Trade show season

The season of rental trade shows is once again upon us. Over the next few pages, you will find a good starting point for making sure you get the most out of your regional trade show. We also offer an extensive preview of The Rental Show, taking place this February in Las Vegas, Nev.

Education is a big part of the trade show experience. A group of rental professionals sits in rapt attention at an education seminar during The Rental Show 2010.

Information on the regional shows is presented in the order in which the shows will take place. The exception to this is The Rental Show, information on which you will find after the Canadian shows.

CRA Ontario Table Top Show
Jan. 22, 2011
Best Western Lamplighter Inn
London, Ont.

The following companies have been confirmed as exhibitors at the CRA Ontario Table Top Trade Show. Many of the companies listed below are first-time exhibitors at the CRA Ontario Table Top Trade Show.

The show runs from 12 to 4 p.m. on Jan. 22, 2011. A cocktail and social hour is set to take place starting at 5 p.m., with a banquet dinner and CRA Ontario awards taking place afterwards. A Silent Auction and a Loonie Auction will be held after dinner and the awards presentations.

A block of rooms has been set aside for the night of Jan. 22 at the Lamplighter Inn. The booking should be made under “Canadian Rental Association Ontario.” Rates start at $129 per room.

To make banquet reservations, please contact Shirley McCormick by phone or fax to 905-697-0380 or via e-mail to smc1smc2@gmail.com.

• Abmast Inc
• All Cover Portable Systems
• Bartell Morrison Inc.
• Bismar Inc **
• Construction Equipment Solutions
• Eastcan Marketing
• Ericson **
• George Daan Supplies 2009
• Gray Tools Canada **
• Greenline Hose & Fittings **
• G.C. Duke Equipment
• Hilti Canada Corp.
• Husqvarna Construction
• Hy-Cor International Inc. **
• Magnum Products LLC
• Marindustriel Ontario Inc.
• National Hose Equipment Ltd.
• Norseman Inc. **
• Patron Products **
• Pearl Abrasive Co. **
• Pidex Inc. **
• Point-of-Rental Systems **
• Quest Plastics Limited **
• RDSI
• Rentquip Canada
• Stihl Limited **
• Trinitec Distribution
• Vulcan Demolition Tools Inc.
• Wacker Neuson Ltd.
• Weber MT, Inc **
• Western Financial Group Insurance Solutions

** First-time exhibitor at CRA Ontario Table Top Trade Show

CRA Atlantic Trade Show
Feb. 12, 2011
Ramada Plaza Crystal Palace
Dieppe, N.B.

The Atlantic chapter of the CRA says hello to a new venue for the 7th annual rental show. This year’s show will be held at the vibrant Ramada Plaza Crystal Palace in Dieppe, N.B.
Suppliers can set up tables on Friday, Feb. 11, and then attend the annual Social Evening, which will feature the always popular Chinese Auction. The evening will also feature a Casino Night with lots of fun and prizes.

The show itself will be held on Saturday, Feb. 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Luncheon will be at noon, and will include a short meeting and discussion. The show will be closed during this time.
For more information, please contact Olivia D’Eon at 902-762-3294 or via e-mail to prs@ns.aliantzinc.ca.

CRA Prairie Regional Trade Show
March 12, 2011
Prairieland Exhibition Centre
Saskatoon, Sask.

This full-day event takes place at the Prairieland Exhibition Centre in Saskatoon, Sask., on March 12, 2011. The host hotel will be the Radisson Hotel Saskatoon. The CRA Prairie Regional Trade Show brings together representation from three provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba) under one roof.

The CRA Prairie Regional Trade Show is well known for the sense of camaraderie it fosters, and for extremely well-attended social events. This year promises to be no exception. The following companies have been confirmed as exhibitors at the CRA Prairie Regional Trade Show for 2011:

• A.E. Sales Ltd.
• Abmast Abrasives
• Atlas Copco Compressors Canada
• Bartell Morrison
• Brandt Tractor
• Canadian Rental Service
• Cavalier Industries Ltd.
• Celtic Distributors
• CES Construction Equipment Solutions
• CM Equipment
• Con-X Equipment Canada Inc.
• Crown Verity
• Cyclone Diamond Products
• Deltaquip Supplies Ltd.
• Diamond Products Inc.
• Distribution Equip
• Doosan Portable Power Canada
• Eliet USA Inc.
• Engineered Performance Ducting
• Equipements Mathieu Inc.
• Falcon Ladder & Scaffold Mfg.
• FGI Supply Ltd.
• G.C. Duke Equipment
• Genie Industries
• Goodall Rubber Company
• Hilti Canada
• Husqvarna Construction Products
• ICE/Frost Fighter
• Leavitt Machinery
• M.S. Sales
• M.S. Sprayer
• Magnum Products
• Mancorp Industrial Sales Ltd.
• Multiquip Inc.
• National Hose & Equipment
• Norseman Inc.
• Renown Industries
• Rentquip Canada
• Skyjack Inc.
• Sure Flame Products
• Terra Cut Supply Ltd.
• Total Equipment Sales
• Trinitec Distribution
• Tsurumi Canada
• Uniquip Canada Inc.
• Volvo Construction Equipment
• Wacker Neuson Ltd.
• Wallenstein
• Warner Shelter Systems
• Wayne Weight Marketing
• Weber Machine
• Western Financial Group Insurance

Quebexpo 2011
March 22-23, 2011
Hotel des Seigneurs
St-Hyacinthe, Que.

Quebexpo returns to the Hotel des Seigneurs in St-Hyacinthe, Que. In addition to hosting the trade show, Hotel des Seigneurs is also the official show hotel for the 27th annual Quebexpo.
The show is traditionally very well attended. Despite bad weather that closed some roads on the first day of the show in 2010, last year’s regional trade show still managed to bring in 388 rental professionals from across the province. The following companies have confirmed that they will be exhibiting at Quebexpo 2011:

• A.E. Sales
• Abmast Abrasives
• Action Marketing A.G. Inc.
• Assurances Michel Brosseau
• Aubin et St Pierre Inc.
• Bobcat de Montreal
• Bock Inc.
• Bomag Canada Inc.
• Bosch Power Tools
• Boyaux & Raccords Greenline
• C.E.C. Equipements
• Canada Power Technology
• Carmix Canada
• Centura- Montreal
• Cisolift Distribution Inc.
• CM Equipment
• Con-X Equipment Canada
• Corniver Technologies
• D & K Imports
• Defco Ltee
• DHP Sherbrooke Inc.
• Distribution E-Quip
• Diversco Supply Inc.
• Dynapac/Atlas Copco
• Eastcan Marketing
• Echo Power Equipment
• Eliet USA Inc.
• Equipements Mathieu Inc.
• Gauthier Interlift
• Groupe Lou-Tec Inc.
• Hertz Location d’equipement
• HIAB Quebec
• Hilti Canada
• Hitachi Koki
• Husqvarna Construction Products
• Intro Marketing Inc.
• Jet Equipment & Tools
• Johnny Vac
• Kaeser Compresseurs Canada
• Les Equipements Twin
• Location Serca
• M.S. Sprayer/Pulverisateur MS
• Magnum Products of Canada
• Marindustriel
• Micanic Inc.
• Multiquip Inc.
• NB Securite Industrielle
• Norseman Inc.
• O.J. Compagnie
• Pearl Abrasive
• Phoenix/Systemes de Fixation Phoenix
• Plafolift Inc.
• Power Ease/Action Mktg
• Propane Express
• Quest Plastics Limited
• Rentquip Canada Ltd.
• S&S Supply Ltd
• S.N.S. Machineries
• Select-Lift Inc.
• Skyjack Inc.
• Star Diamond Tools
• Stihl Limited
• Sure Flame Products
• Tentes Fiesta Tents
• Theo Turgeon Equipement Inc.
• Total Equipment Sales
• Tsurumi Pumps
• Uniquip Canada Inc.
• Vermeer Canada
• Wacker Neuson Ltee
• Warner Shelter Systems
• Weber MT
• Western Financial Group Insurance

Trade shows, either regional or national, are one of the best ways to see new equipment and network with peers.

The Rental Show
Feb. 27-March. 2, 2011
Mandalay Bay Convention Center
Las Vegas, Nev.

The Rental Show runs from Feb. 27-March 2 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev.
In brief, The Rental Show 2011 will feature a full day of educational seminars, a special New Product Showcase, a host of networking events (including one just for the Canadian contingent) and an inspirational keynote message from Leigh Anne Tuohy, the real-life inspiration behind Sandra Bullock’s character in The Blind Side. The keynote session will also include the posthumous induction of Hotch Manning into the Rental Hall of Fame.
First, let’s take a look at this year’s education lineup. Sunday, Feb. 27, offers a full day of educational seminars, with morning seminars before the trade show opens on Tuesday, March 1, and Wednesday, March 2. Also offered on Sunday are half-day sessions, focused on improving your cash flow and “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”
A full schedule of seminars is reproduced below. Seminar sessions marked PARTY! are part of the Events and Tents portion of The Rental Show.

Saturday, Feb. 26
4 – 5:30 p.m.
It’s Time to Get Savvy About Social Media Lara McCulloch-Carter, READY2SPARK
Table Talk: Sharing Core Business Concepts Rental industry facilitators
Razzle Dazzle Your Clients With Spectacular Table Designs Robin Brockelsby, Creative Coverings

Sunday, Feb. 27
8:30 – 10 a.m.
Hiring: Make Sure What You See Is What You Get Mel Kleiman, CSP, Humetrics
How Social Media Can Change Your Business Jeff Korhan, True Nature

8:30 – 11:45 a.m.
For Improved Profits, Manage Your Cash Flow Carl Forssen, Business Resource Services

9 – 10:15 a.m. (PARTY!)
Personality Marketing to Today’s Bride Susan Southerland, Perfect Wedding Guide
Catering Connections: Partners Helping Partners
Industry panel
Time to Shine with LED Lighting
Carol Lee Cundey, Eureka! The Tent Co., and Thomas Markel, Bravo Events Expos Displays

10:15 – 11:45 a.m.
How to Sell to a Skeptical Society Russell White, CSP, Pinnacle Solutions
Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High Todd King, Vital Smarts

10:30 – 11:45 a.m. (PARTY!)
Seal the Deal With Five-Star Customer Service Jan Franke, iQ Edge
Is Party a Large Enough Slice of Your Rental Business? Rental industry panel
Table Talk: Tenting Tips and Techniques Rental industry facilitators

1:45 – 3:15 p.m.
Hiring: Make Sure What You See Is What You Get Mel Kleiman, CSP, Humetrics
Creating and Executing a Smart Business Plan Christine Corelli, Christine Corelli & Associates
How Social Media Can Change Your Business Jeff Korhan, True Nature
Indispensable by Monday Larry Myler, By Monday

1:45 – 5 p.m.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People James Cathcart, Franklin Covey Client Sales

3:30 – 5 p.m.
Table Talk: Marketing Strategies for Today’s Business Facilitator panel
De-Stress for Success Barry Maher, Barry Maher & Associates
Advanced Communication Skills for Leaders Sue Hershkowitz-Coore, CSP, High Impact Impressions
Creating the Ultimate Customer Experience Scott Deming

Tuesday, March 1
8 – 9:30 a.m.
Rental Town Hall: Party and Event Rental Rental industry panel
Rental Town Hall: Construction and Tool Rental Rental industry panel
Leveraging Information in Your Rental Business Tom Hubbell, John McClelland and Wayne Walley, American Rental Association
Because . . . It’s More Than Driving: ARA’s Professional Driver Education Program Rental industry panel

8 – 10 a.m.
CERP Exams

Wednesday, March 2
8 – 9:30 a.m.
Evolve or Die Robin Crow, The Crow Co.
Expanding Business Opportunities: Is Government Contracting for Me? Vicky Miller, Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Center AWP Training: Fall Protection Rental industry panel New products
The Rental Show will also feature a New Product Showcase area on the trade show floor. This area will be used exclusively to highlight the latest products in of each of the main show floor departments: Construction/Industrial, General Tool/Homeowner and Party/Special Event. The Rental Show 2011 will also feature a first-time exhibitor pavilion to spotlight companies that have not exhibited previously.
While some swear by formal continuing education, and new products will always be an impressive draw, for some rental operators the true value in The Rental Show lies in the networking opportunities it presents.

networking events

Sunday, Feb. 27
7:30 – 8:45 a.m.
Networking Continental Breakfast and Presentation
Through The Looking Glass: A Peek at a High-Performing Event Team King Dahl, MGM Resorts Events
This offers event professionals a chance to view the leadership practices and design process of internationally renowned MGM Resorts Events. King Dahl, executive director of event design, will share the specific strategies that make his organization successful. Dahl will discuss his building blocks for creating an effective, creative and interdependent team culture with today’s employees.

12 – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch With ARA
New for 2011, this networking and awards luncheon provides an opportunity to connect with fellow attendees between the morning and afternoon seminars. All attendees participating in the Sunday Show seminars and Events and Tents are invited. The ARA volunteer recognition awards will be presented and the Certified Event Rental Professional (CERP) graduates will be recognized during the lunch as well. Tickets are $15 each. Advance registration and ticket required. Lunch With ARA is sponsored by John Deere, Palmer Snyder/PS Event Furniture and Volvo Construction Equipment.

12 – 5 p.m.
26th Annual ARA/ARA Insurance Golf Open The Arroyo Golf Club at Red Rock
Enjoy a day of golf and networking with your rental peers and exhibitors at the Arroyo Golf Club. A shotgun start is set for noon, with transportation provided. Buses will depart from the Shark Reef Entrance at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center at 10:30 a.m. There is an entry fee of $140. The tournament is sponsored by ARA Insurance. Course holes are sponsored by Arrow Material Handling Products; Doosan Portable Power, formerly Ingersoll Rand; and Volvo Construction Equipment. Lunch is sponsored by Arrow Material Handling Products.

6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Leverage at LAX LAX Nightclub,
Luxor Las Vegas
This is an exclusive event at LAX Nightclub, open only for ARA on Sunday evening. The event will feature classic rock by the live band Yellow Brick Road, along with food, beer, wine and soft drinks. Tickets are $40 per adult. Food and two drink tickets will be included with the evening’s admission. Guests must be 21 and show proper identification to attend. A passport is required for international guests. Leverage at LAX is sponsored by Arrow Material Handling Products; Doosan Portable Power, formerly Ingersoll Rand; Graco; John Deere; Takeuchi Manufacturing (U.S.); and Volvo Construction Equipment

Monday, Feb. 28
5 – 6:30 p.m.
Region 10 (Canada) Reception
Each of ARA’s 10 regions will host a reception, providing a different spin on networking from the previous regional lunches and breakfasts. Receptions will include a short program by leaders from each ARA region, as well as light hors d’oeuvres and one drink ticket. Tickets are $15 each. Advance registration and ticket required.

6:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Canadian Hospitality Night Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino
This event follows the Annual General Meeting and the Region 10 Reception. It is orchestrated by the Canadian Rental Association (CRA).

7 – 9 p.m.
Next Generation Event Nine Fine Irishmen, New York New York Hotel and Casino. Sponsored by Arrow Material Handling Products.
The spirit of family, friendship and camaraderie continues with this year’s event, which will take place in an authentic Irish restaurant and pub. Next Generation of Rental Owners members, their parents and families are invited for a fun, casual evening of conversation and connections. Tickets are $40 per person and include hors d’oeuvres and two drink tickets. Advance registration is required. This event is not restricted to those 21 years of age and older.

However, the restaurant reserves the right to card anyone upon arrival or during the event and wrist-band those under age. The Next Generation Event is sponsored by Arrow Material Handling Products.

For more information about The Rental Show 2011, please visit www.therentalshow.com .