February 19, 2023
During The ARA Show™ 2023, held last week in Orlando, members of the American Rental Association’s (ARA) political action committee (ARAPAC) and their guests gathered for a night of fun at the ARAPAC Reception. The event also raised $42,000 which will be used to support ARAPAC as it advocates for the rental industry in Washington, D.C.
“ARAPAC is an important group. We need to have our voice heard in Washington, D.C., and John McClelland [Ph.D., ARA’s vice president for government affairs and chief economist] knows how to do it. We need to support him because he knows which candidates we need to be talking to and supporting to get our issues for small businesses heard in Washington, D.C.,” says Rachel O’Brien, ECP-SM, J & F Reddy Rents, Saint Louis Park, Minn., and ARAPAC member.
“I’ve been a long-time supporter of ARAPAC because I believe we need to get involved with our political process at the beginning — preferably at the grassroots level. For many years I’ve been supporting ARAPAC because of my belief in the political system. I’ve attended several caucuses and know that nothing happens unless you make the noise,” says Robert Pedersen, A Tool Shed, Santa Cruz, Calif., and ARAPAC member.
The ARAPAC Reception was held at Topgolf — a premier entertainment destination in Orlando featuring three floors with more than 100 climate-controlled hitting bays. Topgolf served as the perfect venue for ARAPAC members to show off their golf skills while networking with others in the equipment and event rental industry.
“It’s a great event. It’s just more networking, which is what we all come to the show for. It’s a great way to support the industry, members of the industry and ARAPAC,” says Jeff Crotto, CERP, All About Events – Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Fla., ARA president-elect and ARAPAC member.
The evening concluded with the winners of the virtual ARAPAC raffle being named. The raffle featured a wide variety of prizes. The winners included:
- Grand Prize Vacation Getaway — Josh Nickell, ARA, Moline, Ill.
- California wine package — David VanDenburgh, Adams Rental, Hamilton, N.J.
- Big Green Egg package — Tom Doyle, ARA
- Whiskey package — Scott Irwin, Delux Rental, Ypsilanti, Mich., and ARA board chair
- 10th Generation iPad 10.9-inch — Beth Hoff Blackmer, Aspen Rent-All, Basalt, Colo.
- YETI Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler — Jeff Wiesman, Wood Street Rental, Stevens Point, Wis.
- Google Pixel Watch Bluetooth/Wi-Fi — Jody Kerr, Toro, Bloomington, Minn.
Doug Haas, Crown Rental, Burnsville, Minn., ARA Region Six director and ARAPAC member, encourages all ARA members to join ARAPAC.
“It costs nothing and it raises our numbers of ARAPAC members. At least, at minimum do that. Also, come to an event, it’s fun. That portion also helps to fund ARAPAC. And then, make a donation if you can. Give as much as you can because it’s going to an important cause,” he says.
Learn more about ARAPAC at ARArental.org/ARAPAC.
