November 7, 2023
Brandon Hanson
Hello, American Rental Association (ARA) members in Region Five. I am Brandon Hanson, owner of Rent-It, an equipment and event rental operation in Monroe, Wis. I also serve as ARA of Wisconsin president. We have a lot happening in our region and with ARA at the national level. Thank you for allowing me to give you a quick update.
Well, our state chapters have been going all out, offering events that will benefit members and their employees.
First off, the ARA of Illinois just wrapped up its Two Brothers Roundhouse Exclusive Member Event on Nov. 4, which offered the opportunity to network with rental industry young professionals and peers while enjoying some great food and drinks. Those who attended toured this historical staple, which is the oldest limestone roundhouse in the United States, complete with a new, state-of-the-art artisan distillery.
The ARA of Ohio is almost done with its Telehandler training, which has been offered at two different locations Nov. 7-9.
The ARA of Illinois is concluding the year with an exciting opportunity to see the Chicago Blackhawks take on the Montreal Canadiens from a luxury suite at the United Center on Dec. 22.
An enthusiastic group came out for the ARA of Illinois’s Two Brothers Roundhouse Exclusive Member Event on Nov. 4.
From Jan. 12-14, the ARA of Michigan will offer its Winter Conference, a jam-packed weekend of educational sessions, one-on-one time with vendors, live entertainment, delicious meals and drinks, networking and a member favorite — retro game night.
Then from Jan. 19-21, those of us in Wisconsin will be able to attend the Level-Up Wisconsin: Professional Development + Family Fun event at Blue Harbor Resort in Sheboygan. Our keynote speaker will be Barbara Khozam, who will address “Leading for Service Excellence.” In addition, attendees will enjoy one-on-one time with vendors, delicious meals and family-centered fun. It has been at least 15 years since our chapter has offered an event of this kind — a weekend to learn, network and enjoy quality time with your family. Please join us.
On the national level there is The ARA Show™ in New Orleans, set for Feb. 18-21, with EventsU taking place Feb. 17. I can’t wait to be in the Big Easy attending the world’s largest equipment and event rental trade show. If you are in rental, this is the place to be in February. I love the show. I hope to see all of you there, too. Don’t miss out. Register today by clicking here.
I don’t know about your operation, but at my store we take the upcoming slower months to catch up, take a deep dive in our inventory, do maintenance, look at our missed rentals list and determine what we want to purchase at the show. Being a small operation, we are so busy during the other months that it is nice to take stock and see where we are and where we need to go for the coming year.
I hope you can take this time to regroup, connect with your fellow rental operators and gain valuable insight at some fantastic events happening in our region and then in New Orleans. All will help you be a better rental operator in 2024.
Brandon Hanson, ARA of Wisconsin president
Rent-It
Monroe, Wis.
608-329-7368
rent_it07@yahoo.com
