Rental Industry Actively Trending Upward

Courtesy of American Rental Association

Attendance at The Rental Show 2011 displayed a marked increase over 2010, reflecting a renewed optimistic attitude throughout the rental industry. The Rental Show was held Feb. 27 to March 2 in Las Vegas.

Attendees were actively buying on the trade show floor, with many exhibitors reporting optimistic sales that began as soon as the floor opened. ''We had more activity the first two hours of the show than the last two shows combined,'' said Steve Groves of Champion Chisel Works, Tacoma, Wash.

Optimism was reflected in the Construction/Industrial department as well. Hopefully this optimism can be reflected in increased sales and rentals for landscape construction and maintenance equipment. ''The best part of the show in 2011 was the mood of the customers,'' said Dave Garton, marketing manager of John Deere Construction & Forestry, Moline, Ill.

''After a couple years of heads down, walk-right-past-our-booth traffic, it was great to see some long-time friends stop by to talk about machine purchases. It was even better to meet some new contacts and learn about their business. The best word to sum the show up actually comes from one of our customers who said people seem to have more 'confidence' than they have in the past.''

- Courtesy of American Rental Association