show-day-only specials. After all, they have already spent the money on a booth and transporting equipment – why not make sure lots of people come to see it by giving them something they can only get if they do? We want to turn the Rental Mart into a buying show again where you turn up with your chequebook in hand and your trailer hitched up. If you do, we can promise you will find some bargains you can’t get anywhere else.

The other thing you will find at the Canadian Rental Mart that you won’t find anywhere else is a chance to attend free educational seminars from industry experts. This year, we have a particularly strong program lined up. Neil Courneya, president of Hy-Cor, will bring his many years of experience to bear on the topic of temporary power distribution. You know how to rent generators, but Courneya can show you how to make your rental more effective for your customer and add margin to each rental by packaging the distribution equipment that will get the power where it needs to go. It is a talk that will go straight to your bottom line.

Also on tap in the morning seminar sessions is Mark Borkowski of Mercantile Mergers and Acquisitions. You may recognize Borkowski from the back page of this magazine, where he has been enlightening us all on the arcane world of business valuations, buyouts, mergers and sales. At the Rental Mart, Borkowski is going to tell you how to correctly value your business so you know exactly what you are worth. It is pretty critical information whether you are seeking credit, looking to sell or just want to know where you stand. Borkowski is the kind of guy who can charge a lot of money for this information, but if you come to the Canadian Rental Mart, you get access to his expertise for free.

Nominations are now open for the second presentation of Canadian Rental Service magazine’s Rental Operator of the Year award.  Once again, I will be scouring the country from rental operators showing tremendous innovation, success and commitment to safety and presenting their stories to the steely eyes of our judges to find one who reigns supreme. The winner gets on the cover of magazine, a handsome trophy to hang in the shop and bragging rights. Do not be shy, just drop an email to pflannery@annexweb.com to be considered for the award.

As always, the Ontario Canadian Rental Association will host its banquet at the International Plaza hotel (formerly the Doubletree by Hilton) across the street. Details of the banquet are not set yet, but it always involves some excellent entertainment plus a chance to lift a glass with colleagues in the industry.

Rental Mart facts and figures
Tuesday, March 18, to Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Where: Toronto Congress Centre
Admission: free
Parking: free
Hotel: International Plaza (formerly Doubletree by Hilton Hotels)
Exhibitors: 104
Seminars: Each morning at 8 a.m. in the Plaza conference rooms
CRA Banquet: Tuesday night in the International Plaza ballroom
ROOTY award presentation: 3 p.m. Tuesday on the show floor