ARA Rental Show returns to Orlando

The 2017 Rental Show, which represents the 61st annual convention and trade show of the American Rental Association (ARA), will return to its most popular destination, Orlando, Fla., on Sunday, Feb. 26, through Wednesday, March 1, at the Orange County Convention Center.

On Monday, Feb. 27, Jay Leno, comedian, author, car builder and longtime host of “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” will serve as the show’s keynote speaker. Leno was a staple of late night television for more than 20 years. After serving as the exclusive guest host for “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” beginning in September 1987, he took over “Tonight Show” hosting duties in 1992. He quickly took his show to the top of the ratings. After retiring from “The Tonight Show” in 2014, Leno started a popular web series focused on his love of cars, “Jay Leno’s Garage,” at jaylenosgarage.com. An avid standup comedian, he also makes more than 100 live appearances annually.

An evening at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park is on tap for Tuesday, Feb. 28. Guests will have exclusive access to three of the park’s most popular attractions: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, Jurassic Park, and Skull Island: Reign of Kong.

The entertaining and enchanting feeling will extend throughout the show’s full schedule — especially with more than 675 exhibitors bringing their newest and best rental equipment to the North-South Building of the Orange County Convention Center for the trade show Feb. 27-March 1. Attendees can spend up to 20 total hours on the show floor viewing exhibits in three categories: construction/industrial equipment, general tool/light construction equipment and party/special event equipment. Many exhibitors will also be offering show-only specials, including exclusive pricing or other deals available only during the trade show in Orlando.

Other highlights of The Rental Show 2017 will include:

* A full day of seminars will be held on Sunday, Feb. 26, with 22 total educational sessions available throughout the show. Speakers will include returning favorites like Steve Abercrombie; Barbara Nuss, CPA; and David McBee, while seminar topics will focus on human resources concerns, succession planning, customer service, digital marketing and more. Always popular, the Rental Town Halls will also return for each equipment segment. Two educational sessions will also be featured on Tuesday morning.

* The return of the construction track — just for those in construction or general tool rental — with sessions focused on aerial work platforms and Tier 4 equipment standards.

* A new employee-focused track of seminars on Sunday, Feb. 26, will help employees, as well as owners and managers learn about working with today’s customers, team building, and getting energized for personal and professional success.

* The show will feature several networking events, including the Networking Lunch With ARA, regional receptions, the international reception, and the ARA Foundation Charity Auction and Reception. In addition, the Networking Lounge, which debuted at The Rental Show 2016, will return at the Hilton Orlando. The ARA Young Professionals Network Reception will be held for those between the ages of 18-40.

* Events & Tents on Saturday, Feb. 25, will include a full day of education and networking specifically for those in party and special event rental. It will include a kickoff breakfast focusing on industry trends presented by Matthew Trettel and Bruce Vassar, The Wedding Guys. In addition, there will be 16 educational sessions held throughout the day, lunch with entertainment provided by speed painter Tim Decker, and a closing session featuring three virtual tours of ARA member businesses. The closing reception will be at Mango’s Tropical Café, a Miami-style club with entertainment, fun and festivities.

Also available will be two post-show cruises, a three-night Bahamas cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Seas that departs from Port Canaveral, Fla., and a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise on Holland America’s Oosterdam cruises that departs from Tampa, Fla. Additional details and booking information are online in the “Travel” section at TheRentalShow.com.

Since The Rental Show was last held in Orlando in 2014, the city has continued to add new restaurants, attractions and experiences. The I-Drive 360 retail, dining and entertainment complex opened on International Drive in 2015 and features the Orlando Eye, a 400-foot observation wheel that offers views all the way to the Kennedy Space Center on a clear day. New additions at Pointe Orlando include more restaurants and live music venues.

There also are 25 hotels available for The Rental Show through onPeak, ARA’s official housing partner. Hotels offer a variety of price points and amenities, some coming with special offers and benefits at local attractions. Complete details and online booking are available in the “Hotels” section at TheRentalShow.com.

Additional details about all aspects of the show can be found at TheRentalShow.com.

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The Rental Show 2017 Schedule

NOTE: The location is the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando unless otherwise noted.

FRIDAY, FEB. 24
8 a.m. –5 p.m.
Exhibitor move-in

1 – 5 p.m.
Registration open

SATURDAY, FEB. 25
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Registration open

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Events & Tents educational workshop

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Exhibitor move-in

5 – 11 p.m.
Networking Lounge
Hilton Orlando – Lobby Bar

SUNDAY, FEB. 26
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Registration open

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Exhibitor move-in

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Educational seminars

Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Networking Lunch with ARA

5 – 11 p.m.
Networking Lounge
Hilton Orlando – Lobby Bar

5:30 – 8 p.m.
ARA Young Professionals Network Reception
Main Event at Pointe Orlando

7 – 10 p.m.
Canadian Rental Association Hospitality Reception
Cuba Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar

MONDAY, FEB. 27
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Registration open

8 – 10 a.m.
Keynote Session, presented by Jay Leno

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Exhibit hall open

4 – 5 p.m.
Canadian Rental Association Annual General Meeting

5 – 6:30 p.m.
Regional Receptions

5 – 11 p.m.
Networking Lounge
Hilton Orlando – Lobby Bar

6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
ARAPAC Reception, featuring The Capitol Steps

TUESDAY, FEB. 28
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Registration open

8 – 9:30 a.m.
Educational seminars

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Exhibit hall open

5 – 6:30 p.m.
ARA Foundation Charity Auction and Reception

5 – 7 p.m.
International Reception

7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
ARA’s Evening at Universal’s Islands of Adventure

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1
7 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Registration open

8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Exhibit hall open

1 – 9 p.m.
Exhibitor move-out

THURSDAY, MARCH 2
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Exhibitor move-out