The Rental Show sees increased attendance in NOLA

The American Rental Association had positive things to report from the show floor in New Orleans last month.

This year's The Rental Show, which took place at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center from Feb. 22 through Feb. 25,  saw attendance up for the sixth straight year.

That's an achievement not seen since the early 1980s, said the folks at ARA in a statement.

Rental business attendance was up nearly 5% this year, and the pre-show Events & Tents workshop had been sold out since November.



“Everything at the show was working at the highest level this year," said ARA CEO Christine Wehrman. "There was strong interest in meeting with exhibitors, purchasing of equipment, excellent networking and positive attitudes from all attendees and exhibitors. There is an optimistic outlook for the future of the equipment rental industry, short-term and long-term. Everyone is very confident of the future being a stronger marketplace and they are investing in the growth of the industry.”

Other highlights of note included a keynote session featuring Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, as well as an overall sustained momentum in buying activity.

"People were buying from the beginning of the show and others were shopping and then coming back to finalize quotes,” said Clay Eubanks, Takeuchi Manufacturing (U.S.), Pendergrass, Georgia. “We knew it was going to be good because the economy overall is doing better. The show this year was like the old days with a buzz and buying activity.”