August 8, 2023
Jim Boddez
Hello, everyone. I’m Jim Boddez of Five Bo and Hy Cor Intl, St. Albert, Alberta. I’m pleased to be part of the ARA of Canada Task Force and to have this opportunity to share with you about how we can play a role in recognizing those who have made an impact in our industry.
In my time in the rental industry, I’ve had the opportunity to meet some great rental folks across Canada. These are people who have dedicated years — sometimes decades — to improving our industry by generously sharing their knowledge and expertise with others, or by donating their time and talents toward the development of tools or resources that elevate the way we do business.
Do you know someone like this? You can help the American Rental Association (ARA) give that individual the recognition they deserve. All it takes is a nomination from you.
ARA is asking members to submit a nomination for the Rental Hall of Fame and Industry Contributor Awards. All award recipients will be honored during the ARA Industry Awards Lunch on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, at The ARA Show™ in New Orleans. Click here for eligibility and criteria information, and to make a nomination. Nomination deadlines are coming up quickly — on Aug. 11 — so please act quickly.
Take a look at just a few of the past ARA honorees from Canada (ARA’s Region Ten):
- Daniel Cameron, Fredericton, New Brunswick, founder of Atlantic Rentals and pioneer of the development of multiple branch rental operations in Canada.
- Robert “Bob” MacFarland, R.H. MacFarland, Halifax, Nova Scotia, who served as ARA president in 1989.
- Doron Broadfoot, The Rent-It Store, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, a past ARA Region Ten director.
L-R: Daniel Cameron, Bob MacFarland, Doron Broadfoot
That’s only a list of those from Canada who have been inducted into the Rental Hall of Fame — the industry’s most prestigious award. In addition to this, there are dozens of other Canadians who have received ARA award recognitions over the years for their distinguished service to the industry. I hope we can add to the list in 2024!
To those of you who are in the Vancouver, British Columbia, area, I’d like to encourage you to take part in a special community service project coming up very soon that will help showcase what we in the rental industry can do with our equipment and personnel.
The project will take place Sept. 6-7 at Pacific Riding for Developing Abilities (PRDA) in Langley, B.C., and will involve facility improvements for the not-for-profit, therapeutic equestrian riding centre. It’s part of the ARA Foundation and The Toro Company Foundation’s joint Community Impact Program, which involves the foundations partnering with local nonprofit organizations to coordinate community service projects. What’s great about the Community Impact Program is that it allows those of us in the rental industry an opportunity to give back to our communities while building public awareness and demonstrating the advantages of rental.
I hope you’ll consider donating your time or even some equipment to help with this project at PRDA. You can find more details about the project and sign up here.
Also, I’d like to invite you to take part in the ARA of Canada Golf Tournament that will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 13. The venue is The Ranch Golf and Country Club in Acheson, Alberta, Canada. Your registration will include 18 holes of golf on a championship course, golf cart, driving range privileges and a steak dinner following the tournament. Not only will this be a great networking event, but the proceeds will benefit the ARA Foundation to support programs like disaster relief, educational scholarships and Community Impact Program projects within Canada. Learn more about it here.
Best wishes for a safe and prosperous month.
Jim Boddez
Five Bo and Hy Cor Intl
St. Albert, Alberta, Canada
780-405-3173
jim.boddez@fiveboinc.ca
