The American Rental Association (ARA) says that “new” will be a focus for its 2012 Rental Show.
This will be the first time in 10 years that The Rental Show will return to New Orleans. In addition to new and innovative products available during the trade show annually, the 2012 show will include new and expanded educational opportunities, new events such as an evening at Mardi Gras World, and new inspiration from keynote speaker Aron Ralston, the subject of the Academy Award-nominated film “127 Hours.”
The Rental Show will be held Feb. 5-8 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Registration is now open, with special discount pricing available for a limited time. With trade show space more than 90-percent sold and hotels filling up quickly, there’s a great enthusiasm about revisiting a place that has put into practice its own new and improved outlook since The Rental Show was last there in 2002.
Here are highlights of The Rental Show 2012.
More educational opportunities, with 30 total seminars on Feb. 5, 7, and 8. New indoor/outdoor half-day product demonstration sessions are included, plus a half-day financial seminar with Steve Abercrombie, the session “Up Close and Personal With Dan Kaplan,” a new town hall session on family business issues and round-table discussions.
The keynote session with Aron Ralston, who will share the account of his remarkable will to survive that was the basis for the movie “127 Hours.” Ralston’s story made headlines worldwide in 2003 when he was pinned by a half-ton boulder for nearly a week while hiking in Utah. He narrowly escaped death by severing his right forearm with a dull pocketknife. After applying a tourniquet, he hiked and rappelled for five hours before searchers in a helicopter miraculously rescued him.
New events include Crescent City Carnival on Feb. 7 at Mardi Gras World. A producer of floats, sculptures and props, Mardi Gras World creates most of the parades held for Mardi Gras in New Orleans from concept through completion. ARA’s Crescent City Carnival will feature a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the floats and how they’re created, with live entertainment, networking, food and beverages.
Also new for 2012 is An Evening for ARAPAC, an event for ARA’s political action committee on Feb. 6 at the National World War II Museum where invited guests will be able to tour the displays and exhibits.
Returning events include Lunch with ARA, Next Generation Reception, and a revamped The Rental Show Golf Tournament on Feb. 5; regional receptions on Feb. 6; international reception, and the Reception with a Purpose featuring the ARA Foundation charity auction on Feb. 7.
There will be three dynamic days of trade show, Feb. 6-8.
On Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 4-5, “Events & Tents” will feature an industry tour, networking reception, breakfast speaker, and focused education, including an indoor/outdoor demonstration seminar.
Registration is open now for The Rental Show online, with a special $99 internet-only rate for ARA members through Oct. 31. (The prospective member rate is $199.) This includes three days of trade show, all show seminars, and the keynote session. In addition, special early-bird hotel rates are available for a limited time through Travel Planners, ARA’s official housing company.
Online registration and hotel booking also are available at www.TheRentalShow.com. Questions on any aspect of The Rental Show can be directed to registration@therentalshow.com.
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