Hello, American Rental Association (ARA) Region Ten members. Where has the year gone? Here we are in mid-October and it’s wonderful to see so many rental operations bustling with activity. Amid the busyness of the season, I encourage you to set aside time to check out some important items that can impact your business.
If you haven’t heard the news, I’m excited to share with you that ARA is now offering a comprehensive commercial insurance package to members across all Canadian provinces. Westland Insurance Group is the exclusive partner for the insurance solutions, which are tailored specifically for the needs of equipment and event rental businesses.
Click here to learn more about the ARA/Westland Insurance partnership and the types of coverages that are available, which include property, general liability, contractors equipment, excess liability and even cyber insurance to guard against various types of cybercrimes.
The new insurance package was unveiled alongside many other beneficial ARA resources at our exhibit space and in the session held at Canadian Rental Mart last month. It was wonderful to see so many of you there, and I look forward to connecting with you again at The ARA Show™ in Orlando 2023, which will be held Feb. 11-15.
Speaking of The ARA Show, remember that registration opens Tuesday, Oct. 18. It seems like forever, with everything that has happened in the world since the last “pre-COVID” show was hosted in Orlando in February 2020, doesn’t it? Orlando is a hugely popular destination for the show, and I know everyone is excited about going back there and focusing on the future of our businesses and the industry. Check out everything show-related — and get registered — at ARAshow.org.
While you are registering for the show, I hope you will sign up to attend the Welcome Reception on Monday, Feb. 13, which will feature designated networking space for each ARA region, including Region Ten attendees from Canada. I know many were unable to attend the show in Las Vegas last year, so it will be a real treat to mingle again with one another.
Following on the heels of the ARA session at Canadian Rental Mart and the well-attended, in-person meeting at Cooper Equipment Rentals in Richmond, BC, over the summer, the next ARA of Canada event will be a webinar in early November. The topic will be developing effective rental contracts and will feature James Waite, Esq., a business lawyer with more than 25 years of experience in the equipment rental industry. Watch your email for signup details.
To help continue the forward momentum of ARA’s initiatives in Canada, an ARA of Canada Task Force has been created that includes some engaged Canadian members. If you have any questions about or ideas for offerings that can benefit ARA members here in Canada, please let me know as I chair the task force.
Finally, I would like to congratulate Erin Brochu, owner and manager, Castle Rentals & Welding Supplies, Edson, Alberta. She was selected from our region as one of the young rental professionals profiled in the “12 to watch under 40” section in the September issue of Rental Management. Read more about Erin in this issue.
Have a wonderful fall season.
Angie Venekamp, ARA Region Ten director
Rental Network
Squamish, British Columbia
604-892-8200
angie@rentalnetwork.ca