February 7, 2023
In his continuing series of Zoom updates for those in Region Nine, which includes California, Nevada and Hawaii, American Rental Association (ARA) Region Nine Director Alberto Pianelli, general manager, F & B Rentals, Santa Ana, Calif., highlighted event rental resources on the Jan. 11 call and equipment rental resources on the Jan. 17 call.
The featured presenter for the Jan. 11 call was James Auerbach, ARA vice president of the event segment and rental industry workforce development. He highlighted the wide range of new ARA programs and resources available specifically for the event rental segment. This included the new Intro to Rental certificate program, which is now available in RentalU, to the completely updated and revamped Certified Event Rental Professional (CERP) program that will be launched at The ARA Show™ in Orlando. He also discussed the updated ARA Safe Tenting program that includes the industry’s first tent ballasting calculation tool for non-engineered tents, a video training series and the wide range of additional safety materials available for all ARA members.
Steven Herring, president, All About Events, Paso Robles, Calif., who serves as ARA of California vice president, wanted to sit in on the call “to hear from other event rental operators and see how their season is shaping up with the economy the way it is, the weather and post-COVID-19,” he says. He wasn’t disappointed, noting that he gained a lot from the call.
Jason Davis, general manager, Signature Party Rentals, Santa Ana, Calif., also was interested in hearing from other rental operators and learning about any updates. “There were plenty of updates this go round from ARA,” he says. “I am already playing with the tent ballasting tool and looking forward to the rollout of the new CERP. I also am excited to hear about the free Introduction to Event Rental program. I plan to have my team evaluate that for implementation into our business. Overall, I appreciate the value I received from this 45-minute Zoom call and look forward to the next one.”
Josh Nickell, ARA’s vice president of the equipment segment, was the guest presenter on the Jan. 17 call. He touched on the current economic climate and how that is impacting the equipment side of the industry. He also discussed ARA resources such as the new ARA Certified programs for mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), service technicians and sales/marketing professionals, which all launched in 2023 and are designed specifically for the equipment rental industry.
Michelle Nelson, president, MK Equipment Corp., Honolulu, found the call very helpful.
“Josh gave a great overview of ARA’s new services, especially all the new RentalU content. I love the RentalU safety videos and take advantage of the automatic enrollment for my team. The MEWP Training, which is trackable through RentalU, is something that I want to move toward. It was also nice to hear more about the Future of Equipment Rental event that will take place at The ARA Show. I am looking forward to it,” Nelson says, adding that she also enjoyed Pianelli’s point about advocating for the needs of rental operators with state and federal legislators.
Nelson says she “really appreciates the time and effort that ARA and Alberto, our Region Nine director, make to provide us with meaningful events and meetings. California, Nevada and Hawaii could not be more different from each other, but I always feel included and heard when I attend meetings. There is always something I can take away, even if it is a topic that I already know about.”
Pianelli says the intention of these calls is to offer information and provide a forum for members to ask questions, share successes and struggles. “I want to offer an opportunity for people to get on the call, share their concerns and learn from each other. Everyone has a voice. I want to hear our members’ voices — hear what they have to say,” he says.
Pianelli is planning additional “Alberto’s Insight” Zoom webinars, so watch your email for details.
